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Friday, May 6, 2016
Stop right now
Drivers and cyclists who were used to cruising along 51 Avenue from 49 Street to St. Patrick High School and Weledeh School without a stop sign now have to pay attention.
Earlier this week, the city turned the intersection of 51 Avenue and 48 Street into a four-way stop. The two new stop signs were erected along with temporary stop signs in both directions in the middle of the street.
- John McFadden
What's that stink?
If you were one of those wondering what the funky smell was downtown on Tuesday, you weren't alone.
Mayor Mark Heyck turned to Twitter to give a heads up about the potential for a stinky situation, writing the city was carrying out a cleaning of a sewage lift station. The station is at the corner of 52 Avenue and 49 Street.
The facilities are used to lift sewage from pipes at a lower elevation to a higher elevation.
- Shane Magee
Leaders gather in city
More than 100 community government leaders from across the territory are gathering in Yellowknife this weekend for the Northwest Territories Association of Communities annual general meeting.
The group represents all 33 municipal governments in the territory and works to lobby on behalf of members on issues such as community funding.
The meeting features an open discussion on Saturday afternoon with multiple members of the territorial cabinet.
"This is an occasion for celebration," Charles Furlong, mayor of Aklavik and president of the association stated in a news release.
- Shane Magee
Military unit to train on trail
Members of a Canadian Armed Forces reserve unit in the city will be doing weapons training along the McMahon Frame Lake Trail on Wednesday evening. The military members will be marching in groups of four to 20 soldiers wearing uniforms but the weapons carried will not be loaded or fired.
The training is expected to take place between 7 and 10 p.m., although a news release does not specify which part of the trail around the lake will be in use.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Heat wave dips
Temperatures across the Deh Cho were expected to cool toward the end of the week after a hot start to the summer, according to Canadian weather service forecasts on May 3.
Fort Liard hit 32 degrees on May 2 at 6 p.m., the hottest temperature recorded in the month of May since 1995, according to data listed on the federal government's weather monitoring site that goes back to 1973.
It was the hottest start to the month of May ever recorded.
Temperatures elsewhere in the Deh Cho were hot as well, although not record-breaking. Fort Simpson and Fort Providence hit the mid-20s on May 2.
Nahanni Butte and Trout Lake hit 27 degrees the afternoon of May 3, compared with a normal maximum temperature of 14 degrees.
Wrigley hit a somewhat lower 23 degrees on May 3.
Business meeting set
Fort Simpson's Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual general meeting on May 12 in the Ice Breaker Lounge.
The meeting kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and includes refreshments.
Transportation Minister Wally Schumann and NWT Chamber of Commerce president Richard Morland are both scheduled to attend as guest speakers.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Handguns, marijuana seized
Fort Simpson RCMP arrested a man on April 29 for possessing two restricted .22-calibre handguns as well as 100 grams of marijuana.
The 51-year-old man has not been publicly identified by police but according to a news release from G Division RCMP Const. Samuel Holm, he was arrested at his residence.
He has been released by a Justice of the Peace, and will appear in court at a later date.
Focus on mental health
Mental Health Week is ongoing in Fort Providence, with an information booth expected to be set up at the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation band office from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 6.
On May 8, there will be a screening of Inside Out at the friendship centre, starting at 6 p.m.
The screening wraps up a week of mental health focus that began May 2 with a radio show, information booth and community barbecue at Fort Providence's arbour.
The evening will open at 6 p.m. with a community feast.
Community members are being asked to bring plates and cutlery.
Fun run announced
The annual Midnight Sun Fun Run has been announced for this summer.
The races will take place June 18, starting at 10 p.m. There will be a five kilometre, a ten kilometre and a half-marathon on offer for runners of all abilities. The deadline to register is June 16 and forms can be picked up at the front desk at the Midnight Sun Complex.
There are categories for both youth 15 and under and adults, and pets are welcome to join in the fun.
Children get to party too
While the annual Firefighter's Ball is this weekend, children are also getting in on the action at their very own event.
Comedian and magician Chris Yuill will be putting on a show at 1 p.m. May 8 at the Midnight Sun Complex for children. The complex will be open for Drop Zone from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. beforehand.
The show itself is admission by donation to the food bank, and refreshments will be available.
Right on target
Three young people will be travelling to Yellowknife May 13 to 15 for a territorial target shooting competition.
The athletes have qualified through the target shooting program at the Inuvik Youth Centre and will be representing it and their community in the capital city.
"The kids are really excited," said Chloe Brogan, the executive director at the youth centre. "It's a great opportunity for them to meet other youth who are interested in the sport and get experience in a different environment."
