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News Briefs: Friday, May 25, 2012
No collisions
No major collisions or fatalities occurred during road safety week in the NWT, according to RCMP Const. Todd Scaplen.
Officers stepped up their presence on NWT roads and highways for Canada Road Safety Week, which took place from May 15 to 21.
There have been no fatalities on NWT roads and trails for 15 months, distinguishing the territory from all other jurisdictions in North America. Police did, however, lay more than 100 speeding charges and over 50 charges for other offences under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Throughout the NWT, four people were charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, said Scaplen.
- Galit Rodan
Prince of Wales centre celebrates
The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre welcomed its one millionth visitor 10 days after its 33rd anniversary on April 16.
Starr McLachlan walked through the museum's doors on the morning of April 26, accompanied by one-year-old daughter, Ula, newborn son, Stig, and mother-in-law Ann McLachlan.
According to a news release from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the museum will award Starr a plaque and a Dene baby belt made in the NWT of moosehide, canvas, beads and stroud, symbolizing the importance of family and the strong bond between babies and parents.
- Galit Rodan
Amnesty week
Today marks the last day of amnesty week at the Yellowknife landfill. The city is waiving the $8 fee for citizens wishing to drop off any belongings. The landfill does not accept tires, batteries or appliances and amnesty week does not apply to commercial ventures. Amnesty week occurs at the landfill three times annually.
- Galit Rodan
Ice causes disruptions
Heavy ice conditions have been causing service disruptions of the Merv Hardie ferry lasting several hours, said Department of Transportation spokesperson Earl Blacklock.
"That's a situation that, until Great Slave (lake) is completely cleared out, can still occur," he said, adding there will be fewer disruptions as time goes on. The ferry shut down on Tuesday and Wednesday for a few hours but Blacklock said he does not anticipate extended shutdowns.
- Galit Rodan
News Briefs: Thursday, May 24, 2012
Upcoming election for Liidlii Kue First Nation
Interested candidates have until June 1 to submit their nomination forms for the Liidlii Kue First Nation's election.
The election is for the positions of chief and eight councillors. The nomination period opened on May 14 and will close on June 1. The advance poll will be held on June 5.
Election day will take place on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Annual cadet review in Fort Simpson
The 2860 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps will be holding its annual ceremonial review on Saturday in Fort Simpson.
The review, which will take place at Thomas Simpson School beginning at 2 p.m., will include a parade by the cadets as well as demonstrations on how to navigate with a map and compass and how to set up a shelter. Awards and promotions will also be given to some of the cadets.
The event is open to the public.
First golf tournament of the season
The Seven Spruce Golf Course is holding its opening day tournament this weekend.
The one-day tournament will take place on Saturday with start times at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The tournament will follow an 18-hole two-person Texas scramble format.
Contact the golf course for more details.
Awards for the Deh Cho Drum
The Deh Cho Drum picked up the Best Front Page award in its class at the Canadian Community Newspaper Association's annual awards in Toronto late last month.
The Drum also earned third place for Best Local Cartoon, drawn by the late Norm Muffitt. As well, the judges awarded the Drum a blue ribbon, signifying general excellence.
Preparing for an annual summer sporting event
Students in most of the schools in the Deh Cho have begun practising for track and field.
The NWT Track and Field Championships will be held in Hay River from June 6 to 8. In Nahanni Butte students at the Charles Yohin School have been practising the 50- and 100-metre dashes.
Teacher Jeff Planetta said students will be starting discus and shotput on May 23 as well as the triple jump.
Practices have also started in Fort Simpson, Wrigley and Kakisa.
Council nominations
Nominations have closed for the 2012 Gwich'in Tribal Council elections, and it's shaping up to be an exciting race, said chief returning officer Barb Crawford.
Robert Alexie Jr. and Brenda McDonald are both looking to unseat current president Richard Nerysoo, who is also running again.
With the office of vice-president being vacated this year by Mary Ann Ross, six candidates have been nominated to run for this position on the board of directors: Grace Blake, Ernest Firth, Janet Koe, David Krutko, Norman Snowshoe and Margaret Spry.
The positions of president and vice-president are elected every four years. This year's election will take place on June 22, with early ballots on June 11.
Nutritionist in town
Nutritionist Beth Oehler is in Inuvik today answering questions about healthy eating.
She will be at NorthMart between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. to give out information on portion control, as well as advice on how adjusting one's diet can have an impact on their health and overall well-being.
"I think it would be good for people to get guidelines on how to handle their nutrition, help with their health, and just benefit from the information that she can provide to people," said Marie-Claire Savoie, pharmacist at NorthMart.
Swimming lessons start
Swimming lessons are back at the Midnight Sun Complex.
Yesterday was the first night of the second spring session of swimming lessons at the pool. This session runs twice per week, Wednesdays and Fridays, for five weeks.
Though lessons are underway, it's not too late to sign up, said Rose Constantineau, recreation co-ordinator for the Town of Inuvik. Those interested can register by calling the front desk of the Midnight Sun Complex.
"It's that time of the year when people are starting to go boating," said Constantineau. "So it's important, taking advantage of learning to swim so that when we're out boating, we have those skills."
Awards for Inuvik Drum
Inuvik Drum was recognized twice at the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association awards in Calgary on May 5.
The article "Blues in schools," written by Samantha Stokell for the Nov. 24, 2011 edition, about a music program at Samuel Hearne Secondary School last November, won second place in arts and culture writing. Also written by Stokell, the story "Heavy equipment course builds North's workforce" (Sept. 22, 2011) received third place in best trades and technology writing.
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