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The government of Manitoba has announced new public health orders, amid increasing case numbers and variants of concern.
Premier Brian Pallister says the third wave of the pandemic is here, it’s a race between variants and vaccines, and the variants are winning.
Dr. Brent Roussin announced today’s new public health orders:
- No visitors will be allowed at private residences, indoors or outdoors except for one visitor for those who live alone.
- No indoor gatherings will be permitted.
- Outdoor gatherings in public places will be capped at 10.
- Outdoor patio dining at restaurants will be restricted to four people, with no household restrictions.
- Shopping mall food courts will be closed.
- Faith-based gatherings are being reduced, with the capacity limited to 10 people or 25 per cent, whichever is lower. Indoor mask use is mandatory at all times.
- Gyms are allowed to stay open at 25 per cent capacity, but everyone inside will now have to stay at least three metres away from each other.
- Only one spectator per youth participant will be allowed to watch outdoor sports. Two-metre distancing requirements will be in effect.
- Music, dance and theatre schools can continue at 25 per cent capacity, but the latest restrictions now cap the number of people on site at 10, with a maximum of one parent or guardian per youth in the class, and everyone at least two metres apart.
- Day camps are allowed to move forward with a maximum of 10 children indoors or out.
- Retail stores can stay open at 25 per cent capacity, or up to 250 patrons, whichever is lower.
- Malls are also limited to 25 per cent capacity.
- Personal service businesses can stay open at 50 per cent capacity through appointments only.
The new orders will begin on Wednesday, April 28th and be in effect for four weeks
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Dauphin Fire Department confirmed on Monday that one member of the force has tested positive for COVID-19.
The individual was at the Fire Station during the week of April 19 in a limited capacity. As a result, Cam Abrey says all necessary precautions and Shared Health directives are being followed.
"The Fire Hall, equipment, and vehicles have been disinfected, in accordance with the routine cleaning done after each use, to ensure the safe operation for the Firefighters," said Abrey.
Abrey also confirmed that the force will continue to serve and protect the community.
"This doesn't interrupt anything for us as far as fire protection and emergency response," stated Abrey. "We have a compliment of officers to respond to any call we receive."
Manitoba is expected to announce more COVID-19 restrictions on Monday afternoon.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Roughly 300 people gathered at the Forks in Winnipeg over the weekend to protest Manitoba's public health orders.
Members of the group also clashed with police and enforcement officers as public gathering rules were broken. At this point, Manitoba has a 25-person limit for gatherings outdoors in public places.
Many of the protesters at the rally weren't wearing masks. Among those in attendance including Tobias Tissen, the minister of the Church of God in Sarto, Man., which is about 60 minutes from Winnipeg. His congregation has been fined numerous times for holding large, in-person gatherings.
We can expect to find out if anyone was fined later this week as the province will release it's weekly enforcement report.
On Monday afternoon, officials are expected to increase public health orders.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Coming up close and personal with a grizzly bear would be an extremely scary encounter unless it's Grizzly, the 150 pound St. Bernard who has been bringing smiles to people's faces for about six years.
Mark Saler bought Grizzly when he was seven weeks old and now, he's a therapy dog that has been travelling to hospitals in the Prairie Mountain Health region to greet visitors, visit sick patients, and of course, to say 'hi' to the busy hospital staff.
Saler decided to train Grizzly to become a therapy dog because he believes there needs to be more kindness in the world and he knows how a therapy dog can help many people smile.
The father-dog duo visited the hospital in Brandon, Minnedosa, and Neepawa for six years, with stops at the Brandon hospital being weekly while they also made regular visits to the hospital in Neepawa and Minnedosa. And while the visits have stopped because of the pandemic, Mark and Grizzly are waiting patiently for the time when they can get back to the hospital.
"The minute Grizzly walks in the door at the hospital, it's all smiles from everyone we see," said Saler. "He's so recognizable in Manitoba now and he has managed to make so many people smile, when they otherwise may not."
For the past two years, Grizzly has also been invited to the Winnipeg Jets "Hockey Fights Cancer" night. The game offers kids with cancer, free tickets and they get a chance to meet the St. Bernard. Although it won't happen this year because fans aren't permitted inside of Bell MTS Place, Mark says Grizzly will be welcomed back every year and they can't wait until next year's game.
Saler says feedback from the patients and staff has been overwhelming over the years.
"I get private messages all the time thanking me for what I do," offered Saler. "The staff always say how much our visit meant to the patients, so that means so much."
While they can't spend time in hospitals right now, the duo is making sure they make an impact in different ways. Mark decided to buy a bunch of stuffed St. Bernards and from there, he would leave them at the hospitals for the kids until Grizzly can return in person again.
Making a difference:
Grizzly has made such an impact over the years that last year, the Minnedosa Lions Club awarded him with a medal of hope, to go along with $500 to pay for Mark's travel expenses every week.
But Mark wasn't comfortable using the money for that, so instead, it went to purchasing the animals. And after others heard what he was doing, they stepped up to the plate and donated money. In the past two weeks, already 200 stuffed animals have been left at the hospital's and an order has been placed that will see many more stuffed animals heading to Brandon, Minnedosa, and Neepawa for patients and staff.
Mark says he plans on continuing to send stuffed animals to hospitals as long as the great sponsors continue to help fund the project, one that has continued to make patients and staff smile, despite Grizzly not being in person.
From the Minnedosa area, Saler says not only has Grizzy brought smiles and happiness to so many other people but also him as well. From the minute Mark wakes up in the morning until the minute he goes to sleep, Grizzly makes every day better and more enjoyable.
"I honestly couldn't see my life without Grizzly in it, he's just so amazing," ended Saler.
