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Friday, October 25, 2013
Airport exercise
People may have seen some increased police presence in and around Yellowknife Airport on Thursday morning.
RCMP confirmed they were conducting an exercise at the airport. Earl Blacklock, Department of Transportation spokesperson, said the scenario involved firearms by a hostile individual, but no real shooting.
The exercise is a regulatory requirement for airport security. Blacklock said they gain valuable experience working with RCMP that enables them to respond to real incidents in the future.
- Daniel Campbell
Winter driving
RCMP are reminding people to adjust their driving as winter conditions roll into Yellowknife.
Police say people should have their vehicles tuned up and have appropriate tires for road conditions. In addition, police want people to pack emergency supplies in their vehicles when they head out on the highway. These include warm clothing, blankets, flares or reflectors, candles and food.
RCMP, the Department of Transportation and municipal enforcement will be patrolling the roads this winter. They say fines for speeding on seasonal and ice roads range from $200 to $750.
- Daniel Campbell
City permits from home
Yellowknifers will soon be able to apply for development permits and building inspections online.
They city is launching CityView - a web-based tool where residents can submit building forms - on Oct. 28.
There are four free learning sessions on the tool scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., both taking place at city hall on the second floor.
- Daniel Campbell
Meat recall expanded
A recall on hamburgers from earlier this month has been expanded to more products, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Uncooked lean ground beef sold nationally at Loblaw banner stores has been added to the recall due to concerns the meat may be contaminated with E. coli.
For further details, check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website.
- Graeme McNaughton
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Meeting to focus on Dene health
Health issues related to Dene people will be the focus of the upcoming Dene leadership meeting in Fort Simpson.
Delegates at the meeting, taking place from Oct. 29 to 31, will learn about the state of Dene health care, the history of health and treaties and recent innovations or existing and emerging trends in health care that relate to reducing disparities among Dene communities.
The meeting will bring together community members, front-line health workers and professional associations and academic institutions.
Filmmaking returns to Liard
Youth in Fort Liard will be making films over the next two weeks.
Reel Youth, a not-for-profit organization that teaches youth how to create films about issues they care about, will be in the hamlet between Oct. 22 and Nov. 2. This is Reel Youth's third visit to Fort Liard.
Youth aged nine and older will be working on their film projects during and after school.
The finished films will be screened as part of the Reel Youth Film Festival in the hamlet.
Reel Youth staff will help at the Halloween dance on Nov. 1.
Assembly's anniversary
Deh Cho residents who happen to be in Yellowknife on Nov. 1 can join in celebrations at the legislative assembly.
The assembly building is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The building, including the caucus room and the legislative chamber, will be open to the public on Nov. 1 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The event will include the unveiling of design concepts for improvements to the legislative assembly.
There will also be a panel discussion delivered by former premiers, ceremonial drum prayers, and snacks and refreshments.
Promoting safe teenage drivers
The spotlight is on teenage drivers this week.
Oct. 18 to 26 is Teen Driver Safety Week across Canada. The week is to raise awareness about risks to teen drivers in an effort to help them make safer choices.
In the NWT, 14 per cent of collisions and 21 per cent of alcohol- and drug-related collisions involve teen drivers. In 2011, 5.2 per cent of drivers aged 15 to 19 were involved in a collision, making them the most likely age group to crash, according to information from the Department of Transportation.
Power interruption
A series of short power outages on the night of Oct. 20 were caused by a faulty sensor, said a NWT Power Corporation spokesperson.
The power went off in the late afternoon and early evening due to a faulty sensor on the fuel system at the Inuvik power plant.
"It caused safety mechanisms to engage and shut down fuel flow to the power plant, causing the interruption," said spokesperson Todd Roche. "The sensor was replaced and power restored at 17:13.
"Power briefly went out again 23:38 and was restored at 24:03 as work crews needed the second outage to complete the work."
Fitness centre re-opens
The 24-hour fitness centre at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex is open once again after the installation of new equipment.
The centre opened at noon Oct. 17 after being closed for almost a week for the installation to be completed safely.
"Due to safety concerns with the new equipment not yet installed and assembled, the MSC Fitness Centre was temporarily closed starting Oct. 10 and will only open for use on Thursday, Oct. 17. Sorry for the inconvenience it may cause," spokesperson Dennis Dulay stated.
The town was installing several new pieces of equipment at the centre.
Halloween party time
Inuvik loves Halloween and the season kicks into full gear this weekend in Inuvik.
The McInnes Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion starts things off with an adult party Oct. 25. The Inuvik NorthMart store follows with a kid's party Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26.
The Children First Society follow with its Pumpkins on the Permafrost fundraiser at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex Saturday night. Oct. 26. Finally, the legion is hosting a children's party Sunday afternoon.
More rec space needed
Inuvik is bursting at the seams when it comes to accommodating all of its recreational needs.
That's what town council heard Oct. 21 during it's committee of the whole meeting.
Steve Baryluk, a well-known recreation leader, particularly for wrestling, said he's unable to find space in town anywhere for his wrestling team at the moment.
He told council at one time there were several more gyms available in town than what is now present, and the squeeze is being felt.
He advocated using some of the vacant properties in town to build some new space over the next few years.
Mayor Floyd Roland said the town could look at the idea, but that was something that would have to happen within the regular budget planning process for next year.
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