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Friday, February 26, 2016
Whooping cough case prompts health advisory
A new case of whooping cough in Yellowknife has prompted the GNWT to issue a health advisory about the bacterial infection that, left untreated, can cause serious illness or death. An outbreak of the illness, also called Pertussis, was declared in November last year. There were 21 cases in 2015 in the Tlicho, Hay River, Yellowknife and Beaufort Delta regions. The outbreak was re-instated in January. It is especially serious for young children and those with weak immune systems. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing and persistent cough that can have a distinctive "whooping" sound.
- Shane Magee
Police investigate Sunridge Place apartment death
Police are investigating a sudden death which took place at the Sunridge Place apartment building early Wednesday evening, according to RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko.
"It's not being treated as suspicious," said Sturko. "RCMP were called just before 5 p.m. and so we are investigating a sudden death. It's still under investigation, the cause of death is undetermined and we are working with the coroner."
- Evan Kiyoshi French
Marijuana mailed to Yellowknife
A significant amount of marijuana was found in a mailed package destined for Yellowknife according to a Thursday news release. Police say the package originated in Ontario and contained 1,800 grams of the drug which was intercepted in the mail stream by Canada Post security officials and turned over to the RCMP on Feb. 21. No charges have been laid and police are continuing to investigate.
- Meagan Leonard
SnowKing festival kicks off Tuesday
The annual SnowKing Winter Festival gets underway at the snow castle on Yellowknife Bay on Tuesday with a door cutting ceremony just after noon. The castle, built of snow and ice blocks through the winter, hosts the event that runs until March 27. The festival features family-friendly events and musical events on weekends. March 4 will see another performance of the adult-only Brrrlesque show at the snow castle.
The castle is closed Mondays.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Premier meets with Dehcho First Nations
Premier Bob McLeod was scheduled to meet with Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, according to a ministerial travel schedule on Feb. 22.
The meeting came one day before negotiations were set to resume between the Dehcho First Nations, the Northwest Territories government and the federal government.
Details of the meeting were not available at press time.
Students support Pink Shirt Day
Feb. 24 is the perfect time to pull that pink shirt out of the closet as school staff and students in Fort Simpson get ready to observe Pink Shirt Day.
Bompas Elementary School principal Kelley Andrews-Klein said staff and students have been asked to wear pink in order to show support when addressing the seriousness of bullying.
In a letter sent out to parents, Andrews-Klein said some of the school's anti-bullying programs help to lower cases of bullying at the school.
Salary freeze first step to address expenditures
The GNWT issued a Feb. 19 news release warning the government would run deficit budgets by the 2019-20 fiscal year unless it can plug a $150-million hole in the next five years.
The warning came from Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod, who said the economic outlook for the territory is one of the legislative assembly's "most serious challenges."
McLeod has frozen salaries for senior managers and deputy ministers.
The announcement came days after the federal government agreed to partially restore federal transfer funding. The territory had anticipated that funding restoration, according to McLeod, who said expenditures outpace revenues even with the funding factored in.
Mackenzie Gas pipeline gets territorial support
The GNWT filed a letter of support on Feb. 15 with the National Energy Board and the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations for a seven-year certificate extension for the Mackenzie Gas pipeline project.
Premier Bob McLeod, who is also minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, said in the legislative assembly on Feb. 18 that the project has been a priority for past legislative assemblies.
In 2015, the project's proponent, Imperial Oil, applied to the National Energy Board for an extension to begin work on the pipeline until Dec. 31, 2022.
Liquor petition amended
The owner of the Mad Trapper Bar who had asked council to amend the liquor bylaw to allow him to open on Sundays has reduced the number of days he wants to open. Instead of 52 Sundays a year, he has now asked to open only 30 Sundays.
The matter went before town council Feb. 22 and was set for council members to voted on Feb. 24.
Council held a public meeting earlier this month to hear from the community on the potential amendment and the result was a resounding "no" when it came to bars opening on Sundays. Some people sought to extend the current bylaw even further so it would cover Saturdays as well, as the concern over the effects of liquor were so great.
Council asked to borrow more
Administration asked town council to increase the borrowing limit by $3 million – to $16 million from $13 million – Feb. 22 to help cover the cost of a new water treatment plant now under construction.
Director of finance Eric Whitworth told the Drum the measure would be a temporary one to help with cash flow for about six months and funds would not be rolled into operational budgets.
The treatment plant will cost about $19 million in all, with the municipality contributing just over $6 million.
Whitworth said he hoped to see the change go through first and second readings at the council meeting Feb. 24, after which it needs to be approved by the minister of Municipal and Community Affairs before coming back to the town for a third and final reading.
Awards nominations open
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has announced it is now accepting nominations for its Outstanding Volunteer Awards. Categories are elder, youth, individual, and group volunteers. Community members are encouraged to put forward the names of those who make a significant contribution to the quality of life in their community through volunteering. The Muskrat Jamboree Committee won the group award last year, proudly representing Inuvik.
The cut-off for submissions is March 25 and more information, as well as nomination forms, can be found on the MACA website.
Open house at college
The Aurora College School of Business and Leadership will be hosting an open house on Feb. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. and March 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Potential applicants will have the chance to speak with instructors and learn how a business administration or office administration certificate or diploma can advance their career goals.
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