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Friday, July 18, 2014
Lightning blamed for blackout in Yellowknife
The Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) says lightning is to blame for a citywide power outage Tuesday night.
Pam Coulter, NTPC spokesperson said the blackout began at 8:19 p.m., and that the power came back on in stages with everyone re-energized by 9:29 p.m.
Coulter said lightning hit the Snare Transmission line, and that electricity was initially restored using diesel backup and hydro from the Bluefish Plant.
Coulter said there were some 34,000 lightning strikes between Monday and Tuesday in the NWT. She said the lightning strikes along with high winds were responsible for outages in Hay River, Fort Smith and Wrigley as well.
- John McFadden
Free swims at pool
The Ruth Inch Memorial Pool will be offering free public swims from July 21 to 26 as part of drowning prevention week.
The swims will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. each night next week except for Sunday.
One company will sponsor each swim night and they include GAP Electric, Adam Dental Clinic, Kavanaugh Waste Removal Systems JSL Mechanical, Avery, Cooper & Co., and Kingland Ford.
- Cody Punter
Aglukkaq hosts North American counterparts
Federal environment minister Leona Aglukkaq was in Yellowknife Thursday playing host to Mexico's secretary of environment and natural resources, Juan Jose Guerra Abud, and the administer of the American Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy.
McCarthy focused on climate change in her remarks.
"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time," she said. "It is not just an environmental challenge, it is a public health challenge, an economic challenge and a national security challenge."
"The science is clear," she said. "There needs to be very little discussion because we see the impact of climate change already."
Aglukkaq, on the other hand, kept her remarks on climate change brief.
"We are committed to working together to find ways of addressing greenhouse emissions while at the same time our economies grow," she said.
- Mark Rendell
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Ready for the games
Three Deh Cho communities are represented in Team NWT, which will be competing at the North American Indigenous Games later this month.
Seventeen people from the region are part of the team that includes 320 people from across the territory. The games are taking place in Regina, Sask. from July 20 to 27.
Jamie Duntra is representing Fort Liard on the male U16 soccer team. From Fort Providence there is Christina Bonnetrouge and Spencer Bonnetrouge for badminton and Lynsey Landry, Elaine Landry, Nolan Bonnetrouge and Julien Antoine for archery. Edward Landry and Adeline Landry are the two archery coaches and Shawna McLeod is part of the mission staff.
Representatives from Fort Simpson include Warren Cli, Zehro'h Waugh and Bryce Hardisty-Phillips on the U14 male basketball team and Tyler Lafferty on the U16 male team. Neil Barry is co-coaching the U16 team and Devan Horassi is the team's manager.
Also originally from Fort Simpson, fiddler Wesley Hardisty will be performing on the main stage at the cultural centre during the week.
Summer games come to Fort Simpson
Fort Simpson will be inundated with youth from around the Mackenzie region from July 29 to 31.
The Village of Fort Simpson, the Mackenzie Recreation Association and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs are partnering together to hold the Mackenzie Youth Summer Games. Eighteen communities have been invited to bring youth participants between the ages of 10 to 14.
Throughout the three days, the sports will include soccer, swimming, basketball, archery and Dene games along with flag frenzy and other fun activities. As of July 15 five communities had confirmed their participation including Whati, Gameti, Fort Liard, Lutsel K'e and Wekweeti.
Forest fires continue to burn
The number of forest fires in the Deh Cho has increased slightly in the last week.
As of July 14 there were 14 fires in the region – one more than a week ago. Seven of the fires are currently burning with five being monitored and two being worked on.
The fires in the Deh Cho have covered 193 square kilometres – only a fraction of the total area affected by forest fires in the NWT this year, which is 8,423 square kilometres. The majority of the affected area, 5,906 square kilometres, is in the North Slave.
Police have suspect in vandalism spree
Inuvik RCMP have arrested a youth who is believed to be responsible for a vandalism spree this past weekend.
In a media release, an RCMP spokesperson stated they are investigating several acts of vandalism that have occurred this past weekend.
"Several buildings have had their windows smashed, along with other damage to the properties. So far, there have been seven separate incidents reported," stated Sgt. Barry Ledoux in the release. "Charges are pending against this individual, as the investigation is ongoing."
Artist wanted
NWT Parks is looking for someone who's handy with a paint brush.
"We are looking for an artist to do a large painting," said parks interpreter and event planner Wendy Brake.
"This painting would have holes in it so people could put their faces in it and get pictures taken. It would also have to be collapsible," she said. "At this time we are looking to see who would be interested and has the ability. Then we can make a final decision if this can be a go."
Adventure race this weekend
The first-ever Inuvik Adventure Race will take place on the land and water on Saturday, July 19.
The race will begin at 5 p.m., said organizer Kylik Taylor.
Competitors will be expected to swim, paddle and run their through a gruelling course that will take them through the Boot Lake Trail, along the river, followed by a 10-kilometre paddle in a canoe.
The race is a mixture of adventure races such as the Tough Mudder and a triathlon, said Taylor, and promises it will be a lot of fun.
Parks and Oceans Day on tap
The weekends just keep getting busier in Inuvik.
Residents can celebrate Parks Day on July 19 followed by World Oceans Day on July 20.
World Oceans Day at Riverside Park will feature games for children and adults, a parade from Ingamo Hall, and a community barbecue beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the river.
World Oceans Day will segue into the opening events of the Inuit Circumpolar Council general assembly with a performance by the Iqaluit-band Jerry Cans and the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers at Chief Jim Koe Park at 8 p.m.
The Arctic Market will also be open daily selling arts and crafts and other items from July 21 to 26.
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