Whitehorse Daily Star

November 21, 2006

• Yukon-wide smoking ban not in YTG's plans; YMA wants legislation There are no plans in the works to draft or implement a territory-wide smoking ban.
• Ta'an Kwach'an Council members choose chief It appears Ruth Massie will remain the chief of the Ta'an Kwach'an Council.
• Government seeks extension for Whitehorse Copper subdivision The Yukon territorial government (YTG) has asked for a one-year extension on the 111-lot Whitehorse Copper country residential subdivision.
• Hockey manager hopes to score break on centre fees Current costs for teams using the Canada Games Centre are too high, making it difficult for Yukon athletes to train for the 2007 Canada Winter Games, city council heard Monday evening.
• City's safety certification rule attracts network's support All governments and their departments should follow the lead of the City of Whitehorse in requiring any contractor bidding on taxpayer-funded projects be safety certified.
• Power line project is subject of hearings Yukon Energy and the company it contracted to build the troubled Mayo-Dawson City transmission began hearings this morning to argue how best to settle their claims and counter-claims.
• Twin Bear Program enters its 14th year Since 1992, the Yukon Liquor Corp. has been inviting its customers to share in the spirit of the holiday season through the Twin Bear Program.
• New book will help college campus mark 20th birthday The Haines Junction campus of Yukon College is celebrating its 20th birthday with a book launch.
• 'Tis the season for your flu shot Dr. Bryce Lark, the Yukon's medical health officer, has a new reason for encouraging Yukoners to get a flu shot this year.

November 20, 2006

• Municipal taxes are set to rise again City departments are being asked to trim their budgets and city ratepayers should prepare themselves for yet another tax hike in the upcoming municipal budget.
• Doctors target kids' health plan, smoking Yukon doctors are backing the push for a national children's health strategy, as well as continuing their campaign for a territory-wide ban on smoking in public places.
• YTG may improve mental health services The Yukon government has identified $50,000 to explore expanded mental health services and the possibility of a designated mental health care facility for the Yukon, says the minister of Health and Social Services.
• Assault trial is slated for April More than a week has been set aside in court next April for the trial of four of the five men facing a dozen assault charges springing from a July dance for the slo-pitch Dustball tournament.
• Students suggest education system reforms The joint territorial government and Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) education reform project hosted a youth summit on Friday to collect information from students about changes needed in the system.
• Swim coach lauded for opposing communism Marek Poplawski, the head coach of the Whitehorse Glacier Bears Swim Club, has been awarded a prestigious medal from Poland for his refusal to swear allegiance to the communist government that once controlled his country.
• Sewage treatment a priority, mayor tells court It will be next summer before lawyers return to court to discuss the future of Dawson City's sewage system.
• City sifting through insurance options In the wake of a 90-per-cent rate hike following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., the city is looking into new insurance measures.

November 17, 2006

• Museum auction became social evening DAWSON CITY Rather than simply concentrating on bringing in the money, the Dawson City Museum tried something different for this year's recent fund-raising auction.
• Hope is the only way to move forward, band says Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is a band with quite a story. Living Like a Refugee is their debut CD, and is a spirited mix of traditional West African music, roots, reggae and rhythmic traditional folk.
• Author Peter Robinson takes a murder probe to the necessary verdict I'm continuing my investigation into the career of Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks with the third novel in his adventures.
• Violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou, 1729 instrument to grace local stage For young violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou, music has a power beyond what can readily be explained.
• Man accused of killing ex-Yukoner A 60-year-old man was arrested Thursday in connection with the murder 16 years ago of a former Carmacks woman.
• Take pride, minister tells D.A.R.E. graduates Decked out in D.A.R.E. graduation T-shirts and armed with nine ways to say no to peer pressure, 39 Grade 6 students at Selkirk Elementary School were honoured in a graduation ceremony Thursday afternoon.
• Minister privileged' to take on portfolio 'I've never been one to sit back and let things happen, or fall where they may; I want things to be improved to make sure it's done for the best of the people,' says new Justice Minister Marion Horne.
• Rendezvous to link events to '07 Games extravaganza A week before the Canada Winter Games are in town, axes will be thrown, pounds upon pounds of flour will be carried and chainsaws will be chucked at Yukon's winter games, otherwise known as Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous.
• Parents take issue with dog program delay A human rights complaint could be the deciding factor in whether the Dogs for Drug Free Schools program goes ahead at Porter Creek Secondary School.
• Sustainable projects high on the agenda at PNWER meeting Discussions around sustainable development are topping the priority list at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region's (PNWER) economic leadership forum in Whistler. B.C. this week.
• Spousal abuse victim offers sobering advice Alcoholism, isolation and oppression contribute to high rates of violence against women in Canada's territories, according to a front line aid worker and a policy analyst.
• Ticket office to stop taking bill payments The Hougen's Ticket Office will soon be moving to a new location and no longer accepting bill payments.
• Workplace injury figures were wrong: WCB In the wake of a statistical mistake made last week, the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board (WCB) is changing the way it handles information.
• Act on your dreams now, adventurer advises TESLIN Dick Person hasn't the look of someone bothered by a grave illness.
• Submissions for trial delayed until new year Another delay means the major portion of a trial over a major grow operation in Copper Ridge won't get underway until May.
• Doctors, wait time woes are universal: CMA Yukoners concerned over hospital wait times and the availability of family doctors will have to join southern communities in a long-term effort to correct the problem.