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News Briefs: Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Prelim set in HIV sex assault case
The preliminary inquiry in the case of the HIV-positive Yellowknife man charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault has been set for next Monday and Tuesday in territorial court.
Bobby Jonathan Kaotalok, 25, who is HIV positive and also suspected of having tuberculosis, was arrested Feb. 24 after being accused of sexually assaulting three different women. He made a brief appearance in court yesterday.
The formal purpose of the preliminary inquiry is to determine if the Crown has enough evidence to justify a trial.
- Daniel MacIsaac
Lightning sparks outage
A lightning strike caused a power outage that hit part of Yellowknife early Monday morning.
Robert Schmidt, director for the hydro region for the NWT Power Corporation, said the lightning hit the Snare Hydro Facility substation, temporarily knocking out power to parts of the capital - including the Niven Lake area - around 3:50 a.m.
Schmidt said crews worked quickly to restore power - starting within minutes of the strike, and full power was restored within 38 minutes.
- Daniel MacIsaac
Tailings pond plan due
A plan outlining measures to make sure toxic tailings at Giant Mine never mix with the water in Baker Creek again is supposed to be made public today.
Last month, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada gave the Giant Mine clean-up team until Aug. 1 to submit a plan - which is expected to recommend either capping or dredging an historic tailings pond at the site.
Baker Creek became a concern May 14 when it overflowed into the tailings pond and then back into the creek which flows into Back Bay.
- Daniel MacIsaac
Fire drills at seniors' facilities
Annual evacuation drills for Aven Manor, Aven Cottages and the Territorial Dementia Facility will be continue tomorrow.
The Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors will be conducting the drills at the facilities between 10 a.m. and noon, during which time the driveway to the Aven Manor will be closed to all vehicles, for the safety of the residents.
- Heather Lange
'Hot, toasty and dry'
Kivalliq - The hot scorching sun in the Kivalliq region set records on July 24.
"It's been hot, toasty and dry," said Yvonne Bilan-Wallace, a meteorologist for Environment Canada.
Baker Lake had the highest temperature, with 27.1 C, surpassing its previous record of 25 C set in 1962.
Chesterfield Inlet was 26.5 C, 3.5 C higher than its previous record set in 1998.
Next in line was Rankin Inlet with a high of 26.1 C, three degrees higher than its previous record, also set in 1998.
The last record breaker was Arviat coming in at 23.9 C, a mere 0.4 C higher than its 1998 record of 23.5.
Although the temperatures were high, Bilan-Wallace said they haven't yet beat Rankin Inlet's all time high for July, set in 1999. That year, on July 31, it was 28.9 C.
CARS training
Rankin Inlet - The Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin Inlet is holding testing on Sept. 6 for the observer communicator (CARS) training course. The entrance exam will test math and English comprehension.
The Observer Communicator course runs for nine to 11 weeks. Graduates will receive the relevant skills to perform the duties of an observer communicator in Nunavut airports. Training concentrates on radio simulations and communications, operating procedures, and weather observing and recording.
To take the exam, contact the college.
Proposed wild animal
regulation for parks
Kivalliq - Parks Canada will be holding consultations on proposed National Parks of Canada wild animal regulations in Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour and Repulse Bay between Aug. 15 and 29.
The proposed regulation changes include extended protection to all wild animals at any developmental stage; enhanced protection of wild animal dwelling places; enhanced visitor safety in parks where polar bears are present by allowing certain park users to carry and use firearms for their protection and the protection of others; and regulated use, possession and transportation of firearms and other weapons.
The proposed regulations, if passed, would also respect the obligations under various land claim agreements, impact and benefit agreements or park establishment agreements.
Suicide prevention walk
Rankin Inlet - Everyone is invited to take part in a walk from the Rankin Inlet community hall to the elders' cabin on Friday.
The event has been organized by Kivalliq Counselling and Support Services and Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre to help raise awareness about suicide. Following the walk, which is about 13 kilometres long, there will be games and a feast at the elders' cabin.
Selected applicants will also camp out for the weekend. The camp out will include self-esteem-building activities and motivational speakers. Registration for the walk will be open at noon on Friday at the community hall. The walk starts at 1 p.m.
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News desk 
