Council has granted the Fire Hall construction project to Arctic Canada Construction at the original cost of $5.64 million. After evaluating a variety of cost-reduction measures, administration decided the cost saving measures did not outweigh the reductions in the scope of the facility and the best facility would come with the original price tag.

“As the numbers came back it was clear to us that we are proposing changes and we are only getting about a quarter of the savings,” said SAO Michael Richardson. “We’ve recommended that we proceed with the facility and originally proposed.”
Council voted in favour of moving the motion forward, with a final vote to happen May 15 at noon.

Nikki Ashton, left, and Dayna King will be issuing warrants and arresting people to raise money for Relay for Life. Warrants can be filled out at Lah Dee Dah and the arrests will be made May 24th..

Do you know someone who is guilty of a crime? Maybe they always leave the toilet seat up. Maybe they always take the last mug of coffee at work. Or maybe you just want to see them behind bars.

Well, now you have your chance to convict them.

Nikki Ashton and Dayna Haley are two of the masterminds behind the Convicted for the Cure event in support of Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.

For a donation of at least $20, irritated individuals are able to lock up their friends, family or co-workers by filling out a warrant for their arrest.

If the warrant is filled out by the end of the day on May 16, two arresting officers will pick up the guilty individual the next day, May 17, and throw them behind bars.

It may not be a real prison, but the perpetrator will be placed in a prison in the NorthMart parking lot.

They will have the opportunity to post bail, but, if the amount donated for their arrest is not matched, they will have to spend an hour in the clink.

“If they can’t raise the money, they will have to stay in jail for the full hour,” said King.

But do not worry. Should a co-worker or loved one be tossed in the slammer, you will still have the opportunity to see them during the jail’s visiting hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“We will also be having a wiener roast and bake sale,” said King.

The fundraising idea is something that Ashton said she has seen in town before, but never used to raise money for Relay for Life. And so far, the response has been positive.

“We’ve had a few workplace groups come together to get someone in the workplace convicted,” said King. “But we are still hoping for more.”

She said the arresting officers will be visiting the offenders’ places of work and reading their crimes from warrants before taking them into custody.

Those looking to fill out a warrant have until the end of the day non May 16 to head to Lah Dee Dah and grab a form.

Conner McKay-Ivanko and Declan Munro practice are usually used to playing on ice, but are so into hockey that they'll pretend on tile. The two were chosen to play in novice division triple 'A' level team in Grande Prairie for six weeks.

For most, the hockey season has ended, but for three novice players it’s only just beginning.

Hay River’s Kaden Beck, Conner McKay-Ivanko and Declan Munro have been selected to play with the North Country Storm and Stars, two AAA-level novice teams in Grande Prairie, Alta.

They will travel south weekly for six weeks to practise, play tournaments in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer, and build their hockey skills before a well-deserved summer break.

“They travel every weekend for either a practice or a tournament,” said Huskies coach Kim Ivanko.

This is the first time Beck tried out for and made the AAA level novice team, because he wanted a different opportunity from minor hockey.

Munro, who will be playing with the AAA team for the second time, said he doesn’t tire from the long weeks of school, road trips and hockey practice.

“My dad’s encouragement keeps me going,” he said.

This is McKay-Ivanko’s first time with the team.

“Our coach always says, ‘Skate hard, all the time, every time,’” he said.

The three were among 70 players trying out for spots.

Terrence Courtoreille coached the three eight-year-olds for two years.

“The coaches down south would definitely be looking for technique, leadership skills and also a level of maturity,” said Courtoreille. “Those three have all of those characteristics.”

They have already attended a tournament – the Edmonton Cup on the weekend of April 28 – and a practice in Grande Prairie. They will also be heading to a tournament in Calgary on May 19 and another later in Red Deer.

Next year, the three will be moving up a division to atoms.

Northern bush pilot, Arnie Schreder died early in the morning on May 5 after a long fight with small-cell lung cancer.

Schreder, 69, was chief pilot at Buffalo Airways, as seen on Ice Pilots NWT before he retired and moved to British Columbia in 2010.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday in Winfield, B.C.

A chartered Buffalo plane will then bring Arnie’s ashes and his family to Yellowknife on Friday for a final send off on Saturday at 2 p.m. The fuel to British Columbia is being donated by Adlair and the return flight’s fuel by Omni Films.

Mikey McBryan, who spoke on behalf of Buffalo Airways, said Schreder played an important role during his time at the
company and is missed by all.

“Arnie was our chief pilot for just over seven years,” said McBryan. “He was a very integral part of things. He taught everybody how to fly.”

“He flew basically every airplane we had. He was just an amazing talent when it came to flying.”

McBryan said it was very fortunate that several crew members were able to spend time with Schreder only a few weeks ago as they were down in British Columbia doing water bomber training.

“It was good, they all got to have supper together,” said McBryan.

Though Schreder is missed, McBryan said that they all share fond memories of the man who helped mould the young pilots.

“We had hoped that one day he’d come back and fly,” he said. “He flew every day he could and he was so happy about that.”