Local News

Captain Dick Stevenson invented the Sourtoe Cocktail after allegedly finding the severed toe of a frostbitten rum-runner preserved in alcohol. (Submitted/Downtown Hotel)

Famed Dawson City drink hits milestone birthday

The party features door prizes and an ash ceremony for the inventor of the drink, who died in 2019

Captain Dick Stevenson invented the Sourtoe Cocktail after allegedly finding the severed toe of a frostbitten rum-runner preserved in alcohol. (Submitted/Downtown Hotel)
The main causes of unplanned summer power outages in the Yukon include major weather events, equipment malfunctions and loss of supply from Yukon Energy. (Yukon News file)

Yukon suffers increased power disruptions in recent months

June 2023 saw a 27 per cent increase in unplanned outages compared to the same period last year

The main causes of unplanned summer power outages in the Yukon include major weather events, equipment malfunctions and loss of supply from Yukon Energy. (Yukon News file)
Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky as sandhill cranes feed with houseboats in the distance in Yellowknife on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Residents of Yellowknife are being asked to evacuate the city by Friday, Aug. 18 at noon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski We

BREAKING: Evacuation order issued for Yellowknife

The Northwest Territories’ capital is to be cleared by Friday at noon due to approaching wildfires.

Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky as sandhill cranes feed with houseboats in the distance in Yellowknife on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Residents of Yellowknife are being asked to evacuate the city by Friday, Aug. 18 at noon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski We
Crystal Schick/Yukon News
Garbage Truck Santa gives out a big wave near his truck in Whitehorse on Dec. 17. With COVID-19 precautions in place, Santa was able  to do his annual Whitehorse driving tour for the 29th year.

Yukon artist Jim Robb immortalizes Whitehorse’s Garbage Truck Santa

Robb’s painting of Garbage Truck Santa also features another iconic Yukoner — Andy Hooper

Crystal Schick/Yukon News
Garbage Truck Santa gives out a big wave near his truck in Whitehorse on Dec. 17. With COVID-19 precautions in place, Santa was able  to do his annual Whitehorse driving tour for the 29th year.
Whitehorse RCMP is investigating after someone threw a Molotov cocktail into Tags Food & Gas in downtown Whitehorse on Aug. 10. (Matthew Bossons/Yukon New)

Whitehorse gas station attacked with petrol bomb

The manager of Tags Food & Gas is critical of the RCMP’s response

Whitehorse RCMP is investigating after someone threw a Molotov cocktail into Tags Food & Gas in downtown Whitehorse on Aug. 10. (Matthew Bossons/Yukon New)
A black bear is seen at F.H. Collins Secondary School in Riverdale on Aug. 14. Michel Emery said he’s been working at the school since 2016 and this was the first time he’s seen a bear at the school. (Courtesy/Michel Emery)

Bear sightings across Yukon prompt calls for caution

Reports of bruins coming in from Whistlebend, Porter Creek, Riverdale and Takhini in Whitehorse

A black bear is seen at F.H. Collins Secondary School in Riverdale on Aug. 14. Michel Emery said he’s been working at the school since 2016 and this was the first time he’s seen a bear at the school. (Courtesy/Michel Emery)
An image of the burned area left by the Talbot Creek Fire. (Yukon Protective Services/Facebook)

Evacuation orders lifted for Mayo and Old Crow

Residents begin returning home as fires are calmed

An image of the burned area left by the Talbot Creek Fire. (Yukon Protective Services/Facebook)
The provincial financial crime team in Alberta has charged Dawson City resident Melissa Jensen Webb with six offences, including fraud over $5,000 and unauthorized use of a computer to commit fraud. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Dawson resident charged for embezzling nearly $20,000

The former CRA employee allegedly embezzled funds from COVID-19-relief programs

The provincial financial crime team in Alberta has charged Dawson City resident Melissa Jensen Webb with six offences, including fraud over $5,000 and unauthorized use of a computer to commit fraud. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
An empty classroom at Selkirk Elementary School is seen on Oct. 20, 2022. An Education department spokesperson said schools can adjust learning groups and teaching assignments and use teachers on call to make up for teacher shortages this school year. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)

Yukon schools without teachers in classrooms can adjust: Education department

Affected schools told to tweak learning groups and teaching assignments and use teachers on call

