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The Aquatic Invasive Species program will see some new restrictions on boaters after test results from earlier this year.

Environmental DNA of zebra muscles was detected in Clear Lake, and the AIS program will respond with more inspections and more precautions around watercraft entering the lake.

According to announcements from Riding Mountain National Park, permits will be required for trailered water vehicles.

Obtaining a permit will require that the boat had not been in any other bodies of water in 2023 and that it passes an initial inspection before June 15^th.

Boats that meet this requirement will be equipped with a tag where the boat meets the trailer to ensure that the vessel has not been in any other bodies of water.

The statement from RMNP noted that if the tag is removed, cut, or otherwise tampered with, the boat will be not allowed to launch in Clear Lake for the remaining 2023 season.

Parks Canada also will be conducting more inspections and decontamination protocols for smaller watercrafts such as kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and even inflatable beach toys

Three informational sessions will be taking place for lake users to learn how this affects them:

• Tuesday, May 9, 7:00 pm– Dauphin Best Western Plus, 50 Eric Irwin Way, Dauphin, MB
• Wednesday, May 10, 7:00 pm - Onanole Recreation Centre, 386 Central Rd, Onanole, MB
• Thursday, May 11, 7:00 pm– Brandon University, 270 18th St, Brandon, MB (Room CHO 212 is in the Clark Hall building on campus.)

Zebra mussels are an extremely invasive species that can devastate ecosystems. While the presence of environmental DNA is not a guarantee the mussels are present in Clear Lake, it is a strong warning sign that contamination is a very real risk. 

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 6, 2023 - 12:54 pm

A new art piece by local artist Patrick Paul will transform the Main Street Side of the Dauphin Public Library this June.

On Tuesday, May 9th, at 6:30 pm, the Library is holding an event to acknowledge and thank the community groups who have helped make this project possible. Alison Moss, the Director of Parkland Regional Library, says those groups have helped with the project's evolution.

"The project has really evolved over the past year to become far more sophisticated. We started out thinking we'd do crosswalk art or sidewalk art, and then we thought about the library garage door, doing a mural on it, and because we've had support through some really great community sponsors and funders, we were able to take this project to the next level."

Further plans for the project itself will be released at the event this week, but Paul and Moss have been working with The Graphic Factory out of Onanole, to turn the art into something that will stand the test of time says Moss.

"We are actually having the artwork fabricated by The Graphic Factory, which is run by Derek Boyd out of Onanole. He's done the Northgate sign and some City Hall signs, so we know he does beautiful work, so we're combining forces. Patrick's amazing art, but on this medium that will stand the test of time, and really change the landscape of Main Street, and really, the exterior of our Library."

Moss says the library is a place for everyone, and visual art is one way they can show people that.

"We welcome everyone, from all walks of life. We're one of the last places in our community where everything's free, and we have a little something for everyone. We're very diverse, and we want to continue to be that special spot in our community. I think visual imagery is an important part of that too. It captivates the curiosity and attention of people, and hopefully will draw them in, and welcome people."

Paul has done a lot of work around the community and is currently working on a mural in the Bearpit at the DRCSS.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: May 6, 2023 - 6:13 am

The City of Sunshine is currently in first place for sales of these popular smiling sweets!

The Dauphin Tim Hortons recently announced that they've sold over 300 dozen smile cookies.

Kari Prawdzik, executive director of the Crisis Center in Dauphin was beaming with pride at the support of the Parkland area. 

"It is overwhelming the community support in Dauphin and the Parkland area, and even those that come in to support the Dauphin tim hortons have picked up smile cookies along the way and it is just so awesome. the community is so great for supporting us through this campaign."

She also mentioned that while the Parkland area currently sits at number one, this charity event isn't over yet.

"We want to keep the pace going. Saturday and Sunday when the offices are all closed, come on in, have a coffee, and grab some smile cookies to keep us at the number one spot"

The Parkland Crisis Center website and their Facebook page will be keeping up-to-date numbers on the monumental amount of sales that have already, and continue to take place here in Dauphin.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 5, 2023 - 11:39 am

A somber day of truth, reconciliation, and remembrance takes place today, May 5^th with Red Dress Day.

The significance of Red Dress Day was best described by Tammy Chief, Northwest Metis Council's gender-based violence project coordinator.

"May 5th is recognized as Red Dress Day. Northwest Metis Council and Red River Metis citizens alike, we want to remember and honor all indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people who were taken, who are survivors of violence, and families and community members whose lives have been forever changed." 

The scale of this topic is far larger than most people might know, as Ms.Chief says many of the missing individuals are never even reported.

"The exact number of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people in Canada is unknown as thousands of these deaths are disappearances. it's been misreported or misreported over the decades." 

The display of red dresses hanging empty in trees and windows is meant to signifiy the pain and loss felt by loved ones and survivors.

The Northwest Metis Council in Dauphin hosted a commemorative art night yesterday to raise awareness and show support for Red Dress Day.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 5, 2023 - 6:00 am

The Manitoba First Nations Police Service is asking for the public's help in finding a missing teen from Long Plain First Nation.

