 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
News Briefs: Thursday, January 10, 2013
Flu cases confirmed in city
There have been two confirmed cases of influenza in Yellowknife since the beginning of the year, according to NWT chief medical health officer Dr. Andre Corriveau.
He said this is "just the tip of the iceberg" and that he expected to see more cases develop in the next few weeks.
Corriveau said residents can still get a flu vaccine and if people feel like they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, he advises they stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the virus.
- Katherine Hudson
Prelude Lake meeting Sunday
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is hosting a public meeting at the Tree of Peace at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday to solicit input into what priorities the department should keep in mind while dealing with increased popularity of Prelude Lake Territorial Park.
The department released the Prelude Lake Draft Management Plan earlier this month, which is available on the NWT Parks website. Everyone is welcome to attend Sunday's public meeting, said Tracy St. Denis, regional manager with the department.
Feedback may also be submitted online until the end of February.
- Laura Busch
Wise women wanted
Nominations are now open for the 2013 Wise Women Awards.
The Status of Women Council will select five outstanding women from across the territory who make a difference in their communities to receive the awards on March 8.
- Thandiwe Vela
Can you walk to Tuk?
The deadline is approaching to join the NWT Recreation and Parks Association's 2013 Mackenzie River Walking Challenge.
Until Monday, teams of up to 20 can register for the program, which challenges teams to walk the equivalent of the distance between Fort Providence and Tuktoyaktuk along the Mackenzie River (1,658 km) between Jan. 7 and March 4.
- Laura Busch
News Briefs: Thursday, January 10, 2013
Kingland Ford Hockey Tournament cancelled
There will be one less hockey tournament in the Deh Cho this year.
The Kingland Ford Hockey Tournament, which was scheduled for Feb. 12 in Fort Providence, has been cancelled. The tournament can't be held because the two older and larger dressing rooms at the hamlet's recreation centre were closed based on concerns from the fire marshal, said Lawrence Nitsiza, the hamlet's recreation director.
Only two smaller dressing rooms remain open and the tournament would run too slowly with only those facilities available, he said.
Nitsiza said he hopes the tournament can be held again in 2014.
Inspiring young soccer players
A soccer program for youths is starting this weekend in Fort Simpson.
Every Saturday from Jan. 12 to Feb. 2 there will be soccer practices for youths ages five to 11 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. During the practices the participants will be divided by age groups.
The program is preparing youths for the Mackenzie Deh Cho Youth Soccer tournament that will be held in Fort Simpson between Feb. 8 and 10. This is the second year for the tournament.
The inaugural event drew more than 100 participants from Fort Simpson and Fort Providence last year.
Two days of hockey
A hockey holiday tradition took place in Fort Providence after Christmas
The Christmas Classic was held on Dec. 27 and 28 in the hamlet. Two teams were created by draft format from the players who came forward.
Team Two, which had Brandon Matto and then Patrick Chicot in the net, won both of the games eliminating the need for a planned third game. Jamie Lacorne played goalie for Team One.
Fiddle jamboree in Fort Simpson
Young fiddlers will be honing their skills in Fort Simpson during the weekend.
The Kole Crook Fiddle Association is holding its annual fiddle jamboree in the village from Jan. 11 to 13. Seven instructors will be teaching students from all eight Deh Cho communities as well as Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife. Approximately 70 students are expected to attend.
Community members are invited to listen to an orchestra performance, talent showcase and fiddle dance on Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bompas Elementary School gymnasium. The closing concert will be on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the school's library.
Frozen pipes close school
Parents and students were turned away from East 3 School on Jan. 7 after the institution shut down due to a sewage pipe freeze-up.
The problem has since been remedied, according to Richard Knight, regional superintendent for the Department of Public Works and Services.
"The freeze point was found where the school sewage pipe enters the utilidor," explained Knight. "The actual issue has been fixed by steaming out the sewage run down to the utilidor."
The department is currently working with the contractor to ensure he is able to remedy the problem under the terms of his contract, said Knight.
Music in church
Singer-songwriter Lights is set to take over the Igloo Church on Friday. The Juno award-winning artist will be joined by special guest star Jay Gilday.
Friday's event is set to start at 7:30 p.m.
Beaufort-Delta Regional Council meeting
Government ministers will converge on Inuvik next week for the Beaufort-Delta Regional Council meeting.
Premier Bob McLeod will be present along with Jackson Lafferty, minister of Education, Culture and Employment; Tom Beaulieu, minister of Health and Social Services; Robert McLeod, minister of the NWT Housing Corporation, and Municipal and Community Affairs; Michael Miltenberger, minister of Finance, and Environment and Natural Resources; Glen Abernethy, minister of Justice, Public Works and Services, and Human Resources
The meeting will run from Jan. 14 to Jan. 17.
Also, on Jan. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services Authority will have its general meeting starting with a feast at the Midnight Sun Complex.
Energy fair approaches
The Energy Fair and Trade Show kicks off Jan. 13 at the Midnight Sun Complex.
The three-day event is a great opportunity to learn about renewable energy, efficient energy use, and how to save money, said Peter Clarkson, an organizer of the event.
"I think energy consumption and the price of energy consumption is something that everybody is concerned about so this is just a great way to bring all those people involved in energy in one room and a great opportunity to learn more about how you can save energy and what different options are out there," he said.
Exhibitors include Arctic Energy Alliance, Inuvik Gas, and a number of local businesses and government departments.
– Thandiwe Vela
| 
News desk 
