UPDATED: Severe T-Storm Warning Ended

UPDATE: As of 1:06 a.m., the severe thunderstorm warning has ended.

The previous update follows:

At 12:27 a.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the following communities:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River

More information can be found on their website.

The original article follows:

Enviornment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Dauphin and surrounding areas.

It is in effect for the following communities:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park

According to Environment Canada, conditions are favourable for the development of very dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing destructive wind gusts and destructive hail. They also say that the threat of severe weather should end overnight.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 19, 2022 - 10:12 pm

UPDATE: The tornado watch has ended.

The original article follows:

Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch for Dauphin and surrounding areas.

It is in effect for the following communities:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park

According to Environment Canada, severe thunderstorms are forecast to form in an unstable airmass centred over the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border this afternoon, some of which have the potential to produce tornadoes. They also say that strong gusty winds, heavy rain, and large hail will also accompany any severe thunderstorms that form.

More information on what to do in the event of a tornado can be found on the Environment Canada website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 19, 2022 - 12:52 pm

Efficiency Manitoba wants to help you save money on your energy bill by offering a new financial incentive for anyone who upgrades their heating system — which can also be capable of cooling — to a more energy-efficient alternative.

The Air Source Heat Pump Program will give you a financial incentive of up to $1.65 per square foot of heated space to eligible homeowners and small business owners who replace their existing heating system with an air source heat pump or cold climate air source heat pump. This would result in an incentive of up to $2,640 for a 1,600-square-foot space.

Air source heat pumps are capable of heating and cooling indoor spaces.

More information on the new program can be found here.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 18, 2022 - 12:11 pm

Channel your inner child and get ready to hunt because the Dauphin and District Community Foundation has hidden prize-filled Pysanky Eggs around Dauphin.

"It's a way to just get out and have some fun with the family," says Executive Director Kit Daley, "We've used city green space and the sites of some of the organizations to whom we've provided grants."

The Eggs are filled with coupons for a free ice cream cone from Fudd's Corner Store, a Milkshake from Trocadero, or Sticky Buns from Western Bakery. On top of that prize, if you find one of the eggs you can go to the foundation's website and enter for a chance to win one of the three grand prizes.

The prize for June is two weekend passes to Countryfest donated by Countryfest, in July it's two weekend passes to Canada's National Ukrainian Festival compliments of CNUF, and in August you can win a $20 Fine Silver Pysanka Coin donated by Western Bakery.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Jun 18, 2022 - 6:39 am

The Rumble in Roblin Car Show & Shine will return to downtown Roblin on Saturday starting at 5 p.m.

Admission will be free for everyone wanting to attend.

Event Chair Keith Fast said that all special interest cars, muscle cars, hot rods, trucks and rat rods are invited.

This car show will be for... custom cars, specialized cars, cars that are modified... and some classic cars as well.

In addition to the car show, there will be an RCMP golf tournament, as well as a street dance that will take place after the car show.

Fast also said that, while they're there, visitors should check out the stores and restaurants on Main Street in Roblin.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 18, 2022 - 6:00 am

Assiniboine Community College's Alumni Association has announced the recipients of this year's alumni awards. Five of them are going to residents of the Parkland region and will be presented at an Advancement Dinner event in Dauphin this fall.

The Distinguished Alumni Award, which is given to graduates of the college who have distinguished themselves in both their chosen profession and their community, is being presented to Tere Stykalo. He is a partner of MNP in Dauphin and received his Business Administration diploma with Assiniboine in 1991 before going on to getting his Certified General Accounting designation in 1998 (now Chartered Professional Accountant). Stykalo is also an active volunteer in the community with a strong focus on the agriculture industry.

The One to Watch Award is being presented to Parkland residents Jadelyn McKay, Kayla Gillis and Nicole Koroway. It's also being presented to Dallas Flett-Wapash who studied at the Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon.

The Excellence in Education Award is being presented to Retired Instructor Kent Wieb from the School of Business, who served the college for 21 years. The award is also being presented to Carla Gibson, a full-time instructor in the Social Service program since 2015, from Brandon.

More information on the award recipients can be found here.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 17, 2022 - 2:20 pm

Everyone is safe after a vehicle fire spread to an apartment building earlier this morning in Dauphin.

Shortly before 1:00 a.m., the Dauphin Fire Department was on the scene of a vehicle fire on 9th Ave SW. While they were travelling to the fire, they were told by the caller that the fire had spread to an apartment building that the vehicle was parked adjacent to.

Crews were able to contain the fire to the vehicle and limited fire damage to the exterior of the apartments with only smoke entering the suites. All tenants were evacuated while crews got the smoke out from each suite and they were then allowed back in.

The fire is not suspicious.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 17, 2022 - 6:36 am

The Maamawi Park Committee will be holding a Sod Turning Ceremony at 200 1^st St. S.E. in Dauphin, the location of the former Dauphin Brewer's Diamond, on June 23^rd starting at 1:15 p.m.

At the ceremony, the committee will share the short- and long-term plans for Maamawi Park. They feel that it's going to become a recreational hub that will leave a lasting impression on everyone that visits it.

The project is being untaken in the spirit of reconciliation. The committee's goal is to build a sustainable, engaging, accessible, state-of-the-art toboggan run and four-season recreation park to honour the high Indigenous population within the Parkland and share some of its rich history and customs.

According to Dauphin Recreation Services, it will provide a unique and free option for engaging and uniting families and all people, in a fun and physical environment.

They also said that beyond the economic and tourism benefits, Maamawi Park will also feature a prominent Indigenous presence helping to further our learning and the reconciliation efforts within the Parkland.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jun 17, 2022 - 6:00 am

The Little Valley Jamboree celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend, and according to event organizer Colleen Woychyshyn, they have something special planned for the anniversary.

We've received past recipient updates from the past 25 years so we're going to showcase some of our past recipients and how they're doing.

The Jamboree raises awareness and funds for children with medical needs in south-western Manitoba. Each year the money goes to specific recipients, and you can read about their stories on the Little Valley Jamboree website here.

It is extremely exciting to get life back to normal and be able to support kids in need again.

orig little valley jamboree 2022

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Jun 17, 2022 - 6:00 am

National Aboriginal Peoples Day is officially on Tuesday, June 21; however, a weekend full of events is coming up in Dauphin and around the Parkland.

In Dauphin, the Northwest Metis Council is getting geared up to host events this Saturday, June 18. It'll be the first time in two years they can do so because of the pandemic. Tammy Chief with the Northwest Metis Council says Saturday will be a special day for all that take part.

"We are so excited to open our doors on June 18, we're going to celebrate our metis culture with as many people as possible," said Chief.

The doors at the Metis Community Centre on 101 11th AVE SW in Dauphin opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday for the Opening Prayer and it will also include presentations from Vice President, Frances Chartrand, Member of Parliament, Dan Mazier, and Devin Shtykalo who is the Deputy Mayor of Dauphin, just to name a few.

The Cameron Campbell Band will take the stage at 11 and they will be followed by several different groups including the D-Town Steppers and the Junior Tappers.

A free hamburger and hot dog lunch will take place from 11:30 to 1 and then some more performances will take place including Levi and Kamryn Winters. 3:30 is when the closing prayer will take place and the silent auction and attendance draws wrap up the day starting at 4 p.m.

"We're going to be showcasing so much local talent from this region, we're extremely excited," said Chief.

Everyone is welcome to attend; however, masks are mandatory and you must provide proof of vaccination status to enter the centre. Children 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult. If you are unable to make the events in person, some will be live-streamed on their Facebook page.