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The 2.5 per cent Manitoba Hydro rate increase went into effect on June 1st.
Bruce Owen, media relations officer for Manitoba Hydro, says the money from the rate increase won’t be going into Manitoba Hydro’s operating costs budget.
The money from the rate increase will go into a deferral account to help offset increased costs once the Keeyask Generating Station comes into service.
Owen says they can’t just use extra electricity exports to keep rates down, they have to address the debt of the Keeyask Generating Station with additional electricity export sales and rate increases.
Owen wouldn’t comment on whether rates would decrease once the debt has been paid for.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The draws for the 2019 Neepawa Farm & Leisure Lotto were made, and there are lots of lucky winners from the Parkland. The results are below:
$500 Cash Prize Winners:
Kip Storey - Triple S Seeds Ltd. - Grandview
Russel Sul - Alonsa
Edward Waczko - Alonsa
Gordon & Pat Mclaughlin - McCreary
Connie & Bruce Christopher - Russell
Terry Kurchaba - Rossburn
Jim Pollock - Neepawa
Nester Drul - Sandy Lake
Lynn & Brad Cory - Boissevain
Wilbert Barnesky - Arnes
$1000 Cash Prize Winners:
Jerry Standryk - Dauphin
Greg Shaw - Neepawa
Cheryl & Mervin McMurachy - Shoal Lake
Bruce Klassen - Brandon
Rayna Sokalski - Winnipeg
50/50 Winner of $45,755:
Florence Lowey - Laurier
$100,000 Grand Prize Winner:
Sharon Suski - Arden
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for this year's lottery. The proceeds will be used for continued improvements to the Beautiful Plains Medical Clinic in Neepawa.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The body of a 29-year-old Benito man was recovered in Madge Lake at Duck Mountain Provincial Park
Kamsack RCMP say three adults and five children went boating late Thursday afternoon at Pelican Point when the wind and waves picked up causing one of the children to be separated from the craft.
29-year-old Dallas Miller jumped in and managed to push the child back towards the boat but unfortunately, Miller didn’t resurface.
The RCMP Underwater Recovery team found his body Friday afternoon.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Manitoba has released a protocol to define how Crown-Indigenous consultations will occur during the phases of mineral development.
The protocol has been released after extensive engagement between the province, First Nations leadership, and industry representatives.
The protocol creates certainty in order to advance projects in a timely way and ensure First Nations can be actively involved in all phases of development projects within their traditional territories.
The protocol includes a process guide and matrix for Crown-Indigenous consultation. The province will encourage its use in discussions with First Nations as a way to facilitate a mutually agreed-to consultation process for all phases of the mineral development cycle, from grassroots exploration to mine development.
Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen confirmed $500,000 in funding has been set aside to support First Nations in the development and implementation of protocol agreements. The funding will enable the establishment of shared mineral management boards, with a focus on traditional land-use planning in areas with a high volume of active mineral interests and demonstrated mineral potential. It will help to enhance First Nations’ knowledge and understanding of the mining cycle, and the potential economic growth opportunities arising from exploration and development.
A key goal is ensuring First Nations can participate effectively in project-specific regulatory processes, including the review of proposed mineral dispositions, permits and licence applications.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Kelly Kuzyk, a grade 7 teacher at MacKenzie Middle School has been recognized with Brandon University’s distinguished teacher award in the grade 6- 9 category.
Mrs. Kuzyk says she was nominated by two students, the guidance councillor, and principal at MMS for the award.
“I’m very excited, it was a shock, and I’m very appreciative for the students, my principal and the guidance councillor for nominating me.”
In addition to winning the award, MacKenzie Middle School will receive 200 dollars for student leadership activities.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A province-wide warrant has been issued for a 35-year-old Easterville man.
Arnold Edward Bourassa is wanted by the Thompson RCMP for multiple charges including assault, obstruction of a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Bourassa is believed to be in the Thompson or Easterville area but could be anywhere- including the Westman area.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The RM of Yellowhead is issuing a Fire Ban, effective immediately, including campfires and backyard firepits.
For more information, call the RM at 204-759-2565.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Early in the morning yesterday a group of youths attacked people between 2:45 and 5:20.
Around 2:45 am, Thompson RCMP officers on patrol found a 24-year-old male suffering from a stab wound on Mystery Lake Road. It’s believed he was stabbed by at least two teenage males while other’s from the group watched.
At 3:40 am, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a 48-year-old suffering from a stab wound at the homeless shelter in Thompson. It’s believed he was walking near the shelter when he was stabbed by two youths. He was transported to a hospital with serious injuries and then sent to Winnipeg for more treatment. He’s in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
At 5:20 am, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing at an apartment complex in the city called Princeton Towers. A 27-year-old was suffering from multiple stab wounds and being treated by fire and EMS personnel upon the RCMP’s arrival. It’s believed the man was walking on a trail near the Princeton Towers complex when he was attacked by a group of youths and stabbed multiple times. He was transported to a hospital with serious injuries and then sent to Winnipeg for more treatment. He’s in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Within the same time period, a security guard at a hotel and an adult male walking in Deerwood park reported being attacked by a group of youths. The security guard noted the youths were armed with knives.
The Thompson RCMP asks for anyone with information to come forward.
“We know there were multiple people involved in the attacks as well as some that watched these violent encounters; someone knows who is responsible and we are asking them to come forward and share the information.”
You can contact the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Peguis First Nation has issued a formal memo threatening to evict anyone using or selling drugs in band owned houses.
A notice from the chief adds that those evicted could even be banished from the first nation.
An increase in meth and opioid use in recent months lead to this decision.
Several people have already been identified for selling drugs out of the houses, but no one has been evicted yet.
Those caught won’t be able to use Peguis’ housing authority services either.
This isn’t the first time the first nation has evicted drug dealers.
Last year three non-members living in the community were removed from the community and are still banned.
The first nation has seen a rise in non-members trafficking in illegal substances.
The ban will apply to both members and non-members.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The new security measures being used by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to help curb theft are working.
Since the measures were announced in March there has been a 23% decrease in theft and robbery incidents at Liquor Marts across the province.
Liquor and Lotteries President Peter Hak said that while these results are still early, there is a reason to be optimistic due to the upward trend. He also said the added security has resulted in a 20% increase in the number of arrests and a 55% reduction in costs to Liquor Marts due to bottle theft in all stores.
Several of the security tactics being used include the use of bottle locks and alarm pedestals, dummy bottles, video displays at entrances, exit turnstiles, staff only access to high-value bottles, and the creation of a Loss Prevention team.
In 2017, there were approximately 658 thefts in Manitoba Liquor Marts reported to Winnipeg police. In 2018, the number jumped to 2,602 — a spike of nearly 300 percent.
The corporation lost roughly $800,000 worth of product last year.
Hak said that not all measures have been implemented yet as MLL continues to evaluate the impact of each deterrent, but additional measures will be introduced soon.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Premier Brain Pallister met with Prime Minister Trudeau in Ottawa earlier this week to try and find common ground on a proposed hydro line so Manitoba can sell surplus electricity to Minnesota.
The transmission corridor needs federal approval before it can go ahead.
The hydro line has met some objections from Indigenous groups around the province, who says their concerns haven’t been heard.
Trudeau’s government is concerned that with a hasty approval, the project could meet the same fate as the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion, and end up in court.
Pallister pointed out that Winnipeg MP and Liberal minister Jim Carr has advocated for the project as it would make cross-border trade easier.
Manitoba Hydro generates more electricity than the province uses and some say selling it would be good for its bottom line.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
