Whitehorse Daily Star

March 28, 2011

• Update proposed for mutual aid agreement It appears firefighters for the city, territory and nearby communities will continue to get by with a little help from their friends thanks to proposed new mutual aid agreements.
• Lang-sponsored bill becomes law A bill Yukon Senator Dan Lang championed received Royal Assent on Friday.
• CYFN grand chief loses her husband The Council of Yukon First Nations offices have been closed today out of respect for the sudden passing of Lyle Massie,
• Yukoners acted on Earth Hour Yukoners reduced their energy consumption by about one megawatt on Saturday night, the Yukon Energy Corp. reports.
• Residents endured lengthy power failure A failed insulator on a power line shut off the lights in the MacPherson subdivision Sunday afternoon for more than six hours for some residents.
• Two of three accused ordered to stay in jail Two of the three men arrested on aggravated assault charges earlier this month will remain in jail after a justice of the peace refused them bail last Thursday.
• Spouse helps drive DeWolfe musher to win Crispin Studer moved up from second place to first and improved on his 2010 running time by about two minutes Friday afternoon to capture the trophy in the 36th running of the Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Race.
• No consensus reached on ATV helmet uses Helmet use and fair environmental protection rules are emerging as the top issues coming out of last week's standing committee report on safe operation of off-road vehicles.
• Company appeals landmark court decision Western Copper is appealing a Yukon Supreme Court decision that backed up the Yukon Water Board's denial of a water licence for the Carmacks Copper Project.
• Pair vies for NDP nod; Tories acclaim candidate Two potential candidates seeking the Yukon New Democratic Party's nomination for the May 2 federal election could give Liberal incumbent Larry Bagnell a run for his money.

March 25, 2011

• Are you buying bird seed, or just filler? I was in a hurry the other week, and while shopping for some goods, I also picked up some bird seed.
• The ups and downs of a former Beatle ( Bookends ) I was alternately impressed and annoyed by this book, which seems fitting, because the author is by turns impressed and annoyed by Paul McCartney.
• City is on environmental film festival's intinerary ( Preview ) Soon, eco-conscious Canadians from St. John's to Whitehorse — and those who just like a good real-life story — will have access to a wide array of award-winning documentaries.
• Instructor honoured for decades of research Dave Mossop, a veteran ornithologist and Yukon College biology instructor, has been recognized for his contribution and commitment to northern research.
• Grits take scatter-gun mode over YEC issue The Liberals are aiming to make the next territorial election about the Yukon Party's credibility, which has faced repeated attacks during the legislature's spring sitting.
• A solid chinook run is forecast Science says this summer's run of Yukon River chinook should be stronger than last year.
• Accept climate change realities, panel urged The international panel responsible for managing Yukon River salmon stocks needs to start talking about climate change, says Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Norma Kassi.
• Employees push local company into winners' circle A Whitehorse-based company has won the national award for the top environmental employer of the year from ECO Canada, a non-profit group which supports the environmental industry.
• Transit program riding success, city says A free transit program aimed at taking demand off the city's Handy Bus and giving more travelling options for those with disabilities is proving to be a success, city officials said this week.
• Artistic Quilting Paula D Anderson opened a show Thursday at Gallery 22 above Triple J Music.
• ‘Tremendous impact' condo plans launched If the sales pace continues as expected over the next several weeks, the construction of a 20-condominium would begin in early May on the waterfront near Boston Pizza.
• Royal Roads University has new award for students Yukon College transfer students are now eligible for a new award at Royal Roads University.
• Unseasonably warm weather greeted Percy racers It's not often that Dawsonites hope for a cloudy day in late March.
• Contracts for Hanson Street on verge of being awarded Two local companies could be splitting the workload to rebuild Hanson Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues this summer.
• Quarry idea has community group leery Noise, dust and the impact on local ecology near a residential area are among the top worries the Crestview Community Association is expressing over the possibility of a quarry just north of the neighbourhood.
• Don't sink our sternwheeler: resident to city For Vanessa Brault, her community can easily be captured with the image of a sternwheeler.
• Legislation changed to accommodate dangers of fighting fires Ten cancers are now designated work-related illnesses for full-time firefighters in the Yukon as MLAs set legislative procedure aside Thursday to fast-track changes to the workers' compensation board act.
• Committee unveils ATV use recommendations More than 16 months after sitting down to consider the contentious issue of off-road vehicle use in the territory,
• Government's defeat thrusts nation into election Ed. note: this story occurred too late for inclusion in today's national news section.
• ‘I run every election as if I'm one vote behind,' MP says Liberal incumbent MP Larry Bagnell was already in a cab to the airport in Ottawa this afternoon as political leaders on Parliament Hill were still taking questions from media after the federal government fell in a non-confidence vote.

March 24, 2011

• Cultural roots celebrated at Yukon College The ethnic diversity and cultural roots of Yukon College staff and students are on display this week.
• Appreciating Water The Two Mile Hill booster station is seen Tuesday afternoon.
• CDF funds range of Yukon-wide project The Community Development Fund (CDF) awarded $490,743 through its Tier 1 and Tier 2 intakes to 15 recipients, promoting long-term social and economic benefits.
• City takes on more youth programming Whitehorse youth could soon be learning everything from how to DJ to cooking skills and leadership as part of the city's new programs aimed at youth.
• Being Safe With Snow A number of homes and businesses in Dawson City have been cleared of snow recently.
• Utility fees meeting drew a curious crowd Concerns about sewer and water billings drew about 15 people to a special public meeting held last Thursday in Dawson's council chambers.
• Storytelling for seniors set to go Tales to be Told is a free, brand new 14-week program provided by the Family Literacy Centre for elders and older adults (55-plus), offering formal training in storytelling.
• The Sound Of A Special Instrument Ryan Enns, a former Yukoner now living in Australia,
• Modem failure disrupted Old Crow Internet service An equipment problem, dubbed an "external malicious activity” by Northwestel Inc.,
• Citizen takes issue with snowmobile review After making a 14-page submission last month to the task force set up to look at the snowmobile bylaw,
• Rabbit ears to still serve a purpose Whitehorse residents who still use rabbit ears to pick up their television signal will still be able to watch CBC and APTN, following a decision by the Canadian broadcasting regulator.
• Rising global food prices have charity official apprehensive As headlines around the world warn of rising food prices, the Yukon's only food bank is bracing for the double-whammy effect higher grocery bills will have on both clients and donors.