An empty classroom at Selkirk Elementary School is seen on Oct. 20, 2022. An Education department spokesperson said schools can adjust learning groups and teaching assignments and use teachers on call to make up for teacher shortages this school year. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)
A Yukon Wildland Fire patch pictured on June 9, 2022. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)

Mayo evacuation order rescinded

Residents who had been evacuated to Whitehorse can return home

A Yukon Wildland Fire patch pictured on June 9, 2022. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)
The empty space after the wooden structure was removed (Courtesy/Hidden Valley Elementary School)
The empty space after the wooden structure was removed (Courtesy/Hidden Valley Elementary School)
Federal Liberal members of parliament provide the backdrop for a press conference in Whitehorse about money for Indigenous-led tourism on Aug. 9. Yukon Tourism and Culture Minister John Streicker, seen at the podium, said it’s important to celebrate things like Indigenous-led tourism, even while wildfires in parts of the territory burn. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)

Federal ministers, MPs retreat to Whitehorse

Mine tour, climate emergency and Indigenous tourism juggled amid travel advisories and evacuations

Federal Liberal members of parliament provide the backdrop for a press conference in Whitehorse about money for Indigenous-led tourism on Aug. 9. Yukon Tourism and Culture Minister John Streicker, seen at the podium, said it’s important to celebrate things like Indigenous-led tourism, even while wildfires in parts of the territory burn. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)
A lightbulb glows on Aug. 10. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling on the Yukon Utilities Board to reject ATCO Electric Yukon’s proposed electricity rate hike. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)

Utilities board asked to reject ATCO Electric Yukon’s proposed rate hike

Canadian Federation of Independent Business wants rates to be frozen or implemented gradually

A lightbulb glows on Aug. 10. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling on the Yukon Utilities Board to reject ATCO Electric Yukon’s proposed electricity rate hike. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)
Whitehorse firefighters respond to a fuel spill at the North 60 Petro station near Walmart on Aug. 10. The spill resulted in a brief suspension of service after the gas station’s emergency shut-off was triggered. (Matthew Bossons/Yukon News)

Firefighters respond to fuel spill at Whitehorse gas station

It is unknown how much gasoline spilled on the ground

Whitehorse firefighters respond to a fuel spill at the North 60 Petro station near Walmart on Aug. 10. The spill resulted in a brief suspension of service after the gas station’s emergency shut-off was triggered. (Matthew Bossons/Yukon News)
A portion of the Kathleen River above Lower Kathleen Lake. (Matthew Bossons/Yukon News)

5 paddlers rescued by helicopter after accident on Kathleen River

The Kathleen River is known among paddlers as a dangerous stretch of water

A portion of the Kathleen River above Lower Kathleen Lake. (Matthew Bossons/Yukon News)
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WYATT’S WORLD

Wyatt’s World for Aug. 11, 2023.

  • Aug 11, 2023
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Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Sean Smith, right, and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Chief Dawna Hope were among those who spoke to reporters about Yukon Communities that had been evacuated due to wildfire as of Aug. 10 and the efforts to support evacuees in Whitehorse. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)

Work ongoing to protect evacuated Yukon communities

Most residents leave Old Crow and Mayo. Support offered in Whitehorse

Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Sean Smith, right, and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Chief Dawna Hope were among those who spoke to reporters about Yukon Communities that had been evacuated due to wildfire as of Aug. 10 and the efforts to support evacuees in Whitehorse. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)
The Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch House is being used as a gathering place for evacuees staying open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. (Kwanlin Dün First Nation/Facebook)

Yukoners pitch in to help evacuees

Potlatch house opened as a gathering place. Donations of food, toys and hygiene products accepted

The Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch House is being used as a gathering place for evacuees staying open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. (Kwanlin Dün First Nation/Facebook)
Propane tanks and power generators at the Minto mine site, which was inspected on April 26, prior to its abandonment by Minto Metals Corp. (Screenshot/Department of Energy, Mines and Resources inspection report)

Minto Metals Corp.’s debt racks up to at least $70M: document

Document shows company that abruptly left Minto mine site in May has $76 million in assets

Propane tanks and power generators at the Minto mine site, which was inspected on April 26, prior to its abandonment by Minto Metals Corp. (Screenshot/Department of Energy, Mines and Resources inspection report)
The procurement website is seen on Aug. 8. (Screenshot/Website)

Yukon government is reducing procurement transparency, Official Opposition says

Bids and tenders website now limits access to certain bid information to account holders

The procurement website is seen on Aug. 8. (Screenshot/Website)