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NEWS BRIEFS: Accused killer learns fate Thursday

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Kevin Mantla – charged in connection with a bloody 2015 attack at a Yellowknife apartment – will learn his fate Thursday. Mantla, 38, is charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Prosecutors allege Mantla carried out a stabbing at his ex-girlfriend's Lanky Court apartment unit in the early hours of Sept. 28, 2015 – injuring her and claiming the life of her partner Elvis Lafferty.

The Crown presented its case against Mantla during a three-week long trial that wrapped up in mid-February.

Mantla's ex-girlfriend, who suffered numerous stab wounds, testified the accused made death threats to her and Lafferty before flying to Yellowknife.

Mantla will learn if he's found guilty of the charges brought against him when Justice Louise Charbonneau makes her decision in NWT Supreme Court.

– Brendan Burke

Notley skips conference

The premiers of western Canada are meeting in Yellowknife this week – except for Rachel Notley.

The Alberta leader skipped the meeting hosted by NWT Premier Bob McLeod to focus on getting the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion built.

"It would be surreal and exceptionally tone deaf for anyone to think we could politely discuss pharmacare and cannabis when one of the players is hard at work trying to choke the economic lifeblood of the province and the country," Notley tweeted on Monday.

British Columbia, under Premier John Horgan, is attempting to block the Kinder Morgan project. Notley wrote that Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman will attend this year's conference in her stead.

The GNWT would not release details about the meeting's agenda nor topics of discussion ahead of a media briefing later this morning.

– Sidney Cohen

Aurora College president resigns

After six years as president of Aurora College, Jane Arychuk has resigned from her position, effective May 31, stated a GNWT news release late yesterday.

Arychuk started as interim president of Aurora College in July 2012 and became its president in December 2012.

Education Minister Caroline Cochrane has appointed Jeff O'Keefe, currently vice-president student affairs at the college, as interim president until a permanent successor is found.

It's not known if Arychuk's departure has anything to do with a review assessing the college's governance programming and accountability, expected to be released soon.

– James O'Connor

Odd Job Squad ready to roll

The Odd Job Squad is a brand new initiative scheduled to launch today, by Yellowknife Association for Community Living's employment services.

The project seeks to assist under-employed individuals who self-identify with a disability to derive a small income from one-time or short-term work while they search for permanent employment, stated a news release.

Employers and households are wanted who may offer casual or temporary employment at or above minimum wage of $13.46 per hour.

Contact project manager Junn Gesmundo at employability@ykacl.ca or call 445-6967.

– James O'Connor