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The Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club held an open house at Northgate Trails yesterday night, which kicked off Bike Week.

According to Club President Brenda Gregory, the main goal of the open house was to get people out to see the trails, as well as initiate them into the cycling culture, by trying out a brand-new fat bike for free.

It's for every age group to enjoy and it's an all-season facility, as well, so you can come winter, spring, summer and fall. You can walk, you can hike, you can bike, you can mountain bike, you can fat bike and you can snowshoe... We do have a trail that you can cross country to, as well.

Gregory felt fantastic that people were finally able to come to visit the facility for organized events again.

Even though people visited the trails while staying within their family bubbles, there hasn't been a lot of group get-togethers. With the exception of family bubbles, simple gatherings - like people sitting at picnic tables and talking - haven't been allowed for two years and three months.

She also hopes that people consider getting around by bike, instead of by car.

The more bikes you see out there, I think people will think "why aren't I cycling to work, instead of taking my car for five minutes? I could cycle for twelve minutes and that would benefit me so much more"... You look at some of the Northern European countries who have a massive cycling culture there... You look at schoolyards and [they're] just packed with children's bicycles. We would like to get there.

There are events planned for the upcoming year, including a Manitoba Cycling Association race, which will take place on August 7th. The race will be open to everyone, including people who've never been in a race before.

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, the provincial government has you covered. Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced Thursday that you can visit provincial parks in the province and fish for free this upcoming weekend.

"Spanning more than four million hectares of land and water, Manitoba's provincial parks have something for everyone," said Wharton. "Whatever adventure piques your interest - whether it's hiking, going for a picnic, mountain biking, using an accessible trail, canoeing or beyond - you are sure to find what you're looking for in one of our incredible provincial parks."

That means vehicle permits aren't required to visit provincial parks this weekend; however if you're planning on camping, you will still need to pay. Do keep in mind that Rainbow Beach Provincial Park remains closed until at least June 16 so that isn't an option this weekend.

On June 11 and 12, anglers can fish without a licence provincewide, except in national parks where a federal fishing licence is still required. 

Anglers taking part in the free family fishing weekend are allowed to keep a conservation licence limit of fish, which includes four walleye or sauger, four northern pikes, two smallmouth bass, one lake trout, one channel catfish and two stocked trout.

A growing number of Canadians appear to be struggling with the rising cost of food as prices for basics like pasta, bread and meat all soar.

The telephone poll from Food Banks Canada surveyed four-thousand adults three months ago and found almost 25 percent reported eating less than they should because there wasn't enough money for food. The survey indicates hunger and food insecurity are increasing across the country, with lower-income Canadians hit hardest by inflation.

When it comes to how things are doing locally in Dauphin, busy is the best word to classify things. The Dauphin & District Food Bank is as busy as ever with the skyrocketing prices. Prior to grocery prices rising, about 50 applicants whether that be singles or families would head to the Food Bank for some meals. As of late, that number has just about doubled as upwards of 100 applicants head to the Food Bank's intakes. 

Robin Gambler with the Food Bank says they have had to double their staff to keep up with the influx of applicants but they're taking care of things nicely.

"We continue to fill hampers that include a three-day supply," said Gambler. "We're doing pretty well. We're also involved with the Food Rescue program so we're getting meat and produce delivered by Safeway so we lucked out there."

Donations are also being accepted. You can take any non-perishable items to Parkland Crossing or the Friendship Centre; however, they ask that you make sure all items are in date. Meanwhile, if you or someone you know is in need of some food during this time, the Food Bank is here for you. Even if you haven't been before, all you need is your Manitoba Health Card and proof of residency in the area. The next intake is Wednesday night at Parkland Crossing. You can always call Robin at the Friendship Centre in Dauphin for more information.

"So many people are suffering right now because of the high cost, it's all going up," said Gambler. "We're doing the best we can. Don't run short, chances are we will have what you need."

After the natural gas leak that occurred on 3rd Ave. N.E. in Dauphin earlier this week, Manitoba Hydro would like to remind you of what to do when one occurs. 

According to Bruce Owen, media relations officer at Manitoba Hydro, natural gas is odorized with a safe chemical called mercaptan, which gives it a really-rotten-egg smell. If you smell that, you should dial 9-1-1 immediately.

If you smell that pungent smell of rotten eggs that catches your attention, there's likely a natural gas leak... [and] you should be calling 9-1-1 immediately. Natural gas has a tendancy, when there's a leak, to migrate and it wants to take the easiest path, so it can migrate into the sewer system, even through the ground.

