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Mounties in Ste Rose hope the public can help them locate a missing 50-year-old man from McCreary.

Derek Contois was reported missing Thursday afternoon, after being last seen leaving his home on September 6th.

He is described as being 5’10” and  220 lbs with short black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a white shirt with black track pants and is known to frequent Winnipeg and Swan River.

 Anyone with info on his current whereabouts are asked to call the Ste Rose detachment at 204-447-3082, or go online to manitobacrimestoppers.com, as both police and Contois' family are concerned about his well-being.

The Town of Carberry would like to see an overpass constructed at the intersection where a deadly bus crash occurred last year.

17 seniors from Dauphin died and eight others were injured when the bus they were on collided with a semi at the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans Canada Highway.

Carberry Mayor Ray Muirhead says a a majority of councillors from the community recently voted in favour of that option to boost safety at that intersection.

The overpass was not one of the three medium-term options the province presented when it announced earlier this year it would spend 12 million dollars to improve the intersection.

The Friends of Dauphin Lake and the Dauphin Coop are joining forces on Tuesday, September 17.

That's when Fuel Good Day will take place at both the Mountain and Main Street locations in Dauphin. Dauphin Coop will donate 10 cents per litre of gas to the Friends of Dauphin Lake.

Wayne Heide is the vice-chair of Friends of Dauphin Lake.

"To have Coop recognize the importance of our project and to provide us with this resource is great," said Heide. "It shows the committment of the community to the project."

Friends of Dauphin Lake was started by a group of volunteers concerned about Dauphin Lake's health, particularly the growth of weeds hindering the ability to use the lake safely.

The group got together to see what could be done. The short-term solution is buying a weed harvester to clean out portions of the lake.

"We know that this is just a short-term solution, there has to be long-term solutions to improve the health of the lake," offered Heide. "We have been meeting with the province and federal governments to address what can be done long-term. 

The group has purchased a used weed harvester and it is currently being refurbished. 

As a part of the day, volunteers of the group will also be hosting BBQ fundraisers at both locations from 11-1. You can get a hot dog for $4, a hamburger for $6, or a cheeseburger for $6. You will also have the option to get a meal which includes a drink, chips, and a cookie. 

"I would encourage people to watch their fuel gauge and if they can wait, do so until Tuesday and then come on down," ended Heide. "Grab some lunch while you're here and help a great cause. This lake is here for everyone and the health of the lake is important to not only the beach community but the larger communities of Dauphin. It's a big part of tourism advertising that is done locally."

The province wants to hear your opinion on what our new health cards will look like.

The premier made a post on Instagram with 3 prospective designs for the new plastic health cards that are set to replace the paper design that exists currently.

the three cards feature images of bison, a polar bear, or the northern lights, with a QR code on the back for easy access.

In a news release earlier this year, Premier Wab Kinew said people's health coverage "shouldn't rely on a torn, ripped-up health card."

These colorful and durable health cards are expected to roll out next year. 

You can find the Premier post and cast your vote a the link below

Over a thousand pounds of illicit cannabis has been taken off Manitoba streets after a recent traffic stop.

On September 4th, RCMP Roving Traffic unit officers conducted a traffic stop on an eastbound commercial vehicle on Highway 1 in the RM of Portage la Prairie.

The RCMP's traffic stop led to a search of the semi-trailer, finding over 1200 pounds of cannabis wrapped up on pallets.

Officers arrested a 65-year-old male, from Toronto, who will face charges under the Cannabis Act, Excise Act, and Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Control Act.

Inspector Michael Gagliardi, Officer in Charge of RCMP Traffic Services, notes that illicit cannabis is still a big problem, as it can be cut with other substances and often benefits organized crime operations.

Assiniboine College's Parkland Campus is hosting an open house next Thursday for individuals interested in enrolling in one of their health care-related programs.

Campus director Carol Stewart says the event will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 on September 19th at their location on Whitmore Avenue, adding it is important that prospective students attend the open house and sign up early for these programs.

"Practical nursing is a two-year program that starts in September of 2025, but there are several requirements that people need to meet in advance, as well as seating is limited.  So we encourage people to apply early so that they can reserve their spot.  We also have our six-month Comprehensive Health Care Aide program, which begins in January of 2025.  And this certification is another great way to enter a career in health care."

Parkland Campus Student Success Advisor Kristy DeSender says both programs have different admission requirements and application processes that must be completed before yu can start.

"They do involve getting things like criminal record checks, child abuse and adult abuse registry checks, as well as first-aid and CPR certification.  Our practical nursing program also has a couple of pre-requisite courses that you need to have.  So it is really important to come in and meet with us so that we can look at your personal situation and give you a unique plan to be ready to apply." 

DeSender adds their entire team, including chairpeople, recruitment, and student services, will be on hand at the open house to answer any questions that prospective students may have.

