Hay River has just received a boost to their housing economy.

The Hay River Town Council recently announced that the community has been given a grant from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation for their Housing Acceleration Program. The grant is worth $2 million, and are being put towards a 3-year term with a goal of building 30 new houses over that time.

This program has several strategies that they will be employing to achieve their goal, including:

• Create a development system that supports Additional Dwelling Units,
• Incentivize the development of underused/idle lands, with an emphasis on the development of multi-unit residential,
• Amend bylaws and policies to support development of residential units in the downtown core, with emphasis on multi-unit development,
• Incorporate update floodplain mapping,
• Amend zoning bylaw and policies to promote the development of transitional housing units for vulnerable populations,
• Reduce the carbon footprint of new unit construction, with a preference for multi-unit development,
• Development of a disincentive program to ensure that no vacant units or underdeveloped/idle lands remain within the municipal boundaries,
• Streamline the development process by delegating authorities to staff and exploring technology to support the process,
• Develop an incentive program to encourage infill and increased density in existing residential areas.

In a statement, Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson shared that the Town Council was happy to receive this support, and are excited to continue their efforts to increase the number of safe, diverse, and affordable housing in Hay River.

“This is an important next step to advance key housing initiatives identified in our Community Strategic Housing Plan.”

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As ice continues to melt across the Territory and the days grow warmer, Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson believes that her community won’t face the same challenges they have in the last few years.

In regards to the possibility of once again facing fires this year, Mayor Jameson had this to say.

“I’m very confident that we’re in a good place. I don’t think that there is a huge threat to our community. Like I’ve said before, there’s a whole bunch of hectares that stand between us and what’s coming at us, and there’s a lake on the other side.”

“We’re not going to see what we saw last year, that’s for sure. Should there be fires that come at the community, I’m totally confident that we’ll be able to defend the community from them.”

As for water levels, and the possibility of facing more floods, Mayor Jameson isn’t too worried about that either.

“As for water, there is no water. Ice jamming is always a possibility, however, with how much water, there just isn’t any in the basin, and there isn’t any here. Our lake is at record lows.”

Jameson stated that she’s feeling cautiously optimistic on both fronts.

When asked if there is anything that Hay River residents can do to help keep the community as safe as possible, Jameson said that firesmarting homes is likely the best option, as well as making sure vehicles have at least half a tank of gas in them, should the need ever arise.

While she restated her confidence that Hay River will have a nice, quiet year, she reiterated that residents should still be ready and prepared.

The post Hay River Mayor Confident in Peaceful Summer appeared first on My True North Now.

Due to dry conditions in the area, the Town of Fort Smith has just instituted a partial fire ban for the immediate area.

Similar to the ban issued in Fort Smith, Hay River’s ban revokes any burning or burn permits other than in an approved fire pit.

Approved fire pits must be placed at least ten feet away from any building, must be at least 1 metre wide, and half a metre tall. They must also come with a spark arresting mesh, to prevent stray sparks from floating away.

More details will be shared if they become available.

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The Town of Hay River has shared the steps they have been taking to prepare for another season of potential fires and floods.

The Town has been working alongside the Local Emergency Management Organization and several other GNWT departments to develop multiple preparedness strategies to make sure residents are kept safe.

Public communication plans have been developed, and a special preparedness meeting is being planned for sometime in April that will inform the public of what risks currently exist and what preparations are in place. The Town was also working on an enhanced firesmarting program, with information expected to be publicly available in the coming days.

The main firebreak on the west side of the community has been doubled in size since the last fire event. It has been extended from the Don Wright ballpark to the Hay River Regional Health Centre and will be maintained at that size. Cut lines have also been established to provide easier access for emergency workers to get where they need to go.

Designs for improvements to the drainage system along Airport Road have been completed. Applications are being submitted for funding for this project, and the results are expected to be announced later this year.

Residents will once again be able to take part in the sandbagging program, and improvements are being made to the evacuee hosting procedures to help with capacity.

Many more actions are being taken, and the Town, LEMO, and the GNWT are staying diligent with monitoring the surrounding areas for any signs of these emergency situations.

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Two people were recently charged in Hay River after being caught with various drug supplies and firearms.

Local officers were conducting routine patrols on April 3rd when they noticed an individual carry a firearm into a vehicle and conceal it. Police then conducted a traffic stop, and their investigation revealed that none of the occupants had a Possession and Acquisition License, and were each taken into custody.

Police were also able to find around 27 grams of what is suspected to be cocaine, as well as trafficking supplies, bear spray, illicit cannabis, and the previously mentioned firearm along with 100 rounds of ammunition.

After the investigation, the two occupants of the vehicle have received various charges.

