Whitehorse Daily Star

May 6, 2005

• MLA steadfastly denies assaulting women Copperbelt MLA Haakon Arntzen denied the criminal allegations made against him when he took the stand in Yukon Supreme Court on Thursday.
• Dying man attempted to leave truck A Dawson City man who was shot twice was able to drive away from the scene before he bled to death, Yukon Supreme Court heard Thursday.
• Unmarked mystery plane spurs wonderment An unmarked Boeing 757 caught some attention at the Whitehorse airport on Wednesday as it became in essence a UFO.
• Youth commemorating liberation A local high school student is in Holland as part of the Canadian delegation attending the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Canada's liberation of the Dutch people.
• Canol oil refinery closed 60 years ago Ed note: Over the next several Fridays, longtime Whitehorse resident Pat Ellis will contribute articles on the history and building of the shortlived Canol oil refinery in Whitehorse, which closed in 1945.
• New society announces twin market plans The newly-formed Fireweed Community Market Society is inviting everyone to visit the Downtown Market, opening at Shipyards Park on Thursday, May 12, from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.
• Crane needed to construct fabricated Rotary bridge The Rotary Centennial Bridge is ready for construction, but the latest delay will see it wait until a crane can be brought into the site.
• Smoking dominates meeting on school's future A public meeting held at F.H. Collins Secondary School on Wednesday night to discuss how to promote healthy living amongst the students turned into a debate about the school's smoking pit.
• Athletes' village quote out of context: Jenkins Earlier this week, CHON-FM broadcast an interview with Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon saying the athletes' village for the 2007 Winter Games won't be built in time.
• Strategy reflects NDP values, Hardy says The Yukon chapter of the Northern Strategy looks more like an NDP platform than the work of the Yukon Party, says Opposition Leader Todd Hardy.
• Grits a huge disappointment: Tory challenger Graham Lang has thrown his name into the hat in hopes of winning a nomination from the Conservative party to run as its candidate in the next federal election.
• Accused's records released The media have gained access to the confidential records of Justina Ellis. The 22-year-old Dawson City woman was charged with second-degree murder after her seven-week-old daughter was found in a trash can last August.
• Tourism industry rewards topnotch efforts Trends in tourism, raising the bar in industry standards, marketing updates and becoming a competitive employer were among the highlights of a recent major tourism gathering.
• Tributes planned for veterans Yukoners will recognize local veterans and the sacrifices they made with a ceremony, parade and reception on Sunday.

May 5, 2005

• Court hears details of death scene A murdered Dawson City man was shot twice at close range in the nearby gold fields on Aug. 28, 2003, Yukon Supreme Court heard Wednesday. That man was Robert Truswell.
• Jenkins reminds Yukoners about health spending Health Minister Peter Jenkins called a press conference this morning regarding the positive investments the government is making to the territory's health care system.
• Government agrees to alter bridge proposals deadline The two companies bidding on the planned Dawson City bridge have asked that the closing date for the request for proposals be pushed back. The Yukon government has agreed to do that.
• Police asking for names for horses The RCMP are asking children to help name six baby horses that will be born this spring at the police force's breeding farm in Pakenham, Ont. Some of those horses may one day be part of the RCMP's famed Musical Ride.
• Complainants spoke of allegations, trial told The two complainants in the alleged indecent assault case against Copperbelt MLA Haakon Arntzen had disclosed their experiences to people they knew, Yukon Supreme Court heard Wednesday afternoon.
• Rollover claims Alaskan's life An 80-year-old Juneau, Alaska-area man died in a traffic accident along the South Klondike Highway Wednesday afternoon.
• College team cleaned up in the kitchen Yukon College Culinary Arts Team members received gold medals at the 2005 Western Regional Culinary Challenge, held in Edmonton April 2-3.
• Fire personnel plan open house With summer fast approaching and with it the risk of wildfires, Marsh Lake Fire Rescue has organized Saturday as a day of meetings to educate the public.

May 4, 2005

• Shooting victim had a temper, court told Robert Truswell was found dead in his truck in the Klondike gold fields, Yukon Supreme Court heard Tuesday.
• MLA's lawyer queries woman's testimony Copperbelt MLA Haakon Arntzen's lawyer questioned a complainant's evidence Tuesday while cross-examining the woman during Arntzen's indecent assault trial.
• Sour notes sound over whistle-blower law A number of all-party committees on issues like insurance and whistle blower legislation are being delayed because Liberal Leader Pat Duncan won't get onboard.
• Shutterbugs taking pictures of city life The City of Whitehorse is kicking off its new downtown planning initiative with a fun opportunity for the public to get involved.
• Full-day kindergarten imminent The Yukon government will extend the full-day kindergarten program to all Whitehorse schools in September.
• Fentie meeting other leaders in Lloydminster Premier Dennis Fentie is meeting with his northern and western colleagues at the 2005 Western Premiers' Conference in Lloydminster, Alta., today through Friday.
• Ottawa pressured for pipeline funding The Yukon government and the Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition are using the uncertainty over the Mackenzie Valley pipeline to pressure the federal government to provide funding to study the Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline's route.
• Street festival plans firming up The Longest Days Street Fair will be a month-long celebration of Whitehorse arts and heritage this summer.
• Forest week activities underway The Yukon's National Forest Week events, hosted by the Energy, Mines and Resources, forest management branch, are underway this week with activities in Whitehorse and Haines Junction.