Mumps has been diagnosed in the NWT for the first time since 1995.
Two cases of the mumps have been confirmed by Health and Social Services. Two other cases are under investigation.
The first diagnosis was made 10 days ago.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Andre Corriveau confirmed the outbreak started during a handgames tournament.
Due to confidentiality he could not specify in which community it started.
Corriveau said anybody who might have come into contact with the virus and is not up-to-date on their vaccines should seek diagnosis immediately.
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.
– Michael Hugall
Ceiling fan, wiring share blame in board office blaze
A ceiling fan or electrical wiring is likely to blame for a fire that engulfed the Yellowknife Catholic Schools Board office earlier this month, says the NWT fire marshal.
Chucker Dewar told Yellowknifer a probe into the blaze concluded the fire began in a second floor bathroom in the early hours of March 15.
With only a fan and wiring in the vicinity of the bathroom, Dewar said the blaze must have been caused by one or the other, but that extensive damage made it impossible to determine which of the two was the source.
The financial impact of the blaze, which has been ruled an accident, has been pegged between $750,000 and $1,000,000, said Dewar.
The mid-March fire prompted a "full group alert" response from the Yellowknife Fire Division, with crew members battling a blaze that saw thick smoke billow from the building's upper floor.
The fire has forced board office staff to relocate to St. Patrick's High School.
– Brendan Burke
Local radio station changes places
Yellowknife's only Indigenous radio station is moving out.
The not-for-profit radio station 101.9 FM, CKLB has called 4 Lessard Dr. in Ndilo, home but is now moving to a different location in the city, states information on the company's website.
The building is owned by Native Communications Society NWT. CKLB broadcasts in eleven different Indigenous dialects as well as English. CKLB has been in operation since 1985.
The station uses transmission equipment in order to broadcast across the North. Currently the station is heard in 33 different communities.
– Michael Hugall
More support for foster parents
Effective April 1, foster care parents will receive more money to better support children that may require services while in their homes.
The cost of supporting children in care has continually risen since the last foster care rate increase in 2007, stated a GNWT news release.
The difference in the rising cost of living and foster care has made it challenging for foster parents and adoptive parents who qualify for a subsidized adoption to support children so that they can become successful.
– James O'Connor