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Friday, July 25, 2014
Franklin Avenue repairs
Driving in and out of downtown may take longer than usual this Saturday.
The eastbound curb lane of Franklin Avenue on the side heading downtown is scheduled close for road repair between 50th street and 54th street.
It's expected that the asphalt overlay - putting down new asphalt to remove ruts in the road - will only take the day, likely from around 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be one lane running into town and the two lanes heading out of town will continue as normal.
The city has requested that drivers obey all traffic signs and people with flags in the construction zone.
- Mark Rendell
Mine approved by GNWT
Following approval by the Wekeezhii Land and Water Board in June, a proposed mine, around 150 km northwest of Yellowknife, has received a go-ahead from the GNWT.
Michael Miltenberger, the NWT minster of environment and natural resources, gave a green light to NICO mine last Friday.
The project expected to produce significant amounts of cobalt, gold, copper and bismuth.
Ontario-based Fortune Minerals Inc. has been seeking approval for several years and has already spent more than $110 million developing the project.
The company is now looking to raise a further $600 million for the mine as well as a metal processing plant in Saskatchewan.
The mine has a projected life span of around 20 years and is expected to employ around 300 people during the construction phase and between 150 and 200 to run it afterwards.
- Mark Rendell
Golden promises
TerraX's first assay results promising for gold deposits near Yellowknife
The company exploring for gold north of the city said its first assay results are promising.
David Connelly, spokesman for TerraX Minerals said test results from a quartz vein in the Yellowknife City Gold Project showed abundant visible gold. The findings were released in a report that came out Thursday.
- John McFadden
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Snowshoe Idol VI finals
There will be a new idol in Fort Providence at the beginning of next month.
The Snowshoe Idol final will take place at the Snowshoe Lounge beginning at 2 p.m. on Aug. 2. Twenty finalists that were chosen throughout the summer will take to the stage for their chance to earn the title and $1,350 in prizes.
In addition to being able to help decide the idol, someone in the audience will also win $500 in a draw. This is the sixth season for the idol competition in the hamlet.
Previous winners have included Dale Vandell, Robin Nadli, Shauna Clarke-Canadien, Jodi Nadli and Louise Lacorne.
Forest fires spike
The number of forest fires in the Deh Cho increased substantially in the last week.
As of July 21 there were 27 fires in the region covering 201 square kilometres compared to 14 fires on July 14. A new fire 70 kilometres northeast of Jean Marie River was being worked on as of Monday. The fire was approximately 0.05 square kilometres large.
Nine fires were being monitored in the region including two new ones, one 38 km north of Trout Lake and one 63 km south of Jean Marie River. Fires near Birch Creek between Fort Providence and Behchoko were continuing to cause closures to Highway 3. The fires cover around 1,560 square kilometres.
Long weekend golf tournament approaching
Golfers can stay busy in Fort Simpson on the civic holiday in August by participating in the Nahehdeh Classic.
The annual tournament will begin at 12 p.m. on Aug. 4 following a four-person best ball format over 18 holes. There will be prizes for the first and second placed teams as well as prizes for longest putt, closest to the pin, longest drive and a hole-in-one on hole two during the second round.
Additional prizes will be awarded to participants through a random draw. There will also be a dinner for participants in the evening.
Final chance coming up for canoe trip
The application deadline for Dehcho First Nations' regional youth canoe trip is approaching.
Interested youth ages 13 to 18 from the region have until Aug. 1 to apply. The trip will begin at T'elemia camp outside of Fort Providence on Aug. 12 and participants will paddle to Jean Marie River by Aug. 22.
Along the way the youth will learn about ecology, Dene culture and participate in regional monitoring projects. Participants will also earn three career and technology studies credits.
Gwich'in assembly coming in August
The 31st general assembly of the Gwich'in Tribal Council will be held in Inuvik from Aug. 19 to 21.
The assembly was originally scheduled to be held in Aklavik but the decision to move it was made for budgetary reasons and to allow more Gwich'in participants to attend, said communications advisor Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison.
"It will now be held at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex. The Gwich'in Tribal Council annual general assembly will include representatives of Inuvik (Nihtat Gwich'in Council), Tsiigehtchic (Gwichya Gwich'in Council), Aklavik (Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council), Fort McPherson (Tetlit Gwich'in Council), Yellowknife and Whitehorse," she said.
Heiberg-Harrison added that the theme for the annual general assembly is set to be "Long ago will be in the future."
Celebration at Jak Park
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is holding a fun day at Jak Park on Sunday, July 27.
The day is to celebrate Jak Park Day, said Wendy Brake, a parks interpreter and event planner.
Activities will include some demonstrations and tests of traditional survival skills. Some demonstrations in finding the two geocaches at the park will also occur, and soup and bannock will be available as well. The activities will run from 2 to 4 p.m.
Search for new CEO
The search for a new president and chief executive officer of Beaufort Delta Health Services (BDHSS) will officially begin this fall.
Owen Partridge, who has held the position for a little more than a year, resigned suddenly late last month.
Peter Clarkson, the public administrator for BDHSS, said "Owen resigned for personal reasons and we will look at filling the position this fall.
"We currently have Rob Tordiff as acting CEO. Rob works for the Department of Health and Social Services and was CEO for the Fort Smith Health Authority."
Six fires in region
Government officials continue to monitor six active forest fires in the Inuvik Region. A fire near Aklavik was fought last week and brought under control, and the remainder of the fires appear to offer no imminent threat, according to the public bulletin on the nwtfire.com website. One is burning to the north of Sitidgi Lake between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, while three more are burning south of Fort McPherson.
The sixth is located well to the east of Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic.
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