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Weiming Zhao applied to many different universities across the country and after plenty of talks with his family, Zhao moved to Brandon nearly 30 years ago from China.

Growing up in China, Zhao often found himself painting as it was something that not only provided him with something to do but also allowed him to get outside. But back in 1979, Zhao stopped painting completely and it stayed that way until 18 years ago when he was inspired to pick back up his brush. And for the last 18 years, Weiming hasn't missed many days putting his creations together.

Zhao began painting on Remembrance Day in 2003 and since that day, the Brandonite's portfolio includes more than 6,600 paintings. 

"It's honestly a part of life now, I look forward to painting every single day," said Zhao. "If we're in the vehicle, my wife will drive so I can paint, it brings me so much joy."

Most of Weiming's paintings are scenes in Brandon, but he always also made Riding Mountain National Park a frequent stop of his. Over the course of the past 18 years, Zhao figures he has completed about 1,000 paintings while touring RMNP. Whether it's a painting of a beautiful sunrise to a bear on the side of the street to anything in between, Weiming has done it all with his brush and easel. 

This painting was done by Zhao at the Clear Lake Golf Course.

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Zhao says although the past year and a half has been very tough because of the pandemic, he finds peace in painting and he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

"I can't imagine stopping, I really can't," ended Zhao. "Just thinking about stopping makes me sad. This is what I love to do and people are always telling me how beautiful my work is, so that means a lot."

He's now urging fellow Manitobans to paint, saying all it takes is a brush and a canvas and the options are endless. 

"Paint anywhere, I've even painted on vacation in Mexico and Hawaii in the past," ended Zhao. "The process is a lot of fun and it's always rewarding when people talk about your work after."

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Weiming has also painted many times in Dauphin.

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Hamiota RCMP are seeking information about a missing 13-year-old girl.

Kylynn Kasto was last seen on June 21st at her high school in Hamiota, when she left around 12:15 for her lunch break and never returned. She had stated that she was headed towards Alberta.

Kasto is 5’2”, 110 pounds with brown hair.

Photos of KASTO 2

Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP at 204-759-2344.

The Manitoba government is reopening its Bridge Grant program.

This will give around $5 million for seasonal businesses, new applicants, and others affected by public health restrictions.

Finance Minister, Scott Fielding says Manitoba businesses have made great sacrifices to keep Manitobans safe.

Fielding says he wants to make sure all businesses can apply for the bridge grant support.

“Today we’re opening up the intake to new and seasonal businesses that didn’t apply in the previous round of supports with the Bridge Program. This could be things like new businesses or seasonal businesses that recently opened their doors for summer.”

Eligible businesses will receive 5 thousand dollars, and home-based businesses will receive up to $5,000 based on 10 percent of their most recent calendar year revenues.

The province is also extending the $2,000 food waste top-up to new applicants, and previous bridge grant recipients that offer prepared food services but did not get the May 15 deposit as it was only provided to restaurants.

Businesses can check their eligibility and apply for a Manitoba Bridge Grant by July 16th here.

The Manitoba government would like to remind graduating students that all public health orders currently remain in effect, including gathering size limits.

Schools wishing to host modified graduation ceremonies must adhere to the current public health orders

More information about year-end graduation events is available here

The Manitoba government has provided an update on enforcement efforts.

A total of 87 warnings and 59 tickets were issued last week.

46 $1,296 tickets were issued to individuals, 11 $298 tickets to people for not wearing a mask in indoor public places, and two $5,000 fines were given to businesses.

Officials say that 35 of the 46 $1,296 tickets given to individuals were in relation to gatherings in private residences or outdoors.

Eric Wildman is already facing multiple charges in Manitoba and now, he's facing attempted murder charges after allegedly firing at Ontario Provincial Police Officers before his arrest.

Wildman was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after the disappearance of his neighbour Clifford Joseph who was last seen in his home in the RM of St. Clements on June 7. 

Late last week, OPP officers ultimately executed a warrant at a home in Belleville, Ont., where they were met with gunfire.

Wildman is scheduled to appear in a Winnipeg courtroom on Wednesday.

The RCMP is still investigating the disappearance of Joseph. If you have any information, call 431-489-8551.

Dean and Karen Cooley from Dean Cooley GM in Dauphin are pledging to match local donations for the New Ronald McDonald House in Winnipeg.

Dean says RMH is important for those living in rural Manitoba.

“Of course people see Ronald McDonald House as residing in Winnipeg, and sometimes forget that this is really a rural Manitoba service. This isn’t for people living in Winnipeg.”

Cooley adds that it’s a worthwhile cause and that there are more families than we realize from our area use their service.

The money will be going toward the construction of the new RMH in Winnipeg, expected to open between May to July 2022.

The old house had 14 beds and the new one has 40, which makes it essential to ensure rural families have a safety net when they need to stay in Winnipeg for their child to receive care.

Dean and Karen are pledging to match local donations up to $10,000.

The Murray Foundation is also matching Dean and Karen’s donations.

“For every dollar that someone from the Parkland might contribute, it’s going to get multiplied by three, so Karen and I are going to match that amount and so is the Murray Automotive Group.” 

The Cooleys are holding a virtual town hall this evening starting at 6:00 p.m. to talk about the new house project.

Some local supporters and families will be saying a few words about how Ronald McDonald House has impacted their lives.  

Any questions can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and to donate go here.

Manitoba has hit its first vaccination goal for step one of reopening.

Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin says more details can be expected on Wednesday.

As of today, 71.2 percent of Manitobans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 25.4 percent have received two doses.

Manitoba’s reopening plan included some restrictions loosening by Canada Day if 70 percent of Manitobans 12 and over had received their first shot, and 25 percent had their second dose.

Dauphin’s Supersite is taking walk-ins for first and second-dose clients until 4:30 p.m. today.

The Supersite will also offer limited walk-ins from Tuesday to Thursday.

First dose clients are prioritized and will be able to get their shot from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and second dose clients can get the jab from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Moderna is being offered at walk-ins. 

A human case of H3N2 variant influenza (H3N2v) has been found in southern Manitoba.

This rare flu strain is usually found in pigs, and influenza viruses from pigs don’t normally infect humans.

The case was detected in early June after an individual sought testing after developing a flu-like illness.

Provincial health officials say the case appears to be isolated and is the result of a different influenza virus than previously announced variant influenza cases in late April.

Health officials also say that there is no increased risk to people, with no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission at this time.

Manitobans who received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 25th can now book a second dose appointment.

The government of Manitoba says tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. second-dose eligibility will expand to May 29th.

Due to Pfizer supply issues from the federal government, appointments are not generally available for youth at this time.

A total of 1,156,966 doses of vaccine have been administered in Manitoba. 

A man from Brandon has died after a workplace incident at a mine near Snow Lake.

The 59-year-old had been working in the mine when he fell. Workers on scene administered first aid and rescue personnel transported him out of the mine.

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation continues.