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Blue Monday, the third Monday of the year, has been labeled the most depressing day of the year.
According to Ashley Vandepole with Prairie Mountain Health, this idea originated from a UK-based travel company and really caught on.
"It was an idea conceived in the early 2000s and a psychologist was commissioned to generate the formula to promote that day as the most depressing time of the year. It was more branded as a time to travel and get away. Really not a bad thing, because it really is about self-care and taking care of yourself."
Vandepole recommends getting some sunlight, exercise, and social connection to make it a less blue day.
There are events taking place in Ste. Rose, Roblin, and Swan River to raise awareness, and get people connected on the most depressing day of the year.
In Ste. Rose, a group will be sending out blueberry muffins to raise awareness. The Roblin Hero Club will be hosting a "blue bingo" with various blue prizes and snacks, and Swan River Co-op will host a CMHA booth that will share information about mental health.
Take care of yourself, reach out to a friend, and make sure the "most depressing day of the year" doesn't bring you down!
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A new court date has been set for a Brandon man arrested during a drug and weapons bust last February in Dauphin.
39-year-old Cody Genaille will return to court in Brandon on January 22nd.
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Errol Leask had his matters recessed until February 5th in Swan River.
He was charged with uttering threats and reckless driving following an incident last May on the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Mountain View School Division may be bringing back a practice that hasn't been observed in roughly 25 years.
According to the Public Schools Act, the first verse of "God Save the King" must be sung daily, a rule that has been addressed and ignored previously.
MVSD Board chair Jason Gryba notes that "this longstanding regulation had not been consistently followed across Manitoba schools in recent years" and that such legislation "is not a matter of debate; it is our duty as trustees to enforce the law. "
Jarri Thompson, a recently elected MVSD board member, notes the move was not made collectively as a board. She's expressed uncertainty about its relevance in the modern school system.
"I've looked into it, and there's really no literature as to why it's been disconnected to the schools. I would assume it's because the monarchy is largely symbolic at this point in our nation, but I know the reason that I would prefer to not use it in our schools."
Thompson suggests the reinforcement of this rule clashes with efforts of reconciliation, and would provide a discordant contrast presented next to treaty land acknowledgments.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has responded, stating that he would respect the school board's autonomy but that his government is considering changing the regulation.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Dauphin's rich Scottish heritage will be celebrated Saturday night with another edition of Robbie Burns Night.
The Dauphin Legion Pipe Band is putting on the event, and Kate Storey says they will pay homage to the famed Scottish poet and songwriter."
"Robbie Burns celebrates the common man. He was a regular person like you and me. He lived in the 1700s and was a poet and a songwriter. And at that time people could not talk about politics. You would get into a lot of trouble if you did so. So his political songs kind of said what people thought, but could not really say."
Burns night includes Scottish food and performances from the Dauphin Legion Pipe Band and local Highland Dancers.
Storey adds Burns Night has been a long-established event in Dauphin.
"Dauphin has been celebrating its Scottish heritage since 1907. We did miss a year or two due to COVID, but otherwise (Burns night) has happened every single year."
The event begins at 7 pm Saturday at the Dauphin Legion and is free to attend.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A Dauphin teen is the focus of a missing persons case through Portage la Prairie RCMP.
They say 16-year-old Darnelle Racette was last seen in Dauphin on December 28th but is now believed to be in either the Portage, Sandy Bay, or Long Plain First Nation area.
Racette is described as 6’0 tall, 200 pounds, with brown eyes, short black hair, and a “Racette” tattoo over his eye.
Anyone with info on his whereabouts is asked to contact Portage RCMP at 204-857-4445, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure has issued a Hazardous Road Conditions Alert due to high winds and blizzard-like conditions.
They are asking motorists to avoid driving on all roadways in southern Manitoba as conditions are worsening and visibility is near zero with multiple highways being closed.
You are encouraged to watch and listen for more updates, and to take all necessary precautions to stay safe.
Up-to-date information can be found at www.manitoba511.ca
All highways into and out of Dauphin are currently closed, while Highway 16 from Russell to Portage and Highway 1 from Brandon to the Ontario border are also closed.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
As you know, many roads throughout the province are closed and if you still decide to drive on a closed road, you could be fined a large amount.
