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Friday, March 6, 2015
CRTC orders Northwestel rate cut
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ordered Northwestel to cut residential rates for Internet services by 10 to 30 per cent last week, as stated in a news release.
Northwestel will also not be allowed to raise residential rates until the end of 2017 at the earliest.
- Stewart Burnett
Drugs found at two Con Road apartments
The RCMP have seized drugs, evidence of trafficking and cash following the search of two apartments on Con Road on Monday.
During the simultaneous search, police found numerous cell phones, scales, a large amount of money and approximately five grams of cocaine.
Seven people were arrested between the two apartments with two remaining in custody.
Charges are pending for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. Charges for the possession of proceeds of crime are also pending.
- Elaine Anselmi
Missing teen investigation ongoing
Despite reports that missing teen Saidee Gosselin phoned to say she is safe in Edmonton, Yellowknife RCMP say the investigation is still ongoing.
"When someone is reported missing, we have to make sure for a fact that they are located," said Const. Eleanor Sturko, adding phone calls or Facebook posts are not enough to close the file.
Gosselin was last seen Feb. 27 and was reported missing by her family March 2.
- Meagan Leonard
Steer clear of ice harvesting
The city is warning the public to avoid the northeast area of Yellowknife Bay near the Dettah ice road where crews will be harvesting ice for the Long John Jamboree Ice Carving Competition.
Beginning Saturday at 8 a.m., several blocks will be removed for the competition, with the area fenced off and marked until the water has frozen over and is safe to access again.
As well, snow clearing will take place on the Long John Jamboree site, just east of the snow castle.
- Elaine Anselmi
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Court order halts super board
A territorial court injunction has stalled the federal government's plan to replace the Mackenzie Valley regional land and water management boards with one 11-member super board.
NWT Supreme Court Justice Karan Shaner issued an injunction Feb. 27 to halt the implementation of the super board until a lawsuit against the federal government by the Tlicho Government is resolved.
The board, which would merge the Wek'èezhìi, Sahtu and Gwich'in boards, was scheduled to come into effect April 1.
A statement posted to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board website says the board continues to operate under existing legislation and staff remain in place.
Death on Highway 1
A 57-year-old Hay River man died of natural causes while driving on Highway 1 last week near Fort Providence according to the territory's chief coroner.
Michael Young was found dead in the driver's seat of a vehicle spotted by another motorist in the ditch near kilometre marker 269 at about 7 p.m. on Feb. 26. In a news release issued last week, RCMP Const. Elenore Sturko stated it did not appear a collision had occurred and that foul play had been ruled out.
Cathy Menard, chief coroner of the Northwest Territories, said March 2 an autopsy carried out in Edmonton pointed to his death resulting from natural causes.
Education scholarship awarded
Shaina Sabourin from Fort Providence is one of 10 people from across the territory who have been awarded a scholarship of $5,000 from the GNWT to support full-time early childhood education studies.
Sabourin and the other Start Early Childhood Development Scholarship recipients were announced March 2 in a news release.
The scholarship is handed out to the first 10 eligible students completing diploma or degree programs in early childhood development.
The scholarship aims to increase the number of qualified early childhood education employees working for licensed early education programs.
GNWT issues speed limit reminder
Following damage caused to the Mackenzie Valley winter road, the Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to obey the speed limit.
The posted speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour. A statement from the department last week said the road had several overflow areas and that repairs were underway.
Portions of the road were closed the weekend of March 1 due to poor weather.
Former MLA and Drum owner dies
Tom Butters, founder of the Inuvik Drum and a former MLA who held office for almost 21 years, died March 2 at the age of 89.
He was also a former town councillor who started the newspaper in 1965 and ran it for 13 years before handing it over to Dan Holman in 1978 so he could focus on politics.
“Butters was one of the more ethical, honest guys that has been my pleasure to know,” said Holman. “He was the town council, the mayor, the public works administration, he was everything. He was known so widely in the community.”
Butters was first elected to office in 1970 and served five terms as an MLA until he retired in 1991. He had been minister of finance and minister of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation in his final years in office.
He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1994 for his contributions to Inuvik through the newspaper and his decades-long political service.
Bingo decision delayed
The decision on whether to allow a second bingo on Muskrat Jamboree weekend was delayed until March after town council couldn't meet quorum Feb. 25.
Mayor Floyd Roland was called out of town for a family emergency and wasn't able to attend the meeting where council was to vote. Councillors Terry Halifax, deputy mayor Jim McDonald and Kurt Wainman were in attendance, but five other councillors were away for a variety of reasons.
Council needs the mayor or deputy mayor in attendance, and a minimum of four other councillors, in order to be able to hold a meeting.
The decision on whether to grant the Muskrat Jamboree a special exception for a second bingo on the same day as the Inuvik Speed Skating Club's mega bingo is expected to be made on March 11.
Test projects announced for Highway
Two new projects along the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway will test alternate highway drainage structures and innovative techniques for reinforcing deep-fill road embankments.
The territorial government is conducting research that will hopefully reduce the effects of climate change on the Northern transportation system.
Using $669,000 from Transport Canada's Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative, the territorial government will provide significant planning, logistics, construction and monitoring support.
Continuous permafrost conditions in the region make the highway an ideal location for this research. These projects will be constructed next winter and monitored for several years.
Soccer tourney scheduled
Inuvik's East Three Secondary School will host the two-day Beaufort-Delta Education Council soccer tournament in mid-March.
The four-on-four style format will play host to some of the best soccer players in the town and region. Teams can register by contacting the school. Cost of entry is $100 per team.
The tournament runs March 20 and 21 and will accept teams in Under-15 girls, Under-16 boys and adult teams.
Deadline for registration is March 17.
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