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Friday, July 10, 2015
Arrest after alleged genital exposure
A 26-year-old Yellowknife man has been charged after a cyclist alleged a man exposed his genitals on the McMahon Frame Lake Trail on July 2, according to a statement by RCMP spokeswoman Const. Elenore Sturko.
The man was arrested July 7 after an investigation which included review of surveillance footage to identify the suspect. He has been charged with committing an indecent act and failing to comply with a probation order. He has been remanded into custody and was expected to appear in court today.
- Shane Magee
Folk on the Rocks needs volunteers
Volunteers are still needed for next weekend's Folk on the Rocks festival to staff the beer garden, children's area and hospitality area. They are also needed as rovers and for ground travel.
You must be 19 years old to work the beer garden and hospitality area.
Rovers and ground travel volunteers need a valid driver's licence and a criminal record check is needed for workers in the children's areas.
- John McFadden
GNWT backs climate initiative
Environment and Natural Resources Minister Michael Miltenberger signed a climate change statement in Toronto yesterday.
The Climate Summit of Americas Common Statement is an international effort to limit the increase in global temperature to below 2 C.
In a press release, Miltenberger stated the NWT's participation is "critical" as the North is one of the world's fastest warming regions.
- Meagan Leonard
Postage rates to increase
Canada Post announced yesterday postage rates are likely to increase in the next year due to declining mail volumes.
The company said it will increase rates for domestic letter mail by $.15 - putting the cost to send a letter at almost a dollar.
The price of a single stamp would remain $1.
The new prices are set to come into effect Jan. 1.
- Meagan Leonard
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Fire crews continue battling blazes
Fires near Fort Providence, Kakisa and Jean Marie River are being battled back successfully as crews work to protect valuables.
One fire in a complex 27 km northeast of Fort Providence is about 50 square kilometres in size and is causing concern for the community and for highway infrastructure, said Frank Lepine, manager of fire operations with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Crews took action on that fire earlier in the week, fighting dry conditions by blowing 50-metre holes in the surrounding muskeg, which were then filled with water.
A fire near Kakisa has been actioned with dozers, fire crews and helicopters and currently does not pose a threat to the community, Lepine said, although it could affect the highway. Crews are working to contain it so it does not spread west across the Kakisa River.
As for Jean Marie River, a fire which threatened the community over the past couple weeks has been successfully contained and is not expected to cause any more trouble.
Lepine said all 28 of the territory's fire crews are still actively working, along with 100 extra fire fighters and about 80 firefighters imported from around Canada, mostly from Ontario.
Joint operation on Mackenzie River
Operation Nunakput 2015 launched July 6 in Hay River. The operation will run until July 23 and will see members of 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (1 CRPG) move from Hay River to Tuktoyaktuk by boat via the Mackenzie River.
This is an annual Canadian Forces maritime sovereignty operation. During the operation, 1 CRPG will complete shared training exercises with other government departments focused on the Mackenzie River region.
Between the Canadian Forces, RCMP, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada, around 100 personnel will be deployed in this training operation, according to a news release from the Department of National Defence.
Culture awards ahead
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has opened up nominations for the 2015 Minister's Cultural and Heritage Circle, which recognizes residents who work to "preserve and promote" arts, culture and heritage, according to a July 7 news release.
There are categories for 25-and-under, individuals, elders 50 years of age and older, groups as well as a Minister's Choice Award given at the minister's discretion.
Entrants must be a resident of the NWT and have made a significant, long-term contribution to arts, culture and heritage.
Cultural conservation meeting
On July 14, Jean Marie River First Nation will be holding a working group meeting to discuss the prospect of Lue Tue Sulai (Five Fish Lakes) becoming a cultural conservation area under the Territorial Parks Act.
The meeting is open to community members and the public, is set to begins at 9:30 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m. at the community hall.
Lue Tue Sulai includes Ekali, Sanguez, McGill, Deep and Gargan Lakes and encompasses about 180 kilometres in total.
The lakes currently have temporary protection under the Dehcho Interim Measures Agreement, which expires in December, and is also identified as a conservation zone in the Dehcho Land Use Plan.
According to the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy, the area once held historic permanent camps and is associated with traditional trails, burial sites and stories.
Male charged in break-in
An Inuvik man has been charged with break and enter, theft under $5,000 and mischief under $5,000 following an incident June 28.
Around 5 a.m., RCMP arrived at a local business to find a door broken and visible damage to the building. A lone male was discovered at the scene and placed under arrest, stated RCMP Const. Elenore Sturko in a news release.
Several cartons of cigarettes and bottles of liquor were missing from the business, but were recovered a short distance away, police stated. Joseph Moses Wright, 18, of Inuvik was arrested at the scene and appeared before a Justice of the Peace before being released on a recognizance, police said.
Hunters and Trappers elect new directors
The Inuvik Hunters and Trappers committee held its annual general meeting June 28 and elected John Day, Patrick Gruben and Gerald Inglangasuk as three new directors to its board.
Non-elected members include William Day, Desmond Rogers and Patricia Rogers.
Dual vote possible
The Town of Inuvik will ask Elections Canada to provide two polling stations for voters in the upcoming election, Oct. 19.
It is likely that both the municipal and federal elections will occur the same day and council wants to ensure that voters can conveniently cast ballots in both elections.
The town provides polling stations at Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre and Midnight Sun Complex, while Elections Canada only uses the Midnight Sun Complex.
People who live east of Reliance Street vote at Ingamo Hall, so if they want to vote in the federal election, they will have to go to the Midnight Sun Complex before or after voting in the municipal election.
Council asked administration to contact Elections Canada to request they also provide a polling station at Ingamo Hall.
Summer quilt show kicks off
The Inuvik Quilting Guild's ninth annual summer quilt show, Twelve by Twelve, got underway on July 3 and will be running until Sept. 7 at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse.
Displays will be relocated during the Great Northern Arts Festival.
Photo contest launched
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is accepting entries to its Love of the Land photography contest.
Hopefuls should submit an original picture that captures what the land means to them. Prizes will be awarded to each of the 24 photos selected to create a 2016 Love of the Land calendar. For full contest rules are at the organization's website.
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