Target shooting is one of the most popular programs at the youth centre, with between 15 and 20 children turning up each week. Brogan said she is confident the competitors will represent the youth centre and Inuvik well and that everyone should be proud of their achievements so far.
Marking 50 years
The NWT Association of Communities will be holding its 50th annual general meeting this week in Yellowknife.
From May 5 to 8, more than 100 delegates from all over the territory will represent their communities at this forum, including local politicians and administrators. They will also have access to territorial politicians and cabinet ministers while there.
To help mark the 50th year, the organization has also invited youth ambassadors from communities to participate. They will get to see up close how governments deal with each other, as well as interact with politicians and officials themselves.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
More drug-related arrests
Police say three people wanted in connection to alleged drug dealing networks operating in the city have been arrested. RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko stated in an e-mail Devon Herback, 34, of Grande Prairie, Alta., Lacey Forrest, 32, of Fort Resolution and Adam Lee, 30, of Edmonton have been arrested as part of an investigation called Green Manalishi. Lee, who has not previously been named, was arrested in Yellowknife and charged with two counts of breach of recognizance after being at large while facing charges in Edmonton for possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.
- Shane Magee
GNWT e-mail goes down
The territorial government's e-mail system closed down for about three hours on Monday. GNWT spokesperson Andrew Livingstone said at the time technical support personnel were conducting server updates over the weekend but added yesterday he still had not been informed of what exactly caused the outage. Livingstone said it created a challenge for employees because much of their work is done through e-mail. He couldn't say if the problem was territory-wide or just in Yellowknife.
- John McFadden
Call for artists for public art project
The city is seeking proposals from artists who'd like a hand in sprucing up transformer and street light boxes by resurfacing them. The city and Northland Utilities are working together on the public art project and are asking those who work in two dimensional mediums to submit proposals to the city by May 31. The goal is to complete 15 boxes by Aug. 15.
- Shane Magee
51 Street lane closure
The City of Yellowknife will be closing a lane of 51 Street at the intersection with Franklin Avenue on Friday. The street will be reduced to one lane and won't be accessible from Franklin. The post reminded drivers to obey traffic signs and reduce speed in construction zones.
On Monday, a traffic light at Woolgar Avenue and Kam Lake Road was out, turning the intersection into a three-way stop. It was fixed by lunchtime.
- Shane Magee
Great times at Pakallak
Rankin Inlet
The community of Rankin Inlet wrapped up its annual Pakallak Tyme celebrations this past Sunday, May 1.
The long list of activities at this year's festival offered something for people of every age group.
For the complete wrap up of this year's festival, please see the May 11 edition of Kivalliq News.
Job fair draws eager crowd
Arviat
More than 100 students had the chance to gather information and ask questions on numerous career choices during the annual John Arnalukjuak High School Job Fair in Arviat this past week.
For more on the fair, please see the May 11 edition of Kivalliq News.
Former minister of Education dies
Coral Harbour/Nunavut
Former Government of Nunavut (GN) minister and longtime politician James Arvaluk passed away in a Winnipeg hospital this past Wednesday, April 27. He was 68 years of age.
Originally from Coral Harbour, Arvaluk spent nine years as an elected official within the GN, four as the minister of Education and five as an MLA.
He resigned as Tunnuniq MLA in 2011 due to health reasons after suffering both a heart attack and stroke in 2010.
Tootoo on film
Kivalliq/Nunavut
Rankin Inlet's own Jordin Tootoo of the NHL's New Jersey Devils is featured in a new video by the RCMP aimed at preventing violence against women.
The public service announcement was officially unveiled in Ottawa on April 27.
The screening was attended by a number of aboriginal representatives, including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed.
Top mushers
Kivalliq
Listed below are the eight finishers (and their home communities) in the Kivalliq 250 dogmushing race in Rankin Inlet this past week.
The racers' total time during the three-day race is shown in hours, minutes and seconds.
- Donny Baker - Arviat - 4:59:50
- Evo Michael - Arviat - 5:03:52
- Alex Ishalook - Arviat - 5:21:16
- David Oolooyuk - Rankin Inlet - 5:34:07
- Harry Towtongie - Rankin Inlet - 6:04:09
- Steven Hartman - Rankin Inlet - 6:16:12
- Phillip Putumiraqtuq - Baker Lake - 6:48:13
- Kelly Kabvitok - Rankin Inlet - 11:19:00
Tops in badminton
Baker Lake
Listed below are the top single players by age category in the sixth annual Qamani'tuaq Open badminton tournament in Baker Lake this past month.
A total of 45 participants shot it out for $800 in gear and cash prizes.
Every player received something for participating, from caps and Tshirts to posters, Blizzard gear and badminton racquets.
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