21-year-old Tyrone Stephens of Hay River has been charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)

27-year-old Skylar Constant of Hay River has been charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Possession of a weapon contrary to a weapons prohibition order
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)

Both suspects made an appearance before a Justice of the Peace and were placed back into custody.

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A Hay River woman and two individuals from BC have received numerous charges after a multi-day evasion from the RCMP.

On March 27^th, Hay River officers tried to pull over a vehicle for a traffic offense, but the vehicle sped away down a residential street. The officers elected to not engage in a pursuit, and later discovered the vehicle had collided with a signpost. The occupants had fled the scene on foot, and only a firearm was recovered from the crash.

On March 28^th, officers were informed that a person had been injured and was being held hostage at a local residence. Police arrived at the scene and entered the residence where three people were arrested, and the victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. One of the arrests was determined to be the driver of the vehicle from the day before.

A search of the residence revealed a number of drug trafficking supplies. A proper search warrant was quickly acquired, resulting in police finding around 700 grams of suspected crack-cocaine, one firearm and a replica firearm, along with more than $17,000. The money is believed to have been made through criminal means.

40-year-old Trisha Tambour of Hay River is charged with one count of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in relation to the cocaine. She was released from custody on an Undertaking, and will appear in Hay River Territorial Court on June 17^th.

As for the other two suspects, 21-year-old Hindowa Sama from British Columbia has been charged with:

• Aggravated Assault
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Careless Use of a Firearm
• Forcible Confinement
• 2 counts of Failure to Comply with a Release Order
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)

He has already made an appearance before a Justice of the Peace, and will appear in court again on April 2^nd.

19-year-old Evan Rochon, also from British Columbia, has been charged with:

• Aggravated Assault
• 2 counts of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• 5 counts of Failure to Comply with a Release Order
• Forcible Confinement
• 2 counts of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Flight From a Peace Officer

His next court appearance will be on April 3^rd.

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The Hay River RCMP have arrested and charged a local woman after a traffic stop revealed a considerable amount of drugs inside her vehicle.

On March 22^nd, an officer on a routine patrol noticed a vehicle on Woodland Drive that was in violation of the Motor Vehicles Equipment Regulations. During the following traffic stop, the officer became convinced that there may have been drugs in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 76 grams of what is suspected to be crack-cocaine, and other paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.

The 21-year-old driver has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, and also received an unrelated ticket for a Motor Vehicle Act offence.

She has been released from custody, and is awaiting a court date on May 27^th.

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A man in Hay River was arrested after he set off a firearm at a house party.

Local officers were informed of the incident in the early morning hours of March 20^th. Officers arrived at a residence within the K’atl’odeeche First Nation Reserve, where they found that the male suspect had fired the gun after a confrontation at the party.

Nobody was injured, and the suspect, 28-year-old Ryan Beaulieu, was arrested without incident. He has been charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm, contrary to section 91(3) of the Criminal Code
• Careless use of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code
• Weapons Possession Contrary to Order, contrary to section 117.01(3) of the Criminal Code
• Failure to Comply with Probation Order, contrary to section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code
• Common Nuisance Endangering Life, contrary to section 180(1) of the Criminal Code
• Disobeying Order of the Court, contrary to section 127(1) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, contrary to section 88(2) of the Criminal Code

Beaulieu appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was remanded into custody. His next court appearance is set for April 2^nd.

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The Hay River RCMP recently completed a search warrant on a residence within the community that was believed to be involved with selling stolen property.

Once the warrant was executed, police were able to seize a large quantity of suspected fentanyl, as well as crack-cocaine, and numerous other pieces of stolen goods.

Police have charged 21-year-old Destiny Smallgeese and 34-year-old John Antoine with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000.

Two other individuals, 31-year-old Markara Bun and 38-year-old Savy You of Ontario have been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000, and two counts each of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, one for the cocaine, and one for the fentanyl.

Smallgeese and You were released on Undertakings in order to appear in court on May 13^th. Bun will remain in custody until an appearance before a Justice of the Peace, while Antoine has a Hay River court appearance on April 29^th.

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The Marine Transportation Services in Hay River have set their dates and rates for customer cargo for the 2024 sailing season.

These changes relate to the final dates that MTS will take in cargo for delivery to the various NWT and Nunavut communities that they serve, and how much they will charge for sending that cargo along.

The final date that cargo will be accepted in Hay River is June 15^th. The only exception is cargo that is bound for Łutselkʼe, which will be accepted until August 1^st.

The June date has been set to allow MTS to load up their barges in order to be ready to sail earlier in the season, when water levels will be higher along the Mackenzie River. The reason Łutselkʼe is exempt is because it is not expected that the water levels on the Great Slave Lake will have an impact on those supply routes.

As for the rates for cargo, they have been increased by 4.5 percent, as based on the Consumer Price Index.

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