Culture days events planned for weekend

Dauphin's Culture Days continue this weekend with a number of events.

Jean-Louis Guillas is one of the organizers of Dauphin Culture Days and says festivities begin Friday night with an open mic event at the Watson Arts Centre starting at 7 pm

"It is an ongoing series, but we are really happy to have it as part of Culture Days because it is that encouragement of amateurs or people who want to strut their artistic selves in Dauphin. We have to entertain ourselves and celebrate our own local people. And Gary does a fantastic job of encouraging new people and people to come back and refine their skills and just gain more confidence."

The other big event this weekend is the annual Yard Fringe bike tour, which begins from CN Park on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

"We go to backyards and a couple of parks where something cultural happens. We keep it a secret as to exactly what happens, but there are some staples from year to year. There will be amateur drama. In the past, it has always been youth drama, but this year we are letting adults in on the drama game."

Guillas adds one exciting component to this year's Yard Fringe is a Viking Encampment.

"It will be set up in Vermillion Park from 10 am until later Sunday afternoon. They do a traditional encampment and also battle re-enactment,l which is so cool! And they are really into making their own weapons and all of that kind of stuff, so you can also learn about that. And they are also looking for new members."

Guillas adds they are expecting anywhere from 80-to 100 people to take part on their bikes, but maps and stop times will also be provided to anyone who wishes to drive to the Yard fringe stops.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 29, 2023 - 11:21 am

This year's edition of Fuel Good Day, through the Dauphin Co-op gas bars, was an overwhelming success.

"Thanks to the generosity of so many people in our community, $6,868 was raised during Fuel Good Day." according to Dauphin Co-op Marketing and Community Relations Manager Joan Chetyrbok.

"We are so very thankful to everyone who came out and made Fuel Good Day such a success. Each and every one of you has made an impact on the lives of children in Ste Rose and the surrounding communities, helping to create recreation and activity for everyone now and for future generations."

Chetyrbok adds they are thrilled with the success of this year's event.

"It is one of the highest amounts that we have ever raised, so we are really thrilled about it. They had a record-breaking barbecue, which was great. There was so much support and we are just so thrilled and thankful that we can be a part of this project."

Proceeds from the day are going to the Court Project - an effort to build an outdoor basketball court in the community of Ste Rose.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 29, 2023 - 7:33 am

The Manitoba 4-H Council has announced plans for its first-ever fundraising dinner.

The event will be held November 1st at the Dpme Building on the grounds of Brandon's Keystone Centre, and is being organized to grow awareness and foster support for provincial 4-H programs.

4-H is celebrating 110 years in Canada and has become one of the most highly respected and positive youth development organizations in the country.

Here in Manitoba, there are roughly 1,300 members and 400 volunteers, whose goal is to help young Canadians "Learn to Do by Doing" in a safe, inclusive, and fun environment.

Tickets are now available online at www.4h.mb.ca

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 29, 2023 - 7:21 am

In an announcement just 5 days out from the provincial election, The PC party made a promise in regard to the recent federal gun regulations of Bill C-21.

Gord Wood took to the podium at 2 p.m. yesterday at the Fort Dauphin Museum to make the official statement.

The promises moving forward are looking to counter the additional regulations imposed on non-restricted firearms that were instated in 2019, and gained further, controversial regulations in May of 2022.

The current regulations strengthen Canadian gun laws and aim to ban the ownership of "military-style assault weapons", further restricting ownership of handguns, and the ownership of hyper-realistic airsoft guns.

Many law-abiding gun owners were quick to point out that the criteria would affect numerous hunting rifles that are commonly used by farmers, hunters, and indigenous groups on a regular basis.

Gord Wood believes that under this current legislation, the wrong groups are being targeted.

"Whoever it might be that is owning guns for a legitimate purpose, for their way of life, their leisure, whatever it might be, the goal is to protect those people. There are illegal guns out there, but we need to find better strategies when we're going after those situations."

By instating a new provincially based Firearms officer, the PC party would put the matter of gun licensing on a more local level.

Wood also notes that replacing the current federally-appointed Firearms Officer would bring Manitoba in line with other jurisdictions across the country, like Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Sep 29, 2023 - 6:00 am

Dauphin Music & Electronics has been operating in the city for nearly 78 years, but soon the music will fall silent.

The owners of the long-standing business are looking forward to their retirement, but co-owner Theresa Zabiaka thinks that this business closing will leave a bit of a void in the city.

"It's sad. We were hoping that somebody would purchase the business so that we could continue to sell musical instruments and accessories to the people in Dauphin. The people of Dauphin need a place to buy their guitar strings, accessories, and any musical stuff. There won't be anyone in Dauphin doing that anymore."

Discussions on closing the business aren't new, as the business itself has been up for sale for the past two years.

One of the Owners, Danny Zabiaka has plans to move west to Alberta to be closer to his family, while his sister Theresa will remain in Dauphin for her Retirement.

Theresa will be looking to still be active in the community after serving it for so long.

"I want to do some more traveling, but focus on volunteering now that I'll have more time, and enjoy life."

Unfortunately, this isn't only a long-standing local business that will close its doors in the near future.

Black's Cycle & Sport will also be shutting down after nearly 80 years of operation.

Lorne Black, owner of Black's Sport & Cycle agrees that both of these business closings leave a hole in the local markets,

"I believe so. we need a bicycle repair shop, we need a firearms hunting store. Yeah, there will be a void. It's sort of like Dauphin Musical, same idea. We won't have a stereo or music store when they're done and gone"

Even though both businesses were looking to sell, both had no luck in finding a buyer.

