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News Briefs: Thursday, October 6, 2011
Satellite problems
Long-distance telephone and DSL-based Internet service was disrupted in nine communities throughout the NWT, not including Yellowknife, Thursday due to a satellite gone awry.
Telesat's Anik F2 satellite began malfunctioning at approximately 6:36 a.m. Thursday.
Emily Younker, manager of corporate communications at NorthwesTel, said all of NorthwesTel's satellite communities are affected, which includes all of Nunavut and nine communities in the NWT.
"We haven't had any reports of problems out of any of our non-satellite communities because they do have cables running directly to them," said Younker.
Fire Prevention Week
Yellowknife's annual fire prevention week will be held from Oct. 9 to 15.
The Yellowknife Fire Department is holding a fire safety fair throughout the week, awarding prizes and certificates to encourage students, classes and families to complete fire safety projects.
The YKFD is having an open house on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m., showcasing projects completed for the fire safety fair.
Old Town boat launch to be removed
The City of Yellowknife is advising that the Old Town public boat launch will be removed, and the floating curtain under the McMeekan Causeway Bridge to Latham Island will be installed during the period of Oct. 11 to 14.
The installation of the floating curtain is meant to promote ice formation, which will enable both snow machines and pedestrians to cross safely.
Fall recreation programs open to registration
Registration and information about upcoming fall recreation programs is available on the City's website.
October programs are running for activity-lovers of all ages, from preschool up to adult. Preschool programs include Big Wheels, Under the Sea Adventure, and Halloween Crafts - youth can learn to play badminton and make 'spooky treats.'
News Briefs: Thursday, October 6, 2011
NorthwesTel warns customers
NorthwesTel is warning its customers to watch out for scammers trying to gain remote control of their personal computers.
Several customers have received phone calls from fraudulent companies, including Internet Service Management Canada, C-Back Tech Support Vancouver and Feedback Tech Solutions.
All of these companies are scams, according to NorthwesTel, and will be calling from 1-888 numbers asking for personal information.
The telecommunications company was spurred to alert its customers after about six people called within a week to say scammers had contacted them, according to Emily Younker, corporate communications manager.
The fraudulent companies were asking for log-in information such as passwords and usernames, she said.
Fighting diabetes
Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority is offering a variety of programs to help combat diabetes in the region.
Diabetes is on the rise in the Deh Cho, according to the health authority. Today, staff were scheduled to run a Desserts for Diabetics cooking class at the Stanley Isaiah Wellness Centre building in Fort Simpson from 2 to 4 p.m.
Starting next week, they will be doing presentations at Bompas Elementary to educate students on the disease. On Oct. 19, staff will be in Nahanni Butte to do the same.
A diabetes cooking class is also scheduled to run in Wrigley on Oct. 26.
Plane crash
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is classifying the Wolverine Air Cessna crash that occurred outside Wrigley on Sept. 23 as an accident. After the charter flight left Fort Simpson, it followed Root River and encountered low ceilings and poor visibility, according to the board's report released last week.
The pilot was attempting to land at Root River camp but instead took a wrong turn into a canyon. As he tried to fly out, the plane's right wing hit some trees and crashed at approximately 10:20 a.m.
The pilot, who sustained minor injuries, walked away from the crash and was located a few hours later.
Seniors' Society elects new board
Agnes Silverthorn of Fort Providence was named a regional representative of the NWT Seniors' Society at its annual general meeting in Yellowknife on Sept. 28.
Alphonsine McNeely of Fort Good Hope, Lillian Elias of Inuvik and Julia Cockney of Tuktoyaktuk were also chosen as representatives.
All four will act as directors.
Vote for Children's First
The Children's First Society has registered with the Aviva Community Fund, which provides organizations a chance to win up to $150,000.
The society hopes the money could help fund the Children First Centre, an early childhood facility that provides care for 120 children aged six months to 12 years.
People vote online for the project they want to support. The top 90 projects move to the semifinals and the top 30 head to the finals where judges will award funding to the top 10 ideas.
To vote, visit and register at the Aviva Community Fund website, where an individual can vote once a day until Oct. 19.
Take a splash
The pool at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex opened Oct. 1after its annual cleaning and maintenance for most of September.
Blair Smith is also off to a fresh start as the pool's new supervisor. Smith said he has hopes of opening the pool two hours earlier, at 9 a.m. instead of 11 a.m., on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Eventually, Smith said he would like to have the pool open before 9 a.m., but for that he would need more staff.
Also in the works at the facility is a rock-climbing wall and underwater hockey for youth.
Pool schedules for regular programs such as lane, adult, public, family, teen and ladies swims are available at the complex.
A taste of Italy
The Sir Alexander Mackenzie School library will hold a fundraiser this weekend to purchase new books for students.
Held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Legion, the Italian-themed night will start at 6:30 p.m. Participants can eat in or take out the dinner. The menu is a green salad, Italian spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, roasted potatoes, vegetables and tiramisu for dessert.
There will also be a silent auction with more than 50 items including artwork, jewelry, handmade goods and exercise equipment.
Entertainment will be provided by Jemita Aucoin. Tickets can be picked up at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School's main office.
Breastfeeding week
Healthy Babies Inuvik will participate in the National Breastfeeding Challenge on Oct. 7 to help raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.
The event has different regions "competing" to have the most children being breastfed at the same time. Inuvik mothers can show their support by attending the event at Ingamo Hall from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 7.
Mothers looking to participate in the challenge can contact Tammy Matthews.
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News desk 
