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February may be considered the month of love, but MPI’s TIPS Line suggests otherwise with an increased number of calls.
MPI Chief Operating Officer Curtis Wennberg says February was the busiest month for tip calls last year.
He adds that all the calls to the TIPS Line are anonymous.
“Some callers will admit to being an ex-spouse or ex-partner of a person allegedly defrauding the Corporation. We can only speculate that emotions of past romantic relationships are triggered by increased talk about Valentine’s Day. Regardless of the reason, MPI is very appreciative of their help.”
From 2015-2019, on average, there has been an increase in calls to the TIPS Line during the month of February. 2019 saw a record high 594 calls, compared to 439 in February 2018.
MPI says the information received from calls to the TIPS Line is carefully reviewed in order to determine legitimate calls from frivolous calls, in order to make sure innocent customers aren’t impacted.
MPI estimates that fraud costs ratepayers 50 dollars per year.
No matter the month or special occasion, anyone with information about auto insurance fraud is encouraged to call the Manitoba Public Insurance TIPS Line: 204-985-8477 or toll-free 1-877-985-8477.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Every year the Red Cross recognizes two Manitobans for their contributions to the community.
Spokesperson with the Canadian Red Cross, Jason Small encourages people to nominate others.
“We want to recognize Manitobans who make a difference in the world, in our province through their charitable, philanthropic, and volunteer work. We are asking the general public to nominate people who they feel are deserving of this award, who are really making a difference through their work and their volunteered time.”
To nominate someone you feel is deserving of the award, visit the Red Cross website.
Nominations close on February 29th.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The 100th anniversary of Kin Canada was celebrated last Saturday.
The Kinnettes Club also held their annual wine and mickey draw afterward which saw a great turnout.
Treasurer for the Dauphin Kinnette Club Nicole Gulenchin was happy with the support the event received.
“It was awesome. We had a fantastic turnout. We raised lots of money. We had over 20 sponsors for the event. We received almost 30 prize donations. We had huge support from the community, it was great to see. Becoming a member of Kinsmen or Kinnettes is a great way to give back to your community and it’s a great way to get out and meet people, and a fantastic way to support your community.”
At the draw, 50 year Kinnette member Iona Tarrant got recognized for her service.
She said that it's the people that she loves that has made her stay.
“The people, the community service, the comradery and the helping make your community a better place. Every community needs volunteers and we’ve got lots of wonderful ones.”
Anyone that wants to join the Kinsmen or Kinnettes club is encouraged to reach out to a local member, or contact them on their Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The DRCSS has met with the Mountain View School Division to trial a new timetable for the 2020-21 school year. Stephen Jaddock, assistant superintendent, says the proposed change would be to a system with five 65 minute periods.
“So, three in the morning and two in the afternoon. That’s similar to a timetable that they had at one point in time in the past. Right now, there are two periods in the morning, then a shorter 35 minute period just prior to the noon hour from 11:25 to 12 noon. So those 35 minutes would essentially disappear. So, to go from a four and a half period day to a full 5 period day.”
Jaddock says the change is still a proposal but is likely to be tried next year.
The change will increase how many courses the students can have.
“So to moving from four and a half to five in a single day, it just increases the potential to take a full course in that slot and then it would work on the semester timetable as well, so across first and second semester, so increasing the availability of course selections is one of the benefits.”
Jaddock adds that having more course credits is a reason for the proposed change.
“One of the other reasons is that, as you can probably imagine, sometimes in a 35 minute period, it’s just difficult to, by the time the students have arrived, get settled, and start into the subject matter, before you know it, it’s time to wrap things up and close things down, so that’s another concern.”
The change will also affect the number of videoconference courses the DRCSS offers, however videoconferencing courses are more commonly used between the smaller high schools.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The City of Dauphin has passed a new bylaw that will create an accommodation tax on hotel rooms.
City council first proposed the bylaw in November, drawing concerns from Dauphin’s hoteliers.
The proposed tax was a 5 percent tariff on hotel stays with the money collected from it going towards funding maintenance and improvements for the city’s recreation areas.
After consulting with the city’s hoteliers, the money will be allocated towards tourism and recreation services to try and seek out events to come to Dauphin.
Harvey Armstrong, the owner of the Dauphin Super 8, is hoping that the funds from the tax help boost tourism in Dauphin.
“There’s no doubt, with our market shrinking like it’s been shrinking, that we need additional room nights,” said Armstrong. “We need additional events and additional things to happen in order to sustain the hospitality industry.”
