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This week is School Support staff appreciation week across Manitoba.

Mountainview School Division acting Superintendent Suzanne Cottyn provided the following statement on the week to CKDM News Now.

She said the oivision is taking time this week to recognize and thank each of our school support staff teams for their daily contributions in supporting our students, families, and teaching staff, adding their contribution to our school community is vital.

Cottyn encourages students, parents, and the community to join them in showing our deep appreciation.  

School support staff includes bus drivers, mechanics, educational assistants, library assistants, custodians, maintenance staff, IT technicians, food services, community networkers, and division office staff. 

The Weekly Manitoba Crop Report logged a lot of progress, thanks to some hot, dry conditions.

It was one of the dryer weeks seen this year, with several locations across Agro-Manitoba seeing no rain at all, and the most being logged at The Pas with 7.6mm.

We can see how these conditions affected the harvest progress:

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Spring Cereals leaped ahead as, 95% of wheat, and 98% of barley and oats were estimated as complete. Some more accurate assessments of yield have come in too.

Spring wheat yield estimates range from 40 to 95 bu/acre, with averages estimated at 70 bu/acre and Protein ranging from 10 to 15%.

Oat yield estimates range from 110 to 180 bu/acre, and Barley yield estimates range from 80 to 120 bu/acre.

Corn also developed rapidly, with the heat, and some harvest of corn has begun in parts of the eastern region.

Prominent oil seed progress was also made, with Flax starting the harvest. The current yeild estimates are betwee 20-25 bu/acre.

Canola yields range from 25 to 65 bu/acre, with averages ranging from 30 to 45 bu/acre.

Pulses and Soybeans have some more solid numbers for yield reports, with dry beans averaging 1700-2000lbs/acre, and Soybeans averaging 45bu/acre.

In forages and livestock, things are looking fairly good. 

Straw baling is nearly finished, and the harvest of tame and native hayfield is wraping up.

Corn Silage has also begun in the northwest, and sits between 50 - 75% across the province.

Patures and dugouts are in solid standing, as the excess moisture this year led to strong pasture growth.

Some operations are beginning to bring cattle in for weaning and fall marketing of calves.

Closer to home in the Northwest, that stretch of high temperatures allowed for good harvest progress.

Daytime highs reached the upper 20’s and low 30’s, and The Pas station received the highest precipitation this week at 7.6 mm.

Heavy dews in the morning continue to narrow the harvest window at this time of year.

Extreme winds and wind gusts across the region on Monday were a challenge and caused canola swaths to blow. The highest wind gusts were recorded at Keld station at 86 km/hr.

Spring wheat harvest continues across the region and is approximately 90% complete. Lodged fields have made some slow progress in some fields, but the average reported yield so far is approximately 65 to 70 bu/acre. with some fields averaging less at 40-50 bu/acre and some going 80 bu/acre plus.

Canola harvest is approximately 65% complete across the region. Progress is more advanced in Swan Valley and The Pas while Dauphin/Ste. Rose continues to be behind due to many challenges this spring.

Swathing and desiccation are mostly wrapped up. Reported yields have been quite varied based on crop conditions throughout the season as well as disease pressure but are generally lower than average. Average yields so far have been approximately 30-40 bu/acre.

Soybean crops are in the R7 to R8 stage and looking good. Soybean harvest has begun in the Swan Valley area and is expected to begin soon in the rest of the region. 

Seeding of winter wheat and fall rye is complete. Earliest-seeded crops have emerged and look good with recent moisture and warm temperatures.

Strong harvest efforts and optimal conditions are making quick work of this year's harvest, but there is still much to do before it's all over.

But for now, Here's wishing you a safe, speedy harvest, and minimal complications.

This weekend could feature some of the most brilliant displays of Aurora Borealis, after the second strongest solar flare in the past 4 years was recorded.

the last time something like this hit earth was in may of this year, were Northern lights lit up the skies, stretching far into the US,  reportedly visible as far south as Florida.

The Radiation from the initial burst hit the earth October 1st at about 5:20 pm, but the charged particles that create the spectacular lights travel a slower than the speed of light.

The Solar Plasma should hit the earth's magnetic field this Friday, creating a super-charge Aurora display that will span most of the night sky.

So get out this Friday night, and look up for an incredible display.

Gilbert Plains Co-op has released final totals from its Fuel Good Day.

This year, they raised $348.17 through their fundraising efforts on September 17th, which included donating 10 cents from every litre of fuel sold on that day.

Proceeds from Gilbert Plains Co-op Fuel Good Day have been earmarked for the Gilbert Plains Historical Society. 

Parkland Humane Society is set to hold their Annual General Meeting tonight.

The gathering is set for 7 pm at the DNRC building on 3rd Avenue North West

THe public is encouraged to attend.

