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News Briefs: Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Betty House vote
There will be a special council meeting at 12 p.m. on Thursday to decide whether or not the city will enter into a building contract with Clark Builders for Betty House.
The contract, valued at nearly $4 million, would provide the YWCA with six bed-sitting units, eight two-bedroom units, and two three-bedroom units, as well as the required washrooms, kitchens, office space, program space and security space.
Funding for the project has already been secured from the federal government and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
- Cody Punter
NWTTA and Yk1 reach tentative agreement
The Northwest Territories Teachers' Association and Yellowknife Education District No. 1 have almost finished writing up a new collective agreement. A tentative agreement has been sent to both parties and a decision will be made on whether or not it's acceptable when both organizations have their board meetings in October, according to Yk1 superintendent Metro Huculak.
Details of the three-year agreement won't be released until both parties have accepted it.
- Candace Thomson
Power outages explained
Investigations into recent power outages in Yellowknife have concluded that no pesky tricksters appear to be responsible.
On Sept. 12, power went out at 10:05 p.m. due to a mechanical problem inside the Snare Falls hydro plant which caused that source of power to trip offline, said Todd Roche, acting communications manager for the NWT Power Corporation.
Diesel generators fully restored power by 10:48 p.m. Typically, it takes 5,000 litres of diesel fuel per hour to supply Yellowknife with power in the summertime.
- Laura Busch
Winter is coming
Environment Canada is predicting the first bit of snow for the year will happen today.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the weather report states there is a 60 per cent chance of flurries, or rain showers tonight. The high will be 4 C.
If there is a dusting of snow, it likely won't last long, as temperatures on Thursday will warm up to 8 C with a 30 per cent chance of showers.
- Candace Thomson
High-tech help
Rankin Inlet
The Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre is going high tech in an attempt to cut down on vandalism.
The centre recently had about $1,500 in damages done to its two school buses, and its ATV was stolen for a third time.
The centre is preparing to install an infrared camera security system to help protect its property.
For more on the theft and vandalism plaguing Rankin, please see the Sept. 28 edition of Kivalliq News.
Order of Nunavut
Arviat/Nunavut
Louis Angalik Jr. of Arviat was one of three Order of Nunavut recipients announced earlier this month by the Government of Nunavut.
Also receiving the prestigious honour were Jimmy Akavak of Iqaluit and Davidee Amakak of Panniqtuuq.
Busy gal
Rankin Inlet
Rankin Inlet's Bernadette Dean has been one busy member of her community recently.
Dean recently travelled to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Gjoa Haven, Kuugaruk and Yellowknife for an orientation for the Nunavut Water Board.
Dean will be in Inukjuaq later this month to facilitate a workshop for shelter workers.
Then, in October, she'll be teaching Arctic clothing design in Repulse Bay, before heading to Banff, Alta., for the National Reading Strategy aboriginal caucus meeting.
Supplies on the way
Coral Harbour
The community of Coral Harbour will be receiving the necessary supplies for its new bulk fuel-storage facility this fall.
The announcement was made in the legislative assembly this past week by Community and Government Services Minister and Government House Leader Lorne Kusugak.
First taste of winter
Kivalliq
Old Man Winter winked at the Kivalliq region this past week, sending high winds, rain and wet snow to Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove, as well as a good dusting of the white stuff to Coral Harbour.
It was a reminder that the famous Kivalliq winter is not far off.
Ball champs
Rankin Inlet
Listed below are the names of the players on the Juggernauts slo-pitch team that claimed the Sakku First Cup championship in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.
Strike averted
Nunavut
Kivalliqmiut who depend on air travel for so much were relieved to hear a strike had been averted at Canadian North airlines.
More than 150 ticket agents and cargo workers were in a legal strike position, before a tentative deal was struck between the airline and the union representing them, Unifor.
Unifor is a private-sector union combining the former Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions.
Dignity day
Kivalliq
Kivalliq schools and students are reminded the sixth-annual Global Dignity Day is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The event will be celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world.
Hundreds of thousands of youths in 50 countries participated in the Global Dignity Day in 2012.
Role models from across the country including parents, educators, athletes, senators, former and current members of Parliament, as well as international business and thought leaders, join thousands of volunteers every year to make the day possible.
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