If you are thinking of attending the open house, you are encouraged to register online at www.assiniboine.net/PNopenhouse, or call the college at 622-2222

A group that hopes to focus on mental wellness rather than mental illness by gathering and sharing positive life stories is in the process of being formed. 

Eleanor Snitka, the Community Peer Supporter in Dauphin with Peer Connections Manitoba, is launching the initiative, which would be called "Stories, Smiles and Snacks" and will meet the fourth Thursday of every month at the Dauphin Active Learning Center. 

Snitka says the focus of this group, which would be for people of all ages, is getting together and sharing stories.  

"I think a lot of it started during COVID, and we see people still living alone and still isolating themselves.  Some people are full-time caregivers and do not ever have time to get out and go by themselves or do anything.  Having the time to connect with other people, to share, to belong, to be a part of a community, is really important to our well-being."

Anyone can join this group, with the first meeting set for September 26th. 

If you are interested in joining this group, you can call or text Snitka at 431-345-0353. 

The city of Brandon is set to get a brand new Minor Injury Clinic this month, run by Prairie Mountain Health.

This clinic will be located on the main level of 144 Sixth St. in Brandon.

Glenda Short is the Regional Lead for the community and continuing care programs in PMH, and she notes that this facility will be a big step forward in Brandon's Health care.

 "Right now in the brandon area, Prairie Mountain Health doesn't operate a walk-in clinic. So this is opperated by Prairie Mountain Health, 7 days a week from 10 am to 10 pm, and right now we don't have a service like this in our region"

 This facility will staff physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to cover minor medical issues and ease up pressure on the ER.

"There are a lot of clients that don't necessarily have family physicians, and so they don't necessarily have access. Sometimes we have to access the emergency department for non-urgent matters. So this way gives them an opportunity not to have to go to the emergncy department to see somebody in the evenings or on weekends for any minor injury or illness that they have."

Brandon’s clinic is one of the first minor injury and illness clinics in the province, following one in Winnipeg, and more are expected.

Patients will be able to book appointments online with some appointments reserved for walk-in patients.

A Portage la Prairie man arrested this past March in Ebb & Flow on a number of outstanding warrants has had a trial date set.

31-year-old Jesse St Paul, who was eventually taken into custody after initially not stopping for police, will stand trial in Dauphin in January of 2025.

And, a new court date has also been set for a Pine Creek man charged in connection with an April 2023 fatal single-vehicle rollover near DUck Bay that killed a five-year-old boy. 

38-year-old Katlin Lamirande will appear again in Dauphin court on September 24th.

It is shaping up to be a busy next few months at the Watson.

Cam Bennett with the Watson Art Centre says the next few weeks in particular are going to be very busy.

"We have a Dauphin art group paint workshop coming up this weekend.  Greg Rekus and Kayla Luky have a show coming up on Thursday (September 12th), and then an Open Mic night on Friday.  And we have the Desiree Dorion album release party on September 27th.  Emma Peterson is going to be on stage with her as well so that is going to be a great event."

Other upcoming shows include local bands Year Zero and the Friday Night Rebels, as well as the Sean Taylor Band.  And the highlight is the Northern Pikes performing on October 19th.

Schedule and ticket info can be found online at www.watsonartcentre.com or on their social media platforms. 

Bennett adds they are also trying something new for some of their shows, called "Trust Us" tickets.

 "We put out 'Trust Us' tickets for the Northern Pikes show.  They were half-priced tickets and we had not announced the name of the band yet, all we said was 'you know, just trust us it is going to be great'.  And we had 20 people that paid $20 and said they were going to trust us.  So now we have set up a meet and greet with the Northern Pikes for them before the show, and we are reserving the front row of tables for those people as well, just to give them a little perk for saying 'you know what we trust you guys'."

The Watson is also looking for volunteers to help with the Centre and some of their upcoming events.

If you want to help out you can call the Watson at 638-6231 between non and 5 on weekdays, or you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In the Northwest Region, which includes the Parkland, Swan River was the driest location on record last week as another Manitoba Crop Report was released by the Manitoba Government.

Swan River received 0.8mm of precipitation between September 2-8. The wettest location in the Northwest is Pipe Lake who received 15.8mm of precipitation over that same period. Pipe Lake is less than 60 minutes away from Dauphin.

The percentage of harvest completion by crop and region does vary as of September 9.

Screenshot 2024 09 10 162040

More from the Northwest:

A mix of weather still allowed for good harvest progress. Unsettled weather events did bring thunderstorms to parts of the region, including hail in the Swan Valley area. To note, there were varying degrees of damage to some crops while some areas along the western portion of the region received a light frost, but it wasn't a killing frost.

Swan Valley station was the lowest recorded overnight temperature at 0.5 °C. High day time temperatures helped crops to move along over the weekend with The Pas station the highest at 32.6 °C.

Of note, soybean crops are in the R6-R7 stage and looking good. The recent heat has helped advance the crops quickly. 

To check out the complete Manitoba Crop Report for the week, head here