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The Draconid meteor showers will be peaking tonight!
Although this year's installment of the Draconid showers won't be the most exciting, Astronomy Lecturer Gary Boyle says it won't be too hard to catch a glimpse.
"The great thing too is that you don't have to wait until about two o clock in the morning as per other showers. As soon as it gets dark enough, step outside and look up, and you should hopefully see something. Because the Draco is really between the big and little dipper up in northern part of the sky, so it's accessible as the sky darkens."
Boyle explains what precisely a meteor shower is and why you should look up tonight.
"Meteor showers are bits of debris from comets. In the case of the Dracoinds coming up, it's a very small meteor shower, not too many per hour, only about ten per hour or less as opposed to what we had in the summertime with the Perseids and coming up in December for the Geminid. They are going to very slow-moving meteors, only about 20 km per second, which seems fast but very slow compared to others. Also, the moon will not interfere this year, so anyone outside walking the dog or taking a stroll will squint and notice a meteor or two, it's not a great shower, but any excuse to get out under the stars to look up at the milky way, at the planets and the southwestern horizon is always a good excuse."
The forecast is calling for a partly cloudy evening for tonight's Draconid peak, but don't worry... the Draconids will continue to be visible for the next few days.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
The Association representing the University of Manitoba Faculty (UMFA) says that they want salaries more in line with other universities in the country.
So much so, they're willing to strike to get what they say is only fair.
UMFA President Orvie Dingwall expressed frustration with the situation,
"The University of Manitoba Faculty Association has been bargaining with the university since August 5th of this year, but the crux of the current issue is our negations on salary. We have had our wages frozen since 2016 and have had the government interfering in our bargaining since then, and this is really the first opportunity we've had to try to freely and fairly negotiate on salaries."
She went on to preach the importance of job and education security,
"Our members want to provide stability for students, we know it's been very hard on them being at university virtually during the pandemic, and we're calling on administration to come to the bargaining table with a reasonable offer so that students can continue their term and their year uninterrupted."
UMFA's president says the two sides met earlier this week and will continue talks today,
"It's always a good sign when the bargaining teams are at the table. UMFA is certainly committed to reaching a deal before we have to take a strike vote. UMFA is really committed to keeping students in their classes and hopes that the administration is as well."
Lastly, Dingwall shared an impactful message about the union not wanting to see students and their education suffer from these negations,
"We know they're the future of our province; they're our future nurses and doctors, economists, musicians and engineers. All the people that are going to help us come out of this pandemic and to provide a stable economy and a vibrant Manitoba going forward."
The union authorized a strike vote on Wednesday.
And unless both sides come to an agreement prior to the vote, it will take place from October 16th to 18th, with results coming in on the 19th.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Manitobans can now apply for medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Joss Reimer, Medical Lead for the Vaccine Implementation Task Force says the first step people need to take is talking to their healthcare provider.
"If the specialist agrees they will submit the exemption to Manitoba Health and Seniors care. Only licenced specialists can submit that to us. There's a secure way for them to share it with us, and that information is only provided to the specialists who are able to do that."
Some situations where an exemption might be considered include having a severe reaction to the first dose, receiving treatment that prevents immune response, or if there was a severe allergy to the vaccine.
Reimer says the card exempt Manitobans will receive will be the exact same as those for people who are fully vaccinated.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Hoof 'N' Holler Weekend kicks off this Friday in Ste. Rose.
Hoof 'N' Holler Committee member Ashley Vandepoele says she’s really excited to go forward with this year’s events.
“We’re really excited to be able to bring something to our community. We know that it’s a lot smaller than we’ve done in past years, but we’re just looking forward to seeing the community together, and out and doing some events.”
The annual parade has been cancelled this year, but Ashley says there are still many events happening.
“We’re kicking off Friday with our Diamond Disk Dog Show, we actually had them booked in 2018 but there was a snowstorm and they weren’t able to make their way here. After the dog show is the drive-in movie followed by fireworks. Saturday Charlie Brown Daycare is partnering with us for a craft sale, queen bed races down Main Street, and a scavenger hunt. Then to wrap up our weekend on Sunday we’re having a pancake breakfast where the proceeds are going towards the Ste. Amelie Ridge Riders, which is our local snowmobiling group.”
Events start Friday at 4:30 at the Ste. Rose Arena. Attendees must show proof of vaccination.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
People can nominate Parkland alumni for one of three categories:
1) Distinguished Alumni Award (up to two recipients): Awarded to college alumni who have distinguished themselves in both their chosen professions and their communities.
2) One to Watch Award: Awarded to college alumni, 35 years or younger, who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and significant contribution to their professions or communities.
3) Excellence in Education Award: Presented to a current staff or faculty member who has made an extraordinary contribution to teaching and the student experience.
