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Friday, March 25, 2016
Bars in city can open today
For the first time, bars and pubs in Yellowknife can legally be open today.
A bylaw passed last year allows Class A establishments, which are businesses which make their money primarily from alcohol sales, to be open on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Sundays. Before the bylaw was passed, only Class B establishments, or restaurants, could open on those days. Liquor stores will remain closed.
- John McFadden
Sewage spilled at Gahcho Kue
The cause of a sewage spill at De Beers' Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine in February was a crack in the plastic pipeline carrying sewage from the dorm sewage lift station to the waste water treatment plant, according to a spill report filled with the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. According to the report a worker at the mine reported a sewage-like smell inside the sewage-lift station on Feb. 16. The report states it's believed pipe sagged due to "an insufficient number of pipe hangers installed along that section."
- Evan Kiyoshi French
NWT tourism numbers fall but spending is up
The number of tourists who visited the NWT in 2014-15 fell eight per cent from 2013-14, according to figures released by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment this week. Statistics show 81,800 people visited the territory in 2014-15 compared to 91,800 the year before. However, tourists' spending was up 11 per cent last year from the year before. Outdoor adventurers spent $6 million in the NWT last year, an increase of 46 per cent. Hunters spent $7.1 million last year, an increase of 20 per cent from the year before.
- John McFadden
Homophobia, transphobia talks ahead
It Gets Better Yellowknife is encouraging businesses and organizations in the city to initiate a dialogue in the workplace about homophobia and transphobia.
The appeal comes ahead of the Days of Pink, a national event that is coming to the city for the first time from April 11 to 17. The Days of Pink are about discussing bullying and violence that people deal with when expressing their love and gender, according to a news release from organizers.
- John McFadden
Thursday, March 24, 2016
77-year-old woman faces drug charges
Two Yellowknife women are charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking after RCMP stopped a vehicle in Fort Providence March 18.
Police seized 1.7 kilograms of cocaine, 5.4 kilos of marijuana, five litres of liquid codeine and 85 grams of either crystal meth or MDMA.
A 2014 Ford Explorer was also seized. Vitaline Lafferty, 77, and Mary Anne Lafferty, 55, were released for later court appearances.
– John McFadden
Senate expenses ruling made for NWT senator
NWT Sen. Nick Sibbeston will have to pay back $26,924 in ineligible expenses, according to a decision made by arbitrator Ian Binnie.
On March 21, Binnie released his report on expense claims that were identified by the Auditor General on June 4.
Binnie's report followed a mandate to determine whether senators whose expense claims were flagged by the Auditor General had "received an overpayment or made an improper use of the Senate resources," according to the report.
The expenses in question were claimed between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013.
Binnie's recommendation for Sibbeston, whose total flagged amount came to $50,102, was that he repay $26,924.20 of that.
According to Binnie's report, Sibbeston acknowledged many of his expensed trips mixed personal and Senate business. Additionally, since some of those trips – particularly ones to Edmonton – happened three or more years ago, Sibbeston was unable to remember details of who he met on Senate business and why.
Easter egg hunt hits early
The Open Doors Society in Fort Simpson held its annual Easter Egg Hunt at the campground on March 20.
The hunt is usually held later in the month but co-ordinator Val Gendron said the society wanted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the event on the 20th day of the month.
Featuring games, prizes, hotdogs and hamburgers, the event drew out scores of people for the afternoon.
Week-long board games
With Bompas Elementary School in Fort Simpson gearing up for Spring Break, which begins March 25, the Never Board Game Club is taking advantage of the break to offer a week of games.
From March 25 to 31, the club will be on every day between noon and 7:30 p.m. Anyone wanting to participate can access the club through the back door of Aurora College.
Easter party planned
The Town of Inuvik's recreation department will be hosting an Easter party for children 12 years old and under March 26.
The event will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Midnight Sun Complex and will feature a bouncy castle, cupcake decorating, colouring and craft tables, as well as door prizes. The Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance from 2 to 4 p.m. The party is a joint effort by the recreation department, the Inuvik Youth Centre and the Children First Society.
Fishing challenge announced
The Arctic Ice Fishing Challenge has been announced and is set to take place April 16. While the location has yet to be determined, registration will start on site at 12:30 p.m., with the event kicking off at 1 and wrapping up at 5 p.m.
Prizes include $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and other prizes such as a 45-gallon drum of fuel and an FXR snowmobile suit. There will also be prizes for the first fish caught and smallest fish caught.
Registration forms can be found at the Children First Society and on the challenge's Facebook page.
Inuvik Greenhouse announces CSA
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse is looking for interested people to take part in their Community Supported Agriculture program this summer. The program allows members to support local producers by pledging to purchase a weekly box of vegetables from a farm, or in this case, the greenhouse.
"In previous years, we have sold goods at the Arctic Market, which we will continue to do, but this year we are looking for a bigger project," said greenhouse executive director Ray Solotki. "It's something that shows us that community members are serious about supporting buying locally grown produce."
The program is open to anyone, though Solotki said she wouldn't recommend it to members of the greenhouse who already have their own plots, since baskets will be dependent on what is ready to harvest and likely be the same for everyone growing. Solotki said the goal is to provide 15 to 20 boxes per week for several months.
Multicultural night ahead
Though it is still two months away, plans are in the works for another Multicultural Night May 28 at the Midnight Sun Complex. Attendees are invited to enjoy a variety of ethnic foods and talents from all over the world. The show will feature Chersea Music and Patrick Ledwell, as well as the Inuvialuit Drum Dancers.
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