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Friday, October 2, 2015
One dead in crash near Behchoko
A single-vehicle accident near Behchoko has left one person dead and another seriously injured. At approximately 1 p.m. Wednesday a member of the RCMP encountered an accident at an intersection along the access road to Behchoko, which police are describing as a "roll-over collision." Two people were found outside the vehicle, both with injuries. Both victims were transported to the Behchoko Health Centre where one was pronounced dead. The other was transported by medevac to Yellowknife that same day.
- James Goldie
Charges laid after bank robbery
Debbie Anne Ailanak, 42, of Yellowknife is facing charges of robbery and breaching court conditions after an alleged robbery of the TD Bank downtown Tuesday morning. According to RCMP, she walked into the bank and demanded money while claiming to have a firearm, making off with around $700, some of which has been recovered. Ailanak had been scheduled to be in court several hours after the alleged robbery for sentencing on other charges, but wasn't present. She was expected to be back in court on the new charges Thursday.
- Shane Magee
School board candidate forums slated
The Yellowknife Catholic School is holding a forum at St. Joseph School, Oct. 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cathy Zenko, executive assistant with the board said an agenda is prepared where candidates will have five minutes to speak, a half hour of questions and three minutes for closing remarks. Yk Education District No. 1 will also hold a forum at Range Lake North School, Oct. 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Simon Whitehouse
Chamber sets date for city candidates forum
Candidates vying for municipal office will test their platforms in public debate. The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is hosting a municipal all-candidates public forum Oct. 9 at Northern United Place, according to chamber executive director Deneen Everett. A council candidates forum will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. before a forum for mayoral candidates - Mayor Mark Heyck and the challenger, John Himmelman - from 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation chief decries detox absence
Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge has called for a full inquiry into the lack of detox or treatment centre in the Northwest Territories.
Bonnetrouge's statement followed a news release from K'atlodeeche First Nation (KFN) Chief Roy Fabian, who said a recent proposal from the KFN was rejected by the GNWT.
KFN's proposal aimed to provide a comprehensive program for clients on a waiting list for southern treatment centres, which would include support to communities and individuals struggling with addiction.
According to Fabian's news release, the proposal would have had representatives from across the Northwest Territories participate in the program's design.
Fabian said the Department of Health and Social Services offered KFN $20,000 for "a job that would cost 10 times that if meaningful programs are to be phased in with support from all regions."
In an e-mail, Bonnetrouge said he wants to know why the GNWT is "refusing to budge" on the matter.
Survey shows caribou dwindling
The territorial government has announced continued decline in barren-ground caribou herds across the Northwest Territories, including the Bluenose East, Bluenose West, Bathurst, Cape Bathurst and Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted surveys in June and July that showed the Bathurst herd dropping by approximately half from the last time they were surveyed. The Bathurst herd was 32,000 strong in 2012 but now is estimated to be between 16,000 and 22,000 animals.
The department expects to release a final report later in the fall.
In a news release, wildlife biologist Jan Adamczewski said the decline could be due in large part to poor environmental conditions, which could be leading to reduced pregnancy rates and reduced calf survival.
Season stats out for morels
While harvest numbers for the Fort Providence area are still being assessed, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is estimating between 280,000 and 300,000 pounds of morel mushrooms were harvested north of Fort Providence this year – a market value of up to $5 million.
Fresh morels sold for an average of $6 to $7 per pound, while dried morels fetched about $170 per pound.
Memorial tournament back for another year
The Paulou Ittungna Volleyball Tournament is back for a third year after massive success last year.
With two divisions for both boys and girls and an adult open category, the tournament is open to anyone who wants to participate. It will be hosted by East Three School Oct. 16 and 17.
Tourism season wraps up
The town hosted the wrap-up meeting for tourism stakeholders last week, announcing progress in how the community has been advertised on social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
According to data compiled by Taylor Giffin, the marketing co-ordinator for the town, visitors to the Western Arctic Regional Visitors' Centre increased to 4,087 in 2015 from 3,796 in 2014 while visitors to the Dempster Visitors' Centre in Dawson City decreased by nearly 500 people to reach 7,888 in the same time period.
Participants at the meeting almost universally reported a successful season.
Petroleum show rebranded
The Inuvik Petroleum Show has been revamped as the Arctic Energy and Emergency Conference and Tradeshow, complete with a new logo and a new website.
The trade show is meant to showcase opportunities in expanding energy and technology sectors in the Arctic.
Jackie Challis, the former economic development and tourism manager for the Town of Inuvik, said that while oil and gas are still an important part of the event, the hope is that the rebranding will also help promote some of the alternative sources of energy that could do well in Inuvik and the rest of the Beaufort Delta.
The newly-named and expanded event is set to take place June 13 to 15.
Ice open for the season
The ice is in at the Midnight Sun Complex and is ready for user groups to lace up their skates.
Crews worked for several weeks to make the surface ready for skaters by flooding and painting the ice.
New this year are two giant town logos painted in the ice, a process that can be a precise, said recreation co-ordinator Steve Krug.
"(Painting the ice) requires a lot of measuring for the face-off dots, red and blues and the goalie creases," he told the Drum.
Five more town staff members are now trained in ice-making.
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