There's an Invasive Species in Clear Lake

There's a new invasive species swimming in Clear Lake at Riding Mountain National Park. Smallmouth bass — which are not native to Manitoba or Western Canada — have been found in Clear Lake. According to Michele Nicholson, aquatic ecologist for Parks Canada at Riding Mountain National Park, they're a really aggressive top-predator fish that can harm native species through predation and competition for resources, which could lead to a reduction in the native species that call the lake home. The local Anishinaabe community is very concerned about this because they hold fishing rights for Clear Lake. It's a concern for anglers and tourists as well.

Even though it's unknown how the bass were introduced into the lake, they are focusing on managing the problem. Parks Canada, in partnership with the Coalition of First Nations with Interests in Riding Mountain National Park, will be doing that by running a spearfishing course for Parks Canada employees at the park, as well as local Indigenous partners. It's being done as part of a special controlled research and management plan and will not be open to the public.

"Spearfishing has been used successfully for controlling fish in the ocean, but it hasn't really been studied in freshwater systems, so this is cutting-edge research that we're doing," Nicholson said.

Michele Nicholson feels that spearfishing is the way to go when it comes to ridding the park of this invasive species.

"One of the big benefits of spearfishing is that we can choose which fish we're targeting, so we can know that we're only taking out smallmouth bass and not any native species," she said.

Nicholson also said that since the water at Clear Lake is especially clear, it's really easy to target the bass by spearfishing.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 1, 2022 - 6:00 am

The City of Dauphin has closed the first block of 10th Ave. S.E. right off Main St. due to roadwork.

They're replacing the water main and are expected to be working on it for most of July.

For more information, call the City of Dauphin at 204-622-3200.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 30, 2022 - 9:55 am

It's still very pricey but at least we're getting a little bit of a break at the pumps.

After sitting at 2.07 for a while, gas prices in Dauphin are now at 1.99.

This comes as somewhat of a surprise as earlier this month, Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy predicted prices would only go higher for now.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 30, 2022 - 7:07 am

This Friday is Canada Day! As usual, certain businesses will be closed or will be operating with reduced hours this long weekend.

Here's a list of some of them to keep in mind:

Dauphin Market Place Mall (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Some stores will be CLOSED)
Saturday, July 2^nd — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd— 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Manitoba Liquor Mart (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 2^nd — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd— 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fusion Credit Union (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — CLOSED
Saturday, July 2^nd — CLOSED
Sunday, July 3^rd — CLOSED

Walmart (Regular Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 2^nd — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd— 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Safeway (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 2^nd — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd— 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

No Frills (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 2^nd — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd— 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Co-op Food Store (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — CLOSED
Saturday, July 2^nd — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Co-op Gas Bar on Main St. S. (Regular Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 2^nd — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Co-op Gas Bar on Mountain Rd. (Regular Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 2^nd — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 3^rd — 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Dauphin City Hall (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — CLOSED
Saturday, July 2^nd — CLOSED
Sunday, July 3^rd — CLOSED

Dauphin Recreation Services (Modified Hours)

Thursday, June 30^th — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday, July 1^st (Canada Day) — Facilities OPEN during Dauphin Fair, Pool OPEN from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with public swim starting at 1:30 p.m., Admin offices will be CLOSED
Saturday, July 2^nd — CLOSED
Sunday, July 3^rd — CLOSED

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 30, 2022 - 6:00 am

The Dauphin and District 4-H Beef and Sheep Show and Sale get underway today at the Rotary Arena. The Market lamb classes are at 1 p.m., and the Market Steer classes will be at 2:30 p.m., with the sale getting underway at 6 p.m. according to President Ben Fox.

"We've got a great group of kids here at the show and they're excited to get in and compete and of course coming back after the two years off, there's a lot of excitement here in the barns and everybody's really excited to welcome visitors and spectators alike to show off their animals."

They have a number of sales going on throughout the weekend and you can go to Dauphin and District 4-H Beef and Sheep Show and Sale on Facebook to keep up with the events.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Jun 30, 2022 - 5:43 am

UPDATE: The severe thunderstorm watch has ended.

The fourth update follows:

As of 10:39 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides has ended.

The third update follows:

At 10:24 p.m., the tornado watch was replaced by a severe thunderstorm watch.

It is currently in effect for the same communities as the previous tornado watch.

As of 10:11 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning has ended for the following communities:

Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland

There is a severe thunderstorm warning that is currently in effect for R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The second update follows:

At 9:10 p.m., Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for the following communities:

Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland

At 8:29 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The first update follows:

At 6:06 p.m., the severe thunderstorm watch was replaced by a tornado watch.

It is currently in effect for the same communities as the previous severe thunderstorm watch.

According to Environment Canada, conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms, which may produce tornadoes, and strong winds, large hail and heavy rain are also possible.