Director of the ACC Parkland campus, Valerie McInnes, says she anticipates some top-notch alumni being nominated,
“I know Parkland campus offers an exceptional college experience for those in the region and has an impressive community of alumni. I look forward to hearing about the challenges and successes of those who will be nominated.”
While getting through the COVID-19 pandemic, the college could not present these awards over the past two years.
The deadline for the 2022 Parkland alumni award nominations is Friday, December 17th, 2021.
For nomination forms and more information, click here, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Justice Minister Cameron Friesen issued a press release on Tuesday regarding changes to legislation about the public consumption of cannabis.
The amendment to this law now prevents the public consumption of cannabis by ways other than smoking or vaping.
An example of these changes would be consuming cannabis in edible form.
The Manitoba government says that these changes are being made to keep our communities, children and public safe from intoxication and impairment.
These regulations will come into effect on October 15th.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Today the Government of Canada released its mandatory vaccine policy.
It was announced that it will be mandatory for all federal public servants to be vaccinated.
Starting on October 30th, the government will require federal employers to establish vaccination policies for their employees.
Federal contractors, like cleaning staff, must also be fully vaccinated to enter government buildings.
The estimated 267 thousand employees covered by this policy must report their vaccination status by October 29th.
If employees haven't had their vaccine or received an accommodation under the Canadian Human Rights Act two weeks after that date, they could lose their job.
The employees who are affected by this mandate won’t have to produce their proof of vaccination documents.
Instead, they will have to sign a form, that will be audited by their managers, certifying that they've had the necessary shots.
If an employee submits a false statement it could result in termination.
Also effective on the 30th, travellers departing from Canadian airports, and travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains will be required to be fully vaccinated in order to travel.
There will be a short transition period for travellers who are in the process of being vaccinated.
These travellers will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel.
The transition period ends on November 30th.
The government of Canada is advising any Canadians planning to travel by plane or train this Holiday season to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
A standardized, pan-Canadian proof of vaccination document for international travel is being developed.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The province has extended the Healthy Hire Program to November 15th, and the application deadline to October 30th.
This program allows employers to apply for up to $50 thousand to help cover the wages of new employees who are or are planning to get vaccinated.
Eligible employers will receive a grant equal to 50 percent of wages for a maximum of 10 employees, with a maximum of $5 thousand per employee.
More information can be found here.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
This is Mental Health Awareness Week, and there are several ongoing mental health events in the Parkland with Peer Connections Manitoba.
Eleanor Snitka who’s a community support worker with Peer Connections Manitoba says it’s been a long time, but she can finally start her peer support groups again.
“It’s on the third Monday of every month at the dauphin Senior Centre at 7 o’clock. There’s no diagnosis required. Anybody who’s experiencing some sort of mental health distress can come and share it, and get support.”
Eleanor says that she also has a grief and loss group that runs on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m., that’s also taking place at the Senior Centre.
“By grief and loss it doesn’t mean that people who’ve only experienced death in their families or with their loved ones can come. Loss can mean anything. Loss can mean the loss of a job, it can mean the loss of innocence if people have been abused.”
Peer to Peer support is available to those who live in Ste. Rose and area on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. People can show up from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Another option for people who need support, but don’t want to participate in a group setting is individual peer support.
“So if people are struggling, and they’re not ready for groups and they need some individual support I’m available to do it.”
Eleanor Snitka can be reached at 431-345-0353.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
A 16-year-old was issued tickets and a Serious Offence Notice after a speeding incident south of Roblin.
After midnight on September 26th, RCMP caught the driver going 170 km/hr in a 100 km/hr zone.
The teenager, who had a Class 5I licence, was issued tickets for speeding and driving with more than one person after midnight on a 5I licence, and given a Serious Offence Notice for a licence review with MPI.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Damage occurred to the Minell Pipeline, just west of McAuley, causing the shut-off.
The damage is reportedly due to an excavator coming into contact with a natural gas pipeline on the site.
Russell, Inglis, Roblin, Riding Mountain West, Grandview, Gilbert Plains and Dauphin are served by gas from the Minell Pipeline.
Manitoba Hydro reports no injuries and that this incident poses no threat to nearby communities.
Natural gas is venting safely, and local staff are on the scene with emergency personnel to ensure the site remains safe.
Specialized gas crews will begin repair work tomorrow morning.
Because of the warm weather we are experiencing and low natural gas usage, it's anticipated that residential customers will not experience a disruption to their service.
Manitoba Hydro has sent a compressed natural gas trailer to Dauphin from Winnipeg to help supplement gas service.
An early estimate indicates the damage will take two to three days to repair.
Manitoba Hydro said in a press release that they would update the situation further once staff performed a more thorough examination.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
