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News Briefs: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012
Hashish bust
Yellowknife RCMP officers seized an undisclosed amount of hashish in the city last Friday.
"A quantity like this will have an impact on the drug trade within the city and the outlying areas of Yellowknife," Cpl. Barry Ledoux told Yellowknifer Thursday.
A 27-year-old man has since been arrested for importation of a controlled substance into Canada, police stated in a news release issued yesterday. Police would not disclose the suspect's name but the man is scheduled to be in court on Nov. 27.
Ledoux declined to comment further on the bust, stating that the matter is part of a continuing investigation. The suspect remains in custody.
- Laura Busch
Truck goes up in flames
Yellowknife firefighters responded to a vehicle fire at 7:11 a.m. Wednesday at 4907 46 St. A news release from the City of Yellowknife states the owner of a 1985 Ford four-door pickup was alerted to smoke and flames coming from his vehicle. Concerned about a nearby garage, boat and camper, the owner sprayed the fire with a garden hose until the fire department arrived. The vehicle's interior and engine compartment were extensively damaged.
The fire department considers the fire suspicious, making it the second suspicious vehicle fire this year after fire was set to a Volkswagen Beetle in June.
- Lyndsay Herman
Foul smell downtown
The stench of sewage present in the downtown core throughout the workday yesterday came from regular maintenance of city infrastructure.
The source of the foul odour was the annual cleaning of a lift station at the corner of 49 Street and 52 Avenue, stated Nalini Naidoo, city spokesperson in an e-mail response.
"This necessary part of the city's annual maintenance must get done, and, in turn, will likely result in a less than pleasant odour in the downtown core," she stated Thursday. Work cleaning the lift station was to be completed by the end of the day.
- Laura Busch
New hours at dump
The city's solid waste facility began its winter hours on Monday.
The dump will now be open from 8 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Monday to Friday as well as on holidays, and from 10 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. on the weekend. Summer hours will start up again in May.
- Katherine Hudson
News Briefs: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012
Advance polls open in Fort Simpson
Fort Simpson residents who want to vote but aren’t available on Oct. 15 can cast their ballot today.
Advance polls for the Fort Simpson municipal election are open from noon to 6 p.m. at the recreation centre. There are 15 residents running for council and seven running for the District Education Authority. The village’s current mayor, Sean Whelly, has already been acclaimed.
Travel and adventure opportunity
The deadline to apply to be an NWT youth ambassador is coming up.
The program gives participants, aged 16 to 24, the chance to explore Canada. In past years, youth ambassadors have represented the territory at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and at the 2008 North American Indigenous Games.
The opportunity allows youth to learn about different cultures and share their own stories with others.
Youth planning on applying to the program have until Friday to get their applications in.
Work on 97 Avenue wraps up
Construction work on 97 Avenue is expected to wrap up over the weekend.
The $263,000 project to redo the road started mid-September but was put on hold when workers hit the NorthwesTel cable in front of the bank. Work resumed about a week later.
The avenue should be reopen for traffic on Monday.
Completing the work on 97 Avenue was a priority to the village because it is a well-used road and an emergency route for fire trucks.
Beef recall
The recall of meat products due to possible E. coli contamination has affected the Northern store in Fort Simpson but not Fort Liard or Fort Providence.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has warned the public and food distributors not to consume, sell or serve beef products made by Alberta's XL Foods with the manufacturing dates Aug. 24, 27, 28, 29 and Sept. 5.
The Northern store in Fort Simpson is recalling primal fresh short ribs, primal beef fresh outside flat beef, fresh chuck rolls, and primal fresh tube ground beef.
"Anybody who has those products can return them to our stores for a refund, with or without receipt," said communications officer for Northern, Connie Tamoto, adding all recalled products have been removed from grocery shelves.
One step at a time
The Kindersteps program starts for the year on Friday.
On the elementary school side of East 3, monthly sessions will be held for parents and their children as a stepping stone into kindergarten.
On Friday, the session is from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. and is geared as an introduction to what parents and children can expect once the 2013-2014 school year begins.
There are free materials to take home and parents can get an introduction to French immersion, Inuvialuktun immersion or regular kindergarten programs.
Skating clinic
The Inuvik Figure Skating Club started their opener clinic on Wednesday. The clinic runs until Sunday, and during that time the arena ice will be reserved for them. During the days the clinic is run, there will be no public or family skate times. The hours are Thursday from noon until 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Breastfeeding awareness
National Breastfeeding Week ends Sunday. In celebration, everyone in the community is invited to an event at the Arctic Family Centre for snacks, games and prizes on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
Turkey and tunes
An elders' luncheon is being held Thursday at the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre.
"It's the first elder's lunch since May," said Melissa Kisoun.
Starting at 1 p.m., turkey and all the trimmings will be served to visiting elders, and there will be events for the rest of the family as well.
"The transition house, in conjunction with Ingamo Hall, is holding a family jam night (Friday)," said Kisoun.
Starting at 7 p.m., the dry event is being held in celebration of Family Violence Awareness Week.
Voting season
Not only are the municipal elections coming up on Oct. 15, but voting has begun on another round of Aviva Community Fund projects, and an Inuvik initiative is among them.
Arctic Paws has submitted a proposal to help bring a mobile veterinary clinic to the Beaufort Delta.
The cost of the mobile clinic is estimated at $150,000, and it would be able to house animals for surgery in remote communities accessible only by ice road in the winter months.
The Aviva Community Fund funds Canadian projects, aimed at community betterment, which garner the most votes on its website.
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News desk 
