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NEWS UPDATE: Car checks into hotel lobby; RCMP seize more drugs/weapons; Fort Liard water warning
Stay up to date with regional news while CKLB Radio staff is on annual holiday break; our offices in Yellowknife re-open January 5th
More government help for diamond mines
The GNWT is extending targeted property tax relief for diamond mines into the 2026–27 fiscal year to support near-term economic stability for workers, businesses, and Northern communities during a period of continued global market and trade uncertainty.
The extension builds on temporary measures introduced in 2025 and reflects ongoing pressures facing the global diamond industry, including volatile markets, trade disruptions, and elevated operating costs, stated a release.
The GNWT’s decision is intended to reduce the risk of sudden economic disruption while longer-term economic transition and diversification work continues.
As with the 2025 measures, this extension is time-limited and comes with clear expectations around transparency and accountability.
The Government of Canada recently announced a $115 million loan to the Ekati Diamond Mine through the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility to help maintain operations and protect northern jobs amid trade uncertainty.
Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek stated: “As with our previous measures, this relief is temporary and comes with clear expectations that benefits support NWT workers, businesses, and Indigenous partners.”
Impaired driving complaint in Hay River leads to drug and weapons seizure
A person already on bail for previous charges, is in custody after a complaint of an impaired motorist led to the seizure of drugs and weapons.
On December 20th, at approximately 12:33 pm Hay River RCMP received a report of a driver slumping over the wheel of a vehicle in a parking lot downtown.
Officers responded and began an impaired driving investigation, stated a release.
The driver was subsequently arrested, at which point officers located small quantities of suspected crack-cocaine and suspected fentanyl, as well as over $4,600 in cash.
A search warrant was obtained and executed on the vehicle, leading to the further seizure of various weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun, cell phones and other drug paraphernalia. An imitation handgun was also seized.
As a result, 32-year-old Isaac Salopree, already out on bail at the time of his arrest, has been charged with:
- Ten counts of failure to comply with release order conditions;
- Five counts of carrying a concealed weapon;
- Four counts of possessing of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
- Two counts for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking;
- And other charges.
Impaired-by-drug charges are pending the results of a laboratory analysis.
Salopree appeared before the court for a bail hearing and was subsequently remanded.
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- Inuvik RCMP have charged two teenagers from B.C. after seizing a loaded firearm, cash and drugs at a residence in the community on December 22nd. (Photo: RCMP)
Loads handgun, cash and drugs seized in Inuvik
Inuvik RCMP have charged two British Columbia youths after seizing a firearm, cash and drugs at a residence in the community.
On December 22nd, Inuvik RCMP responded to a request for a well-being check on an individual who had not been heard from in several days, stated a release.
While following up on a tip that the person had been seen at an apartment on Bompas Street, officers were allowed into the apartment by the tenant, where a pistol was observed in plain view.
Two unidentified youths were found in the apartment were subsequently arrested.
A search warrant was obtained and executed on the apartment.
In total, police recovered approximately 10 grams of suspected crack-cocaine, a loaded handgun and prohibited magazine, 5 cell phones and over $13,000 cash.
As a result, a 15-year-old male and a 17-year-old male, both of British Columbia, have been charged with:
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; and
- Possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm with ammunition without licence.
The 15-year-old is further charged with failure to comply with a probation order and three counts disobeying an order of the court.
The 17-year-old, who was already out on bail at the time of his arrest, is further charged with two counts of failure to comply with a release order.
Both were held for a bail hearing and were kept in custody.
Precautionary water advisory for Fort Liard
The Chief Environmental Health Officer is advising residents of Fort Liard to take simple steps to reduce exposure to Trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water.
Recent laboratory-based testing from the Hamlet of Fort Liard, reviewed by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer, confirms that total THM levels in treated drinking water are above Health Canada’s guideline, stated a release.
This advisory is precautionary.
The health risk is considered minimal, as only long-term (over 70 years) exposure to THMs is expected to cause serious illness.
The main THM found is chloroform. Health effects from chloroform happen at much higher levels above 1,400 micrograms per litre. THM levels in Fort Liard have likely been higher for some time, but they have never reached the level where chloroform could cause health effects.
Use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter that says it removes THMs. Look for the words “Trihalomethane or THM removal” on the box. Filters can be pour-over, countertop, faucet mount, or under-sink.
Use filtered or bottled water for cooking.
Tap water can be used to wash fruits and vegetables.
And some good news — for someone
Western Canada Lottery Corporation states that a ticket bought somewhere in the NWT won $107,393 in Christmas Eve’s Lotto 6/49 draw.
Three tickets (NWT, Edmonton and Winnipeg) matched five out of six numbers and the bonus ball in Wednesday evening’s draw.
The numbers drawn were 2, 19, 20, 22, 42, 47 and bonus ball 35.
