 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Crews continue work on Reid Lake fire
Fire crews on Tuesday were working to keep the Reid Lake fire from moving toward Defeat Lake and prevent it moving west and north of control lines along the Ingraham Trail, according to a statement from the Department of Environment and Transportation. Protection of properties was underway at Reid, Peninsula, Terry and Little Pickerel lakes.
Controlled burns east from Defeat Lake to tie the fire into small lakes and Harding Lake were planned for yesterday but were delayed due to weather conditions.
The fire remains at about 320 square kilometres.
- Shane Magee
Reporter's trial date set
Yellowknifer reporter John McFadden, 52, will go to trial Oct. 28 for allegedly obstructing a police officer the evening of July 4. He was arrested while taking photos of RCMP officers searching a van on 49 Street.
Defence lawyer Jay Bran entered a not guilty plea for McFadden. McFadden covered police and the court system for Northern News Services until the charge was laid. He has been reassigned to cover other topics pending the outcome of the charge.
- Shane Magee
Fire bans lifted
The city has lifted its ban on open air fires following rainfall Monday morning, according to a post of the city's Facebook page. The ban was imposed Aug. 4. As well, fire bans at Fred Henne Territorial Park and Yellowknife River Day Use Area have been lifted, according to a news release from the GNWT.
The Reid Lake and Cameron River Falls parks remain closed.
- Shane Magee
School supply donation deadline approaching
The cutoff for donations to the fourth annual YWCA school supply drive is this Friday. Organizer Jessica Arnold said they are still in need of backpacks, pens, pencils, lunch bags and anything else young people would need to get the school year off to a good start.
Donations can be dropped off at the North of 60 Military Family Resource Centre at 5124 54 Street until Friday. The Yellowknife YWCA will distribute them to needy students.
- John McFadden
Softball tourney gets beautiful weather
Rankin Inlet
After weeks of rainy weather for baseball season, the sun was shining in a clear blue sky as the 2015 Calm Air Cup was set to start in Rankin Inlet Aug. 7.
The softball tournament, that sees both a competitive division and a recreation division, was set to play until Aug. 9.
Prospecting course begins soon
Baker Lake
A government of Nunavut program called Introduction to Prospecting will begins in Baker Lake Aug 17.
The course is open to Nunavummiut interested in learning the basic skills used in exploring for minerals.
The course runs to Aug. 22, each weeknight evening and all day Saturday.
After taking the course, prospective prospectors can apply for program funding and receive up to $8,000 per year to help pay for wages, materials, and supplies when looking for minerals.
The course is free.
Uphold NIRB decision: MiningWatch
Baker Lake
MiningWatch Canada, a mining industry watchdog, has sent its own letter to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt, calling on him to uphold the Nunavut Impact Review Board's (NIRB) decision to deny a project certificate to Areva for its proposed Kiggavik uranium mine.
Areva was the first to send a letter to Valcourt regarding the board's decision, asking the minister to overturn it. The Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) sent its own letter to Valcourt asking that he uphold NIRB's decision.
Echoing the HTO's position, program coordinator Ugo Lapointe stated, "It is entirely inappropriate for a proponent to propose a major mining project without any start date, let alone wait until after a review has concluded to bring forward vital arguments and information related to substantial community concerns."
Lapointe added that overturning the NIRB decision would damage the relationship between Inuit and the mining industry.
"To do such deep damage to this trustful relationship for the benefit of a project that is unlikely to get off the ground for decades - if ever - would be extremely unfortunate."
Lapointe also called the company "technically bankrupt."
Nunavut Tourism has new director
Nunavut
A former manager of the Jessie Oonark Centre in Baker Lake has been appointed the new chief executive officer for Nunavut Tourism effective Aug. 5.
Kevin Kelly replaces Colleen Dupuis, who held the position for six years.
Kelly first joined Nunavut Tourism in 2010.
"The selection committee placed all candidates through a comprehensive screening process to ensure the best possible candidate was selected," said the chair of Nunavut Tourism's board of directors, Adamie Sakeeta.
"His broad skill set will provide strong leadership for the organization and continue to strengthen the tourism sector in Nunavut."
"Since joining the organization in 2010 Kevin Kelly has formed strong relationships with communities and Nunavut Tourism members. He has implemented major improvements to visitor and membership services, most notably the organization's move to electronic voting, business after care booklet, member website marketing, member insurance program and several significant training initiatives," according to the news release.
| 
