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Newsbriefs: Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Four charged in downtown brawl
Four women and a man have been charged after what RCMP describe as an "assault in progress." According to a news release from the Mounties, police responded to several calls for service Monday night regarding an assault at 50 Street and Franklin Avenue.
Police took all the combatants into custody and released them for court appearances on Oct. 17. Police have not released names nor said what the suspects are charged with.
- John McFadden
City facilities free until September
As of yesterday, Yellowknife residents and visitors can temporarily use the Fieldhouse and Ruth Inch Memorial Pool at no cost.
The City of Yellowknife is allowing free use of the facilities from Aug. 15 to Sept. 4, according to a news release.
That includes use of the running and walking track, children's play area and open fields when day camps and other programs are not taking place. For residents who have already purchased a flexi-pass for the facilities, the release stated that the city has extended flexi-pass card holders for an additional month.
- Kirsten Fenn
Man charged with three burglaries
A Yellowknife man is charged with three counts of break and enter in connection with burglaries at the Military Family Resource Centre on 54 Street and the Fat Fox Cafe. According to an RCMP news release, a safe was stolen from the centre over the August long weekend while the Fat Fox was broken into twice - Aug. 7 and Aug. 14. A significant amount of cash was stolen, stated police. Mickey Gordon, 21, is in custody for a court date Friday.
- John McFadden
Employment rises by 200 people
Employment rose by 200 people between June and July in the NWT, but Jeff Barichello, economic statistician for the NWT Bureau of Statistics, said the change is not very significant. He said the increase is most likely driven by the hiring of summer students and other seasonal jobs. The employment rate in July across the territory was 66.4 per cent, compared to 70.9 per cent in July 2016. The number of people not in the labour force increased by 24 per cent, or 1,600 people, since August 2016.
- Emelie Peacock
Second inquest releases recommendations
An inquest into the March 21, 2013 death of Victor Kaludjak in Rankin Inlet has led to 24 recommendations from a coroner's jury on how to prevent similar deaths in the future.
The inquest, which ran from July 31 to Aug. 3, heard testimony Kaludjak visited the Rankin Inlet Kivalliq Health Facility prior to his death. He was walking unsteadily, had muscle weakness and was experiencing double vision. He was seen by two nurses and a physician, but was not medevac'd out despite recommendations from the nurses.
He was finally medevac'd to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Man., at 2 a.m. the morning of March 21, two hours after he had gone into cardiac arrest. He arrived the next morning and died shortly after. An autopsy found his heart was enlarged.
All 24 recommendations from the coroner's jury are directed at the territorial government, specifically the Department of Health, as well as at nurses and physicians.
Chief among those recommendations is for the Nunavut government and the Department of Health to develop a policy for disagreements between nurses and physicians at the Kivalliq Health Facility.
Other recommendations for the Department of Health include making sure physicians can demonstrate "ongoing continuing medical education" in regard to acute care and having a policy where patients with abnormal vitals or unexplained neurological symptoms are sent to a better-equipped facility.
The jury also recommends all nurses and physicians complete cultural competency and decolonization training.
Students prep for first day of classes
Students and educators across the Kivalliq region are preparing to head back to school.
Levi Angmak School and Qitiqliq Middle School in Arviat open Aug. 9, with the first day of classes set for Aug. 11, while John Arnalujuak High School opens Aug. 23 with classes set to begin Aug. 25.
In Baker Lake, Rachel Arngnamak School and Jonah Arnitnnaq School open Aug. 8, with classes starting Aug. 11.
Chesterfield Inlet's Victor Sammurtok School opens Aug. 14 and classes begin Aug. 17.
Sakku School in Coral Harbour opens Aug. 15 with classes beginning Aug. 18.
Rankin Inlet's three schools, Leo Ussak, Simon Alaituq and Maani Ulujuk, all open Aug. 15 with classes set to begin Aug. 18.
Tusarvik Elementary School and Tuugaalik High School in Naujaat open Aug. 9 with an Aug. 14 start date.
Whale Cove's Inuglak School opens Aug. 10 and classes are set to begin Aug. 15.
A weekend of softball
The annual Calm Air Cup will be held in Rankin Inlet from Aug. 17 to 20.
The event, which is the qualifier tournament for the Slo-Pitch National championships, includes cash prizes and a beer garden.
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