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Friday, October 7, 2016
Fire Prevention Week
Next week the city will mark Fire Prevention Week with its annual slate of activities, including a popular open house event at the fire hall.
The week, Oct. 9 to 15, is meant to encourage a focus on safety and awareness. The city is encouraging people to carry out a fire escape drill at their home Oct. 12. The fire department's open house at 100 Taylor Rd. follows on Oct. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. The open house also features the entries to the annual youth Fire Safety Fair.
- Shane Magee
City readies Old Town for winter
The City of Yellowknife is advising residents it will remove the public boat launch in Old Town located at the intersection of Franklin Avenue, McDonald Drive and Weaver Drive on Oct. 12. As well, city crews will be installing the floating curtain under the McMeekan Causeway Bridge to Latham Island to promote ice formation and help provide a safe route for pedestrians and snow machines.
- John McFadden
Draft land use plan released
The territorial government has released a draft version of its recreational land use plan which would affect future cabin leases in the area outside the city. The plan released mainly is a collection of goals and ways to accomplish them.
Those include recognizing and respecting uses of public land, support recreation management planning in some areas and clarify leasing practices.
A public meeting about the draft plan will be held Oct. 11 at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Shane Magee
Fire training prompts real calls
Fire training Wednesday at the Yellowknife airport prompted multiple real calls to the city's fire department as black smoke billowed from the area.
The airport's fire department was taking part in training in the regional fire training centre at the airport, according to the Department of Transportation.
The city wouldn't provide a specific number of calls about the smoke but stated in received "a few" calls.
The fire training will continue until Oct. 13 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Shane Magee
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Table tennis give-away
Table Tennis North is having a give-away of a miniature table-tennis table.
According to the organization, the give-away is a means of promoting Table Tennis North social media spaces, primarily its Facebook page.
In order to win, participants must click "like" on Table Tennis North's Facebook page, which the organization hopes will attract 500 people.
The deadline for the give-away is Oct. 14 at 12 p.m., and the winner can pick up their table in Yellowknife, Hay River or Fort Providence.
One South Slave, four Deh Cho trappers recognized
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced the winners of the 2015-16 trapper awards on Sept. 27.
Through the Trapper Recognition Program, Fort Simpson's Troy Ruttle was named for highest sales in the Deh Cho, based on the cash value of furs sold through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program.
Roger Pertrand in Fort Liard was recognized for the highest harvest in the Deh Cho, while Douglas Norwegian Sr. was recognized in Jean Marie River as senior trapper.
Youth trapper recognition went to Adam Blake Yeadon out of Fort Liard, for the Deh Cho, and Christopher Canadien in Fort Providence for the South Slave region.
Senior and youth trappers are chosen based on age and productivity in the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program.
Extended park season comes to a close
Blackstone Territorial Park is expected to close on Oct. 15, a full month after other parks in the territory closed for the season.
The extension was announced on Sept. 15 as a trial run to gauge interest, and was expected to draw people wanting to see the aurora borealis, as well as hunters.
Cross country championships approach
Fort Providence and Deh Gah School will be buzzing this week as it hosts the NWT cross-country running championships.
The championships are expected to be held Oct. 7, with categories for mite, tyke, peewee, bantam, midget, juvenile, junior and recreational.
Ages for participation start at five years old.
The deadline for registration was Oct. 5.
Permanent soil treatment facility talks begin
Town council recommended administration to pursue further talks with KBL Services about a permanent soil treatment facility in the town's landfill.
With much debate, council approved a temporary facility earlier this month.
Coun. Vince Sharpe suggested that any permanent facility operate under the arrangement that the town is paid its share as a percentage of the tipping fee.
Coun. Clarence Wood agreed.
"I've already put that in their head that that's what we're going to be looking for," said Grant Hood, senior administrative officer.
Sharpe also wanted the town to go into a five-year contract with KBL, not an open-ended one, with the aim to train local people to operate the facility.
Deputy Mayor Steve Baryluk concurred, wanting an option for the town or a local business to take over the facility after a five-year term.
Council passed a motion to have the town pursue further talks. Administration will still have to come back to council to get approval on any future deal.
Trappers recognized
The GNWT highlighted Inuvik's Moses Kasook as a recipient of its 2015-16 NWT Trapper Recognition Program awards.
The program recognizes the hard work NWT trappers put into their craft and the contribution they bring to the economy.
Awards were given out to the top trapper in each region based on four categories: highest sales, highest number of pelts sold, top senior trapper and top youth trapper.
Moses Kasook had highest sales and highest harvest in the Inuvik region. Edith Haogak, from Sachs Harbour but classified as in the Inuvik region, won the senior category, while James Kogiak of Aklavik won the youth category.
GNWT, teachers reach agreement
The GNWT announced that it had ratified a new collective agreement with the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association Friday, Sept. 30. Negotiations for the new agreement began in May and ended in June when both sides reached an agreement in principle. Teachers employed by the GNWT voted to accept the agreement Sept. 27 and the financial management board of the GNWT ratified it on Sept. 29.
"I am pleased that both parties were able to work collaboratively to reach an agreement that will benefit all NWT students," stated Alfred Moses, minister of education, culture and employment, in a news release.
The agreement comes with a four-year term, no monetary increases in the first two years and a one per cent increase in each of the final two years.
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