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News Briefs: Friday, June 21, 2013
Five months for spitting on police officer, security guard
Richard Andre, 54, of Yellowknife will serve five months in jail for assaulting a security guard at Centre Square Mall and one of the RCMP officers who came to arrest him. On Jan. 2, RCMP was called to the mall after a security guard was reported to have been pushed and spat on by Andre after asking him to leave for being intoxicated.
The security guard told police Andre also uttered racial slurs. After being detained in the back of a police vehicle, Andre kicked the rear doors and spat in the officer's face. Andre will also be serving smaller, concurrent sentences for failing to appear in court and breaching conditions of his undertaking in connection with the January incident.
- Graeme McNaughton
Lightning kills power
Yellowknifers might have seen their power flicker off early on Thursday morning. Power was out in the city for 20 to 40 minutes, starting around 4:50 a.m. The outage was caused by a lightning strike on the Northwest Territories Power Corporation line at Smiley Lake about 70 kilometres from Yellowknife.
- Daniel Campbell
Dettah by-election
Two candidates are seeking a spot on the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) council. Bobby Drygeese and Blake Rasmussen are running in the Dettah by-election taking place June 25.
YKDFN council consists of two chiefs, one from Ndilo First Nation and one from Dettah. There are also 10 community councillors, five from Ndilo and five from Dettah. Ndilo recently held a regular election for chief, with Ernest Betsina winning the spot on June 10.
- Daniel Campbell
St. Pat's student wins national scholarship
St. Patrick High School student Heather Latour has been awarded $3,000 from the Miller Thomson Foundation. The honour recognizes her extracurricular and academic achievements. Latour plans to attend Queen's University in the fall to pursue a bachelor of science degree.
- Candace Thomson
News Briefs: Thursday, June 20, 2013
Dehcho First Nations holds annual assembly
Dehcho First Nations (DFN) is holding its annual assembly in Fort Providence from June 24 to 27.
According to the draft agenda, the assembly business will begin on June 25 including an audit report, and reports on DFN's core budget and operational plan.
On June 26, topics include an update on the Dehcho Process and the Dehcho Land Use Plan, and a report on Edehzhie Protected Area. The assembly will conclude on June 27 with a report on DFN's master trust, an update on the Wildlife Act and the passing of resolutions.
Ministers and MLA doing community visits
Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche will be holding community meetings next week along with Health and Social Services Minister Tom Beaulieu and Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty.
On June 24, the trio will be in the Trout Lake community gymnasium at 10 a.m. followed by the community gymnasium in Nahanni Butte at 2 p.m. and the Fort Simpson recreation centre beginning at 7 p.m. The following day, the trio will be at the Fort Liard community hall for a meeting at noon.
Three-day gathering in Fort Simpson
Liidlii Kue First Nation is holding its first traditional spring gathering from June 21 to 23.
The gathering will begin with a pancake breakfast at the recreation centre from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday. Other events on Friday will include an opening ceremony, the start of the men's handgames tournament, canoe races, traditional games, musical performances and a slo-pitch game beginning at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, the handgames tournament will continue along with workshops, a community barbecue and a drum dance at 7 p.m. The gathering will conclude on Sunday with the end of the handgames tournament and a closing ceremony.
New pool to open in Fort Simpson
The new community pool in Fort Simpson will be opened to the public for the first time on Aboriginal
Day.
The Fort Simpson Village Council was updated about the pool's progress during its meeting on June 17.
"It's a pretty good feeling to have the project finally completed," said Mayor Sean Whelly.
Fort Simpson residents have been waiting a long time for an improved facility, he said. The project to build a new pool began approximately five years ago. A grand opening for the facility will be held later in the summer.
Market to open
Jackie Challis, the Inuvik director of economic development and tourism, said June 17 that the Arctic Market will begin this Saturday, June 22, in Jim Koe Park from noon to 4 p.m.
"This market promotes local growers, artisans, crafters and bakers by providing a communal retail venue and marketplace experience," Challis said.
"If you are interested in having a table in the market please read the general information pages and complete and return the registration form," she stated.
More information is available via a Facebook page.
Agency seeks new staff
The Inuvik Child Development Centre (ICDC) is looking for a short-term executive director.
Board chair Paula Guy said the current director is leaving the position to accept another job.
The organization is set to disband in August when the Children First Centre opens for business and assumes responsibility for providing early childhood care and education.
Currently, the ICDC operates out of East Three Elementary School.
Kid's Carnival results
Rylan and Reece Wainman were crowned prince and princess at the 2013 Kiddies Carnival, part of the Muskrat Jamboree held June 8 and 9.
Second place prince and princess results go to Brendan Arey and Lauren Ross, third place was won by Orlando Day and Hali Bernhardt, fourth place went to Maverick Lennie and Avery Blake while fifth place went to Derek and Amber Ipana.
Raffle winners are: Jolie Wolki, first place, won a trampoline; second place, Jayda Andre won a bouncy castle; and Perry Villebrun, third place, who won a boy's Assault bike. A $500 cash prize ticket was claimed by Judy McLeod.
Centre plans job fair
The Children First Centre is beginning to hire staff and accept registrations prior to its opening in August.
Twenty-five staff members are slated to be hired. New executive director Patricia Davison said a job fair will be held July 10.
Fees will range up to $1,000 a month for full-time infant care, with a low end of $375 per month for half-day pre-school programs.
These are “good, long-term jobs," Children First chair Melinda Gillis said.
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