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Friday, January 23, 2015
Crack cocaine bust
Three people have been arrested and charged after a search warrant executed at an apartment in the Frame Lake yielded 25 grams of crack cocaine.
Twenty-one-year-old Prithiviraj Kumar Nunkoo, also known as Abi Nunkoo of Yellowknife, 26-year-old Said Said of no fixed address, and 20-year-old Mekdela Theodros Kitwa of no fixed address, have all be been charged with possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking.
Said was at large on a recognizance for cocaine trafficking charges laid by Lethbridge Police Service in 2011 and was wanted by police for failing to appear in court in relation to those charges.
The three accused are in custody and will appear in court on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing.
- Cody Punter
Safer communities on the agenda
The third and final teach-in organized as part of the Walking with our Sisters campaign is scheduled to be held at the Chief Drygeese Centre in Dettah on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Titled Uncomfortable Truths and New Relationships, the teach-in will feature a panel of four guest speakers and will be moderated by Lila Erasmus.
- Daron Letts
Denendeh Health Symposium coming
The public is invited to learn about some of the pressing issues surrounding aboriginal health and wellness as Dene Nation gets set to host the Denendeh Health Symposium at the Explorer Hotel from Jan. 27 to 29.
The three-day conference will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and will feature panels and discussions on topics related to First Nations health in the NWT.
- Cody Punter
Quilt show comes to Yellowknife
A travelling quilt show will make a stop in Yellowknife from Jan. 23 to 25, bringing colourful tapestries to Javaroma.
It's Time for Colour! is put on by the Canadian Quilters' Association and all funds raised through the sale of quilts in the show, as well as postcards made of prints of the quilts, will go towards The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.
- Elaine Anselmi
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Moosehide Mammas to host tourney
The Moosehide Mammas, Fort Simpson's female recreational hockey league, will host its first hometown tournament in three years at the end of the month.
So far teams from Fort Nelson, B.C., Hay River and Fort Smith are confirmed participants, according to Erin Wyatt, herself a Moosehide Mamma.
The tournament begins Jan. 30 at the village rec centre and runs until Feb. 1. It will have a canteen, beer gardens and a 50/50 draw. Game schedules will be posted in the community as the event draws closer.
Fibre line construction begins
Construction of the new Mackenzie Valley Fibre Line running from Fort Simpson north to Inuvik has begun.
A ground breaking ceremony was held earlier this month in Inuvik by Northern Lights General Partnership, the consortium of Ledcor Developments Ltd., including Ledcor Technical Services, and Northwestel.
The line is expected to cost the GNWT $80 million to build. Once the 1,400-kilometre fibre optic line is complete mid-2016, it will provide high speed data access to communities along its route.
The consortium will maintain and operate the line for 20 years.
United Way funds computer training
The United Way has donated $2,800 to the Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre for a youth computer access and training program in Fort Providence.
The program aims to increase aboriginal knowledge of computers to better equip them for employment.
It will give youth basic to intermediate training in the assembly, repair and computer applications such as Windows 8 operating system and Microsoft Office.
The funding is part of $91,500 worth of grants to 21 organizations across the territory.
Teacher's association calls for nominations
The Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association is asking kindergarten to Grade 12 students across the territory to thank a teacher who has made a difference in their lives.
The association wants students to make written submissions at their schools from Jan. 19 to Feb. 6.
Entries give students a chance to win an iPad Mini and the teachers they write about could win a flight from any First Air-serviced NWT location to Edmonton.
The winners will be announced in Behchoko on Feb. 24.
Dine out, Italian style
East Three Secondary School's Art Travel Club is serving up a taste of Italy at the Legion on Feb. 7, with funds raised through the event going towards its upcoming trip to San Francisco.
The menu includes all of the staples including spaghetti, lasagna and garlic bread, as well as a caesar and spinach salad. For dessert, apple pie and ice cream will top off the meal.
Gluten-free and vegetarian meal options will be available on request. Dinner will begin 7 p.m., with takeout offered a half-hour before. A silent and live auction will take place immediately following dinner.
Fitness course coming
From Feb. 13 to 15, a fitness theory course will be instructed at the Midnight Sun Complex and is open to people with or without a background in exercise science.
The course will go through the basics of anatomy, physiology and exercise. The fundamentals of strength and flexibility training will also be taught.
For those interested in teaching a variety of fitness classes, the theory-based course is a step toward instructor certification.
Budget report released
After public sessions held in the territory's seven regions, and 11 written submissions, the Department of Finance has released its budget dialogue report.
"The discussions reflected our concern about the economy over the medium term and serious implications for our fiscal situation," said Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger. "Although we did not come into the sessions with good news, we left with optimism that together we can improve our economy and ensure that the GNWT's finances remain sustainable."
The report showed public confidence in the government's strategy for financial management on infrastructure development and in increasing territorial revenues through economic and population growth. As the GNWT develops its 2015 budget, feedback from this budget dialogue will be taken into consideration.
Minimum wage increasing
As of June 1, the minimum wage across the Northwest Territories will increase to $12.50 per hour, up from its current rate of $10.
"We all want to lead successful and prosperous lives. We all want opportunities that enable us to take care of our families and support our communities," said Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty.
"And we all want to be fairly compensated for our work."
The increase comes from findings of the minimum wage committee, which Lafferty appointed in 2013 to look into options for the minimum wage rate.
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