They also said that a low-pressure system crossing Saskatchewan has triggered at least two tornadoes this afternoon, and more are possible into the early evening hours and that the tornado risk will end late this evening.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The original article follows:

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Dauphin and surrounding areas.

It is currently in effect for the following communities:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park

According to Environment Canada, conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

They also say that these thunderstorms are developing ahead of a low-pressure system moving across the central Prairies this afternoon and that intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 29, 2022 - 5:26 pm

Last Friday, officers with the Portage la Prairie General Investigative Section (GIS) executed a search warrant that led to multiple arrests, including a 27-year-old from the RM of Alonsa. During the search, officers seized meth, cocaine, crack cocaine, firearms, cash, and drug-related paraphernalia.

Portage Seized Items 2

RCMP have charged the following individuals:

Preston Whitford, a 27-year-old male from the RM of Alonsa – Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x2, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x2, Possession of a Firearm without a License x3, and Possession of a Firearm while Prohibited. He was remanded into custody for a court appearance scheduled for June 27, 2022, in Portage la Prairie.
Tori Webb, 28-year-old female from Portage – Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x2, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x2, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x3 and Unlawfully Producing a Substance. She was remanded into custody for a court appearance scheduled for June 27, 2022, in Portage la Prairie.

Later in the Day, officers returned to try and locate the property owner and arrested two more individuals.

A 31-year-old female was arrested and remanded into custody for a court appearance scheduled for July 27, 2022, in Portage la Prairie on charges of Careless Storage of a Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition and Fail to Comply with an Undertaking.
The 55-year-old male property owner, from Portage la Prairie, was arrested on the scene in relation to the search warrant and released for court on August 9, 2022, in Portage la Prairie.

An investigation is currently underway.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Jun 29, 2022 - 2:11 pm

Frannie Klein is in the running to become the next Maxim cover girl. If she gets selected to be featured on the cover, she would win $25,000 and a trip to Paris. In addition to that, she would also become the first Indigenous woman to receive the honour.

Klein, who grew up in Eddystone on Ebb and Flow First Nation and went to school in Ste. Rose, never could've imagined doing something like this.

"It's a very random experience for me, but I'm jumping full speed in and I'm excited... [There are] different stages of voting done to get you to the top... 100, and then to get you to the top 15, and top 10," she said.

She made the top 100 and then the top 15. The voting for the top 15 ends on June 30th at 9 p.m.

"The more votes you get, the better your chances are to win," she added.

You can vote for Frannie Klein here.

Klein plans to open up a business with her fiancé to help Indigenous youth with songwriting if she were to win the $25,000.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 29, 2022 - 11:48 am

The store is packed and the Dauphin Liquor Mart is set for a big rush as Dauphin's Countryfest returns this weekend.

As of this posting just after 10 on Wednesday, the store will remain open until 8 p.m.

Here are the operating hours for the rest of the week.

Thursday: 10 to 9

Friday: 11 to 6

Saturday: 10 to 8

Sunday: 11 to 6

With 730CKDM's Exclusive Kick-Off Party opening the festival Thursday, you can get ahead of the big lines, if you wish to do so.

"If you want to avoid those long lines, I would suggest coming Wednesday," said Michelle from the Liquor Mart.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 29, 2022 - 10:26 am

The Dauphin Fair is just two days away, and they're still looking for volunteers to help out. Ag Society President Terron Stykalo says they aren't alone with this problem.

"I think a lot of the organizations in Dauphin are certainly struggling with finding volunteers," Said Stykalo. "We're always looking for volunteers to work our gates, that's always a big struggle finding people to work the gates."

Anyone can reach out to the Dauphin Ag Society Facebook Page, or any Ag Society member if they want to volunteer at the fair.

2022 Dauphin Fair program

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Jun 29, 2022 - 5:41 am

Country music fans and festival goers have had to wait two years to party just outside of Dauphin alongside thousands.

That wait; however, is just about over as Dauphin's Countryfest returns this week, just south of Dauphin. The event opens with the CKDM Exclusive Kick-Off Party Thursday night with the main festival beginning Friday.

This year's festival includes the likes of Paul Brandt, Johnny Reid, Dallas Smith, and Dean Brody, just to name a few. It's been a long wait and for Christian Laughland, he's happy it's nearly over.

"It's a huge festival and I'm sure so many people in this community are glad to have it back," said Mayor Laughland. "It's a huge economic boost for our community and we're looking forward to having it back permanently moving forward."

While Countryfest is a major attraction this weekend, don't forget about the Dauphin Ag Society's Fair. That starts Friday and runs until Sunday in Dauphin and it is also returning after a two-year hiatus. It includes the midway rides and demo derby, just to name a couple of things.

"That's also huge for the community, there is so much to do this weekend," said Laughland. "It's also an opportunity for people to dine in some of our fine establishments and spend some time around town."

There will also be fireworks in town Friday night to celebrate Canada Day at 10:45 p.m. at the fairgrounds.