Tara Edith Haogak-Green became the territory's official New Year's baby. Delivered at Inuvik Regional Hospital, Green was welcomed by Aklavik parents Jessica Haogak and Terrance Ruben Green Sr., of Paulatuk, at 8:26 p.m., New Year's Day.
Yellowknife's first newcomer of 2018 arrived at 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 2. A baby, whose gender and other information wasn't available by deadline, was born at Stanton Territorial Hospital, stated a GNWT spokesperson in an email. No babies were delivered at
Stanton on New Year's Day.
Community foundation marks milestone
Yellowknife Community Foundation promises "exciting announcements" for this, its 25th year.
One of which is the foundation's 25th Silver Anniversary Gala, to be held at the Explorer Hotel on Feb. 10. Tickets for that event are available at For Men Only, in the lower level of YK1 Mall. A portion
of the $150 ticket is tax deductible.
The screening of a documentary to accompany the anniversary is also on tap.
– Brendan Burke
Chair of liquor board appointed
Former chief federal prosecutor Sandra Aitken has been named chair of the liquor licensing board by GNWT Minister of Finance Robert C. McLeod.The liquor board regulates the conduct of license holders and manages the conditions liquor may be sold and consumed.
Aitken has been a member of the Law Society of The Northwest Territories' discipline committee for 20 years. Aitken's role as chair took effect as of Dec. 15, 2017.
– Michael Hugall
De Beers plans final closure of Snap Lake
De Beers Canada has told the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board it intends to prepare a final closure plan for Snap Lake Mine.
The diamond company asked on Dec. 14 to skip filing an interim closure and reclamation plan, which would have been due Jan. 30, 2018, and to instead file a final closure plan in 2019.
In his letter to the land and water board, Erik Madsen, general manager of De Beers Canada, stated the decision to close the mine was "extremely difficult, however has become necessary as the mine remains uneconomic."
Snap Lake, situated 220 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, began commercial production in January 2008, but was mothballed in 2015.
– Sidney Cohen