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Friday, August 12, 2016
Yk Olympian set to run
Akeem Haynes is set to sprint at the Rio Olympics tomorrow morning.
The former Yellowknifer and Weledeh Catholic School student is scheduled to compete in the 100-metre sprint. The qualifying rounds start at 6:30 a.m. MT and the first proper rounds start at 9 a.m. MT. Haynes' mother, Carlene Smith, told Yellowknifer last week she will be cheering for him surrounded by friends and co-workers.
- Randi Beers
Outage tied to fallen tree
A power outage in Yellowknife on Tuesday afternoon that lasted about 20 minutes was caused by a burnt tree falling on a power line at the Snare hydro site, according to Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
According to Pam Coulter, spokesperson for power corp., power to Yellowknife on Tuesday afternoon was coming from Snare, the Bluefish hydro dam and some diesel. Coulter stated Wednesday that fire activity had increased Tuesday and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was back in the area.
The outage was another in a spate of outages recently affecting the North Slave grid, with three now linked to forest fires near Snare.
- Shane Magee
Traffic light maintenance coming
The City of Yellowknife is warning motorists about traffic light maintenance it will carry out for several days later this month around the city.
A post on the city's website states annual maintenance on all lights will begin Aug. 21 and continue through to Aug. 27.
The work may cause disruptions to normal light service. Drivers are advised to proceed with caution and obey traffic lights and signals.
- Shane Magee
City asks for budget input
The City of Yellowknife is asking residents for input on the 2017 budget. The invitation is open to businesses, residents or community groups to discuss what should or should not be included in the city's financial planning. The city asks residents to schedule a meeting by e-mailing communications@yellowknife.ca or calling 920-5685.
The City of Yellowknife budget is normally debated in late November and early December.
- Randi Beers
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Chamber pursues petition signatures
The Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce has announced it will be gathering more signatures as part of a petition to extend hours for the MV Lafferty ferry. The petition is expected to be presented by Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson to the legislative assembly when the fall session resumes.
Aside from signatures, the chamber will be canvassing local businesses for feedback on how a 6 a.m. ferry start might impact their operations.
RCMP tackle substance abuse calls
An RCMP report delivered to Fort Simpson's village council on Aug. 2 shows RCMP responded to 53 calls in the month of June where an accused person was intoxicated or violating the Liquor Act.
"There is an ongoing issue of substance abuse in the community that continues to plague police and community resources," states the report, prepared by Cpl. Mark Phillips.
Finance board pitches at Dene Nation assembly
The Dene Nation heard from the First Nations Financial Management Board during the Dene National Assembly on July 27.
Board representative and lawyer Shayla Point delivered the presentation, offering an "opportunity" in the form of ability to access affordable capital.
Point said the board resulted from the 2013 First Nations Fiscal Management Act and represents communities across Canada.
The first step toward becoming certified by the board is to create financial administration laws, which Point said is free for any First Nation group.
Once certified, the Dene Nation or any attending communities could access a pool of money through the board.
– Joseph Tunney
Handgames hit Deh Cho in August
Players from across the Northwest Territories will have two opportunities to compete against Deh Cho teams this month as Pehdzeh Ki First Nation and Acho Dene Koe First Nation have both scheduled their handgames tournaments.
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation will be holding a $50,000 men's handgames tournament on Aug. 26, 27 and 28 for ages 14 and up.
To accommodate Pehdzeh Ki First Nation's dates, Acho Dene Koe First Nation has moved its second annual $25,000 handgames tournament and fall gathering to Aug. 19, 20 and 21.
Benefits plan review under way
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program is under review.
The Assembly of First Nations, in partnership with Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, are reviewing this important program and the Denendeh Health Committee has chosen Inuvik, Fort Simpson, K'atlodeeche, Whati, and Colville Lake to participate in the process on behalf of the Northwest Territories.
How the program manages medical transportation, pharmacy, dental, and medical supplies and equipment will be under review.
Anyone wishing to participate may attend a meeting at the Alex Moses Greenland Building from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 11.
Baking up a storm
The Inuvik Youth Centre is hosting baking classes every Friday at 7 p.m.
Not only do participants learn useful and impressive skills and have fun with friends, there are tasty snacks to eat at the end. As always, youth centre programs are free and are all about promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Dogs still loose
As of Aug. 8, director of protective services Jim Sawkins was reporting six dogs still loose on the property from which nearly 30 dogs have been removed in the past month.
He told Inuvik's town council efforts are still being made to catch them. Ten dogs so far have been sent to shelters in Yellowknife and farther south, with more on their way when space frees up. One of the dogs sent to the capital gave birth to a litter of puppies last week.
When asked if the six dogs still loose included the three the owner would be retaining, Sawkins said he did not intend to leave the owner with any dogs at all on the property at first, but that he could choose three to keep after they had all been caught, and that they would be spayed and neutered as required.
The town is taking donations for the ongoing care of the dogs removed in a series of visits to the property last month, as well as for their transportation south to where they can be rehabilitated and eventually adopted.
Girl Guides recruiting
The Inuvik branch of the Girl Guides of Canada is looking for volunteer leaders for this coming fall.
Girl Guides is an international program that encourages girls to be active, happy, healthy, and curious. This year, girls and leaders are travelling to Europe for several weeks of adventure. Anyone looking for more information can contact Tracy at inuvikguiding@gmail.com.
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