Donna Morrissey, an author originally from Newfoundland, will be visiting the NWT Centennial Library on April 10.
Morrissey has written six bestselling novels, including The Fortunate Brother, The Deception of Livvy Higgs, Kit's Law, Downhill Chance, and Sylvanus Now, and she has received awards in Canada, the United States and England.
Morrissey now lives in Halifax, N.S.
Her visit to Hay River is being sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts.
During her visit, she will be making a presentation at 7 p.m. on April 10 at the library.
Health advisory issued over mumps
The office of the NWT's chief public health officer has issued a public health advisory about mumps.
According to the March 29 advisory, cases of mumps were recently identified in the NWT for the first time since 1995.
The advisory stated that Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Andre Corriveau is concerned the virus may be circulating within some NWT communities.
Mumps is an acute infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. It is spread via coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing glasses or utensils, and touching a surface that has the virus on it. Mumps is suspected when there is swelling of one or more of the saliva glands.
Mumps can be prevented by a vaccine.
People suspecting they may have mumps should let their healthcare providers know immediately. For the protection of others, they should not just show up at a healthcare facility, but contact the healthcare provider by phone. They should also isolate themselves at home, and not attend work, school, church or any other public gatherings.
More money for foster care parents
Effective April 1, foster care parents have begun to receive more money from the GNWT to better support children in their homes.
The last foster care rate increase was in 2007.
The increase in foster care and subsidized adoption rates will provide NWT foster homes and approved subsidized adoptive homes with compensation comparable to other Canadian jurisdictions.
"The increase in rates will help foster families better support the children they care for," said Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy in a March 29 news release.