- $298 for driving a light vehicle (such as a car, SUV or pick-up truck) on a closed road;
- $672 for directing a person, such as an employee, to drive a light vehicle on a closed road;
- $672 for driving a heavy vehicle on a closed road; and
- $1,296 for directing a person, such as an employee, to drive a heavy vehicle on a closed road.
In addition to the hefty fines, if you are convicted of driving on a closed road, you will be penalized two demerit points. Law enforcement also has the option of sending drivers to court in very serious cases where fines may be applied of up to $2,000 for offences involving light vehicles and up to $5,000 for offences involving heavy trucks and buses.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Friday's Dauphin Kings game has been postponed due to poor weather conditions.
Dauphin is still planning on heading to Winnipeg on Saturday to play the Blues at 7:30, you can hear that game here on 730CKDM with Darnell Duff, starting with the Parkland Source for Sports pregame show at 7:20.
Dauphin's game against Winkler will be made up at a later date.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Dauphin RCMP responded to the second armed robbery in as many days at a business on Main Street in Dauphin.
On Wednesday at 7:15 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery after a male suspect threatened an employee with a knife before fleeing with stolen cash. They were unable to locate the suspect and the search for him continues.
On Thursday at 9:00 p.m., Dauphin RCMP responded to the same business after receiving a report of another armed robbery. The employee told officers that it was a male suspect with the same description as the previous day and that he fled on foot in the same direction.
Just like the prior day, the suspect threatened the employee with a hunting knife and got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, the employee was not physically injured.
The suspect is described as being 5’7” tall, wearing a black balaclava, and all-black clothing.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Parkland area is under a blowing snow advisory this morning.
Snow coupled with wind gusts at times up to 70 km an hour this morning is causing blowing snow and poor visibility in many locations across southern Manitoba
Environment Canada says travel will be hazardous in some areas because of the blowing snow and poor visibility.
According to Manitoba 511.ca, several highways in the region are now closed.
They include Highway 5 from the Saskatchewan border to Carberry, Highway 10 through Riding Mountain National Park all the way to Brandon, and from Ashville Junction to Ethelbert, Highway 20 from Ochre River to Camperville, and Highway 68 from Ste Rose to the Narrows.
Also closed is Highway 50 from McCreary to the junction with Highway 16, Highway 83 from north of San Clara to St Lazare, Highway 45 from Russell to the junction with Highway 10, Highway 16 From Minnedosa to the Junction with Highway 1, and Highway 1 from Brandon to Winnipeg.
The weather is also playing havoc with local schools.
Mountainview School Division, Turtle River School Division, Park West School Division, and Area 2 of the Frontier School Division have closed all schools and cancelled all buses.
Meanwhile, schools are open today in the Swan Valley School Division but all buses are cancelled.
Also of note, the Gilbert Plains Waste Disposal grounds are closed today. as is the Happy Safe Children Centre in Winnipegosis, the Magical Horizons Day Care in Dauphin, and the Dauphin Friendship Centre.
The Dauphin Active Living Centre has cancelled their bingo for tonight.
Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy is open but heavily understaffed. They say until conditions improve, in-town deliveries will be for urgent matters only and will be delayed for the time being, while out-of-town deliveries will be delayed. You are also asked to place your orders ahead of time online through their website. And their location in Winnipegosis is closed.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Municipalities outside of Winnipeg, along with Northern Affairs Community Councils and non-profit organizations, can now apply for funding to support youth employment, economic development, and local capacity building.
The province has announced it is accepting applications for its From The Ground Up and Urban/Hometown Green Team programs, with February 18th being the application deadline.
The Urban/Hometown Green Team program supports youth employment on community projects between May and September, while the From the Ground Up grant program supports community capacity building in three areas: community economic development, recreation and well-being, and housing and safety co-ordination supports.
Non-profit organizations and Northern Affairs community councils can apply for up to 80 per cent of eligible project costs, while municipal governments may receive up to 50 percent of eligible project costs.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson