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Assiniboine Community College is going to be offering its Early Childhood Education (ECE) Workplace program in two new locations, starting in January.
ACC will be opening up 20 seats in both Dauphin and Virden, and they're already accepting applications for the program, which starts on January 10th. The diploma program is two years, and it's intended for those who are currently employed by a childcare centre and have a minimum of two years of experience in the field.
Karen Hargreaves, Dean of Health and Human Services at Assiniboine says there's a big need for early childhood educators right now.
"There's such a high demand right now for early childhood educators. I think you're hearing a lot about expansions of spots for children, and we need employees to man those new centres that are being built or expanded."
The program is also special because it will allow students to continue working in the field while they're in school says Hargreaves.
"While the program is two years in length, comparable to the conventional ECE program, having two days of classes per week rather than five allows students to continue working while they complete the program.”
Students who complete the program will get their diploma in Early Childhood Education, which will allow them to apply for their ECE level 2 classification. You can find more information about the program, including how to apply on ACC's website here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The province of Manitoba had a slow summer in terms of Avian Influenza cases, but the fall has been a different story. The province started seeing cases increase in September, and they continued to pick up says Manitoba Chicken Producers Field Services Manager Val Weeks.
"Well, this fall we've had 18 new cases, and those are in various stages of the process. Recent weeks do suggest the situation is improving, we had several new cases in September and October, and we've had only one new case in November so far."
Weeks says Manitoba producers have historically done a good job of limiting the spread of avian flu.
"Wild Birds are the primary vectors of the disease, so farmers are still following strict biosecurity protocols on their farms, and while we can't truly measure the effectiveness of biosecurity, we know our producers are doing a good job. For example in 2017, when AI cases were popping up across Minnesota, Manitoba didn't have a single case."
The risk of avian flu to humans is low, and there are no known transmissions of the strain from birds to humans in North America. The province is asking for the public's help to identify cases in wild birds, Manitobans are asked to contact the toll-free TIP Line at 1-800-782-0076 if they find any of the following:
- Clusters of six or more dead waterfowl (e.g., ducks, geese) or other water birds
- Any number of dead raptors or avian scavengers (e.g., ravens, crows, gulls)
- Large groups of dead birds, such as more than 20 of any species.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
UPDATE: Highway 20 has now been cleared. We will bring you further information on the incident once it's made available.
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Original article posted at 5:44 on November 23rd, 2022 below:
Emergency services personnel are currently responding to a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 20 between roads 106 and 107. Authorities say the highway is closed due to a semi blocking the road.
Please avoid the area if you can as traffic is being rerouted so a towing company can remove an overturned vehicle. Otherwise be prepared to wait it out until traffic can return to normal.
This is from a post on the Dauphin Fire Department facebook page.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Christmas is right around the corner and there will be many families that are in need this year.
That's why the Adopt a Family for Christmas program is back. Presented by the Catholic Women's League and in conjunction with the Dauphin Food Bank and Angel Tree Program, you have the ability to help a family in need.
By getting in touch with Laverne Hudson, you can get a list of items that you can then purchase for a family in need. This includes groceries and gifts to make sure each and every family has a happy Christmas with their family.
Laverne has been involved in this program for 26 years and she says it's for a tremendous cause.
"It's such an amazing feeling to give a gift from you to a family," said Hudson. "Whether that be to a child or a mom or a dad, it's such a special feeling. I have had mothers cry in the past because they received a coupon for milk, that's just one of the things that have made it worthwhile for me, and for others as well."
If you would like to adopt a family this Christmas, call Laverne at 204-572-4677. You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
An investigation is underway after the Gilbert Plains municipality lost more than half a million dollars from its bank account in an alleged case of fraud.
A letter was sent to the residents in the RM letting them know that the RCMP is investigating the loss of $514,571.86. The money was transferred from the municipality’s bank account without the council’s authorization.
Paul Manaigre with the RCMP says an investigation is indeed underway.
“The report was made to the Dauphin Detachment on November 9,” said Manaigre. “They provided evidence to suggest that a theft had occurred. Now we will examine the documents and basically start putting the pieces together so we can use everything for court purposes.”
Gilbert Plains reeve Jim Manchur has confirmed that the employee in question has been terminated for just cause. He says when he first found out about the loss of funds, he was shocked.
“We were truly shocked and surprised at the extent of it,” said Manchur. “We had to look further into it and that’s why we engaged MNP to conduct a forensic accounting investigation.”
Manaigre has said the case involves over 30 suspicious transactions that occurred between April 2020 and June 2022.
“The investigation by the municipality pointed to a single suspect who was found to have access to their accounting software,” offered Manaigre. “At this point, the investigation has not determined any breaches from an external person outside of the municipality. This was an internal theft and we’re just putting the pieces together to move this investigation forward.”
This isn’t the only case of fraud that the RCMP is currently investigating. The Westlake-Gladstone municipality had over $472,000 withdrawn from its bank account in a series of unauthorized withdrawals in December 2019 and January 2020.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities has reached the second day of its convention in Winnipeg.
The event started on Monday and it features delegates from Manitoba's 10 cities. Colleen Smook, who is the Mayor of Thompson, was re-elected as the Cities Caucus Chair for a renewed two-year term.
The Parkland region is very well represented as both Dauphin City Council and RM Council are in attendance for the three-day convention. Ernie Sirski, who was recently named Reeve in the RM of Dauphin says it has been a very positive past few days.
"It has been very interesting," said Sirski. "When I look at it, 45% of the attendees this year are new, they haven't been here before, including me. It's a learning experience and it's been all positive so far."
The heavy topic so far has been the impacts of inflation on municipalities and the need for action by the provincial government to end the seven-year freeze on municipal operating funding.
"It's an ongoing topic and it's something that we are trying to find ways to address it," said Sirski. "When it comes to farming, many people are talking about the price of parts and not even being able to get some parts, it's a major topic and we will continue the discussion."
In a release, Association of Manitoba Municipalities President Kam Blight had the following to say.
“All Manitoba municipalities are feeling the cost of high inflation. Local governments face huge challenges in maintaining current infrastructure—and this is not to mention growing needs. ," noted Blight. "We urge the Province to end the operating funding freeze in its next budget."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
An elderly man was located deceased early in the morning on Saturday, November 18th, at the scene of a vehicle fire in the RM of Minto-Odanah on Road 106 W near Road 78 N.
Authorities believe the vehicle was heading south on Road 106 W when it crossed the road, entered the ditch, and caught fire. The identity of the deceased male is still being confirmed. Neepawa RCMP and a Forensic Collision Reconstructionist are continuing investigative work.
From the RCMP:
On November 19, 2022, at approximately 7:40 am, Neepawa RCMP responded to a vehicle fire, on Road 106 West, near Road 78 North, in the RM of Minto-Odanah.
RCMP attended and the Fire Department was on scene extinguishing the fire. An elderly deceased male was located at the scene.
It is believed the vehicle was travelling south on Road 106 West, when it crossed the road, entered the ditch and caught fire.
Officers are still working on confirming the identity of the deceased male.
Neepawa RCMP along with a Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
On Friday last week (Nov 18th), police executed a search warrant at a residence in Hamiota and seized several cartons of unstamped tobacco products along with some firearms, cocaine, and cash.
A 52-year-old male was arrested and faces several charges including Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Drive Prohibited and other Provincial charges for tobacco.
The details from the RCMP are below:
On November 18, 2022, as part of an ongoing investigation, Manitoba West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), along with Yellowhead RCMP, executed a search warrant at a residence in Hamiota.
Officers seized a large amount of cash, pre-packaged cocaine, firearms and several cartons of unstamped tobacco products.
A 52-year-old male was arrested at the residence and is facing charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Drive Prohibited and other Provincial charges for tobacco.
He was released from custody with an upcoming court date.
RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Manitoba Ag Days is back in 2023.
The event will take place from January 17 to 19 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. As a part of the event, the 4th annual Innovation Showcase will be featured.
The event features 32 products and services that are looking to finish on top in seven different categories. The seven categories include Ag Technology, Agribusiness Services, Agricultural Equipment, Agronomics, Animal and Livestock, Farm Built Solutions and Farm Safety.
The Innovation Showcase Committee will visit with each entrant before determining the winner in each category. Winners will be announced Wednesday, January 18, at the show. Kristen Phillips is the General Manager of Manitoba AG Days and she says this is a special event.
"The Innovation Showcase is a part of Manitoba AG Days and it's always a fan favourite with so many great products and services being brought to the table," said Phillips. "The entire Manitoba AG Days in all brings forth 500 exhibitors and 70 speakers. There is a ton to do."
Tickets are now on sale for the event at an early bird price of just $15 per adult. You can get them at Manitoba AG Days.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
During the evening of Sunday, November 13th, Gypsumville RCMP received a report of a 70-year-old male who went out ice fishing earlier that day but had not come home. A local search group went out on snowmobiles to a spot where the 70-year-old would most likely be fishing and upon arrival, they noticed some footwear out on the ice.
The search party then approached by foot and was able to locate and recover the body of the 70-year-old male who was pronounced deceased. The full media release from the RCMP is below:
On November 13, 2022, at 9:15 pm, Gypsumville RCMP received a report of a 70-year-old male having gone out ice fishing near Fairford earlier in the morning and failed to return home.
His pickup truck was found near Cook Road, located west of Highway 6, in Fairford, where a local search party began their search.
The search party departed by snowmobile out onto the lake to an area believed most likely to be where the 70-year-old would fish from. After a short ride out, they observed footwear protruding out from the ice.
The search party approached closer by foot, due to the thinning ice, where they located and recovered the body of the 70-year-old male who was pronounced deceased. No criminality is suspected in his death.
Gypsumville RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The third annual Cram The Cruiser - Pack The Pumper Food Bank Challenge is over. The challenge is a friendly competition between the Dauphin Fire Department and the RCMP Detachment in Dauphin to see who can collect more donations for the Dauphin and District Food Bank.
With a total of 1,854 pounds of food donations, the Dauphin Fire Department won this year's challenge. They brought along some cash donations as well. The Dauphin RCMP Detachment was able to bring in 682 pounds of food for a grand total of 2,536 pounds of food donated.
This is the first time in its three-year history that the fire department has won the challenge.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
