 | Home page |  | Text size |
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Man arrested after fire behind Staples
An man was arrested by RCMP yesterday morning behind Staples on Old Airport Road after fire crews were called in to extinguish a small blaze. The fire was in a wooded area about 100 metres from the store. Mounties stated in an e-mail that the man was arrested for mischief but had not yet been charged.
Fire officials said that they found other squatter camps in the area.
- John McFadden
City to add fire plan to website
The City of Yellowknife will be posting information about its stay-in-place plan to be used in the event of a forest fire approaching the municipality on its website soon, city councillors were told Monday.
Dennis Marchiori, the city's director of public safety, said the plan and justification for why it would keep people in the city in such an event will be explained.
Councillors asked about the forest fire plan in the wake of the Fort McMurray fire that overran the community, forcing more than 80,000 to flee with very little notice.
- Shane Magee
Concert supporting refugees
A concert May 24 at the Northern Arts and Culture Centre will raise funds for the volunteer groups trying to bring Syrian refugees to the city.
The show, organized by Yellowknifers Welcome Syrian Refugees, is expected to include music, dance, stories, puppetry and poetry.
The city has five groups trying to bring refugee families. A goal of $20,000 per family has been set. Two sponsor groups have been matched with families so far.
- Shane Magee
Milestone at Diavik
Diavik Diamond Mine operator Rio Tinto announced the site has reached a milestone of producing 100 million carats of rough diamonds since starting in 2003.
The mine located northeast of Yellowknife produces gems destined for high-end jewelry around the world.
Mine president and CEO Marc Cameron stated in a news release it's an "especially gratifying given our strong safety record, our focus on ethics and the environment, and an unwavering commitment to delivering substantial and lasting benefits to all of our stakeholders."
- Shane Magee
Horror in Coral
Coral harbour
The community of Coral Harbour was rocked by the news of a 28-year-old woman and three children involved in a multiple stabbing in that community on May 12.
Officers from the Coral Harbour detachment of the RCMP responded to a call of several people who had been stabbed in a residence shortly after 12 p.m. on the 12th.
The officers arrived to a horrific scene and the four were immediately transported to the local health centre, where one child was pronounced dead.
The woman and the other two children were medevaced to Winnipeg, where at least one child was listed in critical condition.
There were no arrests made in connection to the tragedy, and the RCMP noted in its news release that there was no risk to the safety of the community.
As of press time on May 13, The RCMP would not confirm the woman was the mother of the three children, nor would they confirm there were no outside suspects in the case.
The V Division Major Crime Unit and the Forensic Identification Unit out of Iqaluit are assisting in the investigation.
Rankin team wins memorial soccer tournament
Rankin Inlet
The Rankin FC captured its fourth straight title at the Rick Ningeocheak Memorial adult soccer tournament earlier this month in Rankin Inlet.
This marked the first year the tournament was officially named as the Rick Ningeocheak Memorial.
FC defeated Rankin 31 in the final. It was the third straight time the two teams met in the championship game.
Team Rankin defeated the KickArs 50 in the female's championship game.
Team Rankin went through the tournament with a perfect 70 record.
James Merritt of the Rankin FC was named the tournament's Most Sportsmanlike Player in the Men's Division, while Keesha Jones of the WAR Islanders was named the female Most Sportsmanlike Player.
Man charged in axe assault
Baker Lake
A Baker Lake man was flown to Winnipeg with non lifethreatening injuries after being assaulted in that community earlier this month.
Officers from the Baker Lake detachment of the RCMP responded to a call of an alleged assault in progress outside of a local business at about 4:30 p.m. on May 4.
The suspect was identified as a 26yearold male from Baker and reported to be carrying an axe.
The RCMP stated the suspect was located near where the reported incident took place with the axe still in hand.
He was taken into custody without incident and a weapon was seized.
The man has been charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, and one count each of possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing and offence and breach of probation.
Youth receive athletics awards
Baker Lake
The annual Baker Lake Youth Athletics Awards were scheduled to be held in Baker Lake on May 14.
Top honours awarded to the young athletes were not known as of press time.
Race winners
Chesterfield Inlet
Leo (Dali) Kaludjak of Rankin Inlet took the checkered flag in the Senior Men's Division of the CrossCountry Challenge snowmobile race in Chesterfield Inlet earlier this month.
Tyrese Dias, also of Rankin Inlet, took the flag in the Junior Division at the event.
| 
