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Friday, March 28 2014
Premier sends condolences
Premier Bob McLeod is sending out his condolences to those who have been affected by the "devastating" mudslide in Oso, Washington.
Recent reports indicate that 25 people have been confirmed dead, with 90 missing and 35 listed as unknown after a mudslide wiped away an entire town in Washington state on March 22.
The Northwest Territories (NWT) has been a member of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER), which Washington state is also a part of, since 2009.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved friends and families of the victims," stated McLeod in a press release.
- Cody Punter
iPads at the library
In addition to books, you can borrow one of two iPads now available at the Yellowknife Public Library. The devices have apps developed by the GNWT, which can teach users languages like Gwich'in, South Slavey, Tlicho and North Slavey.
Anyone with a valid library card (in good standing) can check an iPad out.
- Daniel Campbell
Senate stops by Yk
The Senate Committee on Transport and Communications briefly stopped by Yellowknife on Wednesday as part of a fact-finding mission on the changing environment of broadcasting in Canada.
Dennis Dawson, chair of the committee, said they're trying to break the mold of having hearings by travelling to places like Yellowknife and meeting with community members. The committee is now in Edmonton. Dawson said he was last in Yellowknife with the committee a year ago, but for a different purpose - they were conducting an airport study.
- Daniel Campbell
Free kayak certification course
Experienced kayakers and canoeists are encouraged to come to a free Paddle Canada certification course on Apr. 2 at the Multiplex.
The course will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and will teach participants how to run a presentation designed for people who want to paddle stand-up paddleboards, kayaks or canoes. Trip planning, training and taking the essentials for water-based activities are just some of the topics that will be covered by the course.
- Cody Punter
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Mushing to victory
Stepping Stone Kennels of Fort Providence had success last weekend in Fort Resolution.
The kennel's six dog team led by Driver and Radar won the six-dog, 17-km race both days. Arthur Beck of Fort Resolution drove the team for the kennel, giving it its first win of the season.
Also with the kennel, Mel Rasmussen-Vandell placed seventh in the six-dog race and Danny Beaulieu placed eighth in the 10-dog.
Beaulieu and Susan Fleck, the kennel's co-owners, will be taking three six-dog teams to Yellowknife this weekend to compete. The race is 24 km, which will be the longest distance for the six-dog teams this year.
The kennel may finish its season with the races in Enterprise.
Mammas in B.C.
The Moosehide Mammas will be competing this weekend at the Fort Nelson Icehawks Hockey Tournament.
This is the first time the Fort Simpson team has travelled to northern B.C. for the event. The Mammas have been guaranteed three games on March 29 and another on Sunday.
"We're really excited to be going down to Fort Nelson," said Laurie Nadia, a goalie with the team.
Seventeen women, enough for three lines, and two coaches are making the trip. That is a huge team and it's great to see so many ladies are willing to travel, Nadia said.
The Mammas have never played any of the other three teams from northern B.C. who will be at the the tournament so it's really exciting, she said.
Nadia said the Mammas have had a consistent turnout this season with more that 20 women regularly coming to each practice.
Simpson Soccer action
Soccer teams will be descending on Fort Simpson this weekend.
The annual Connie Loutit Memorial Soccer Tournament is being held from March 28 to 30. Four teams from Fort Liard, plus two hometown teams as well as some athletes from Nahanni Butte have confirmed their participation.
Teams from Behchoko may also be participating. The tournament will include U12, 14, 16, 19 and open divisions for both males and females.
Spring celebration in Fort Providence
The Deh Cho Bison Jamboree is underway in Fort Providence.
The annual celebration began on March 26 and daily events are being held until March 30. Saturday events include a free pancake breakfast, cross-country races and youth and adult traditional events. There will also be a family talent show in the evening beginning at 5 p.m. On Sunday, there will be snow drag races at 1 p.m. and a community barbecue.
More money for Lights On
The funding problems for the popular Lights On program seem to be easing.
The youth-focused program runs at East Three Secondary School most Saturday evenings during the school year, providing recreational activities for secondary school-aged students.
It's a non-profit program that is only able to continue programming with the help of community volunteers and outside funding, said executive director Alexendra Winchester.
"Lights On would like to thank Matthew Clark for his generous donation to provide Lights On with healthy snacks this year. His personal donation will help many students in the community and is very much appreciated,"Winchester said of his $2,000 gift.
"Not only have local community members helped the program, but recently Lights On received a $2,000 donation from the United Way to help support programming and continue to provide interesting activities to the youth involved."
Town to mark autism
The Town of Inuvik has been asked to help celebrate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.
Well-known Inuvik resident Miki O'Kane approached town council at the committee of the whole meeting March 24 to ask them to participate in the day.
O'Kane said she has a nephew in Nova Scotia who has autism and his 13-year-old sister has launched a campaign to have her municipality mark the day.
O'Kane said she was following in the same path by asking Inuvik officials to "Light it up Blue"on April 2 to mark the day.
She hoped the town hall could be lit up with blue light, and employees be encouraged to wear blue, to mark the day. O'Kane said she would be setting up a booth at the Inuvik NorthMart store as well.
The Inuvik Regional Hospital has agreed to participate as well, O'Kane said.
The council was to deal with the request at its regular meeting March 26.
Review board holds meetings
The Environmental Impact Review Board, Joint Secretariat is holding meetings in every community in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region from March 24 to March 31 to discuss the Beaufort Sea exploration joint venture program being advanced by Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited.
The board is planing to hold an information session at Ingamo Hall on March 30 at 1:30 p.m.
The meetings are being held to receive public feedback on the proposed exploratory program.
More information is available at review board's website.
Science fairs this weekend
East Three Secondary School will host its science fair March 28 and 29, it will also host the regional science fair.
The public is welcome to attend both events. Judging starts at noon March 28, while the awards will be handed out at 3:30 p.m.
On March 29, the public viewing begins at 4 p.m., with judging to follow.
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