Whitehorse Daily Star

March 11, 2008

• Watson Lake man faces gun charges A 20-year-old Watson Lake man is facing charges of pointing a firearm and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose after Whitehorse RCMP seized a BB gun early Monday evening.
• Finance officials cleared on ABCP investment strategy A legal opinion by the territory's Department of Justice has concluded no offence was committed by Department of Finance officials, though the Financial Administration Act was breached when the government invested in the asset-backed commercial paper market.
• 'In the big picture; it fits,' mayor says Residents have told the city they don't want another trailer court, but the mayor said the needs of many outweigh the wants of a few.
• Taylor promotes territories in Berlin Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor has announced a pan-territorial marketing partnership among the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
• Marwell caretaker units enjoy residents' blessing In spite of initial concerns from city council, residents appear to support a proposal for multiple caretaker units in the Marwell area.
• Vocational facility program receives funding The Yukon government has pumped more than $30,000 into an Employability Skills Program to be delivered by Challenge Community Vocational Alternatives starting this month.
• Dog team's strength excites Kleedehn UNALAKLEET, Alaska - The snowbirds are here in Unalakleet, earlier than usual, say the locals.
• Youth centre concept drew mixed responses Riverdale could be home to a new youth centre by the end of 2008, pending further consultation with neighbourhood residents, says Riverdale North MLA Ted Staffen.

March 10, 2008

• An innocent mistake can cost a lot of money UNALAKLEET, Alaska - I arrive late Sunday afternoon - Lance Mackey and Jeff King are already here.
• Four-time Quest winner leads Iditarod UNALAKLEET, Alaska (AP) - Defending champion Lance Mackey regained the lead of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race today, but four-time champion Jeff King was staying close.
• Games Centre can be toured by computer Event planners the world over can now peek into the Canada Games Centre using a new web service called Virtual Visit.
• Hunters taking fewer bison Low snowfall and the cold snap earlier this winter are blamed for a bison harvest that is less than desired.
• First nations want more say in children's fate As the Kwanlin Dun First Nation (KDFN) continues work on developing its own legislation around family law, its chief is joining two others in calling on the Yukon government to take another look at the proposed draft of the Child and Family Services Act.
• Budget to be tabled on Easter's eve The territory's 2008 budget will be tabled when the legislature reconvenes at 1 p.m. March 20, the day before Good Friday.
• Grant application program may be altered Dave Austin reminded his fellow city councillors about his position on city grants, saying, "just because you get a grant one year doesn't mean you should get it the next."
• Correction NDP MLA John Edzerza - Vote
• Business to take over old Saan store Now that the S-A-A-N letters have been removed from the concrete walls, and the inside stripped of its discount clothing and merchandise, a local appliances store is slated to take over the former Saan store.
• International Women's Day marked locally Several local women's groups hosted a celebration of International Women's Day Friday evening in hopes of dispelling the myth that women have "made it."
• 'It doesn't pay to be a woman in Canada' The president of the Yukon Federation of Labour and members of local women's groups hosted a press conference Friday to announce the launch of a year-long national campaign for women's economic equality, called Equality Once And For All!

March 7, 2008

• Airline's share offering generated $4.8 million Air North raised $4.8 million in this week's offering of 636 company shares, said company president Joe Sparling. Sparling said Thursday the offering opened Monday and all the shares had been subscribed to by early Thursday afternoon.
• Sima's closure sparked emotional upheaval The closure of Mt. Sima's ski hill has meant sleepless night and tears for board members, frustrations and boredom for hill users.
• 'I am not going to be used as part of a sham' Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell and MLA Don Inverarity have resigned from the legislature's public accounts committee, alleging a Yukon government "cover-up".
• Games Centre becoming a drawing card for idle youth It's closing time at the Canada Games Centre, 10 p.m. on a Tuesday.
• Responses to distress are crucial: therapist Victims of crime need a positive social response from friends, family and professionals. That can help them heal properly, a practising psychologist and family therapist from Vancouver told the Focus on Victims of Crime conference Thursday morning in Whitehorse.
• Aboriginal Canadians still in healing process Many members of first nations communities are still working on a pathway to wellness after enduring decades of struggle.
• McDonald joins national Canada Games Council The president of the 2007 Canada Winter Games Host Society has been named to the national Canada Games Council.
• Drugs, violence, youth stir concerns in Dawson DAWSON CITY - As the Dawson City detachment of the RCMP gears up to prepare its annual policing plan for the town, town council has readied a short list of items for it to consider.
• Area residents' worries pull into proposed trailer court A proposed trailer court is causing some concern among city councillors and residents alike.
• Dawsonites reject sewage lagoon location DAWSON CITY - The poll results were clear within minutes of beginning the count Thursday evening.
• Federation plans Dawson meeting The Yukon Federation of Labour will begin its community visits with a town hall meeting in Dawson City
• Yukoner headed to Oxford Round Table women's studies instructor at Yukon College has received an invitation to present a paper at the Oxford Round Table, a not-for-profit educational organization affiliated with Oxford University.
• Long arm of the law wants Yukon trio The public's assistance is requested in locating three Yukoners wanted as of noon Wednesday.
• 'I'm not going to resign,' premier retorts The premier is calling Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell's resignation from the public accounts committee "irresponsible."
• 120 wild elk rounded up, remain in captivity Most of the wild Takhini elk were herded by helicopter into a large enclosure earlier this week, as part of an initiative to reduce the risk of winter ticks from spreading.
• Man found guilty of extortion, mischief A 40-year-old Teslin man has been convicted of charges of extortion and mischief in the Yukon Supreme Court, after a day-long trial held last Thursday.
• Officials look to pare jail renovations costs There are ongoing discussions to reduce a $1.23-million bid received for renovations to the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, says a senior official with the territorial Department of Justice.