 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
Friday, November 6, 2015
RCMP wrap Polaris investigation
RCMP concluded there's no evidence of criminal intent after investigating the cause of a June 14 fire that destroyed the Polaris apartment building on 52 Avenue, according to a news release.
As well, no foul play is suspected in the circumstances that led to a woman being found unconscious in the apartment where the fire began.
Const. Elenore Sturko thanked the residents of the building and Northern Property for assisting the investigation in the release.
- Shane Magee
Franklin down to one lane
Franklin Avenue will be periodically limited to one lane between 41 Street and McDonald Drive until road work is complete, the city stated in a news release. Work was expected to begin Wednesday. Traffic control personnel are expected to be in place to direct vehicles. The city stated delays for drivers and transit users on Route C should be expected as the work continues.
- Shane Magee
City to host public hearings
The city will hold public hearings Monday evening regarding proposed zoning changes in two parts of the city.
One bylaw would change a portion of land in the Niven neighbourhood from parks and recreation to low density residential zoning behind properties on Driscoll Road.
The hearing also deal with three Grace Lake South development related bylaws.
One would change land along the lake shore to a nature preserve. Another would change land to be zoned as waterside residential and natural areas. A third deals with the development scheme which outlines lot placement, the phases of the subdivision expansion and placement of roads.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
- Shane Magee
City updates ice thickness
None of the ice on water around the city is thick enough to be considered safe, according to the latest information available Oct. 31.
The most recent data shows Frame Lake near the Co-op was 10 centimetres thick.
Ice is considered safe at least 15 centimetres thick. Niven Lake was nine centimetres thick, while Back Bay was listed at six centimetres.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Health centre foundations stable
Despite being red-flagged by the territorial government, ostensibly due to a crumbling foundation, the Fort Simpson health centre was given a positive prognosis in a 2011 foundation assessment report.
The building seemed to be in good condition the last time it was looked at, according the four-year-old documents obtained from the Department of Health and Social Services.
An initial evaluation of the structure conducted in January 2002 showed supporting piles had begun to sink due to a water leak that affected permafrost.
In mid-May 2011, a follow-up evaluation cited perimeter walls and grade beams had not materially varied since 2002 and there had been no visually apparent structural deterioration.
At that time, the evaluators observed minor cracking of gypsum wall board in one area, which they determined was not likely to affect the building within five years.
The assessment concluded the structure appeared in good condition.
Hamlet elections open
Fort Liard and Fort Providence have opened nominations for the upcoming hamlet mayor and council elections.
Nominations opened Nov. 2 and will close Nov. 16. Candidates then have until Nov. 25 to withdraw their names. Voting day for hamlet elections is set for Dec. 14, with advance votes closing Dec. 7. New councils are scheduled to begin their terms on Jan. 4.
Closure notice issued
The Department of Transportation has placed two Deh Cho ferries on 72-hour closure notices as temperatures continue to drop throughout the region.
The MV Lafferty ferry to Fort Simpson and the MV Johnny Berens ferry to Wrigley were both put on notice at 8 a.m. on Nov. 2.
A department advisory issued at that time noted water levels and ice conditions will be monitored for changes, which could result in a sudden closure.
Energy conference set
A regional economic conference taking place in Yellowknife has been scheduled to run from Nov. 15 to 17.
The Regional Economic Leadership Forum is set to take on issues ranging from energy efficiency to development and innovation in the North.
A conference agenda obtained from Arctic Energy Alliance's Deh Cho energy co-ordinator Teresa Chilkowich shows discussion topics include energy-efficient buildings, micro-grid strategies and the current status of local, renewable energy in the NWT among others.
Pooches get their walk
All community members – four-legged and two – are invited to a free dog-walking event Nov. 15.
The event, run by Arctic Paws to raise awareness for its spay/neuter assistance program, will take place at 2 p.m. starting at the Boot Lake parking lot.
It is the first of three such events to be held this year, sponsored by a grant from Get Active NWT.
Badminton tourney open for registration
East Three School will be hosting its annual badminton tournament Nov. 13 and 14, but registrations close Nov. 9.
Divisions will depend on how many participants come forward but the tentative categories are U15, U19 and adult, singles, doubles and mixed. There is a fee for registration, but it is lower for students.
Anyone wishing to register may contact Colin Pybus at the school.
Last year, Pybus called the event "very well-attended" with 34 students and 11 adults signing up.
Last-minute addition to candidates roster
After Inuvik had assumed Robert C. McLeod would be acclaimed in Inuvik Twin Lakes for the second election in a row, a last-minute contender put his name forward.
Jimmy Kalinek filed his nomination papers to run against McLeod for the seat Oct. 30, the day of the deadline.
He joins incumbent Alfred Moses and challenger Dez Loreen competing for the Inuvik Boot Lake seat in the Nov. 23 territorial election.
Play group opens doors
The Children First Centre will be hosting a play group for children zero to six years old every Wednesday from 10 to 11:15 a.m.
Executive director Patricia Davison said the play group is a way to open the building to the community.
"With Inuvik's climate, it is hard to find a place for children to run around and play," she said. "In the winter it is cold for little ones to be out for very long and in the summer there are many bugs. We open our gym up to young children to utilize. It gives them an opportunity to run and play, adults can network and share and enhances the well-being of families in general."
Davison said the centre is keen to help all families as much as they can and looks forward to when the outdoor playground will be up and running to accommodate even more children and families.
Children attending the play group must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
| 