The Dauphin Active Living Centre is gearing up for a busy month of October.

Events include an Anniversary Pancake brunch this Sunday, Pink Shirt day activities on the 9th, history night on the 15th, and their membership night on the 17th, among others. 

Kim Armstrong with the Active Living Centre explains how you can become a member.

"You need to come down and see us and we will get you signed up.  A membership is $15 per year and we are running a promotion right now for new members you can start your new membership in October and you will get more than just the year."

Armstrong adds these activities are on top of regularly scheduled activities at the Centre.

"We have peer-led exercises.  Our peers that lead have taken training on the exercises so we believe that we are offering safe exercising for seniors.  Our big day is Tuesdays and we run the gammit with floor curling, bridge, scrabble, quilting, and pool.  People cpme on down and we have even had people just come and watch.  You are also invited to come and have a free cup of coffee on Wednesdays." 

The Dauphin Active Living Centre is located at 55 - 1st Avenue South East

If you have been to the Countryfest Community Cinema in Dauphin, you will know first-hand how beautiful it is and comfy it is to watch a movie. If you haven't, management is hoping that changes moving forward.

The cinema which airs many brand new releases is under new management. After nearly two years with Manitoba Housing, Shawn Sarkonak has been named General Manager, effective immediately. Sarkonak has been working in a part-time role for a few weeks now but is ready to jump in full-time.

"I'm very excited to be in this role, I have been a movie buff my entire life and I feel this post suits me quite well," said Sarkonak. "I've always had a love for business and marketing and combining that with my love for movies, I think it's the perfect combination." 

Shawn says the biggest challenge moving forward will be getting people in the stands. On many occasions, movies run with very few people in their seats. The plan is to promote everything going on at the theatre and what movies are running on a more consistent basis.

"We're now a couple of years post-pandemic and I think it's about reinvigorating people's love for going to the movie, it always makes for an enjoyable evening," added Sarkonak. "We want to let people know that we are here and also looking forward to having a more consistent schedule."

As of right now, the theatre is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. While the plan is to remain closed on Mondays, Shawn says they hope to be open from Tuesday to Sunday. 

"My goal is to be open at least six days a week," commented Sarkonak. 

Sarkonak says a survey will be sent out in the next month or so which will provide moviegoers an opportunity to share your feedback and what you would like to see. 

"The plan is to have that out by early November, we're looking forward to hearing feedback," ended Sarkonak. 

Minimum wage is going up in four provinces today, including both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Here in the Keystone province, it  jumps 50 cents to $15.80 an hour, a hike that follows a formula set in provincial law tied to the rate of inflation of the previous calendar year

Meamwhile, our neighbors to the west see their minimum wage go up a dollar today to $15 an hour.

But despite the increase, Saskatchewan still has the lowest minimum wage in Canada, tied for that honour with Alberta. 

Ontario saw a 65 cent increase, moving their minimum wage to $17.20 an hour, while PEI had its second increase in less than a year, going up 60 cents to $16 an hour.

Nunavut still has the highest minimum wage in the country, at $19 an hour. 

A brand new event takes center stage tonight as part of Dauphin Culture Days.

An Ecstatic Dance and Breathwork event takes over the Watson beginning at 7 tonight.

It is a free-form dance event that also focuses on mindful breathing.

There will be two instructors present to teach this unique dance fusion to any interested participants.

There is no cost to attend. 

Dauphin's Culture days roll on, with yesterday featuring One of the biggest events.

60-80 bicycles hit the roads, touring the city for Yard Fringe, featuring cultural displays in parks, yards, and other venues.

Fringe Master Kirk Nyquist Led the crowd of cyclists to 7 different locations that featured art, dancing, games, theatre, and more

 "You know, everything about Yard Fringe is fun for me because you get to see people enjoy it. We tried to bring a wide variety of events."

May be an image of 8 people and grass

Aside from the scheduled events, there were also "fringe Bombs" along the route, with musicians playing some music for everyone biking by.

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Yard Fringe certainly met the expectations of a full day of family fun, art and culture!

Photo Credit: Dauphin's Culture Days Facebook Page.

Update: 1:18 pm

Manitoba Hydro has fixed the power outage that affected much of the south end of town.

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A wind warning is currently in effect for southwestern Manitoba, stretching from the US border to Winnipegosis.

Winds peaking at 90 km/h are expected, which could rip off shingles, and damage windows, and soft shelters like tents and awnings.

Power outages are possible, as the wind could break branches and damage powerlines.

We've received a report that the south end of Dauphin has recently lost power, including the Dauphin Marketplace Mall.

To stay up to date with the outages, the latest info, and tips for preparedness, visit hydro.mb.ca