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Wednesday, June 8, 2016
St. Pat's Church fire deemed suspicious
The fire that broke out at the Roman Catholic Church on Saturday morning has been deemed suspicious. According to acting fire marshal Anthony Ondrack, the investigation has now been passed over to the RCMP and is still ongoing. Property damage costs from the fire are undetermined.
- Joseph Tunney
Rain dampens fire season
Only five forest fires have been reported in the territory so far since the wildfire season began at the start of May, according to an update provided to media yesterday.
"It's been a below average start to our fire season, which we're thankful for," said Mike Gravel, manager of forest management services with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The quiet season allowed crews to be sent to help Alberta.
- Shane Magee
Bell lawsuit settlement approved
A judge Monday approved the $1-million settlement in a class action lawsuit brought by James Anderson and his son Samuel over a fee it charged Northern customers for non-existent 9-1-1 service for years.
"It was a win for all Northerners in the territory," Anderson said about the conclusion of the case. The charges amounted to about $9 per year, so payouts won't be large. Those who remain Bell customers will get a rebate. Cheques will be mailed out to the last known address of former customers. Any money not claimed will go to Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation to support mental health care.
- Shane Magee
Beer stolen from weekend event
Two kegs of Yukon Brewing beer and two kegs of NWT Brewing beer were stolen from a truck outside the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre on Sunday night, said employee Jordan Filke.
The beer was left over from the World Shore Lunch Championship held on June 4, said Filke. It had been locked in a Northwest Freightways refrigerated truck on Saturday evening. When an employee arrived Monday morning, she found the truck unlocked and the kegs gone.
Later on Monday, found one unopened keg downtown in a shopping cart and returned it. The theft is under investigation.
- Robin Grant
Murder charge laid
Coral Harbour
The mother of three children stabbed in Coral Harbour is facing a second degree murder charge in the death of her sixyearold daughter.
Shepa Jar, 28, is also facing two attempted murder charges connected to the stabbings of her two sons, aged four years and five months.
On May 12, members of the Coral Harbour detachment of the RCMP responded to a report of an assault with a weapon at a residence in the community.
Emergency responders arrived and located Jar and her three children suffering from apparent stab wounds.
The four were transported to the local health centre.
The six-year-old girl was later pronounced dead at the health centre, while Jar and her two younger children were transported to Winnipeg for further medical treatment.
The two children have since been released into the care of their family.
Jar was immediately arrested and charged upon her release from the hospital on May 29.
She was transported to Iqaluit and was scheduled to make her first appearance at the Nunavut Court of Justice this past week.
SAO busted in Baker
Baker Lake
Baker Lake senior administrative officer (SAO) Dennis Zettler is facing three charges after being arrested in Baker this past month.
In a press release, the RCMP stated a local resident called the Baker Lake detachment of the RCMP to report a theft from his residence on May 27.
A large sum of money was then discovered within the residence during the course of the investigation.
As a result of the investigation, the 64-year-old Zettler, who has been Baker Lake's SAO for the past 22 years, has been charged with one count each of criminal breach of trust, theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
Zettler is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Baker Lake on July 18.
The RCMP's investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
Whale of a showing
Whale Cove
Both the Whale Cove male and female squads were victorious in an invitational youth soccer tournament this past month in Whale. The event was hosted by, and played at, Inugluk School.
Student receives large scholarship
Arviat
John Arnalukjuak High School Grade 12 student Shelby Angalik was one of 20 students from across Canada to be selected as a recipient of a TD Scholarships for Community Leadership.
The scholarships are awarded to students based on their outstanding achievements in community leadership.
As a TD Scholarships recipient, Angalik will receive $75,000 per year during the next four years for her postsecondary education, as well as summer employment, mentorship and networking opportunities.
The TD Scholarship recipients were recognized at a gala in Ottawa, Ont., on May 31.
Summer camp dates set
Rankin Inlet
The registration date for this year's annual youth summer camp has been set for June 15 at the Rankin Inlet Youth Centre.
The registration fee is $60 per child, aged fiveto10 years.
The camp is scheduled to run from June 20 to Aug. 10.
Only a child's parent or legal guardian may register them for one of the camp's limited spots.
Rangers complete patrol
Rankin Inlet
The Canadian Rangers Rankin Inlet Patrol conducted a Ranger Type 1 patrol from May 26 to June 4 in Rankin Inlet.
The Ranger instructor in charge of the exercise was Warrant Officer Craig Routery.
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