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Friday, May 1, 2015
Standoff suspect to be sentenced July 16
A man charged in a nine-hour standoff on Dec. 18 at the Northern Lights Motel will be sentenced on July 16.
David Brownlee, 37, pleaded guilty to simple assault, use of a dangerous weapon and public mischief in court on Tuesday. The pleas were entered by lawyer Tracy Bock. Brownlee was arrested when heavily armed officers stormed the room where he had been barricaded inside. Brownlee has been out on bail since Feb. 4.
- John McFadden
Mounties warn mushroom pickers
With the morel mushroom picking season about two weeks away, RCMP are warning the public about the risks involved in wilderness travel.
The Mounties stated in an e-mail much of the mushroom picking area is outside of cellphone range and that they should bring a satellite phone or Spot device with them.
Pickers are also encouraged to take emergency provisions with them including first aid supplies.
- John McFadden
Summer festival adds another headliner
Spoken word artist Shane Koyczan is set to perform at this year's Folk on the Rocks.
The born-Yellowknifer, now based in Vancouver, has performed during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and has been featured in numerous Ted Talks. The festival runs from July 17 to 19.
- Dana Bowen
City cleans up
Free residential large item pickup by the city will take place between May 11 and May 15. Pick up request forms from the city's website have to be submitted by noon on May 8.
As well, the city will hold a household hazardous waste drop off day at the solid waste facility between noon and 4 p.m., May 16.
The tipping fee at the solid waste facility will be waived between May 16 and 22 for residents disposing of items such as tires, batteries, propane tanks and appliances.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Chief's son missing
The son of Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge has been reported missing and the Fort Providence RCMP are requesting the public's assistance in locating the 35-year-old man. Delmar Paul Bonnetrouge, was reported missing by his family on April 27.
He was last seen in Fort Providence on April 21. Bonnetrouge is described as 5'8", 174 lbs, with black hair, brown eyes and is of aboriginal descent.
The RCMP have brought in additional resources to assist with this investigation.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bonnetrouge should contact RCMP or Crimestoppers.
No pipeline anomalies on Mackenzie River
A rumour circulating on social media last weekend suggested an Enbridge pipeline running along the Mackenzie River may have spilled oil.
A Facebook page called Moncton Anti-Fracking posted that it received a tip that an Enbridge pipeline burst on the weekend,150 to 200 km northwest of Fort Simpson. It claimed there were three helicopters in the area and "suits on the ground".
Enbridge confirmed Monday morning that there were no pipeline anomalies, spills or incidents.
The company sent out a letter to local First Nations making them aware of a soil-sampling program.
Open Sky seeks artists
The Open Sky Creative Society in Fort Simpson will be holding its 15th anniversary summer festival July 11 and 12. Northwest Territories artists, artisans, musicians, performers, vendors and interested participants are invited to apply to take part.
Applications must be in by May 30.
RCMP warns morel harvesters
The NWT RCMP is warning morel mushroom harvesters that much of the harvest area is outside of cell phone range, so satellite phones are necessary for emergency situations. Emergency services are limited in areas outside communities.
The RCMP will be increasing patrol along the highways but there may be delays in accessing remote areas. The RCMP advises harvesters to bring emergency provisions, travel in groups and be wary of bears.
Harvesters should also avoid picking morels close to mine sites and infrastructure.
Bears on the move
A sighting of five bears, apparently grizzlies, across from the boat launch was the talk of the town April 24.
One person used Facebook to state there was a the sighting late in the afternoon on the shores of the East Channel. Several photos were posted, although it was difficult to discern much detail.
That brought people flocking to the boat launch to catch a glimpse of the bruins over the weekend. They are common enough in the area, but are generally not seen very often, much less in such numbers.
Many people wrote they were concerned about having the bears so close to town.
Several people on snowmobiles patrolled the riverbank while many others parked their vehicles and watched for a glimpse of the bears.
Ice roads close for season
As expected, the ice roads leading out of Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik are now closed for the season.
After a spate of unseasonably warm weather for more than two weeks, the Department of Transportation made the decision to close the ice roads at 3 p.m. on April 28.
That's about an average date for closures according to department statistics, although in 2013 the roads were open until the first week of May.
So far, there is no indication as to when the ice crossings at Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson might close, cutting the Mackenzie Delta off from highway traffic for its typical six weeks or so until a ferry can be pressed into service.
College graduation on tap
The Aurora Campus will hold its annual graduation ceremony on May 8.
The ceremony will return to its usual spot at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex after being bumped to Ingamo Hall in 2014.
The convocation ceremony this year will feature graduates from the environment natural resource technology program, the personal support worker program, and the bachelor of education program.
The public is invited, and the ceremonies will begin at 3 p.m.
Soccer teams travel
Soccer teams from East Three School were shut out of the medals at the first round of the territorial Super Soccer tournament in Yellowknife over this past weekend.
Both teams from East Three Elementary qualified for the finals, but suffered lopsided losses that ended their tournament play.
The junior girls team from East Three Secondary School also made it to the playoff round before bowing out with a 4-0 loss in the quarter-finals.
The senior round of the tournament will be held this coming weekend.
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