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News Briefs: Friday, October 28, 2011
Dettah chief 'regrets circumstance'
Dettah Chief Ed Sangris regrets the position he is in and will co-operate throughout the court process he is now involved in, according to his executive assistant Shannon Gault.
Sangris is facing a charge for sexual assault, yet Gault said she did not know and could not confirm if there was more than one charge in the case.
"Officially we have no comment beyond that the chief regrets the circumstance. He will cooperate in the utmost and until the process continues with the lead up and follow through with the court date, we cannot comment on the allegations," she said.
RCMP Const. Kathy Law said the charge corresponds to an "historic sexual assault." She said she anticipates a publication ban to be announced on the court date of Nov. 22 and that no further information is expected to be released other than what has been reported.
- Simon Whitehouse
Flight turns back
A Canadian North flight returned to Yellowknife Airport shortly after takeoff due to minor technical problems shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
One of two engine-driven starter generators on the Taloyoak-bound Dash 8 aircraft began to operate intermittently. A dozen passengers and three crew were on board.
- Daron Letts
Get the shot, not the flu
The Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority will be conducting free drop-in clinics where people can receive their annual flu shot.
Next week's flu clinics are all held at Northern United Place on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 7 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.
- Kevin Allerston
Conference on health
The first annual circumpolar health metrics conference is scheduled to be held Oct. 31 in Yellowknife. The conference's aim is to discuss how data can be used to improve health in the North.
It includes a full day of presentations held at The Explorer Hotel and wraps up with a dinner session at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, where David Butler-Jones, chief public health officer for the Public Health Agency of Canada, will give a presentation on sharing knowledge and information regarding public health in the North across international borders.
- Laura Busch
News Briefs: Thursday, October 27, 2011
Election appeal concludes
Recommendations made by a three-person appeal committee haven't changed the results of the Sept. 15 Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation election for chief and council.
On Oct. 21, the committee reported back to the former band council and recommended a re-election be held. The council decided instead that a recount of the spoiled ballots from the election should be done as soon as possible, said Maggie Levavasseur, the acting band manager.
After the recount, Wayne Sabourin retained his position as the elected chief. All of the elected councillors also kept their positions, they just had a few more votes, said Levavasseur. The chief and council was to be sworn in on Oct. 27.
Ferries still running
Officials with the GNWT Department of Transportation say current weather conditions and water levels should allow the ferries in the Deh Cho to continue to operate until their average closure dates.
As of Oct. 25, no problems had been reported with the Lafferty on the Liard River or the Johnny Berens on the Mackenzie River. The rivers' water levels are dropping but the ferries should reach their 10-year average closure date of Nov. 4 and Oct. 30 respectively, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communications with the department. At the Mackenzie River ferry crossing near Fort Providence, the water was at 150.7 metres above sea level on Oct. 25, well above the 150-metre point where the ferry has to close. Blacklock said the Merv Hardie should be able to operate throughout November and December and into January as normal.
Nebulizers needed back
The Fort Simpson health centre is in dire need of nebulizers, according to Karen Simon, a community health representative with Dehcho Health and Social Services.
A nebulizer converts medication into a mist that can be inhaled. Patients who have difficulty breathing, such as children with chronic asthma, use the device, Simon said.
The centre usually has 30 in stock, but because patients have signed them out and not returned them, they are down to just one.
"Basically they're not bringing them back," she said.
Youth abroad program
Northern Youth Abroad, a leadership program that enables NWT youth to travel in Canada and abroad, is accepting applications for its 2012 program.
All youth between the ages of 10 and 15 are invited to apply. The deadline is Nov. 7. Successful applicants will earn high school credits while taking part in work experience and cross-cultural activities.
Bob McLeod named premier
Yellowknife Centre MLA Bob McLeod was chosen as premier in the legislative assembly Wednesday.
He said his father used to chase politicians away from the door any chance he got, and jokingly added that his brother Michael McLeod was considered the black sheep of the family after he was elected MLA for the Deh Cho.
Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson was elected speaker of the house. Cabinet ministers weren't voted in by press time.
New fire chief
The Inuvik Volunteer Fire Department has a new chief.
Jim Sawkins will be the new director of Emergency Services for Inuvik. He started work on Oct. 17 and comes with an impressive resume. He's originally from Muskoka Lakes in Ontario and has been a firefighter for over 30 years.
Sawkins did his first 20 years with the military fire service before becoming the fire chief in Tiny, Ont. for five and a half years. He then moved back to Muskoka Lakes and took on the more challenging position of fire chief. He left there in July 2010 to become a senior instructor at CFB Trenton's fire department before moving to Inuvik.
Greenhouse closes
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse is mostly cleaned out, with plots turned over and ready for next year.
Gardeners have taken advantage of the last bit of warm weather, however the last plots will be cleaned by Saturday. Throughout the season, almost 1,000 volunteer hours were completed to keep the greenhouse running, maintained and to put on fundraising and community events.
The greenhouse already has a wait list of eight people for the 2012 season, so if current plotters know they don't want their plot next year, let the greenhouse co-ordinator know.
Halloween fun
On Friday, the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex will host a Halloween dance from 4 to 6 p.m. for Sir Alexander Mackenzie School students in the community hall. From 8 to 11 p.m. Samuel Hearne Secondary School students can attend a teen Halloween dance at the MSRC, as well.
On Oct. 29, the MSRC will have a haunted house from 1 to 4 p.m and a Halloween skate will happen for figure skaters that afternoon.
For adults, the Royal Canadian Legion will host a Halloween party on Oct. 29 with a live band and costume contest starting at 9 p.m. Admission is by non-perishable food donation. On Oct. 30, the Legion will host a kid's Halloween Party from 2 to 4 p.m., for children 12 years of age and under.
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News desk 
