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News Briefs: Friday, December 16, 2011
Merc acquires Colomac Mine
Merc International Minerals Inc. is buying the now-defunct Colomac gold mine from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
"Colomac represents a rare opportunity as a past producer and under-developed gold deposit with exploration potential," Merc said in a press release Thursday. "We have obtained and analyzed historical data that indicates the potential for a substantial amount of gold to be present within the Colomac deposits."
Merc is agreeing to continue reclamation work began by the federal government, which took over the site in 1999 after Royal Oak Mines Inc. went into receivership. The transaction is expected to close in January. The Colomac mine is 220 Km northwest of Yellowknife.
- Galit Rodan
Last call for Christmas hampers
Today is the last day to apply for the Salvation Army's holiday Christmas hamper program. In order to receive a hamper, families must bring an application to the Resource Centre between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. today. Everyone who applies for a hamper will receive one, said Stacey Van Metre, community case worker.
Most years, between 200 and 250 hampers go to Yellowknife households. As of Thursday, there were 243 applications, and many more are expected today, Van Metre said.
Christmas hampers will be available for pick up next Monday, through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Laura Busch
Christmas break
Today is the last day of classes until the new year for Yellowknife students, making tomorrow the first official day of the Christmas holidays. Catholic schools and Yk1 schools will be on break from Dec. 17 through to Monday, Jan. 2.
- Laura Busch
Giant Mine losing signature yellow siding
Workers with the Giant Mine Remediation Team are in the process of removing the yellow metal siding at the top of the Giant Mine headframe over the next two weeks to ensure the health and safety of workers on site and the general public.
The work is expected to be finished by Dec. 23.
- Kevin Allerston
News Briefs: Thursday, December 15, 2011
Council elected
The Hamlet of Fort Providence has a new hamlet council.
During the election on Dec. 12, incumbents Jonas Landry and Alphonsine Gargan were returned to the council with 90 and 65 votes respectively.
Other council members now include Shirley Gargan, 66 votes, Delmer Bonnetrouge, 59 votes and Rosemary Minoza with 58 votes. Minoza will be serving a one-year term while the other councillors will sit for two years.
A total of eight candidates ran for the five seats. Ninety-eight residents, 17 per cent of the eligible 567 people, voted.
New mayor for Fort Liard
The Hamlet of Fort Liard has a new mayor.
On Dec. 12, Morris McLeod was elected with 66 votes compared to 47 for the other candidate, JoAnne Deneron.
The election for Fort Liard's District Education Authority was also held on the same day. The elected board members include Cheryl Bertrand, 89 votes, Sylvia Bertrand, 85 votes, Beverly Timbre, 79 votes, Irene McLeod, 65 votes, Karen McLeod, 62 votes and Shadab Hassan Khan, 55 votes. A total of 11 people ran for the six seats.
Christmas light contest ends soon
Residents of Fort Simpson are being encouraged to decorate their houses and yards for Christmas.
The Beavertail Jamboree Committee and Community Cultural Committee have organized a Christmas outdoor light decorating contest. To enter, interested participants can contact Cindy Browning, Stella Nadia or Cheryl Sibbeston.
The judging will take place on Dec. 18 after 7 p.m. Prizes will include $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third. This is the first time the two committees have organized the contest.
Rower receives elite grant
A Fort Simpson athlete is one of the few athletes in the territory from outside of Yellowknife to receive a High Performance Athlete Grant this year.
Jessie Loutit received the grant to support her rowing. A total of 34 athletes were given grants. Of those athletes, 24 are from Yellowknife.
The grants from the territorial government are given to high performance athletes from the territory to assist with the expenses of training and competing.
Each recipient is awarded funding based on athletic achievement and recognition on the national and international level.
Inuvik Christmas activities
Even though school finishes on Dec. 16, the youth and children of Inuvik won't be bored.
Christmas activities are quickly filling up every spare moment for some families. There will be a chance to skate with Santa Claus on Dec. 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and on Dec. 20 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Legion will host a pancake breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 17. Also watch for swimming with Santa and more activities at Ingamo Hall. Santa will visit the library on Dec. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.
For families donating to the Santa's Elves hamper program, don't forget to drop off the hampers between Dec. 16 and 20 at the Lion's Den. For families receiving hampers, please make arrangements to be home on the afternoon of Dec. 21.
Frozen Eyes applications
Youth from around the territory can take part in a professionally instructed photography workshop in Yellowknife from March 18 to 25 at the Frozen Eyes Photographic Society. Any youth in the NWT between the ages of 13 and 19 are welcome to apply. Those interested can send in an application with five to 10 of their best photos in .jpg format, a resume, a reference and a letter describing why the applicant wants to participate in the program. The deadline is Jan. 16.
Visit the Frozen Eyes Photographic Society website and apply to executive director Courtney Holmes or call her for more information.
Cafe Gallery stockings
The Cafe Gallery is holding a Christmas fundraiser for all youth groups in Inuvik by raffling off stockings every day until Dec. 24.
Like an advent calendar, the coffee shop is counting down the days by having customers purchase the tickets and then drawing one each day. Among the prizes are a trip for two to Yellowknife, $250 cash prizes and helicopter rides. Each stocking also has smaller prizes, but people won't know if they've won the big prizes until Dec. 24.
All of the profits will be donated to youth groups, organizations and sports teams.
Cabin leases on hold
Although the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs had said cabin owners at Airport Lake would have leases by the end of the year, that has now been extended until March.
The department had a meeting with cabin owners in November to explain the situation and terms of the lease, which is now in draft form. Much of the terms and conditions in the lease depend on the new policy for recreational land that the department is working on, said Bev Chamberlain, director of land administration. Until the department has public consultation on the new policy, it won't be able to finalize the leases for Airport Lake.
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