As both of the business owners spoke, Dauphin will be seeing a void in its hobby hubs once these Long establishments shut their doors for the very last time.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 4:42 pm

The chair of Manitoba Public Insurance is disappointed that the leadership of the union representing its 1,700 striking employees did not present its latest offer to the membership for a vote.

And Ward Keith has reportedly said it will be the last offer made by MPI, adding they will now wait until binding arbitration is required, which kicks in once the strike hits the 60-day mark.

MPI says their latest offer, which was presented earlier this week after four days of conciliation talks in an effort to end the now month-long labour dispute, offered includes total wage adjustments of 12.5 per cent over four years, universally available to all employees over time, along with an additional and immediate one-time signing bonus worth 2.8 per cent of average salary.

They add the monetary value of the offer was approximately $3.3 million more than an offer made on August 22nd, which they say includes over 10 per cent more in new money.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union rejected the offer, saying it was "a step backward".

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 1:19 pm

Mountainview School Division is reminding staff and families within the division that there will be school both tomorrow and Monday, despite the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation holiday this weekend.

"Truth and Reconciliation Day is a federal holiday. While it is recognized federally, it is not a provincially recognized holiday for the education sector." according to MVSD Superintendent Stephen Jaddock.

He adds that a number of activities have taken place in their schools throughout the week, with more planned for Friday.

"I know that a number of schools are going to be doing an orange shirt day on Friday. Some are also doing week-long celebrations where there are events that are geared towards reconciliation, that will be occurring within the school."

MVSD does have a professional development day planned for Tuesday.

Frontier School Division plans

Meanwhile, classes will also be in session on Friday in the Frontier School Division, although there will be an administration day held in that division on Monday in recognition of National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Chief Superintendent Reg Klassen says a number of activities are planned for Friday for schools within their division.

"Some of our schools will be making orange shirts, tie-dying them. One of our schools is also tying orange ribbons. Many of our schools will be doing walks. I know that one school close to Pine Creek will be visiting the Pine Creek Residential School memorial monument."

Assemblies and speeches from elders are also being planned for Friday.

Klassen says National Truth and Reconciliation Day is a significant day for their division, with eighty per cent of their school population being indigenous.

"We are trying hard as a school division to move forward from teaching truth and reconciliation, and the history of residential schools, to trying to teach our students that throughout all of our courses and throughout the whole year. So that we do not just recognize orange shirt day today, that our students as they go through our education system have a much deeper understanding of that history."

Frontier School division operates schools in a number of Parkland communities, including Rorketon, Crane River, Camperville, Skownan, and Waterhen.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 1:12 pm

A Candidates forum put the local Candidates in next Tuesday's provincial election front and center to discuss the issues important to the people of Dauphin.

Both the NDP's Ron Kostyshyn and PC's Gord Wood made their stances on the many burning questions.

Kostyshyn was impressed by the breadth of topics brought up in the discussion

"We know that health care and education is a top priority, and that will continue to be. But I think when we talk about the environment, about the agriculture component of it, and the crown lands sector that is quite near and dear to my heart, as well as health and education, it was quite a large variety of questions."

Gord Wood was happy to see his time knocking on doors prepped him well for the topics

"The questions were great, and these were all questions that we are getting at the door when we are visiting our communities. So in one way, we were prepared in that regard. But certainly, it was nice that people invested the time to send questions and really are engaging in the whole process."

Wood also remarked on a challenge that both of the candidates faced Wednesday night, the time frame to answer questions.

".Certainly I was feeling a little bit handcuffed with the one-minute limit. Certainly, it was tight to get responses out, and even just to formulate the words that you want to get out in that time frame."

With questions ranging from healthcare, agriculture, education, and the economy, there's a lot to speak on in just 60 seconds

Kostyshyn notes that this forum was an important night for the campaigns to try and sway undecided voters before next Tuesday.

"Some people choose to wait until the last day, but I think as (Gord) indicated, as well as myself, we are here to sit back and wait for the audience to come forward if they have any burning questions - we are more than willing. Or get a hold of us at the campaign offices and we will answer any questions."

If you missed the forum, it is available to watch online on the Parkland Chamber of Commerce facebook page

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 9:18 am

Dauphin RCMP are hoping the public can help them with their investigation into a pair of reports of gunshots in the city from Monday night.

The first incident happened around 8:30 with reports of shots being fired at a strip mall in the 1300 block of Main Street South.

Mounties found shell casings in the parking lot, but fortunately, no injuries or damage was reported.

Police want to speak with three people who were in a blue vehicle, possibly a Chevrolet Cruise or Malibu, that was in the parking lot around the time of the incident.

Then at 10:45 that night, RCMP received a report of a shot being fired at a home on Main Street North.

Multiple bullet holes were found on the north side of the building, even though only one gunshot was heard.

There were multiple people in the home at the time, but fortunately, nobody was injured.

Anyone with info on either event is asked to contact the Dauphin RCMP at 204-622-5020, or you can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 27, 2023 - 1:08 pm

Road work officially begins Thursday on a portion of 1st Avenue NE in Dauphin.

The city says the intersection of Main Street and 1st Avenue NE will be temporarily closed to all traffic as of 7 am tomorrow morning

They add access to No Frills will be provided from 1st Street NE, and that flag people will be used to help with traffic flow.

The work will proceed easterly towards 4th Street NE in the coming days, with the work stopping over the weekend from 5 p.m. on Friday until 9 a.m. Monday.

The city says motorists can expect road closures and detours while the work is being done.

Crews also continue improvements on River Avenue between PTH 20 and Main Street North.