Whitehorse Daily Star

July 7, 2008

• Renovated hot springs are ready for soakers: owners After four months of intensive renovations, the new owners of the Takhini Hot Springs are re-opening the pools, they announced today.
• Job numbers are rebounding There were 900 more jobs in the territory in April 2008 compared to the same time last year, according to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics.
• Quest's new head veterinarian already boasts trail experience A familiar face will be returning to the role of head veterinarian for the 2009 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
• Fire risk drops as crews return from B.C. The danger rating for forest fires in the Yukon has dropped to low for most of the territory, with the exception of moderate conditions in the Old Crow and Carmacks districts.
• Major renovations enter the homestrech "We're camping," Mary-Jane Warshawski said of Coast Mountain Sports' current location above the old Main Street Zola's Cafe.
• Whitehorse man is granted a new trial A new trial has been ordered for a 71-year-old Whitehorse man convicted of common assault, on the grounds that the trial judge erred by not ordering that the accused be represented by counsel.
• Officers, suspect engage in violent struggle Two RCMP officers were assaulted last Thursday while arresting a man on outstanding warrants on charges of assault, theft and failing to appear in court.

July 4, 2008

• Tinfoil and coat hangers not so bad, just look around I get letters. Some of them go to the editor, others come directly to me.
• Archibald takes Yukon Open at Gold Panning Competition In spite of rain that varied from light mist to cats and dogs during the afternoon, the 2008 Yukon Gold Panning Competition went off as planned and was quite well attended, with spectators in rain gear and umbrellas lining the sides of the panning site.
• The Atlin Museum delivers the goods, inside and out Local museums, no matter how small, will often give you a pretty good idea of what a community thinks about itself and its roots.
• The countdown begins for culture celebrations In just four short weeks, Whitehorse will host its first-ever Heritage Festival to celebrate the many cultures of the people who live here.
• Police seeking public assistance to locate suspects The public's assistance is requested in locating individuals wanted as of 12:00 p.m. on Thursday.
• Reserve used to pay off deficit A total of $162,968 from the city's water and sewer reserve will be moved into the water and sewer fund to make up for the 2007 deficit.
• Events planned for fishing week The Yukon Fish and Game Association will kick off National Fishing Week in the Yukon with a number of special events in Whitehorse designed to encourage people to try fishing for the first time.
• Yukon College prepares to deliver new strategic plan The Yukon College board of governors has approved a strategic plan for 2008-2013, the college announced today.
• Salmon decision expected next week Federal officials will wait until next week to decide whether it will put restrictions on the Yukon's chinook salmon fishery.
• Tenting now allowed at Million Dollar Falls Campers staying in the Million Dollar Falls Territorial Campground can once again use tents as well as trailers and campers, the Department of Environment announced today.
• Environmental value of Boreal Forest needs to be recognized - report The time to rethink our approach to mining in Canada is here, says the mining co-ordinator for the Yukon Conservation Society.
• Dempster Highway re-opens after two-day closure The 24-kilometre stretch of the Dempster Highway which closed Wednesday re-opened late this morning to single lane traffic with a pilot truck leading the way through.
• Geothermal technology explored for Whistle Bend One of the city's newest subdivisions could be kind of like a fridge.
• More like a spiritual journey than a river race The Yukon River Quest is not a spectator sport.
• Stolen sculpture reunited with artist for first time Artist Shane Wilson breathed a sigh of relief this week when he was reunited with his sculpture, Yukon Seasons, for the first time since it was stolen from the Canada Games Centre last year.
• Murder suspect makes second appearance in court Spectators packed the gallery in courtroom number five this morning to see Alicia Murphy's second court appearance since being charged with second-degree murder.
• Yukon government sees major cabinet shuffle In an attempt to bolster his government, Premier Dennis Fentie made a major cabinet shuffle yesterday moving 11 of 19 portfolios among himself and seven ministers.Yukon government sees major cabinet shuffleYukon government sees major cabinet shuffle

July 3, 2008

• Race marshal returns It's more than eight months away, but having a race marshal in place now for the 2009 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race means there's lots of time to prepare for the race's 26th edition, says Stephen Reynolds, the executive director of the Canadian side of the race.
• Air North looks ahead Air North president Joe Sparling believes it will likely be the fall before he and other air carriers in the territory see the impact of rising fuel costs.
• Rain didn't dampen Canada Day spirits in Dawson City It didn't exactly rain on Dawson's Canada Day Parade, but it misted, and the real stuff started not long after the small but enthusiastic procession had made its way from the Visitor Information Centre on Front Street to the old highway yard opposite the Pool on Fifth Avenue.
• Teslin man appeals conviction A 40-year-old man from Teslin is appealing his conviction on charges of extortion and mischief, for which he received a two-year jail sentence which he is currently serving at the Whitehorse Corrections Centre.
• City helps celebrate Quebec's 400th anniversary Whitehorse is a long way from Quebec City, but bells honouring the 400th anniversary of the provincial city could be heard throughout the territory's capital early this morning.
• Police kept busy Ten people have been arrested over the last few days for being intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, says an RCMP press release.
• Condo parking raises residents concerns When Rachel Westfall moved to her Falaise Place home, she knew the 20-unit Lansing Point condo development would be built next door on Seine Square.
• Fentie, Bagnell spar over proposed carbon tax Federal Liberal candidates North of 60 may be in for a rough ride from territorial leaders during the next election over Liberal Leader Stephan Dion's proposed carbon tax.
• Identification pending on body recovered from Yukon River A body was located Monday on the banks of the Yukon River near Eagle, Alaska.
• Association continues fight against McLean Lake batch plant The McLean Lake Residents Association has filed an appeal of Yukon Supreme Court Justice Leigh Gower's ruling that a contractor has the right to build a concrete batch plant near McLean Lake, despite the objections of some of the area's residents.
• Dempster closed from kilometre 222 to 246 Travellers heading to Inuvik, Northwest Territories are being forced to delay their plans with the closure of 24 kilometres of the Dempster Highway.