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News Briefs: Friday, March 30, 2012
Yellowknife doctor dies
Ross Wheeler, a well-known longtime Yellowknife doctor who practised at Stanton Territorial Hospital for 18 years until his contract was not renewed in October 2007, has died, his family said Thursday. He was 70 years old. Wheeler, a general practitioner, specialized in addictions services in the psychiatry ward and was employed at the hospital since the 1980s. He is survived by his wife Laura. A funeral is planned for 3 p.m. on Monday at a location yet to be determined.
- Glenn Werkman
Corriveau back
Andre Corriveau is returning to the NWT to assume his former role as chief public health officer, effective at the beginning of June, the Department of Health and Social Services announced yesterday. Corriveau previously held the position from 1998 to 2009 before leaving to fill the role of chief medical officer of health in Alberta for three years.
"I've worked in the North for a long time and it just seemed like the right thing to do. It wasn't anything about the job (in Alberta) but more the attraction of going back up North," said Corriveau.
Kami Kandola, who was the acting chief health officer, will return to her former position as deputy chief public health officer. Corriveau said he is looking forward to working with Kandola again.
- Kevin Allerston
New teacher's union exec
The Northwest Territories Teacher's Association has elected its new executive. Gayla Meredith was elected as president, Fraser Oliver is the new vice-president-elect, Marnie Villeneuve was elected to be the new secretary-treasurer and Robbie Craig was elected to take over Villeneuve's current position as the member-at-large. All four executive members will start in their new positions on July 1 and will serve for two years.
Current president Robbie Craig will serve the association as past president during the 2012-13 school year.
- Laura Busch
Spring cleaning
Today at 4:30 p.m. is the application deadline for youth-based non-profit organizations to register for the city of Yellowknife's latest annual city spring cleanup. Groups can apply at city hall. The city's Spring Clean Up Week runs is May 7 to May 13.
- Kevin Allerston
News Briefs: Thursday, March 29, 2012
Celebrating spring
Trout Lake is holding its annual carnival this week.
The Ndu Tah Spring Carnival will begin on March 29 with a pancake breakfast followed by a community lunch. Children's activities will be one of the highlights on Friday along with handgames starting at 6 p.m. and a drum dance at 9 p.m.
On Saturday there will be adult outdoor activities at 1 p.m., a talent show at 5 p.m. and the handgames finals at 8 p.m. The carnival concludes with a barbecue at 2 p.m. on Sunday followed by sliding and skating for children from 3 to 5 p.m.
Solar project opens
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Fort Simpson solar energy project on March 27.
Premier Bob McLeod and Ministers Michael Miltenberger and David Ramsay along with Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche were expected to attend the event. The array, which is located at the Fort Simpson airport is the largest photovoltaic system in the territory.
Deh Cho artists displayed
A new exhibit of works by Deh Cho artists has opened at the OSC Gallery in Fort Simpson.
The exhibition titled Aurora Boreawesome will be on display until May 2. It contains works by Fort Simpson artists Wilfred J. Klein, Marion Storm, Michael Blyth, Joseph Purcell, Nathalie Lavoie, and Jackie Zinger as well as Celine Edda of Fort Liard, Lucy Simon from Jean Marie River and Mary Neyelle from Wrigley.
The reception for the exhibition will be held on April 5 at 7 p.m.
Three-day carnival
Jean Marie River's Mudball Carnival is taking place from March 30 to April 1.
Friday's events include a Dance Central competition, a community barbecue and broomball. On Saturday there is a full day of events starting with a pancake breakfast at 10 a.m. Helicopter rides, Dene games and karaoke are among the other events.
The carnival will wrap up with outdoor events for all ages and a crib tournament on Sunday.
Honouring educators
The nomination period for the 2012 Education Hall of Fame is open.
One inductee from each region in the territory will be named along with a Minister's Choice Award. The hall of fame is designed to recognize residents who support education including teachers, coaches, custodians, volunteers and community businesses.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is accepting nominations until April 24.
Chicken pox, scarlet fever cases reported
In Sir Alexander Mackenzie School's March newsletter, it states the school has had reported cases of both chicken pox and scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is strep throat with a rash and requires a trip to the doctor to acquire antibiotics. After 24 hours on the medication, the child is able to resume activities. Chicken pox is extremely contagious and is usually associated with a fever and a skin rash that becomes itchy as blisters crust over. A child who has been immunized may still get chicken pox and a child with the illness should not be given any aspirin products. According to the newsletter, "five days after the rash appears or the last blister crusts over, your child may return to school as long as they are feeling up to it."
Curling heads south
Inuvik youth will be representing the NWT at the Optimist International U-18 Curling Championships in Mississauga, Ont., from April 4 to 8. The NWT boys' team is made up of skip Chris Nerysoo, lead Connor Sullivan, second Deklan Crocker and Kaidan McDonald as third. The NWT girls' team includes Carina McKay-Saturnino as skip, Karly King Simpson as third, second Rayna Vittrekwa and lead Hilary Charlie.
First parade in five years
This is the first year the Muskrat Jamboree is putting on a parade throughout town since the 50th jamboree five years ago. The parade is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. starting at Ingamo Hall. Residents and businesses wishing to enter the parade should contact Eileen Allen. Prizes will be awarded for the best floats. The jamboree kicks off on Friday night with the opening ceremonies and the traditional feast and runs all weekend until Monday evening.
Association goes viral
Inuvik's Dez Loreen started a Facebook group titled the Inuvik Anti-Crack Association on Sunday morning and as of Tuesday afternoon, it has more than 1,100 members. Loreen attended a town council meeting Monday to ask that the town of Inuvik donate the community hall at the Midnight Sun Complex for concerned citizens to carry out a peaceful demonstration that crack is not welcome in the community. Loreen said he hopes the RCMP would attend such a demonstration to provide an update on the crack situation in town. Mayor Denny Rodgers said if the demonstration was scheduled and the RCMP came out, he would attend. He said anyone who knows anything about the use or distribution of illegal drugs in the community should contact the RCMP with the information. As of press time, there was no date set for the demonstration.
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News desk 
