Ferry to reopen Sunday

The Merv Hardy ferry is expected to be back in the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence this Sunday despite fears that low water levels would keep it closed longer than usual.

"The water levels are above the level that is required for operation. Water levels are not a concern," said Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communications for the Department of Transportation.

- Kevin Allerston

Still no cause for teen's death

Yellowknife RCMP still don't have a cause of death of a 16-year-old boy who was found unresponsive in an alley near Boston Pizza on May 3.

"We're still waiting for the results from the post-mortem and usually the results from the post-mortem will give us a cause or a probable cause," said Cpl. Wesley Heron on Thursday.

Cody Dempster's body was flown to Edmonton for an autopsy last week and when results are available they will be sent to the office of the chief coroner of the Northwest Territories which will then notify the RCMP.

- Katherine Hudson

Warm summer expected

The warm weather Yellowknifers have been experiencing over the last few days is expected to continue according to David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada.

"I can't imagine a more gorgeous week coming up than what you are about to see," said Phillips. "It's wall-to-wall sun. You're going to see temperatures of 18, 19, 20 degrees. People in Canada would give you a lot of money for this kind of weather."

He said all their climate data points to that trend continuing throughout the summer.

"All indications are it will be warmer than usual all around the NWT by an average of one degree.

- Kevin Allerston

Deadline for Wildcat committee

The deadline is today for application from members-at-large to sit on the city's Wildcat Cafe committee, which will help determine the future of one of Yellowknife's oldest landmarks.

Applications can be made online or mailed into the city by the end of today.

- Tim Edwards

Deteriorating conditions lead to Highway 7 closure

Highway 7 was closed to heavy traffic from the junction with Highway 1 to Fort Liard on May 5 and that closure was extended to all traffic on Saturday morning. The decision was made with the safety of small vehicles in mind, said Earl Blacklock, a spokesperson with the Department of Transportation.

“The road just wasn’t suitable for any vehicles in those sections,” he said.

Prior to the closure, equipment working on the road had to pull at least two vehicles out of ruts, Blacklock said. There are five sections along the highway that crews are currently working on.

A combination of spring thaw and rain was responsible for the deteriorating conditions, he said. As of May 10 there was no estimate of when the highway might be reopened.

Ferry services to resume

Ferry service is expected to resume on both the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers during the week of May 15.

Ferry service at Fort Providence normally begins five to ten days after the start of break-up, said Earl Blacklock, a spokesperson with the Department of Transportation.

Break-up began on May 8 but the ice at the crossing and Beaver Lake hadn’t moved as of May 10. A precise date for the return of services won’t be set until break-up has progressed, Blacklock said, adding even after service begins interruptions are likely as heavy ice passes.

At Fort Simpson, ferry service on the Liard River could begin as early as this weekend but more likely next week, Blacklock said. Both ferries have a 10 year average opening date of May 13.

Chief and council election in Fort Liard

Acho Dene Koe First Nation in Fort Liard is beginning its election process.

The nomination period for the positions of chief and council opened on May 10 and will close on May 24. The election will take place on June 23.

School holds Mother’s Day luncheon

Echo Dene School held a community luncheon on May 6 to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Mothers and other residents had a choice of roast beef, ham, potato salad and macaroni salad. Some lucky mothers won prizes in a draw.

Sheila Klondike, Beverly Timbre and Janna Deneron each won gift certificates to the Northern Store while Rose Nande and Margaret Fantasque each won a ham.

New Finance Officer for town

After two years of being without, the Town of Inuvik has hired a new finance officer.

Eric Whitworth, a certified managment accountant originally from Nova Scotia, started working for the town on May 5. He spent seven years working in Nunavut, and has experience as the chief financial officer for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Whitworth also comes with municipal experience. He worked as the senior accountant for the City of Dartmouth.

SAO Grant Hood has been doing double duty since last July, completing the financial work as well as his administrative duties.

Taiga Adventure Camp

The Taiga Adventure Camp for girls has started taking registrations.

The camp provides positive role modeling, eduational experience and leadership-based opportunities for young women from all NWT communities to increase their self esteem and reach their potential.

Five camps are offered this year for young women aged 11 to 17. Three land camps will take place from July 1 to Aug. 1 for all ages and two river camps will happen in August for girls aged 14 to 18.

This will be the fourth year for the camp, which held two pilot programs in Fort Smith before moving to Yellowknife last year.

Visit taigacamp.com to register.

Super Soccer results

Although Inuvik soccer teams didn't win the tournament, they had a good show at the Super Soccer Tournament in Yellowknife.

The Junior Boys and Junior Girls played from April 28 to May 1 and both teams made it to the playoffs. The girls lost in the second round, while the boys lost in the first round.

"They played great and were good representatives of the town," said coach Brian Drake. "We were very pleased with the level of sportsmanship. They stayed positive." The Senior Boys played May 4 to 8 and did not make it to the finals.

Arctic offshore drilling

The National Energy Board will hold two information sessions in Inuvik for the public on the Arctic Offshore Drilling review on May 16 and 117.

The board reviewed safety and environmental requirements for offshore drilling in the Arctic after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010.

At the information sessions the NEB will share information gathered from Northern residents, scientists, regulators and representatives of non-government operations and industry about possible drilling in the Arctic.

Information will also be available about the roundtable in September to help assist the board in developing the Arctic review public report and how to apply.