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News Briefs: Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Ice crossings closed
Due to deteriorating conditions, the Mackenzie River ice crossing is closing to all vehicles today at noon, according to Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communications for the Department of Transportation. The crossing is expected to remain open this morning to high-clearance vehicles.
The Dettah ice road was closed to all vehicles on Friday.
- Kevin Allerston
Accused in drug case to plead guilty
Robert Livingstone, who stands accused of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, waived his right to a bail review in Supreme Court on Monday morning.
At the request of Livingstone's lawyer, Peter Fuglsang, the hearing has been adjourned until May 7, when Fuglsang said Livingstone plans to plead guilty.
Livingstone was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking after police allege they found Livingstone and another man, who has since been found not guilty, in a vehicle 40 km south of Yellowknife with about $100,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana on June 27, 2010.
- Lyndsay Herman
Recreation guide published
The City of Yellowknife released the Spring/Summer Recreation Guide on its website this month.
Hard-copies will be available at city hall, the Multiplex, the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, the Fieldhouse, and the Yellowknife Public Library as of April 27. Registration for day camps and programs begins on May 1.
- Lyndsay Herman
Hache seeks new direction
The long-standing executive director of the Centre for Northern Families will be stepping down this year.
Arlene Hache, who led the centre for more than 20 years and was one of its founding members, will be leaving her position this summer, according to a press release sent by the organization.
Hache is leaving "to focus on social justice research and community development initiatives," stated board coordinator Bree Denning. "She will continue to be a strong advocate for women and their families in the Northwest Territories."
- Galit Rodan
Best showing at hockey tourney
Tignish, P.E.I./Kivalliq
The Kivalliq Canucks put in the best showing by a Nunavut team ever to compete at the MaritimeHockey North Junior C Championship in Tignish, P.E.I., earlier this month.
The Canucks survived an 02 start in roundrobin play to advance to the playoff round of the tourney.
The team then shocked the Pownal Red Devils 31 in the semifinal to advance to the championship game, before falling to the Nova Scotia champion Chester Clippers 73.
The final was a hardfought affair that saw the two teams separated by just two goals until the dying minutes of the third period. It was the first time a Nunavut team had ever advanced to the championship game at the event.
Rankin goaltender James Merritt was named the allstar goalie at the tournament, while highscoring forward Wendel Kaludjak, also of Rankin, was named as an allstar forward.
For the complete story on Kivalliq's run to the final, please see the May 2 edition of Kivalliq News.
Racing season
Rankin Inlet/Arviat/Chesterfield Inlet
The dates for a number of annual snowmobile races in the Kivalliq have been announced.
Rankin Inlet will be hosting a crosscountry race from April 28 to 29, run by the Qaqurnaq Race Club, before the drag racers take centre stage at Itivia on May 12 (classes on snow) and May 13 (classes on ice). Chesterfield Inlet will host a crosscountry challenge from May 5 to 6.
In Arviat, the Arviat Racing Club will be hosting the 12th annual Sam Napayok Memorial snowmobile race on May 18 and 19. The event will feature racing action in both the junior (14 to 17 years of age and racing Bravo 250 cc) and senior (18 and older racing machines up to 600 cc) categories.
There will be a special racers' meeting at the Arviat hamlet office on May 17 beginning at 7 p.m.
Medal haul from Toonik Tyme
Rankin Inlet/Iqaluit
Hockey teams from Rankin Inlet returned home with five medals after participating in the annual Toonik Tyme minor hockey tournament in Iqaluit earlier this month.
The Rankin Rock bantam and peewee squads both struck gold at the event, while the atoms took silver and the midgets and female teams each earned bronze.
Fishing derby
Arviat
Fishers will be taking to the ice in Arviat this coming month, trying to land a brandnew Yamaha Rhino 500 when the community hosts the annual cod fishing derby from May 19 to 20.
Kiggavik still on track
Baker Lake
Areva Resources has announced plans for the Kiggavik uraniummining project near Baker Lake are still proceeding on schedule.
Concern on the project's viability had been raised since the price of uranium dropped to $51 per pound following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. Prices had been at $66 per pound before the disaster. Areva is expected to submit its detailed mine plan to Nunavut regulators this week, and still hopes to have its Kiggavik mine operating by 2017.
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