800 Syphilis Cases Manitoba-Wide In 2018

Syphilis rates are on the rise in Manitoba and the Parkland.

Dr Amy Frykoda with PMH says homosexual intercourse was a part of the rise in syphilis rates in early years but recently, it’s heterosexual transmission that’s rising.

Early on, syphilis can cause a rash on the palms of the hands and bottom of the feet, fever, muscle pain, and fatigue.

Syphilis can cause painful sores, or in progressed cases, damage to internal organs or even death.

In Manitoba, there were 800 cases of syphilis last year, while 10 years ago there were 7.

In the Prairie Mountain Health Region, syphilis rates have gone from 3 in 2014 up to 30 in 2018. Congenital syphilis, which is passed from a pregnant mother to the baby hadn’t been seen in almost 50 years when it occurred in 2015 and last year in Manitoba there were 10 cases.

Frykoda says syphilis is likely to spread if someone has multiple sex partners, uses injection drugs, if they are homeless, or involved in sex work.

Frykoda encourages people to get checked because syphilis is treatable and curable with the right antibiotics.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 5, 2019 - 4:58 am

Manitoba has announced it’ll make the pill, Mifegymiso, available free of charge and without a prescription.

The pill, which helps prevent pregnancies from continuing, has already been available free of charge in Winnipeg and Brandon but was around 300 dollars for a two-pill treatment in other areas of the province.

So, it's been difficult to access for those in rural and northern communities.

Manitoba is the second last province to sign on to support universal access to the pill.

There isn’t a timeline for universal access in Manitoba but the provincial government will be looking to other provinces that have made Mifegymiso available.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 4, 2019 - 11:32 am

The Manitoba Summer Fair kicks off tomorrow.

Ron Kristjansson, general manager of the provincial exhibition of Manitoba, says they have new entertainment in the line-up NorthFIRE Circus, the West Coast Lumberjacks and some musical performers, including Manitoba talent such as, The Roulette Band from Sandy Bay First Nation, and Whiskey River from Brandon, Dirt Road Pilots and Prairie Whiskey will be playing as well.

There will be a human foosball game that Kristjansson is looking forward to as well.

There’ll be stuff for the farmers such as a horse show, ag education displays, and farm animals to check out.

Kristjansson is looking forward most to the excitement of the families that come through the doors and the fair food.

If you'd like to check out everything else the Brandon Summer Fair has to offer click here.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 4, 2019 - 4:58 am

Community Futures Parkland recently received some large funding from the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy through Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Jami Turetsky, Executive Director of Community Futures Parkland, says they were given just over 1.2 million dollars.

“So, what’s going to happen with those dollars is it will be over a four-year term. We will have inter-connected hubs. So, two facilities, one being out of Dauphin, and the other being out of Flin Flon. The program application is a partnership between Community Futures Parkland, being the lead, and Community Futures Greenstone, which is based out of Flin Flon.”

The funding will work towards closing service gaps in the entrepreneur ecosystem that are unique to rural and northern women entrepreneurs.

Turetsky says they plan to keep everyone up-to-date with their next steps.

“Right now, we’ll be looking to get some staff within these offices. We need two in Dauphin and one in Flin Flon. Then we’ll be working at securing some space within those communities that are going to fit the needs to be successful.”

It took them five weeks to complete the application for the grant.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 3, 2019 - 2:38 pm

The 2.5 per cent Manitoba Hydro rate increase went into effect on June 1^st.

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.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 3, 2019 - 4:35 am

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.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Jun 2, 2019 - 5:00 pm

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.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Jun 3, 2019 - 4:35 am

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.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 1, 2019 - 8:25 am

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.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 1, 2019 - 6:05 am

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