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News Briefs: Friday, June 14, 2013
Osprey nest stays put
An osprey nest recently discovered on a power line along the Ingraham Trail is safe, according to Northwest Territories Power Corporation Chair Brendan Bell. The nest is not obstructing power lines and poses no danger to the birds or the electrical system, Bell stated in an e-mail to Yellowknifer.
The nest will remain untouched until the parent birds and their young move from the spot. Then the power corporation is considering plans to construct a nesting platform nearby and relocate the nest there for next season, according to Bell.
Moving nests away from power lines reduces the risk the birds could be electrocuted if they come in contact with the lines, which could then also cause a power outage, Bell added.
- Candace Thomson
Garden party returns to Somba K'e Civic Plaza
Residents will have the chance to try out some tai chi or watch a dance performance from the Bella Dance Academy at the weekly garden parties hosted by the City of Yellowknife at Somba K'e Civic Plaza on Tuesday. Held from 5:45 until 8 p.m. every Tuesday in June, the party accompanies the farmers market, along with musical performances from Jim Taylor and Darin Woodbury, face painting and family reading activities from the NWT Literacy Council.
- Graeme McNaughton
Water main repairs narrow street
Workers from the city had School Draw Avenue narrowed to one lane on Thursday as they conducted water main repairs. Work started near 48 Street early on Thursday morning in the residential neighbourhood. City communications director Nalini Naidoo was unable to comment on the specific nature of the repairs before press time, but said repairs were expected to be completed yesterday.
- Graeme McNaughton
Wildcat Cafe sets regular business hours
The City of Yellowknife announced yesterday the Wildcat Cafe will officially open for business on June 22. This is following the grand reopening ceremony scheduled Sunday, during which there will be self-guided tours of the cafe, as well as provided appetizers and refreshments provided.
- Graeme McNaughton
News Briefs: Thursday, June 13, 2013
Ferry service resumes
The MV Lafferty, which provides ferry service on the Liard River near Fort Simpson, began operating again on the evening of June 10 after being closed for more than a day.
The Lafferty was closed on Sunday morning because of mechanical issues related to a damaged shaft that had to be removed.
The ferry was pulled partially out of the water onto one of the landings to allow for the work to be completed.
While the ferry was closed, Fort Simpson residents with boats helped to transport residents and tourists across the river.
International award for Deh Cho Bridge
The Deh Cho Bridge project was recognized with the Gustav Lindenthal Medal at the 30th annual International Bridge Conference, held from June 2 to 6 in Pittsburgh. The award is given annually to an outstanding structure that is also esthetically and environmentally pleasing.
The project's design engineer, Dr. Matthias Schueller of Vancouver, B.C.'s Infinity Engineering, accepted the award on behalf of the project team.
The bridge has also received two other recent awards, the Award of Merit for Soft Engineering at the 2013 Awards for Engineering Excellence sponsored by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of British Columbia and the 2013 Canadian Institute of
Steel Construction's British Columbia Steel Design Award of Excellence.
Community golf tournament
Approximately 15 people competed at the second annual Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce's open golf tournament on June 8.
The competitors completed 18 holes using a stroke play format at the Seven Spruce Golf Course. Owen Rowe and Kele Antoine tied for first in the men's division at 83, but Rowe ultimately won because his handicap of 13 put him one point below Antoine at 70.
Sheila Pollard won the women's division with a score of 69 including her handicap while Val Gendron finished in second with 76. Community sponsors came through with some great prizes, said Leah Keats, who organized the tournament.
Fort Liard student to graduate
Echo Dene School will be holding a special graduation ceremony on June 13.
Karlene Rose Isaiah is the Fort Liard school's sole graduate this year. The ceremony will begin at the community hall at 6:30 p.m.
Co-ordinator leaves
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse is without a co-ordinator at the moment.
Geoff Johnson, who was hired just two months ago, left the organization over the weekend.
Sarah Reaburn, the chair of the greenhouse, announced the departure Sunday. The board is now considering different options for the rest of the summer, including "trying to run the greenhouse as a board and volunteer-run greenhouse," the statement added.
"It also means we will be heavily relying on volunteer assistance over the next while. Please follow us on Facebook and watch for e-mails as we try to co-ordinate volunteers and events," she stated.
New executive director
The Children First Society has a familiar face as its new executive director.
Patricia Davison has been hired to take the helm of the organization. Davison is one of the founding members of the Children First Society.
Currently, Davidson is involved with a number of groups including the Inuvik Child and Youth Mental Health Working Group, the NWT Disabilities Council and the East Three Elementary Aboriginal Student Achievement committee.
Gas questions
Kevin Mackay, the general manager of Inuvik Gas, is questioning the cost of providing liquid natural gas to Inuvik as presented by the GNWT. Minister Michael Miltenberger reported the Liquid Natural Gas prices for NTPC at $25 per gigajoule. Mackay says that price couldn't be kept for general residential distribution.
"As we advised the public earlier this year, the landed cost of bringing Synthetic Natural Gas to Inuvik is $27.17, which is made up of the cost to purchase propane and deliver it to Inuvik, as determined through an open, competitive bid process," he stated in an e-mail.
"The costs incurred by Inuvik Gas Ltd., including delivery, operations, maintenance and keeping the Ikhil reserve functional and accessible, come to $8.27. That is how we arrived at the current rate per gigajoule of $35.44."
Ferry service upgrades
The GNWT announced that at the beginning of October, the Abraham Francis ferry, which crosses the Peel River, and the Louis Cardinal Ferry, which crosses the Mackenzie River, will now operate past the fall freeze-up period. The objective of the extended service is to maintain operations until ice crossings are in place that can support commercial traffic.
The annual cost of the extended ferry service is expected to be $1.4 million plus a one-time upgrading cost for the Louis Cardinal ferry of $400,000.
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