Whitehorse Daily Star

December 2, 2020

• It’s lights out for signals’ immediate activation The COVID-19 pandemic is having some unexpected ripple effects on public safety in the Hillcrest neighbourhood.
• Many pent-up issues discussed during forum As many as 38 residents, along with the five town councillors, attended a Zoom Community Forum on Nov. 23.
• COVID-19 drive-thru extended Drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be extended for two weeks at the Centennial Motors ex-wash bay location, with further extension at a possible new location into 2021.
• Housing needs called a difficult dilemma The city faces hard choices when it comes to providing for new housing developments, says an administrative report presented to city council at its meeting Monday.
• 2014 murder remains unsolved Long-time Whitehorse resident Allan Donald Waugh was 69 when he was killed in his home.
• YEU sees ‘recipe for potential tragedy’ at shelter The Yukon government will be looking into staff training and working conditions at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter (WES) following a strongly-worded letter from two local labour unions and some pointed questions in the legislature during question period Tuesday.
• ‘Not my finest or my best hour,’ Curtis says Mayor Dan Curtis offered regret and an apology to Coun. Laura Cabott at Monday’s city council meeting.

December 1, 2020

• Government rejects bid for road for exploration project The decision by the Yukon government to reject an application by ATAC Resources for an all-season road into a major exploration project has sent shock waves through the industry.
• Senator raises air controllers’ status with officials Yukon Senator Pat Duncan has questioned Transport Canada officials about Nav Canada’s potential curtailment or withdrawal of air traffic control services at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.
• Masks take effect, but potential enforcement downplayed Today marks the first day that masks are mandatory in the Yukon, but enforcement will be a last resort.
• Appointment creates all-female Supreme Court For the first time, the Supreme Court of Yukon is comprised of three resident judges who are women.

November 30, 2020

• Games Centre contract OKed A $494,333 contract for Budget Plumbing and Heating to upgrade the heat recovery system at the Canada Games Centre was approved by council at its meeting last Monday.
• Bill would curtail a government’s CEMA actions The Yukon Party is introducing a private bill intended to limit the ability of any Yukon government to manage the Civil Emergencies Act (CEMA) without additional public oversight.
• Gold mine’s lifespan put at 25 to 30 years The future for Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Mine near Mayo is bright, company president John McConnell told the Yukon Geoscience Forum last week.
• Lighting the way A giant snowman will greet those attending the Winter Wonderland Walk at the Meadow Lakes Golf Course.
• Charges laid against commercial vehicle drivers The RCMP and government officials were in Watson Lake two weeks ago for a four-day commercial vehicle enforcement blitz, with check stops set up at multiple locations each day.
• Yukon government unveils more help for tourism industry The Yukon government is introducing two new programs to act as safety nets to tide tourism-based businesses over the next few months of the pandemic.
• Exposure alerts out as COVID cases climb to 46 Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, confirmed one new case of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the territory’s total to 46 cases.
• Major improvements set for Mt. Sima The federal and territorial governments are teaming up to make local alpine skiers’ lives a little whiter and brighter.