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News Briefs: Friday, May 18, 2012
Break and enter suspect arrested
Police have arrested an adolescent in connection with five break and enters on Latham Island.
The 17-year-old youth admitted to committing five break-ins on Latham Island after officers arrested him at approximately 10:30 p.m Tuesday evening, according to an RCMP news release.
Police charged the youth with break and enter and released him on Wednesday.
The youth is scheduled to appear in Youth Justice Court on Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. Police are not releasing the teen's name because he has been charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
- Miranda Scotland
Hazardous household waste wanted
Yellowknife residents who have hazardous household waste in need of disposal can bring it to the Yellowknife Community Arena parking lot tomorrow from noon until 4 p.m.
Crews from the City of Yellowknife, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and KBL Environmental will be on hand to collect items such as paint, household cleaners, mercury thermometers and pesticides for disposal.
- Kevin Allerston
RCMP increase traffic patrols
Officers with G Division Traffic Services will be increasing patrols on area roads and highways this long weekend.
While all traffic rules will be enforced, special attention will be given to motorists using hand-held electronic devices, according to RCMP Const. Kathy Law.
The holiday weekend is part of Canada Road Safety Week and local detachments will be out in force to ensure everyone is driving safely and within the law.
- Danielle Sachs
Sun and moon together again
Astronomy North will have two solar telescopes set up at Somba K'e park Sunday evening so the public can view a solar eclipse, weather permitting.
From Yellowknife the astronomical event will appear as a partial eclipse, with the moon covering only the bottom half of the sun at the time of greatest coverage.
The event is expected to last from 5:52 to 7:52 p.m., with the peak expected at 6:52 p.m.
- Kevin Allerston
News Briefs: Thursday, May 17, 2012
New permits for mine
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has approved a number of new permits for the Canadian Zinc Corporation.
The permits include a new Class A land use permit that will allow the company to conduct mining exploration and underground decline development at the Prairie Creek Mine. The company has also received an extension until April 2014 on an existing permit for the use of the road that connects the mine to the Liard Highway. The permit will allow the company to prepare the road for operational use to the boundary of the Nahanni National Park Reserve, but doesn't cover the planned used of the road when the mine opens.
The board has also issued a work plan to be followed for the issuance of a Class A water licence for the operation of the mine. According to the plan a draft water licence will be issued by the end of December.
Ferry service resumes
Two ferries have commenced service for the season in the Deh Cho.
The Merv Hardie on the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence began regular service on Monday evening. Motorists are cautioned that short-term service disruptions due to water levels and threats from ice are possible.
The Lafferty on the Liard River opened two days earlier ferrying its first passengers on May 12.
The Johnny Berens at the N'Dulee crossing is not expected to open until after May 26, said Fred Lamb, the regional superintendent for the Department of Transportation. The Johnny Berens has a five-year average opening date of May 25. The other two ferries were right on time to sustain their five-year average opening date of May 13.
Dehcho leadership meets
Leaders and elders of the Dehcho First Nations met in Fort Simpson this week.
An elders' meeting was held on May 15 followed by a closed-door internal leadership meeting on May 16. On May 17 the Dehcho leadership is scheduled to meet with Premier Bob McLeod and the cabinet. The meeting, which will be open to the public, will take place at the recreation centre beginning at 10 a.m.
Planting session planned
The Sa Naeah Pre-Natal Program will be hosting a planting session in Fort Simpson.
On May 17 Teresa Chilkowich with Ecology North will be providing information and seeds of garden plants that can be started indoors. The session will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the pre-natal building.
The event is open to the community. Participants are asked to bring their own planting containers.
Dempster Highway closed
All winter river crossings along the Dempster Highway officially closed on Friday, May 11 at about 4:30 p.m. due to the road and ice conditions.
The NWT Department of Transportation reported over one foot of overflow water at the ice crossings and slushy conditions as of Friday morning.
As a result of colder weather last week, the Tsiigehtchic crossing closed later this year than the average of May 3 over the past five years.
The department reported that the average date of breakup of river ice at the main crossing is May 18.
The Louis Cardinal Ferry that services the Tsiigehtchic crossing and the Abraham Francis that crosses the Mackenzie near Fort McPherson have both averaged an opening date of June 1 over the last five years.
Arts workshops now available
The Great Northern Arts Festival has released its workshop schedule for its 2012 festival.
Those interested can now browse through the list of workshops to be offered during the festival, which is scheduled to be held July 13 to 22 and may register for classes until Thursday, July 12.
The list of workshops was released two and a half weeks earlier this year to enable participants to plan ahead, said Sasha Webb, executive director for the festival.
"People travel from so far away to come to the festival, and I really want them to be able to sign up for stuff in advance if possible," said Webb. "And also to have an idea of what dates they may want to be here and what events they want to attend, specifically."
A performing arts schedule is expected to be released within a couple of weeks.
Pageant pre-registration
Pre-registration is open for the Northern Diamond All-Canadian Pageant.
The pageant is to be held on Saturday, May 26 at the Midnight Sun Complex.
Cost of admission to the public will be a donated item to the Inuvik Food Bank, said pageant director Helga Sawkins.
Pre-registration opened this past Tuesday and continues tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the fire hall.
The last day for pre-registration will be next Tuesday, May 22, though participants can sign up at the event as well.
"We just want the kids to come out and have some fun," said Sawkins, adding that there is financial assistance for families who may be deterred by the registration fees.
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News desk 
