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Friday, November 7, 2014
Drivers, pedestrians told to be careful on roads
Drivers and pedestrians were warned by RCMP during yesterday's snowfall to use extra caution on the city's slippery streets.
Const. Elenore Sturko said there had been at least four accidents reported by 4 p.m. on Thursday, but no injuries. She said the conditions can cause vehicles to skid when braking. She urged drivers to slow down and leave extra space between their vehicle and others. Pedestrians should ensure vehicles are stopped before they enter a crosswalk.
- John McFadden
Judge to rule on removing lawyer
Judge Shannon Smallwood is to make a rare ruling on Nov. 20 as to whether the lawyer for a teenaged Ndilo girl, charged with second degree murder, will be removed from the case.
The crown prosecutor brought a motion to remove Niko Homberg as the suspect's lawyer. He is representing the 18-year-old who is charged in the stabbing death of Daniel Faine on Sept. 14, 2013. Homberg was represented by fellow lawyer Thomas Boyd as Smallwood heard from him and Crown prosecutor Alex Godfrey at a hearing yesterday.
- John McFadden
MLAs support inquiry
The 17th Legislative Assembly has passed a motion calling for a national roundtable and a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.
The motion had been introduced by Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins on Tuesday and seconded by Norman Yakeleya, the member for the Sahtu. The vote passed with notable support from Premier Bob McLeod who has been leading the charge at the national front with the rest of Canada's premiers.
The motion passed 17-0 with one abstention with Jane Groenwegen, Hay River South MLA abstaining.
- John McFadden
City to begin testing ice
As ice begins to form on lakes, the City of Yellowknife is asking residents to stay off it until it is at least six inches thick. The city hasn't yet set a date for when ice testing will begin, but the city's website states it will happen "shortly," Once testing commences, the city will post updates every Monday on the website. Ice testing is done by the Great Slave Snowmobile Association of Trail Riders.
- Randi Beers
Thursday, November 6, 2014
New band council takes the reins
Jean Marie River First Nation has elected a new band council.
Fifty-one people out of a possible 108 voted during the election on Nov. 3. The new council includes incumbents Yvonne Norwegian and Gerald Grossetete with 44 and 40 votes respectively along with Stan Sanguez with 44 votes, Malerie Hardisty with 43, Margaret Ireland with 40 and Angela Canning with 38.
The council will join the new chief Gladys Norwegian, who was acclaimed last month, in serving a three-year term.
Fibre link moves forward
The territorial government has signed a contract with Northern Lights General Partnership to design, build, operate and maintain the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link project.
The contract calls for the construction of the 1,400-kilometre line to be completed by mid-2016. It also includes the ongoing operations of the system for 20 years.
According to a government press release, Northern Lights was chosen following an evaluation of proposals submitted by pre-qualified contractors. The consortium includes Ledcor Developments Ltd., including Ledcor Technical Services, and Northwestel.
The fibre link is expected to improve the delivery of health, education and social services to remote communities in the Mackenzie region.
Ferries make final trips
The ferry season in the Deh Cho is coming to a close.
The Liard River ferry near Fort Simpson made its final trip on Nov. 4 and is now closed for the season.
The ferry was previously expected to close on Monday evening. The Johnny Berens on the Mackenzie River was expected to close on Nov. 5.
The two ferries made it past their five-year average closure dates of Nov. 3 for the Lafferty and Nov. 1 for the Johnny Berens.
The average opening date for the ice crossing on the Liard River is Nov. 28.
One-person play comes to Fort Simpson
The Northern Arts and Cultural Centre's next show will conclude its tour in Fort Simpson on Nov. 17.
When That I Was is a one-person play featuring actor Christopher Hunt. The story centres on an old man who was once a member of William Shakespeare’s theatre company and reminisces about his time there.
The show in the village will take place at Bompas Elementary School at 7:30 p.m.
Another step for fibre-optic line
The Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link project is another step closer to reality after the GNWT reached an agreement with the Gwich’in Tribal Council, which will allow the construction and operation of the project on Gwich’in settlement lands.
“The signing of the agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Gwich’in Tribal Council demonstrates a committed working relationship,” said acting GTC president Norman Snowshoe.
The agreement will allow the line to be built on the crucial section between Fort Good Hope and Inuvik that doesn't follow an established right-of-way, such as a highway.
In July, the GNWT selected the Northern Lights Fibre Limited Partnership as the preferred proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the fibre link. No terms of the agreement were announced. The link is scheduled to be in operation by the middle of 2016.
Mark Remembrance Day
The McInnes Branch #220 of the Royal Canadian Legion is holding its annual Remembrance Day ceremonies on Nov. 11.
Eugene Rees, acting president of the branch, said the ceremonies will be held at East Three School beginning at 10:30 a.m. It's expected Inuvik veterans will be joined by the RCMP, officials from the Department of National Defence and possibly by Inuvik firefighters, but those details were being firmed up on Nov. 4.
RCMP warns about scam
A woman did the right thing in hanging up on a suspicious call Oct. 30.
In a news release, the RCMP stated a resident “reported that she had received a call from a male informing her that she had won $2.5 million and that in order for her to claim her prize she would need to wire transfer a $399 fee to a contact in the United States. Once the fee was received, the prize money cheque would be flown to her in Inuvik.
“Sensing a telephone scam, the woman ended the phone conversation and called the police.”
Suspect arrested after robbery
Inuvik RCMP have a man in custody following an armed robbery at the Midtown Market on Nov. 4.
Police were called at 3:24 p.m. after a robbery in progress was reported. The suspect was inside and was allegedly armed with a knife. He was able to escape before police arrived but was tracked down a short time later outside the store and was arrested.
The suspect made an appearance in territorial court today and charges of robbery and breach of a probation order are pending.
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