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Friday, August 19, 2016
Driver charged after pedestrians struck
A man has been charged with careless driving and failing to yield right of way to a pedestrian after two people were struck by a car while crossing Franklin Avenue at 49 Street last Sunday evening.
RCMP stated in a news release that the driver had turned from 49 Street onto Franklin and ran into a man and a woman before careening into a parking meter in front of Centre Square Mall. Police have not released the suspect's name. The victims were both rushed to Stanton Hospital by ambulance. The Mounties have not updated their condition.
- John McFadden
Postal disruption warnings resume
Canada Post warned in a news release Wednesday the union representing thousands of postal workers could give its 72-hour strike notice between now and Aug. 25.
The dispute returned to the headlines as the Crown corporation noted the union is approaching the end of a 60-day strike mandate approved by members earlier in the year. The corporation states the union is seeking to extend its strike mandate past Aug. 25, something it called "unprecedented" and "completely inappropriate."
- Shane Magee
Housing First contract signed
The city last week finalized a contract to begin Housing First, a program seeking to get homeless people in homes and then provide various social services, according to Coun. Linda Bussey.
The Yellowknife Women's Society was the only organization to apply to administer the program, which will use private housing in sites throughout the city. Bussey has previously said the goal is to start with at least one person, growing to up to 20 in the coming years.
- Shane Magee
Haynes to run again
Former Yellowknifer Akeem Haynes is scheduled to run for Canada tonight in the men's final for the 4x100 relay at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro at 7:35 p.m. Haynes attended Weledeh Catholic School for several years before moving to Calgary. He ran the opening leg of the heat yesterday in which the Canadians finished third in a time of 37.89 seconds, the second fastest in Canadian history.
- John McFadden
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Invasive species crackdown
Staff from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources spent some time on the afternoon of Aug. 15 picking weeds near the site of the new Catholic church.
The weed in question, scentless chamomile, is considered a highly invasive plant.
Wildlife manager Nic Larter said the species is not new to the region and has popped up a few times but the department has always had it removed.
"It's a very pretty-looking daisy," he said.
"But it comes up, and if it gets a hold, it can just choke out patches."
Youth return from Dene Games
A team of youths from Fort Providence have returned after spending a week in Whati, where they took part in the Mackenzie Youth Dene Games.
The youth left on Aug. 8 and returned Aug. 12.
The Mackenzie Youth Dene Games are run by the Mackenzie Recreation Association.
Solar science comes to Jean Marie River
Installation of Jean Marie River's new six-kilowatt solar panel system is up and running.
The panels were installed by NWT Solar Solutions on Aug. 13 and 14 at the Jean Marie River First Nation water treatment plant, through a community partnership between Jean Marie River and the Arctic Energy Alliance.
By the morning of Aug. 16, the system had yielded power worth a total of $82.79.
The panels are the latest in a series of moves by the community to become more energy-aware and energy-efficient.
Bear awareness needed
Sightings of black bears inside the village of Fort Simpson has the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources advising residents to be bear aware.
Regional superintendent Carl Lafferty said the bear season has been relatively quiet this year, compared to last year.
However, in recent weeks reports of bears in the area have increased.
Residents are advised to bring protection with them if they go for nature walks and to be aware of potential danger.
Last year, Lafferty said the department destroys an average of 13 to 15 bears per year in the Deh Cho region.
Summer speaker series wraps up
The last of the Aurora Research Institute's summer speaker series will take place this week.
The presentation, taking place at the institute Aug. 19 from 6 to 7 p.m., will be an update on Herschel Island permafrost research. The talk will be given by Hugues Lantuit and graduate students from the Alfred Wegener Institute.
Anyone looking for more information may contact ARI on its website, through Facebook, or by phone. As always, the presentation is open to the public and free of charge.
Call for actors
Producers have put out a casting call for actors of all ages for the upcoming production of The Last Walk, an Inuvialuit short film.
Directed and produced by Jerri Thrasher and Tamara Lynne Voudrach, and with Artless Collective on board, the project is set to film Sept. 19 to 23 in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk.
Anyone looking to audition or for any more information. can contact the producers at thelastwalk2016@gmail.com for a prep package for audition. Anyone who cannot make the audition in person is free to send in a 30-second video of themselves instead. The deadline to apply is Aug. 26 at noon.
Roles include a leading lady in her early 30s, and a younger woman in her late 20s, along with their younger selves as children. There are also roles for elders and spots for extras to play board members.
Busy end of summer
The Inuvik Community Corporation is all set for a busy last few weeks of summer with multiple activities and programs running for the rest of the month.
Open to all ages, those activities include a water-balloon day and red rover game from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 18, traditional food making from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 19, and a family fun night at 7 p.m. Aug. 20.
The following week will see a movie night featuring pizza at 7 p.m. Aug. 26. Anyone interested may contact Haley at the corporation for more information or to sign up. All snacks will be provided.
Learning on the water
The Inuvik Qayaq Club is offering Paddle Canada level 1 kayak skills, a two-day course that will cover technical skills, navigation, and safety. It is a second level course and should be taken after basic kayak skills.
The sessions will take place at Boot Lake's beach side Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is limited to six participants and anyone looking to sign up may contact the club on Facebook or through its e-mail address.
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