Owen also said that natural gas could then migrate into people's homes and that even the slightest ignition, someone lighting a candle or flicking a light switch, for example, could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

He then stressed that you should vacate the premises immediately after dialling 9-1-1.

In addition to calling 9-1-1, you can also report the leak to Manitoba Hydro by calling 1-888-624-9376.

The Dauphin Fire Department is on scene at a bush fire on Strawberry Dr. near Riding Mountain National Park. Flames were not visible from the road, but there is a lot of smoke in the area.

We will continue to follow the situation and give updates as they become available.

A ground search at the site of the former Pine Creek Residential School has revealed six anomalies that could be unmarked graves. The ground search started in early May at the site of the Catholic Church-run residential school which was in operation from the 1890s to 1969.

Derek Nepinak, chief of the Pine Creek First Nation, said that community members were told about the findings on Monday, and the results were upsetting, but not unexpected.

The First Nation asked AltoMaxx, the B.C.-based company that performed the search, to come back and carry out a more thorough radar search of the site to determine whether what they found are, in fact, unmarked graves.

People in crisis or in need of emotional support are being asked to contact the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.

Early on June 1st, the Manitoba First Nation Police Service Waywayseecapo Detachment responded to reports of shots fired at a house in the community. When officers arrived they heard another gunshot in the area.

Residents made another 911 call and informed the operator that one man had been shot in the residence, and a female had overdosed on pills. Both the injured male and unconscious female were immediately given medical attention and later taken to the hospital in stable condition.

MFNPS Officers with help from the MFNPS Canine Unit started a search for the suspect. They found who's thought to be the suspect, deceased nearby, with what's believed to be a self inflicted gunshot wound.

MFNPS is actively investigating the situation and is asking anyone with information to call them at 1-833-978-0048 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or contact crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online here.

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to put a lot of strain on veterinarian offices in the province.

Vets across the province say they're trying to keep up with an influx of pets needing spay and neutering. It's believed this problem arose as more people got animals during the pandemic. Locally in Dauphin, the strain is being felt at the Dauphin Vet Clinic. Roxane Plett from the Vet Clinic says they are definitely feeling what so many veterinarians are.

"In this past year, we have consistently had a minimum four-week waiting period to get pets booked in for spay and neuter," said Plett. "In many cases, it's been six-to-eight weeks. We're asking people to be patient and if you know your animal has to get spayed and neutered, book ahead."

While there has been a major strain when it comes to spaying and neutering, Plett says other surgeries aren't backlogged as bad.

"There isn't quite as long as a waiting period," said Plett. "We always keep some time open for emergency procedures and dental procedures."

So yes there may be a wait when you try to make an appointment, Plett wants to assure you that the staff at the Dauphin and Ste. Rose Vet Clinic are there for you and will do the best possible to take care of your furry friends.

It's Bike Week in Manitoba and the Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club is getting ready to celebrate this evening.

They will be hosting an open house at 7:30 at the Northgate Trails. Pam Chetyrbuk says the event is open to everyone.

"We decided that this would be a great opportunity for us to showcase our trails," she said. "We're going to have some fat bikes so you can come to try those out and you can also check out the micro-cabins that we have. It's going to be a fantastic night and we hope that you can come out."

The forecast for Wednesday is outstanding with a high of 22 and sunny skies. You can also have a chat with board members that will be in attendance and you can check out the trails for yourself. If you have never been, there are trails for everyone from beginners to experts and everything in between. Even if you don't want to use a bike, you are more than welcome to walk the trails as well.

"If you've never been up there before or you're not sure about the trails, this is a great chance for you to do so," said Chetyrbuk. "It's a multi-use trail so there is something for pretty much everyone."

The Parkland Rangers have donated $1,090.21 to the Parkland Ukrainian Familiy Fund this evening. The announcement was made at the Parkland Recreation Complex in Dauphin.

Jim Perchaluk, president of the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre, said that the money will be used to help the youth coming from Ukraine.

These funds donated by the 2009 Junior Rangers [are] going to buy bicycles for the youth that are coming in as part of the Ukrainian family settling here in Dauphin... It's all part of the necessities for good physical and mental health, so we have earmarked this $1,090.21... to be going towards bicycles, helmets, as required for the youth of the Ukrainian families, as part of the Parkland Ukranian [Family] Fund contributions.

He also said that they would like the families to stay permanently.

A 53-year-old man from Onanole has died following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 10, approximately 6 km south of Erickson. The collision took place yesterday morning around 7 a.m. and involved a vehicle going north and a vehicle going south.

According to Yellowhead RCMP, the driver of the northbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the southbound vehicle, a 45-year-old man from Onanole, was taken to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Yellowhead RCMP, along with a Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, continue to investigate.