Whitehorse Daily Star

May 11, 2006

• Oil flow is reduced but remains unsolved The source of an underground oil leak continues to baffle staff at the territorial Department of Environment, says its manager of monitoring and inspections.
• Chopper pilots undergoing test flights The recent flurry of helicopter activity over the Whitehorse airport is a reflection of the annual re-certification and training that pilots must undergo.
• Fentie to continue supporting pipeline efforts in N.W.T. EDMONTON (CP) An $840-million highway down the Mackenzie Valley linking Hay River and the Arctic Ocean is a top priority for the Northwest Territories, Premier Joe Handley said Wednesday.
• Yukoner will supervise Ethiopian project EBA Engineering Consultants, whose Whitehorse office is the oldest engineering firm in the city, is celebrating its 40th anniversary by helping villages in Ethiopia access safe drinking water.
• MLAs to debate house sitting hours A motion aimed at improving the family lives of MLAs by decreasing the number of sitting hours in the legislative assembly was scheduled for debate this afternoon.
• City is buying several buses The Yukon government (YTG) and the City of Whitehorse have signed a $551,418-agreement to fund the city's Handy Bus service.
• Youth job centre open for business The Service Canada Centre for Youth opened its Whitehorse office Wednesday to offer businesses and students a free way to connect and make employment happen.

May 10, 2006

• Lack of lots will inflate real estate With only three residential lots left in Whitehorse, builders are in for a financial hit and housing prices will jump even further, warn city and building officials.
• Biodiesel feasible now, adventurers say An unusual and potentially historic three-vehicle caravan made a brief pit stop at the McDonald's restaurant on Fourth Avenue at about 9:00 last Friday evening.
• Quest seeking money after raising purse For the first time in a decade, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race will be increasing its purse.
• Tumour's bulk amazed vets Staff at the Copper Road Veterinary Clinic removed a massive 4.5-kg (10-lb.) tumour from a 22-kg (50-lb.) husky-cross dog this week.
• Man claims innnocence as jail term imposed A Yukon man will spend the next six months in jail for a sexual assault he maintains he didn't commit.
• Northern justice institute studied The Yukon government is working with the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the federal government to investigate the feasibility of creating a northern institute of justice.
• Mural's disappearance saddens some A local landmark has disappeared.
• Lower bench' planning session set for fall In what could lead to a more collaborative planning process in Whitehorse, city officials will host a multi-day planning session for the lower bench in Porter Creek this fall.
• Money is there for Dawson, premier vows It is a non-issue that the money for the Dawson City bail-out is not included in the Yukon's $793-million budget, says Premier Dennis Fentie. 'Our commitments here are within the fiscal framework.
• Train's value to Carcross debated There is currently a $420,000-paperweight sitting in a shed in Carcross collecting dust, says Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell.
• Gruelling walk' brings students to Yukon A large group of elementary school children, 345 strong, are 'walking' from Montreal to Whitehorse with a detour to Vancouver.
• Boil water advisory issued for Rock Creek Evacuated residents of Rock Creek were given the green light Tuesday to return home.
• Man loses bid to have wood returned An Atlin Road man who had raw logs seized from his Lubbock Valley property was denied his request Tuesday to have the wood returned.

May 9, 2006

• Really, the emphasis is on family' The Yukon's three women MLAs want the legislative assembly to adjourn earlier in the day.
• Skiers turn down offer to relocate trails Attempts to appease development concerns held by the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club (WCCSC) in the Raven's Ridge housing debate have been unsuccessful, says developer Mark Radke.
• Residents seek condo height restriction A three-storey development on Normandy Road violates the Official Community Plan (OCP) and runs contrary to a position taken by council last October, Takhini West residents maintain.
• Child protection reforms take time: expert Opposition members are critical of the time it could take to implement 18 recommendations outlined in a report on the 2004 murder of a seven-week-old infant.
• Officers practise with weapons In an effort to ensure they're ready to go up against dangerous or nuisance dogs on the prowl, city bylaw officers practised shooting their non-lethal weapons last week.
• Local man seeks Liberal nomination Social activist Jon Breen will seek the nomination for the Yukon Liberal Party in the riding of Lake Laberge for the coming territorial election.
• Proposal would harm wetlands: YCS Permitting developers to rezone an environmentally-sensitive area to build a road for a country residential subdivision is unacceptable and environmentally irresponsible, says the Yukon Conservation Society (YCS).
• Residents may go home today Flood water at Rock Creek have receded significantly and Dawson City fire chief Jim Regimbal expects residents forced to flee will be able to return home today.
• Information act review is called off The review of the Yukon's Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP) has been cancelled indefinitely.
• Trade show was centre's biggest event The 27th annual Lake Laberge Lions Yukon Trade Show took place over the weekend.
• Full-time employed decreased Fewer people were working in full-time jobs in the Yukon in April compared to the same period a year ago.