Kali Ari-May Rose Laporte was last seen on the evening of April 18th at her placement home in Long Plain First Nation. She's known to frequent Waywayseecappo, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg.

Laporte is described as First Nations, 4'11", approximately 100 lbs, with very short dark brown hair, and brown eyes, usually wearing a hat.

Police are concerned for her well-being and are asking anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact Manitoba First Nations Police Service, Long Plain Detachment at 204-252-4480.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: May 4, 2023 - 2:54 pm

Parks Canada will once again be opening the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure to park visitors on May 18th.

The opening of the bison enclosure will be followed by the campground and other day-use areas, which are expected to be open early this summer.

In a release, Parks Canada says that temporary fixes have been made to the eastern part of Lake Audy Road off Highway 10. They say that a small section of the road will be one lane, and visitors are asked to pay close attention when approaching on-coming traffic.

Visitors will have access to the Strathclair and Central Trailhead via the bison enclosure upon the reopening of the road. Work to permanently repair the remaining damage to Lake Audy Road off PR 354 and Highway 10 is expected to begin this fall.

Visitors of the Park are encouraged to plan ahead on the Parks Canada Website.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: May 4, 2023 - 12:18 pm

The federal public-sector union strike has officially come to an end with a tentative deal between the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the federal government.

Canada Revenue Agency employees, who are represented by PSAC, have been told to return to work today by 10:30 Central at the latest.

Negotiators for the Union of Taxation Employees, an arm of PSAC, came to terms on an agreement that will see them get wage increases totalling 12.6 per cent for the years 2021 through 2024 as well as an additional fourth year to help protect workers from inflation.

The tentative agreement also includes a pensionable 25-hundred-dollar one-time lump sum payment.

The CRA says both sides agreed to undertake a review of virtual work arrangements as well.

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Contributed by Alec Woolston

Published: May 4, 2023 - 6:32 am

The future of Dauphin will be the focus of the upcoming State of the City Address.

Mayor David Bosiak, as well as representatives from the Dauphin and district community foundation, the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, will be meeting on May 9th at the Aspen Lodge in the Parkland Rec Complex.

Mayor Bosiak is looking forward to making the most of his time in office, and this meeting is a great opportunity to make a road map for the coming years.

"We’ve got a new council, I’m a new mayor, and we’ve got a 4-year window of opportunity to do some things in the community"

Mayor Bosiak says that Dauphin is in an ideal situation to make some big moves for the city's growth.

"The timing is right for us as a community to be taking some actions, and that's not just the community itself, or the municipal government taking action, but a collective action of moving forward to address all of the issues and ideas and opportunities that are in front of us."

The Address will be taking place over the lunch hour, from 11:45 to 1:30 on May 9^th.

If you are looking to attend the State of the City meeting, registration is through the Parkland Chamber’s website, or for more information, contact Stephen Chychota of the Chamber Group at 204-622-3140

Details

Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 4, 2023 - 6:00 am

The Manitoba Government and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities(AMM) met Wednesday, to discuss proposed amendments to the Police Services Act.

The amendments would provide rural and urban municipalities with additional options to address their unique safety concerns. Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen says they know that rural crime is a concern across the province.

"There are unique challenges in rural Manitoba, particularly when it comes to the staffing of policing positions. Local municipalities need more options and more control to improve community safety," said Goertzen in a news release today. "Municipalities have long asked for the ability to have community safety officers enforce additional provincial laws."

Goertzen says they're making progress toward ensuring that municipalities will have the ability to address their specific safety needs.

"We've spoken to the federal government about doing more training and making sure we're getting our portion of RCMP officers, but there's still a significant vacancy rate, and that impacts on communities that have that contract policing arrangement with the RCMP."

Goertzen says the right programs can make it better for both the RCMP and the communities.

"So we've been working at how do we have layered policing options so that municipalities can find a way to have other type of enforcement, and then maybe relieve some of the pressure off the RCMP on more traditional forms of policing."

Goertzen also noted that he and municipal relations minister Andrew Smith have renewed calls to the federal government to fund the back pay it unilaterally negotiated for the RCMP. He says that unexpected additional cost could severely affect a lot of municipalities.

"Municipalities were not consulted nor were they involved in the negotiation of the back pay that the federal government negotiated in the RCMP contract. Simply handing the bill to municipalities isn’t good enough and will significantly impact local municipalities and their residents."

Goertzen says the AMM has mirrored that message to the federal government.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: May 3, 2023 - 2:39 pm

The Northwest Metis Council(NWMC) is getting ready for Red Dress Day on Friday, which is also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People on Friday.

To help others get ready to spread awareness on Friday, the NWMC is hosting an Art Night at the Metis Community Centre from 4 to 6 tomorrow afternoon.

Tammy Chief, the Gender-Based Violence Project Coordinator for the NWMC says it's an opportunity to bring people together.

"We want children, youth families, Dauphin residents, and outlying communities, to come and join us as a part of reconciliation. Come and join us and then that way they can create those artworks, and bring them back and display them proudly on Friday, May the fifth."

Chief says they'll be making red dress pins, faceless dolls, and paper red dresses at the event.

Details

Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: May 3, 2023 - 5:42 am