Whitehorse Daily Star

March 19, 2008

• Light bulb may not have sparked fire A fire that caused $250,000 worth of damage to a Porter Creek home on Feb. 28 may not have been caused by a defective fluorescent light bulb as was initially reported.
• Buckwheaters encouraged to share vehicles this weekend More effort into vehicle pooling for the weekend's annual Buckwheat Ski Classic could help to reduce traffic congestion at Log Cabin.
• Caretaker resident units concept draws support City council is still hmming and hawing about an application to build 60 caretaker resident units in Marwell, even though feedback at a public hearing was largely positive.
• 'This is a big project for the Yukon' Expansion plans for the Whitehorse International Airport would see the site grow by 2,500 square metres, with the Yukon government spending nearly $11 million on the project.
• First nations art festival receives $30,000-grant The territorial Arts Fund has announced $188,600 in grants to 17 projects to enhance arts and culture throughout the Yukon.
• Thaw di Gras was a whirlwind of events DAWSON CITY - She didn't say anything, but her body language spoke volumes.
• Ex-returning officer has some ideas for electoral reform Changes to the country's electoral system proposed by one Yukoner could mean all voters having more of a voice on a national level.
• Yukon Placer Secretariat due for funds If tomorrow's territorial budget is eventually approved by the legislature, the Yukon government would provide $329,000 for the operations of the Yukon Placer Secretariat during the 2008-09 fiscal year.
• Woodsmoke, tobacco key menaces to lung health The harmful effects of woodsmoke and cigarette smoking were identified as two of the most important issues affecting Yukoners in a recent discussion meeting of the National Lung Health Framework, hosted at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel.
• Securities Act is now in force The territory's Securities Act, which passed through the legislature last December 2007, is now in force.
• Committee formed for oil-fired appliances Industry representatives, working with the Yukon government and the City of Whitehorse, have formed the Oil Fired Appliances Advisory Committee to address issues related to the safe operation of oil-fired appliances.
• MLAs hedging their bets on investments remedy The territory's official Opposition is still awaiting full details about what the restructuring plans for the asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) market will mean for the territory, which invested $36.5 million into the troubled funds.

March 18, 2008

• Yukon receives $243 M in infrastructure money The federal Conservative government is following initiatives created under the Liberal watch by signing the Building Canada agreement with the territory and extending the length of the gasoline tax fund, says the Yukon's Liberal MP.
• Judge OKs protection on ABCP funds It would take eight years for the territory to see the $36.5 million it invested in asset-backed commercial paper if investors approve a restructuring plan proposed.
• It's time to outlaw plastic bags: Stick The question grocery store cashiers ask customers may soon not be an option: "Do you need plastic bags today?"
• First Nation Lecture Series to end Wednesday The MacBride Museum of Yukon History will be presenting the final lecture in its First Nation Lecture Series Wednesday night, entitled Learning from First Nation Artifacts.
• YTG fights Yukon labour shortage The Yukon government says it's making progress to address labour shortages by taking a broad multi-departmental approach which includes the Departments of Education, Health and Social Services, and Economic Development.
• Fentie, Environment minister discuss Dawson sewage saga An officer of the federal Department of Environment has been designated to deal specifically with the Dawson City sewage disposal situation, says Premier Dennis Fentie.
• Burn away the winter blues on Saturday For many, the longer daylight hours, melting snow and return of plant life that come with the spring is symbolic of renewal for themselves, a time for letting go of the past by Burning Away The Winter Blues.
• Arts projects funded The Arts Fund is providing $188,000 in funding to 17 projects designed to promote the arts and enhance the well-being of Yukoners, Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor said Monday.
• Five Yukon artists travel to Russia Five Yukon artists have left for Russia as part of the ongoing partnership between Yukon and Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District in northern Russia.
• Man wants Grey Mountain Road lot rezoned When a land lot on Grey Mountain Road was listed in real estate pages last year, people wondered what in the world was for sale up there.

March 17, 2008

• Latest ABCP deadline looms Officials with the territory's Department of Finance are continuing to wait for a court hearing, expected today in Ontario, for a decision to be made on the restructuring of the asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) market funds that have been tied up since last year.
• Women look for midwifery reimbursement Two local women have submitted invoices to the Yukon government for a reimbursement of the money they paid to have a midwife oversee their childrens' birth, rather than a doctor.
• Family lost cash, credit cards, phone to theft Trena Irving is set to tell city council tonight the city-funded Canada Games Centre needs better security measures.
• Local bishop joined national apology Whitehorse's Catholic leader has joined a national effort to apologize to those who suffered at residential schools.
• Arrests made A 24-year-old man was arrested last Thursday and charged with one count each of break and enter and mischief in relation to an incident that occurred on Sept. 13, 2006.
• Yukoner earns Iditarod's top rookie honours NOME, Alaska - The Iditarod mushers finishers' banquet is over, the awards have been handed out and the thoughts of mushers are on getting home.
• Pastor praises victim, family The pastor of the church former Yukoner Silas O'Brien used to regularly attend in Surrey, B.C. said today the O'Briens are a "good, good family."