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The Manitoba Government has announced a $200,000,000 dollar Carbon Tax Relief Fund.

Premier Heather Stefanson made the announcement this morning, saying that the fund will help all Manitobans who lived in the province on December 31st, 2021, whose family net income that year was less than $175, 000.

This is the second round of affordability relief the provincial government has provided, with the initial package going out in the fall.

"Our initial affordability package focused on helping families with children address back-to-school costs and seniors with fixed or low incomes address inflation-related challenges,” said the premier. “Our new Carbon Tax Relief Fund will broaden access to support almost every Manitoban who has to drive to work, take their kids to activities or go out to buy groceries.”

Premier Stefanson says this is part of an $850,000,000 package that will also address financial pressures within the healthcare system, support Manitoba municipalities with targeted project funding, and help communities and industries recover.

The payments will be sent out automatically to eligible residents based on their 2021 income tax return. If your address has changed since you filed your return, you need to complete an online form before 9 a.m. on February 10, 2023.

Cheques will start to be sent out by the end of January, but the government says nearly 700,000 cheques will be sent out, so it could take up to six weeks for all payments to be mailed. More information about the payments, as well as frequently asked questions can be found here.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Jan 26, 2023 - 11:02 am

After a mild start to the year, a cold spell is on its way to Manitoba this weekend, with daily highs in the negative twenties, and lows dipping into the negative thirties.

Preparation is important when the temperature starts to dip, and one way to be ready for the extreme cold is an emergency preparedness kit in your car. CAA Manitoba Communications Manager Elisha Dacey says they aren't hard to put together.

"An emergency kit, obviously, is one of the most important things that you can have in your car. Some of the things that you might want to stock up on for the cold snap, make sure you have blankets, and you might want to throw an extra blanket or two in there. Candles, lighters, waterproof matches."

It's also a good idea to have a good pair of boots and mitts in your car as well says Dacey. Aside from what to put in your car before you hit the road, it's also important to plan ahead if you're making a long drive.

"I think it's the same in any kind of weather. First of all, you want to tell somebody where you're going. I know that a trip from Dauphin to Winnipeg is going to be fairly populated, its probably not going to be too big of an issue, but it doesn't hurt to have someone know where you're going."

Having a fully charged phone, and a full tank of gas is also key before heading out says Dacey.

"Make sure your cell phone is fully charged, I like to have an extra charger in my car at all times. Make sure of course that you've got gas, you never know when you'll run into that problem or not so fill up your tank, and make sure your emergency kit is in the back of your vehicle."

Ultimately, Dacey says if it's possible to stay home when we're experiencing extreme cold, it's a good idea to do so.

"When it gets this cold, we actually say stay home if you can. Avoid travel when it's this cold. Sometimes it's just not worth it and if you can avoid it, and reschedule something for another day, it's the same thing as when it snows heavily, sometimes the risk just isn't worth it. But if you do have to drive, take your time, drive to the conditions, make sure that cellphone's fully charged, and make sure you let someone know when you're going."

CAA has a number of winter driving tips, and advice on battery maintenance in the winter at their website here.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Jan 26, 2023 - 6:00 am

The City of Dauphin will be closing part of Mountain Road tomorrow to repair a water main leak. The road will be closed to all traffic between 2nd Ave. NE and 3rd Ave. NE(in front of the DRCSS) starting at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 26th.

The entrances and exits to the DRCSS parking lots will still be open while work is being done.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Jan 25, 2023 - 1:40 pm

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce has a unique opportunity for you to get away for little while.

They are offering a chance for you to go on a guided 9-day tour of Portugal in October. On the trip, you will visit places like Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, as well as Nazare (known for surfing and massive ocean waves), Obidos, Batalha, Fatima, and more.

There are many different activities and tours you can take part in, but if you want to go off on your own and explore, you can do that too.

"For the most part, it's kind of 'go-at-your-own-pace' ... there's 8 cities you'll be visiting and so you'll be taken to see the city, explore some things, and there's some free time for people to explore whatever they want," explained Stephen Chycota, Executive Director of the Parkland Chamber of Commerce.

It is also important to note that the trip is not for Chamber-related purposes and it is open to everyone, not just Chamber members. It is purely meant to be an enjoyable vacation for you and anyone you bring along. That being said, you can bring someone who is not from our area, but you will have to make arrangements with the travel company for the person to meet the group at one of their stopovers before flying to Portugal.

Chycota says they tried to organise a similar trip in 2019 but then 2020, and the covid pandemic, came along and changed things. The Chamber hopes with less travel restrictions these days, and people becoming more comfortable with travelling again, that they can pack the tour and offer people a wonderful experience. 

"Hopefully this becomes an annual thing and we can explore the world together," said Chycota.

There are 4 people already signed up for the trip. Click here for more information. The deadline to get registered and pay for the trip is June 17th.

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Contributed by Alec Woolston

Published: Jan 25, 2023 - 12:16 pm

Weeks after he was reported missing, the remains of James Vernon Giesbrecht, a 37-year-old man from Brandon were identified earlier this month.

Back in October, Blue Hills RCMP responded to an area on the outskirts of the City of Brandon in the RM of Cornwallis. Officers located human remains when they arrived and an investigation was launched.

Over the course of the past four months, investigators have worked closely with a Forensic Anthropologist from Brandon University as well as the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to identify the remains and determine a cause of death.

Two months after the remains were found in October, James was reported missing on December 12. His death is being investigated as a homicide.

“We believe a number of people encountered and interacted with James in late September and early October,” said Cpl. Julie Courchaine of the Manitoba RCMP. “We need those people to immediately come forward and call the Tip Line at 1-431-489-8110. These individuals likely have vital information about his movements and acquaintances during that time that could significantly help the investigation.”

Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen James in late September or early October to contact the RCMP by calling the Major Crime Services Tip Line at 1-431-489-8110.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 24, 2023 - 4:06 pm

An arrest has been made in a seven-year-old homicide investigation.

On January 4th, 2016, the Virden RCMP received a report of an infant in medical distress on the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, and they were told that the child had been taken to the hospital. The two-month-old female was in critical condition when she arrived at the hospital.

On January 23rd, 2016, the girl succumbed to her injuries, and the death was deemed to be a homicide. RCMP Major Crimes Services began an investigation to determine who was responsible for the death.

In April 2022, police received new information, that advanced the investigation and led to charges being approved. Yesterday, Police arrested 32-year-old, Keifer Mecas, of Brandon, and charged him with Manslaughter.

He was released for a court appearance scheduled for March 6, 2023, in Brandon. The investigation is ongoing.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Jan 24, 2023 - 3:23 pm

The Selkirk RCMP arrested a man after a failed break-and-enter attempt yesterday, who was later found to have ingested a balloon filled with heroin and meth in an attempt to smuggle the drugs into a prison.

Police received a report of a break-and-enter in progress at a business on Main Street around 4 a.m. Monday morning. When they arrived, with was discovered that the suspect had tried to break into the business but fled the scene when he wasn't able to.

Officers found the suspect nearby and he was arrested without incident. Once officers confirmed the suspect's identity, it was discovered that he had an outstanding Canada Wide Parole Warrant, and he was taken to the Selkirk RCMP detachment.

While in custody, the suspect passed a balloon(pictured below) that was filled with what is believed to be heroin and methamphetamine, which he ingested to try and smuggle into prison.

Lennox Atlookan, 23, of Thunder Bay, has been charged with Breaking and Entering, Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose, Mischief, and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x2. He was remanded into custody.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Jan 24, 2023 - 1:49 pm

The Inter-Mountain Watershed District(IMWD) has launched a public engagement survey about the Dauphin Lake Enhanced Surface Water Management Plan for Turtle River and Ochre River watershed residents.

They are looking for feedback from residents of the area, to get a better understanding of their priorities says Robert Brunel, board member of IMWD and mayor of Ste. Rose.

"It's a great opportunity for residents and landowners to provide some input. The watershed is always looking for input on what people would like to see, whether it's improved drainage or projects to improve slowing down the water. We know after last spring we had a lot of water within the watershed and there was some flooding, maybe there are some projects out there that people are interested in participating in, and this is a great step to start that conversation."

In the survey, residents will be asked to rank priorities for the plan, share opinions on the current drainage system, identify how the 2022 flood has affected them, and any other suggestions or improvements they feel could be made within the IMWD.

IMWD is responsible for the maintenance of about 800 km of drainage channels and 900 crossings that transport water from Riding Mountain, down to Dauphin Lake. Brunel says the survey is open to everyone, but those who will be affected the most by these projects get a mail out.

"There was a mailout to all households within the municipality of Ste. Rose, McCreary, and the Ochre River part of Lakeshore Municipality, but the online survey is open to anyone that may have an interest and may want to provide some input on the integrated water management strategy."

The survey is available online at the IMWD website and can also be accessed by scanning the QR code below.

Details

Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Jan 24, 2023 - 5:37 am

Manitoba Ag Days returned to the Keystone Centre in Brandon with a vengeance last week.

After years of having to hold virtual events because of the pandemic, Ag Days had a fully booked speaker lineup, all booths were sold out, and there was a waiting list. Media Coordinator Teresa Vallotton says it was really great to be back.

"We're very pleased with how the ag community really pulled together and showed up, it was an amazing year from the perspective of visitors and exhibitors. We had great comments of positive feedback all around, so it was a really, really positive way to kick off the 2023 growing season, and definitely where the ag year begins."

This year's event took a focus on farmer health, safety, and wellness, and part of that initiative was the sale of Ag Days merchandise for the first time ever. The proceeds go to the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program, and Vallotton says it was well supported.

"We had a great response to the Manitoba Ag Days shirts being sold. There was always someone at the booth having questions or conversations, so I think it was a success from both points of view. Both in terms of the shirt sales and the conversations that were started."

Vallotton says another great cause being supported through the show was the Ag Days Gives Back Program. All the money raised by the 50/50 draw goes to community improvement grants and scholarships.

"The 50/50 was through the roof, I can't even say thank you enough for the support. We were at almost $70,000, and the support was phenomenal. We started Thursday with sales above what they had ended with in previous shows. So again, just amazing, thank you for all of that support, and our winner took home almost $35,000."

This year, the money was given to community fire departments around the province, and next year's category will be announced in September. The application process will open once the category is announced.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Jan 23, 2023 - 10:26 am

Just two months ago, Brian Onofreichuk once again started collecting dog food in memory of Adrian Gulay, a former RCMP officer based in Roblin. He took his life nine years ago so Brian, a great friend decided to start collecting dog food because Gulay was a big dog lover.

Then two months after he started collecting, Brian was at the Parkland Humane Society on Saturday afternoon to donate the food. The total donated was just about 3000 pounds.

Standing outside his trailer full of dog food, Onofreichuk says he was overwhelmed by the support.

"There has been so much incredible support," said Onofreichuk. "The generosity from everyone has been incredible."

The food will now be used to feed homeless dogs around the region. Ron Chartrand is the President of the Humane Society and he says the donation means a lot.

"It means that we can help a ton of animals around the region," said Chartrand. "To have Brian be able to pull together something like this, it's just incredible. We rely on the support from the public so we really can't thank him enough, it's amazing."

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 23, 2023 - 5:16 am