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NEWS BRIEFS: Day and sobering centres will open simultaneously

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The new facility for Yellowknife's day shelter and sobering centre will in fact offer both services together as early as mid-September, the GNWT confirmed on Wednesday.The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) will open the sobering centre in downtown Yellowknife, adjacent to the Northern Lites Motel on 50 Street.

The day shelter on 49 Street will close at the same time, officials stated Wednesday after being unable to confirm details by press time Tuesday.

The health authority presented its plans for the structure, including all safety features and staffing expectations during Monday's municipal services meeting.

– Avery Zingel

 

Consumer costs increase less than national average

The Yellowknife All-Items Consumer Price Index rose in June rose by 1.9 per cent compared to one year ago, information from Statistics Canada shows.

By comparison, the annual price increase was 2.5 per cent for Canada, 3.1 per cent for Edmonton, 2.9 per cent for Whitehorse and 2.7 per cent for Iqaluit.

Compared to June 2017, transportation experienced the largest increase, rising by 5.5 per cent over the last 12 months, stated a news release from NWT Bureau of Statistics.

"The increase was spurred by higher prices for public transportation which includes airline travel," stated the release.

Shelter also rose over the same period, mostly as a result of the 8.6 per cent price increase in water, fuel and electricity.

– James O'Connor

 

Water stewardship multimedia contest opens

The 2018 Youth NWT Water Stewardship Multimedia Contest is now open.

Youth aged 25 and younger are invited to make submissions in one of the following categories that capture their connection to water: photography (maximum two photos); video (maximum length of three minutes); or artwork (maximum one piece of art).

Contest entries will be accepted until Oct. 9 at noon.

Submissions must be made online through the contest entry form.

– James O'Connor

 

World Religions Conference here in late summer

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at (AMJ) is holding its 11th Annual World Religions Conference in Yellowknife.

It was announced this week the event will be on Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

The AMJ is an international revival movement within Islam, states its website.

Founded in 1889, AMJ spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions.

"AMJ is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas," states the website.

"Ahmadas claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesusas of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammadsa."

– James O'Connor

 

Heat wave to cool over weekend

The mini heat wave this week has seen above-normal temperatures blanket Yellowknife and the North Slave region.

Environment Canada predicts today's high will be 28 C, with an overnight low of 16 C. Normal temperatures are 21 C maximum and 12 C minimum.

It should be sunny this morning and early in the afternoon, then a mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of showers later in the day, stated the forecast yesterday afternoon.

With the humidity, it will feel like a high of 31 C.

However, cooler temperatures and more chances of rain arrive tomorrow and Sunday, with the high on Monday forecasted to be 17 C.

As of yesterday, there were just two relatively small active fires in the North Slave Region.

However, with today's heat, the fire danger forecast for today is extreme, states Environment and Natural Resources.

To report a forest fire, please call 1-877-NWTFIRE (698-3473).

– James O'Connor

 

E-petition down at legislative assembly

The legislative assembly is experiencing technical difficulties with ePetitions on the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories' website.

While the problem is being resolved, the public can use alternative ePetition websites or submit paper petitions, stated a news release.

"ePetitions were introduced as an effort to increase opportunities for democratic participation for all citizens of the NWT," stated the release.

"The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories was one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to accept ePetitions into its legislature, now it is common practice across the country and is even accepted at the House of Commons."

The program was not intended to remove the practice of physical petitions, stated the release, but to provide an alternative for the public, particularly those in isolated communities.

Petitioners also have the option of presenting signatures from both an online format and a paper petition to the assembly.

The legislative assembly recommends the use of third party websites, such as change.org, to create ePetitions until a long term solution has been made with the current website, stated the release.

When using third party sites, the public is reminded that individuals who sign any petition that is being presented to the legislative assembly must be a current resident of the NWT.

– James O'Connor