Whitehorse Daily Star

February 8, 2008

• Banks can't be trusted: Fentie Calling Canadian banks "untrustworthy," Premier Dennis Fentie is standing behind his Department of Finance and its failed investments of last summer.
• Fractured pipes shut down mail delivery The current cold snap, which has seen temperatures plunging to -50 C in some communities, is not preventing most Yukoners from going about their daily lives.
• Report recommends more first nations curriculum A comprehensive list of education reform recommendations and research was released this morning for public review and reaction.
• Call the police if you see these three The public's assistance is requested in locating three Yukoners wanted as of noon Wednesday.
• Fire started in defective toaster A fire at a townhouse complex on Lewes Boulevard Thursday afternoon resulted in an estimated $12,500 damage and was caused by a defective toaster, the city's fire chief said this morning.
• Grounded passengers irk Liberals' leader The Yukon's Opposition Leader is declaring that Air Canada's service during last week's cold spell is "unacceptable."
• Ex-mayor fined for tax offences The former mayor of Teslin was fined $2,000 in docket court Wednesday for failing to file tax returns from 1998 to 2005.
• Fire destroys car in Takhini The Whitehorse Fire Department was notified of a vehicle fire in Takhini at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday, just 20 minutes after it was notified of a building fire on Lewes Boulevard.
• Honour Trudeau with statue, MP suggests Walking up to Parliament Hill from Rideau Street in Ottawa, the first thing one sees is a statue of Canada's seventh prime minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
• Life insurance dispute lands before Supreme Court judge Both sides in a civil case against the BMO Bank of Montreal concluded their submissions in Yukon Supreme Court Wednesday morning.
• Adventurers out to test endurance limits Amidst temperatures in the -30s and -40s, many Yukoners consider it a triumph just to get outside and walk the dog.
• Manufactured home definition may be in for some changes The city is looking to redefine what a manufactured home is – literally.
• Ministers met Japanese business figures Yukon investment and business opportunities were highlighted at an event organized with the Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver last month.
• Finishers group helped get race prizes spread changed FAIRBANKS - Yukon Quest mushers making it into the significant money can thank former finishers of the long-distance sled-dog race for their winnings.
• Quest officials studying Eagle Summit options FAIRBANKS - Yukon Quest officials are considering their options to deal with trail conditions at Eagle Summit, a 1,105-metre (3,685-foot) climb on the trail, race marshal Doug Grilliot said Thursday night.
• Most Yukoners set for first half of departures FAIRBANKS - Mushers will leave the starting chute of the Yukon Quest Saturday in the following order.
• Yukon Quest rookie draws starting position FAIRBANKS - A Yukon Quest rookie from the territory has been guaranteed the top spot for at least part of the 1,600-kilometre sled dog race to Whitehorse.

February 7, 2008

• Quest musher has a three-year plan to savour victory It might appear that Yukon Quest rookie musher Jean-Denis Britten has already dropped two dogs by the time he makes it to the start line compared to the 23 other mushers who will leave the starting chute on Saturday.
• City can't prevent staking within limits, council told City staff responded Wednesday to concerns about 125 mineral claims, some which are staked along a popular ski trail.
• Investments broke YTG's regulations Premier Dennis Fentie's Department of Finance broke the law with its failed $36.5-million investment into asset-backed commercial paper, the Auditor-General of Canada has found.
• Hospital workers agree to a nine per cent wage hike Whitehorse General Hospital employees will receive nine per cent wage raises over the life of a new three-year contract.
• Loppet pronounced frozen out Due to cold weather weekend predictions, the annual Marsh Lake Loppet will be cancelled for the first time in the event's 14-year history.
• Lang is upbeat about 2008 mining picture Yukon mining industry will see more activity and more investment in 2008.
• Stan McCowan Arena goes to a new owner Permafrost Trading Ltd. now owns the Stan McCowan Arena site after a city council decision last week.
• L'AFY to host workshop on integrating immigrants L'association Franco Yukonnaise (L'AFY) is welcoming 25 immigration co-ordinators to a national workshop to be held in Whitehorse next week.
• 'This is certainly a very damning report' Opposition leaders are firing back at the Yukon government following a 'damning report' from Auditor-General Sheila Fraser, released today.
• Vancouver theatre group performing at arts centre A Vancouver-based theatre group is showcasing a new type of theatre this week at the Yukon Arts Centre during the three-night run of its play My Dad, My Dog.
• Yukon Energy helping race too While mushers are preparing for the 1,600-kilometre Yukon Quest sled-dog race, Yukon Energy is also getting ready for a 10-kilometre section of trail between Pelly Crossing and McCabe Creek.
• Northwestel, Latitude Wireless are key to race communications Northwestel Inc. and Latitude Wireless will provide essential telecommunications support for the 25th running of the Yukon Quest.

February 6, 2008

• Officers tell court of assault scene A 40-year-old Whitehorse man who is on trial for assault with a weapon will present his side of the story in court Thursday, following an attempt on his part to secure legal representation.
• Man wants answers behind skull inserted in his mailbox A local anti-trapping lobbyist who found a bleached wolf skull in his mail box is still waiting for an explanation from whoever delivered the insult.
• YTG proposes longer mayoral, council terms The Yukon government is proposing 14 changes to the Municipal Act, including one that would see mayors and councillors in office for four years instead of the current three.
• City gives up on $24,640 in outstanding debts As the saying goes, you can't get blood from a stone.
• Bright future seen for mining, exploration While stock markets opened the year on shaky ground, there is still ample optimism in the mining and mineral exploration sector, says the president of the Yukon Chamber of Mines.
• Size of caretaker residences questioned Northern Vision Development's latest proposal before the city had councillors raising their eyebrows at Monday evening's standing committee meeting.
• Drug offence nets man jail time, probation A 27-year-old Whitehorse man was sentenced to six months in jail and nine months' probation in territorial court last Friday for his conviction of cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking.
• Yukon Energy, fire department team up for rescue equipment Thanks to a partnership between Yukon Energy and the Whitehorse Fire Department, a new piece of equipment is available to rescue people from confined or hard-to-reach spaces.
• Quest beckons musher back to the trail Getting to the finish line of a 1,600-kilometre sled-dog race would be enough of an accomplishment for most people.
• Hardware store solves computer woes Home Hardware is now open for business following a malfunction in its computer system, manager Rod Smooks said Tuesday.
• Geoffrion returns to the Quest after finishing Quest 300 in '07 Musher Paul Geoffrion and his dogs are no stranger to the Yukon Quest.
• Man receives six months' probation after window struck A 53-year-old Whitehorse man was sentenced to six months' probation Monday after he pleaded guilty to a charge of mischief.