He adds that the more people that stay in the community, the better it is for the community as a whole.
Armstrong is happy that the city eventually consulted with hoteliers to find a solution that works for everybody.
The tax will come into effect on April 1st, 2020.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Wind chills in or around the -40 to -45 range along with a plunging temperature are here, holding true an extreme cold warning from Environment Canada that was issued yesterday.
An arctic airmass is making its way south and is expected to bring northerly wind gusts of up to 60 km/hr with it.
The warning is in effect for the municipalities of Dauphin; Russell-Binscarth; Roblin; Winnipegosis; Gilbert Plains; Grandview; Mossey River and the rural municipalities of Lakeshore and Riding Mountain West.
Things are expected to get better this afternoon.
Click here for the full warning.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Today the Dauphin Chamber held their second lunch series.
The series gave tips on how to become aware of and discuss problems with how people function in the workplace.
A presentation was given by Nicole Chappellaz on how to handle these types of issues.
“We talked about HR practices in the workplace, so implementing policies that are going to help prevent any issues before they come up. We also talked about when they do come up, how to spot the signs. When to recognize when you may need help with your HR issues. Especially in small to medium size businesses where they don`t have a designated HR person. ``
Details on the future breakfast and lunch events are posted on the Dauphin Chamber's website.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Keystone Agricultural Producers has announced a partnership with the Canadian Young Farmers Forum to present the Manitoba Young Farmers Conference that will take place on March 5th at the Victoria Inn Hotel in Winnipeg.
The event is part of KAP's focus on supporting young farmers to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
The event will focus on strategies to improve on-farm efficiency. Speakers will demonstrate how analyzing data and using regenerative production practices can lower costs and improve profitability.
KAP program manager, Thea Green said that young farmers need the tools and strategies to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
“We know that creating efficiencies on the farm is a top priority for our young farmers, and practical learning opportunities like this event will put Manitoba young farmers at a distinct advantage over their peers,” said Green.
KAP aims to address issues that have been discussed at multiple focus group consultations through the conference.
The event will end with a panel of Manitoban farmers who will share the strategies that have worked best for them.
The cost to attend the conference is $50. Lunch and two coffee breaks will be included.
To register and see the full agenda visit www.kap.ca/young-farmers-conference
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
UPDATE:
The Dauphin RCMP received a report, just after 2 this morning, of a male at a residence in the Eclipse area, located east of Dauphin, who was armed with a weapon and that a female was still inside the residence with possible injuries.
The RCMP’s Negotiation team and Emergency Response Team were contacted and deployed to the scene.
There was no threat to public safety.
Around 10:43 am, the 29-year-old male exited the residence and surrendered to police. He was taken into custody without incident.
The 21-year-old female was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accused remains in police custody at this time.
The Dauphin RCMP will continue to investigate.
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The RCMP now have a suspect in custody after they were called out to the Eclipse area early this morning.
We'll have more information when it becomes available.
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Early this morning at 2:11, the RCMP were called out to the Eclipse area, for a female that was possibly injured.
RCMP say it's an armed and barricaded situation.
The RCMP Negotiation team and Emergency Response Team are on scene.
The RCMP ask that the public stays away from the area.
We’ll update you as information becomes available.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Manitoba's major political parties cut their spending in the last election campaign, despite having higher donation and spending limits.
The Progressive Conservatives spent $1.27 million on their central campaign for the Sept. 10 vote -- down $260,000 from the 2016 election
The parties spending limit was $1.9 million.
The New Democrat and Liberal central campaigns spent less than half of what they did in 2016 -- $547,000 and $129,000, respectively.
Political analyst Paul Thomas said one reason for the lower spending was Premier Brian Pallister's decision to call the election a year ahead of schedule.
Thomas added that the Tories had been consistently ahead in the polls and likely did not feel the need to break the bank in order to get re-elected.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
If you look into the night sky this month, you will see our planetary neighbour- Venus.
Scott Young, manager of the Manitoba Museum’s Planetarium and Science Gallery says the planet will appear as the brightest star in the sky.
“If you outside just after dark, and you see a really, really bright star in the southwest, that’s actually Venus,” said Young. “It’s reaching its highest and brightest point over the next little while throughout February.”
Young adds that Venus is so bright that it may become visible just after the sun goes down.
Another thing that sky watchers can look forward to this month is Mercury also being visible.
Young says that it may be harder to see Mercury, as it will closer to the horizon.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
