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Friday, December 11, 2015
Power companies warn of scam
Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Northland Utilities are warning customers of a scam involving a person calling who claims to be from one of the companies who demands immediate payment or their electricity will be cut off.
Those who suspect they are getting a scam call are asked to get details about the caller such as their name and contact information and call RCMP. The power corp. said it does call customers about overdue payments but it already has account information.
- Shane Magee
Rifle stolen from Frame Lake home
A hunting rifle is missing from a Frame Lake residence that was the target of an early morning break-in on Wednesday, according to an RCMP news release. Police believe someone broke into the home on Dusseault Court through the garage and stole a trigger-locked Browning 30 - 06 rifle and scope from a locked storage locker, stated the release. Investigators believe the crime took place between 12 and 8 a.m. on Dec. 8. Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity near Dusseault Court and Finlayson Drive during those hours can contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
City crew helps with Behchoko outage
A crew from Yellowknife was sent to Behchoko after a power outage in the community. Power was out for about two hours in Behchoko yesterday morning, due to a blown transformer in Rae, according to Northwest Territories Power Corporation spokesperson Pam Coulter. A post on the NTPC Facebook page said the repair crew was on its way from Yellowknife at 11 a.m. The lights went out around 10:30 a.m. but a crew had them back on by 12:50 p.m., said Coulter.
"It was a transformer," she said.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Heavy snows blanket city
Around 16 centimetres of snow has fallen since the beginning of the holiday month, according to Environment Canada. The majority fell on Dec. 4 and Dec 5. - with six centimetres over those days - and on Dec. 7 when nearly six centimetres fell. Environment Canada is predicting snowfall will continue into the weekend and is set to clear up on Monday.
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Thursday, December 10, 2015
MLAs to choose premier
On Dec. 9, newly elected members of the territorial legislative assembly who are interested in becoming premier will be able to put their names forward and give speeches in support of their candidacy.
Legislative assembly clerk Tim Mercer stated in a Dec. 7 news release that after members put their names in, legislative proceedings will recess for one week.
The plan is for proceedings to resume at 9 a.m. on Dec. 16, at which point a Speaker is to be chosen by secret ballot. Candidates for premier are to engage in a question-and-answer session with MLAs afterward, set to be followed by a secret ballot election.
Once a premier has been chosen, an executive council of six MLAs will be selected by secret ballot.
The following day, the Speaker, premier and executive council are to be sworn in by NWT Commissioner George Tuccaro.
Ice crossing set to open
The Liard ice crossing to Fort Simpson is set to open Dec. 10 to light traffic beginning at 8 a.m., according to the Department of Transportation.
Community members have been crossing on foot or skidoo while they wait for the crossing to open up to vehicle traffic.
Dustin Dewar, regional highway manager for the department, said the crossing will be limited to passenger vehicles, with a load limit of 5,000 kilograms.
Workers generate about one inch of ice per day. Dewar said by Dec. 18, the ice crossing should be able to handle 10,000 kilograms, gaining an additional 10,000 kilograms each following week.
Dogsled races upcoming
Residents of Fort Providence are making the best of winter with the fourth annual Christmas Sled Dog Race scheduled for Dec. 19 and 20.
According to a media advisory from the Deh Gah Dog Mushers Club, around 20 to 30 teams from Fort Providence, Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Resolution and Alberta are expected to compete for a combined purse of $3,000.
The race is set to start at the Big River Service Station parking lot and run north along the trail by Highway 3.
A 12-mile open-class race, running as many dogs as racers choose, and a six-mile six-dog race are scheduled for Dec. 19.
The following day, a two-mile three-dog race is to take place followed by a one-dog race for children.
Gwich'in councils open doors
The Gwich'in Tribal Council will be holding an open house for the holidays on Dec. 16.
Festivities run from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the council's offices. There will be food and music.
Earlier, the Nihtat Gwich'in Council will be hosting its own open house Dec. 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at the council office. There will be food and door prizes handed out.
Holiday challenge issued
The Town of Inuvik is challenging residents to deck their halls with lights for the holidays.
The Light-up and Decorating Contest was announced at the end of November and judging will take place this week. Only exterior lights and decorations are eligible to win cash prizes, with first place taking home $300.
Meanwhile, the Santa Claus Parade will take place Dec. 13, starting at 3 p.m.
The parade route will begin at Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre and floats will make their way up Mackenzie Road before turning on to Bompas Street and finishing at the Midnight Sun Complex. Floats put on by businesses will be judged separately with prizes going to the top three in both categories. Further information is available at the Midnight Sun Complex.
Snow carvers wanted
The call has gone out to snow carvers for the Sunrise Festival in January.
There are only eight blocks of snow available and they will be doled out on a first-come-first-served basis. Each person or team will get one block of snow upon registration, which closes Jan. 7.
The competition itself begins Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at Jim Koe Park as part of the festival and judging will begin at 4 p.m. No power tools or props will be allowed.
There will be cash prizes for first, second, and third places. Anyone looking for more information can call recreation co-ordinator Steve Krug at the Midnight Sun Complex.
Holiday hours to begin
Holiday hours at town hall will begin Dec. 24 when the offices close at noon and re-open in the new year.
The arena, however, will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and the same on New Year's Eve. It will be closed entirely Dec. 25 and 26, as well as Jan. 1. Between the two holidays, the arena will be open from 8:30 a.m. to midnight.
The library will also be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day but will be open from 1 until 5 p.m. from Dec. 27 to New Year's Eve.
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