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Friday, March 24, 2017
Another truck rolls over
No one was hurt when a tanker-trailer rolled on the Ingraham Trail on Wednesday evening. It happened near the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road to the diamond mines, according to Harris Beaulieu, spokesperson for the Department of Transportation.
He said the truck was hauling diesel when its wheels caught the shoulder and it rolled. Beaulieu said a small leak was contained before any fuel spilled onto the ground. It is at least the eighth trucking incident so far this winter in and around Yellowknife, including four rollovers and four fires.
- John McFadden
Property tax due
Income taxes might not be due until next month, but property owners and rate-payers must pay city's 2017 Interim Tax Levy by 5 p.m. on March 31. Accounts not paid in full by the end of the month will be charged interest. Property taxes account for close to three quarters of the city's operating revenue and the Yellowknife school districts.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Home-based businesses get approval
Three new home-based businesses have had their development permit applications approved. The City of Yellowknife is now asking for anyone who may be affected by the development to submit a appeal to the board by April 4. If the approval continues, 57 Street will have a office and storage for sale of local fish, Gitzel Street will have a home-based nail salon, and Otto Drive will see a new sewing craft business.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
National orchestra heading to NWT
The National Arts Centre Orchestra is celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary with a cross-country tour that includes a pit stop in the Northwest Territories, according to a news release.
April 25 marks the tour's kick-off date in Atlantic Canada. The orchestra will then travel to Central and Western Canada between Oct. 19 and Nov. 2 before visiting the Yukon, Nunavut and NWT in November, the release states. Details are yet to come on an exact location and time for the NWT show, said centre spokesperson Andrea Ruttan.
- Kirsten Fenn
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Youth charged with sexual assault, manslaughter
A youth has been arrested and charged in relation to the Oct. 3, 2015 death of a female in Fort Liard.
RCMP stated in a news release March 21 that the youth was arrested March 2 and charged with manslaughter and sexual assault causing bodily harm.
The youth has been released on conditions and will appear in youth court at an unspecified date.
The youth cannot be identified due to a publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
There is also a publication ban on the name of the victim.
Health services to review more than 2,000 diagnostic images
The Department of Health and Social Services announced March 20 it is reviewing 2,355 CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds and mammograms taken in 2015 and 2016.
The scans were taken by a radiologist in British Columbia. According to the GNWT, the scans are being reviewed after concerns were raised about missed or inaccurate diagnoses in B.C.
The scans under review were taken between Dec. 19, 2015 and Jan. 23, 2016, as well as from May 8 to 14.
The 2,355 exams represent a total of 1,491 individuals whose cases are under review.
The GNWT said it is not aware of any inaccurate reports in the territory at this time.
Funding announced for land programs
The NWT On The Land Collaborative has announced it will be distributing more than $600,000 to 35 projects in the territory to promote on-the-land programs.
Although a comprehensive list of programs receiving funding was not available at press time, a media release from the collaborative states one of the programs receiving funding is a land-based youth mentorship project being co-ordinated by the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation.
The average amount given for grants is a little more than $18,000.
This is the second year the collaborative has given grants to programs in the NWT.
Career fair planning underway
Dates have been set for career fairs in Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Fort Providence, which are being planned by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
With a theme of Jack and Jill of All Trades, the career fairs will feature information on steps needed to complete an apprenticeship.
Career development officer Jocelyn MacLean said in an e-mail the dates for the fairs will be May 10 in Fort Liard, May 17 in Fort Simpson and June 1 in Fort Providence.
Health and Social Services to hold public meeting
Health Minister Glen Abernethy will be in Fort Simpson March 27 for a public meeting in regard to the Fort Simpson Health Centre.
The meeting will take place in the gym of Thomas Simpson Secondary School at 7 p.m.
Jamboree wants annual funding
Representatives of the Muskrat Jamboree asked town council to commit to an annual $2,500 donation to the jamboree at the committee of the whole meeting Monday, March 20.
Greta Sittichinli, organizing the jamboree, also wanted the donation to become automatic from the town so the organization didn't have to ask for it every year.
"Not only are we helping you guys out by bringing in extra visitors to help our businesses, but we're fostering volunteerism and healthy living, and I think that's what your town is looking for," she told council.
Last year, the Muskrat Jamboree gave $16,391 back to the community to support community events and groups and for other purposes.
Coun. Alana Mero asked why the organization needs town money if it's giving it away at the end anyway.
Sittichinli responded that it would be used for operations and the amount the jamboree raises each year is not known until it's all in.
Coun. Vince Sharpe and Deputy Mayor Steve Baryluk both expressed support for the annual donation.
A decision was to be made Wednesday, after this week's press time.
Chief elected for Inuvik Native Band
In early results, Lawrence J. Neyando came out on top in the Inuvik Native Band's election for chief.
Neyando edged candidates James B. Firth and Melba Mitchell in the election held Monday, March 20.
Acclaimed to councillor positions were Vern Smith, Kelly McLeod, Amanda Vittrekwa, Richard Ross, Billie Lennie, Bernice Furlong and Barry Greenland.
Results:
Lawrence J. Neyando – 62 (elected)
James B. Firth – 49
Melba Mitchell – 9
Cancelled ballots – 34
Spoiled ballots – 7
Unused ballots – 408
Total ballots – 569
No known fentanyl abuse in Inuvik
RCMP Staff Sgt. Dustin Ward told council he was not aware of any cases in the community of fentanyl abuse, which has become an epidemic in some parts of the country.
Ward reported to council that during the month of February, the Inuvik RCMP responded to five reports of domestic violence incidents, charging one male with assault and uttering threats.
The RCMP also responded to seven reports of impaired driving and related offences, charging one female with care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired.
Total violations in February 2017 were 249, compared to 270 during the same month last year.
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