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News Briefs: Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Stabbing suspect in court
A suspect charged with attempted murder following a stabbing at Fort Gary apartments last year was before the court on Tuesday.
Dean Ruben is one of five suspects charged in connection with the case. Ruben was set to decide if he would be tried by judge or judge and jury.
However, Judge Bernadette Schmaltz agreed to adjourn the case to today, when the court is expected to determine a dates for the preliminary inquiry. The purpose of the preliminary inquiry is to determine if there is sufficient evidence for the matter to continue to trial.
Ruben's co-accused, Tyson Ruben-Bucher is also scheduled to be in court today. He too is charged with attempted murder.
- Miranda Scotland
Alleged misconduct case continues for bylaw
Yellowknife RCMP have finished amassing evidence while looking into alleged misconduct by a City of Yellowknife bylaw officer shortly before the Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 17, Cpl. Barry Ledoux told Yellowknifer.
Police are now waiting on recommendations from the Crown prosecutor's office, which will help determine whether any charges will be laid relating to the incident.
Ledoux could not comment further, he said, because the case is still open.
- Laura Busch
Youth Parliament deadline extended
The deadline to apply for this year's Youth Parliament at the legislative assembly has been extended to Friday.
Budding politicians in grades nine or 10 from each NWT riding will get the opportunity to live the life of an MLA for one week, from May 6 to May 11. Daily activities will include participating in question period from the floor of the legislative assembly.
Interested youth may apply through the legislative assembly's web page.
- Laura Busch
Gord Van Tighem to be made colonel
Former Yellowknife mayor Gordon Van Tighem will be given an honorary colonel title at a short ceremony at 440 Squadron hangar on Friday at 1 p.m.
Yellowknife's honorary colonel is "someone who promotes the city within the squadron and the squadron within the city," said Van Tighem.
- Laura Busch
Armed confrontation
Baker Lake
Baker Lake RCMP were involved in an armed confrontation with a man in that community on March 30.
The incident happened just outside the Baker Lake RCMP detachment building.
Joseph Qaqsauq Attutuvaa, 21, has been charged with assaulting a police officer with a weapon, pointing a firearm and possessing a firearm for dangerous purposes.
An anonymous member of the community alerted the officers to the incident.
There were no injuries during the confrontation, and Attutuvaa has been remanded into custody until his first court appearance, scheduled for April 9. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Eastern playoffs start
Rankin Inlet/Iqaluit
Emotions and intensity will be set to the max this coming weekend when Iqaluit skates onto the ice in Rankin Inlet to begin the best of five Eastern Division final in the Northern Hockey Challenge (NHC) against their longtime rival, Rankin Inlet.
Iqaluit finished in first place during the regular schedule with an 84 record, just two points better than Rankin's 75 mark.
The key to the series may be Rankin's ability to contain Iqaluit's Sateana Goupil, who racked up 19 goals, 20 assists and 39 points in 12 games to exceed Repulse Bay's Rodney Taparti by nine points in the scoring race.
Taparti still has two games to play as Repulse heads to Kuujjuaq this weekend for two make-up games. Both teams were officially eliminated from playoff contention during their recent visit to Rankin Inlet.
Rankin has its own pair of snipers up front which Iqaluit will have to deal with in Pujjuut Kusugak (20929) and David Clark (18826), who sit third and fourth in NHC scoring respectively.
Rankin's Wendel Kaludjak had a strong finish to up his point total to 71926, while Iqaluit's Eric Jacobsen is a constant scoring threat, racking up numbers of 141226. Long-time Rankin nemesis Dwayne Twerdin also knows how to help out the attack, finishing the round robin at 61723.
Rankin must also solve Iqaluit goaltender Randy Qamaniq, who led all goalies in the highscoring East with a goals against average of 4.54, while finishing with a nearperfect record of seven wins against one loss.
Both games, on April 5 and 6, are slated to begin at 8 p.m. at the Rankin arena.
Play also resumes in the Western Division final this weekend in Hay River. Yellowknife leads the best-of-five series 2-1.
First arts award
Rankin Inlet
Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias has awarded the first Performing Arts Award to Rankin Inlet performer Veronique Nirlungayuk.
Nirlungayuk, the youngest of seven daughters, teaches drum dancing to her own children and granddaughter, so the drumdancing tradition, passed down for thousands of years, will continue to flourish. Nirlungayuk was presented with $10,000, a certificate and the Commissioner's Medallion in earning the award.
Elias changed the prestigious award to the Performing Arts Award from its previous title of the Arts Award this year.
In a press release, Elias stated she decided to change the award to the performing arts because it's an important part of Inuit culture.
"Since there are so many upandcoming young performers, I wanted to promote the performing arts," Elias stated.
Serious subject
Arviat
The talented Arviat Drama Club will be performing seven plays dealing with suicide this coming month in Arviat.
More information on the plays and the performance schedule will be released by the club following spring break.
Arviat Drama Club productions are directed by wellknown Kivalliq thespian leader Gord Billard.
Hotel opens
Rankin Inlet
The luxurious Katimavik Suites Hotel officially opened for business in Rankin Inlet this past week on March 25.
Arviat entrepreneur and hotel partner Ryan St. John described the event as a "soft opening," and said plans are in the works for an official grandopening ceremony later this month.
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