Skip to content

NEWS BRIEFS: Student charged with making threats to go to trial

logo

A student charged with making threats at a Yellowknife school will head to trial after pleading not guilty in court yesterday. Appearing before Judge Garth Malakoe in NWT territorial court, the student, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, entered not guilty pleas to three counts of uttering threats.

RCMP initiated an investigation after being notified by staff of a “potential threat” at the school on March 15. The youth was arrested and charged on March 19.

The student was released and placed under house arrest – a condition the accused is still bound to. The youth's release conditions were amended to add three other family members as sureties.

The name of the school, which was previously released by RCMP and a city school board, is now under a publication ban following a request from defence lawyer Peter Harte.

The lawyer wants the matter moved along so his client can get off of house arrest and get back to school – where the youth is currently barred from. The trial for the young offender will begin on May 25.

– Brendan Burke

 

Sobering centre remains at Sally Ann

The GNWT has extended the lease for six months with the Salvation Army to operate the Yellowknife Sobering Centre, stated a GNWT news release this week.

The temporary location will continue to provide services for those in need while renovations continue on the long-term facility at 5111 50 Street, where the GNWT has a five-year lease agreement to house a combined day shelter and sobering centre.

The sobering centre is operated by the NWT Disability Council, with Advanced Medical Solutions providing clinical services as needed.

The agreement between the government and Salvation Army ensure the sobering centre "will remain operational through the transition into its new location," stated the release. This transition is expected to occur later this year.

– James O'Connor

 

City counting number of homeless people

The City of Yellowknife will try to count the number of homeless people in the community.

The survey will run on April 22 and 23. Trained volunteers and staff will be counting the number of people in shelters, short-term housing and on the street, stated a release from director of community services Grant White.

Data from the survey will update the point-in-time homeless count which the city conducted in 2015. In 2015 the city found a total of 139 people who – they deemed –were homeless.

– Michael Hugall

 

Donations ramp up for annual event

The 26th annual Gumboot Rally is starting to see an increase in donations, says an official.

The Yellowknife Association for Community Living's fundraising campaign began on Feb. 14. Since that date the YKACL has received $1,280 in online donations from 20 different organizations.

Communication manager Daron Letts said the average donation is $64.

The YKACL board has volunteers staffing a Gumboot Team registration table on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Yk Co-op.

– Michael Hugall