Yellowknife is in the midst of an EpiPen shortage, and new doses of the medication for life-threatening allergies may not arrive at pharmacies until early September.
However, "there is minimal impact to the NWT hospitals," stated Department of Health and Social Services this week.
"While hospitals do use the drug contained in EpiPens, epinephrine, the auto-injector format – if available – is reserved for emergent anaphylactic reactions," spokesperson Lisa Giovanetto stated in an email.
"There is currently no supply shortage of epinephrine in ampoule format, which is the type used primarily in hospitals."
Stanton Territorial Hospital does stock a limited quantity of EpiPens, in addition to the ampoules, she stated.
"Due to the shortage, (the hospital) has reviewed our small inventory and will be doing what we can to ensure quantities are made available to assist both retail pharmacies and community health centres throughout the NWT."
Last week Health Canada issued an alert stating that EpiPens are expected to be in short supply at pharmacies across Canada for the month of August.
– James O'Connor
Rangers start to receive new rifles
After some lengthy delays, the Canadian Rangers' aging arsenal of Lee Enfield rifles are being updated with more modern weaponry – .308 calibre C-19 rifles.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was in Yellowknife Monday on the first stop of a whirlwind tour of the North and he delivered the first of the rifles.
The First World War-era Lee-Enfield rifles, which the Rangers have used since 1947, will now be phased out. The C-19s are painted red to be identified by RCMP and have been tested in Northern climates.
– James O'Connor
Employment up in June, but still on downward trend
The Northwest Territories' employment rate rose by 1.6 percentage points from the previous month to 67.4 per cent in July, states labour force information released by Statistics Canada.
The number of employed persons increased for a third consecutive month to 21,900, stated the report.
There were 400 more persons employed in July, with increases in both full-time and part-time employment.
The number of persons not in the labour force dropped as more people were working or actively seeking employment.
While still following seasonal fluctuations, the employment rate has been on a downward trend. Compared to previous years, the July employment rate was the second lowest for that month since 2009.
– James O'Connor
Federal gas tax fund dollars to flow
Residents in communities across the NWT will soon benefit from federal Gas Tax Fund investments in local infrastructure, stated NWT MP Michael McLeod.
This year, the NWT will receive $16.5 million in annual funding through the indexed federal gas tax fund for municipal infrastructure such as public transit, water and wastewater, local roads, sports and recreation facilities and tourism infrastructure, he stated in a news release.
"Whether the federal Gas Tax Fund is invested to keep our roads safe and smooth, to support our public transit system or to improve residents' access to clean drinking water, it makes a difference in our communities," he stated. "I am proud that our government continues to deliver this stable long-term infrastructure funding that NWT residents can count on."
– James O'Connor
Public should avoid Sissons until Friday
Drilling will take place in the parking lot and on the playground at Ecole J.H. Sissons through Friday, Yellowknife Education District No. 1. asks that the general public to avoid going on school property during this time as it may be unsafe, it stated to a message to parents.
It would also be appreciated if any vehicles could be moved out of the parking lot for the week, stated the Yk1 notice.
– James O'Connor
Accused diamond thief to be tried in Supreme Court
An ex-Diavik Diamond Mines employee accused of pocketing pricey rough stones worth thousands of dollars will be tried in Supreme Court.
Samson Mkhitaryan, 39, is charged with theft over $5,000.
He was arrested after security at a Diavik diamond sorting plant – located near the Yellowknife airport – alerted RCMP in late February to surveillance footage showing a man placing uncut diamonds into his pocket while on the job.
According to public RCMP search warrant documents detailing the subsequent investigation, a warrant executed at Mkhitaryan's residence in early March allegedly resulted in the recovery of 29 uncut diamond in the garage.
The allegations outlined in the search warrant files have not be tested in court.
– Brendan Burke
Ace Enterprises' quarry source of billowing blaze
A structure fire that caused the Yellowknife Fire Division to dispatch all available resources Thursday originated at the Ace Enterprises' quarry on Curry Drive.
A bystander reported the blaze, which sent a large plume of black smoke into the air, just after 12:30 p.m., stated a news release from the city this week.
Employees at the facility were evacuated from the area due to reports of a significant volume of combustible liquids at the scene.
All on-call and off-duty fire department personnel, along with a tanker, pump, and a municipal enforcement vehicle – which blocked traffic on Kam Lake Road near Curry Drive – attended the scene.
No one was injured during the fire.
The territory's fire marshal is investigating the cause of Thursday's blaze.
– Brendan Burke
Win your space finalists to be announced
The finalists for the second edition of the City's Win Your Space competition are set to be announced this afternoon.
Mayor Mark Heyck will make the announcement this afternoon at 2 p.m. at Ja-pain in Center Square Mall, the winner of last year's competition.
The winner of the competition will receive up to $10,000 in start-up funds.
Heyck will announce five finalists out of pool of 13 semi-finalists.
The winner will be announced on Aug. 23 at city hall.
– Dylan Short
Local artist paints multicultural mural
Painting a picture of the diverse cultures in Yellowknife is important, says a local artist.
Melaw Nakehk'o has been painting a mural at Somba Ke Civic Plaza which will show the city's diversity.
Nakehk'o said she noticed a lack of significant art around town to reflect how much of a melting pot Yellowknife is.
"The community needs something to showcase how many cultures are present," said Nakehk'o.
Multiculturalism is shown by using a variety of colours and culturally significant symbols.
– Michael Hugall