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News Briefs: Friday, Sept 21, 2012
Shooting review almost complete
A third-party investigation into the death of Karen Lander, who was shot by Yellowknife RCMP after a four-and-a-half hour stand-off on March 14, is nearly ready to be released, the primary investigator on the file told Yellowknifer.
"The file from our end is complete," said Sgt. Jason Graham of the Medicine Hat Police Services, the police force tasked with the third-party review. "However, we are still waiting on a Crown review ... to see if there is anything that will need to be done further with it."
Graham said he anticipates the final report will be released by the end of this month, or in early October.
- Laura Busch
Beef product recall
XL Foods Inc. has issued a voluntary recall on a variety of beef products packaged between Aug. 29 and Sept. 17, which may be contaminated with E. coli. Ground beef products, beef jerky and pepperoni products purchased at the Yellowknife Co-op may be affected by the recall. Recalled products can be returned to the store with a receipt for a complete refund. Check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website for detailed information.
- Lyndsay Herman
Visit from Arctic Air
Sections of roads, parking spaces and sidewalks were blocked off for part of the day yesterday as Arctic Air crews worked to shoot a few short scenes for the CBC's Yellowknife-based TV drama.
"This is a quick trip this time," said Jina Johnson, location manager for Arctic Air.
The crew plans to shoot scenes in Old Town and at Buffalo Air today, said Johnson. The crew plans to return in late October and early November, she added.
- Laura Busch
Whitehorse power outage disrupts Yk phone service
A power outage in Whitehorse wreaked havoc on communication technologies around the North on Thursday, including land line phones in Yellowknife. More than 200 cable home phones were affected by a NorthwesTel outage, said company spokesperson Emily Younker. Most affected phones were out for about five hours and 40 minutes. Service was restored at about 11 a.m., she said.
- Laura Busch
News Briefs: Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
Fort Simpson mayor acclaimed
Sean Whelly will have no competition in this year's race for mayor.
The nomination period for the election closed Sept. 17 with only Whelly announcing his intention to run for mayor. Meanwhile, 16 residents have been nominated for councillor positions.
The unofficial list of candidates includes Celine Antoine, Adolfus Augier, Walter Blondin, Larry Campbell, Gus Croatto, Robert Hanna, Leah Keats, Marie Lafferty, Ron McCagg, Stella Nadia, Dennis Nelner, Renalyn Pascua-Matte, Michael Rowe, Patrick Rowe, Gordon Thompson and Tom Wilson.
The hunt is on
Band members of the Acho Dene Koe First Nations and Jean Marie River First Nations participating in the fall hunt can apply for gas money through their local band office.
Citizens in Fort Liard have until Sept. 30 to fill in an application, while Jean Marie River residents have until Oct. 15. Funds were available for Pehdzeh Ki First Nations but all of the money has been allocated already.
Arctic Winter Games sports removed
Certain sports have been removed from the Arctic Winter Games program for 2016 to be hosted in Nuuk, Greenland, and Iqaluit.
The games will not include curling, speed skating, figure skating, dog mushing, gymnastics nor midget hockey. However, it is expected that these sports will return to the program in 2018.
Working with leather
A leather crafting workshop is being held at the Open Sky Society Gallery in Fort Simpson this week.
The adult class is being held today and Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There is no cost for the workshop and materials will be supplied.
Monday music night at Open Sky Gallery
Musician Ellen McIlwaine will be performing at the Fort Simpson Open Sky Gallery Sept. 24.
McIlwaine brings together blues, rock, folk and world music to create a unique sound. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
Municipal election nominations closed
Former premier Floyd Roland announced he is running for mayor. Joining Roland in the race for mayor is Todd Shattler. There are 15 people running for the council positions, including nine newcomers. Ken Crocker, Susie Driscoll, Melinda Gillis, Natasha Kulikowski, Joe Lavoie, Derek Lindsay, John Ritchie, Clovis Savoie and Edward Shattler have added their names to the ballot. Terry Halifax, Jim McDonald, Alana Mero, Vince Sharpe, Kurt Wainman and Clarence Wood are running for re-election.
Gas supply update
The Town of Inuvik is holding a public information session on the natural gas supply. The meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the community hall at the Midnight Sun Complex. While exact rates weren't available as of press time, Mayor Denny Rodgers said "we're not going to freeze."
Ice surface ready
The arena is now open for skating. Rose Constantineau, recreation co-ordinator for the Town of Inuvik, said some organizations are still finalizing schedules and ice times but the arena is open for recreational skating.
Don't panic
If you heard a lot of sirens around town on Sept. 20 it was most likely a live emergency exercise occurring in the area. This was a practice emergency scenario put on by the Department of Transportation and local emergency services.
Interfaith meeting
Inuvik will be playing host to the 4th Interfaith Conference Sept. 29.
Moderated by Derek Lindsay, former mayor and recent Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient, the conference is scheduled to take place at Aurora College from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jean Gruben, from Tuktoyaktuk, will be presenting the aboriginal perspective. The entire community is invited to participate.
New hires in the Delta
Five new government services officers have been hired in remote communities across the NWT to provide residents better access to territorial and federal government programs.
The service was put in place because officials felt residents in smaller areas might be missing out on programs due to a lack of access, said Dan O'Neill, regional director with the NWT Department of Executive.
In 2010, the GNWT piloted a program that put government services officers in eight communities. In the first 18 months, the officers saw more than 6,500 people, according to O'Neill. As a result of the pilot's success, government services officers were hired in Fort Liard, Gameti, Tulita, Tsiigehtchic and Sachs Harbour.
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News desk 