This is Mark's fourth St. Bernard, but it's the first one that he decided to train to become a therapy dog.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Manitoba is set to announce new public health measures on Monday afternoon as COVID-19 cases surge.
Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, are scheduled to make the announcement at 12;30 p.m.
Manitoba last tweaked its rules a week ago, when Roussin warned it was the last chance to avoid a lockdown.
Details of the new measures to be announced on Monday were not immediately available.
COVID-19 case counts have risen dramatically recently, from double-digits earlier in the spring to a daily average of 206 over the last week.
Manitoba recorded 259 cases of COVID-19 yesterday.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
As Manitobans get ready for the gardening season, many are facing a difficult time buying seeds this year.
Several businesses in Dauphin are feeling the effects of a Canada-wide seed shortage, saying placing orders for garden seeds has been tough.
Callan Michaluk, owner of Cloud Nine Canna Supplies in Dauphin, says as the pandemic goes on and restrictions remain, more people are trying their hand at gardening.
“I don’t have a seed order yet, it’s super late this year because of the shortage. There’s such an influx of new growers and gardeners because of the pandemic. Plants have been a really big thing this year because everyone is at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go so they’re kind of getting in touch with plants again. Seems like house plants are a really big thing this year.”
In addition to house plants, many vegetable seeds are becoming difficult to find.
Bev Birss Winniski, with Birss Greenhouse and Landscaping in Dauphin, advises gardeners to get their seeds as soon as possible, saying getting started early is important this year.
“I know that onions are hard to find, sweet potatoes are probably going to be hard to find, and garlic bulbs are probably gone as fast as they arrive in the stores if they can get any. We tried to get a seed display for ourselves this year, but they couldn’t supply us.”
Michaluck adds that specialty seeds seem to be a popular pick for gardeners.
“It kind of just seems like people are after the basics - the tomatoes, the lettuces, cucumbers, and watermelons – the fun things to grow as well, like watermelons and sunflowers. It seems like lots of parents are getting their children involved in gardening this year as well.”
Mark Odut, manager of Dauphin Home Hardware, says while they were able to secure an order, they may not be so lucky when trying to re-purchase.
“I think currently we’re okay but I’m sure as the season progresses we’ll get stuck with not being able to get that type of product. I think a lot of people are looking for projects or hobbies that they might normally not do and I think it’s affecting our sales a bit for sure.”
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Justin Barsewsky spent six years at the Winnipegosis Fire Department as a cadet and firefighter and he also worked part-time as an Emergency Medical Responder with the Winnipegosis & District Ambulance.
A graduate of Brandon University, Barsewsky made a switch and joined the Dauphin Fire Department in 2016, where he has been serving the community since.
The DFD recently announced that Darren Killen and Conrad Demeria were promoted as the new Deputy Chiefs while David Clark has now become the Training Officer/Safety Officer for the department's operations. And now, Justin has been promoted.
Barsewsky is now the Captain - Rescue Co. Knowing he wanted to be a firefighter for a long time, Justin is very excited about the promotion and he says he couldn't have done it himself, as he works with a great crew including Fire Chief, Cam Abrey.
"You always want to keep working hard and moving forward, so this is a great opportunity," said Barsewsky. "With that said, it's just a title. It's all about how people perceive you so I need to keep working hard and serving Dauphin and surrounding areas."
A Level II firefighter, Justin says he has enjoyed his time at the department immensely because he loves giving back to the community, a community that has welcomed him so greatly.
And whether it's in the field at a fire or in the classroom getting trained, Justin says he will give it his all, as he has been doing since day one.
"I enjoy learning all the time, it's really important to never stop learning," offered Barsewsky. "I'll keep putting in the effort and as a crew, we'll continue to work together. We'll see where this journey takes me, it's an exciting one."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The City of Dauphin held their budget deliberations this week.
Deliberations were discussed in person this year, and touched on the topics of tourism and economic development.
Budget scenarios were also discussed with Director of Finance, Scott Carr.
Laughland says the budgets are more complicated this year due to the impact of COVID-19.
“The budgets this year are so much more uncertain because with the vaccine in play we could be back to normal in the fall, so there could be things that come into the budget that wouldn’t necessarily be in it if COVID-19 was still going like it was last year, but if we’re back to normal it’s just so much more complicated.”
The budgets are not yet finalized, but more information should be coming out in the coming weeks.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Seven people were arrested after several drugs and weapons were seized in Brandon and the R.M. of Riverdale.
The RCMP Manitoba Organized Crime Unit (MCOU) conducted seven search warrants over seven months, involved with a drug trafficking network responsible for supplying meth, cocaine, and fentanyl to Brandon and Western Manitoba.
On Tuesday, April 20th RCMP seized $17,000, 14 firearms, cocaine, meth, and fentanyl at various locations in Brandon and the Riverdale Municipality.
RCMP seized multiple weapons, cocaine, meth, fentanyl, and cash at 7 different locations in Brandon and the Riverdale Municipality
A Honda Goldwing motorcycle stolen from British Columbia was also recovered.
Seven people were arrested and are facing multiple drug and firearm-related offenses. Five others have warrants out for their arrest.
The investigation is ongoing.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
As COVID-19 vaccination efforts continue to ramp up in the province, appointments at local pharmacies are filling up quickly.
The province recently expanded the eligibility criteria for who can receive a dose of the AstraZeneca jab, to all Manitobans aged 40 and older and First Nations people aged 30 and older.
Ken’s No Frills in Dauphin told CKDM they continue to book vaccine appointments online.
Barret Prosychyn says appointments at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy are fully booked, and they are calling people off a wait-list.
“Anyone can sign up for that and when your age group qualifies and we have the vaccine in our store, we will call you in. The waitlist is only for our store. If in the meantime you can get one at a supersite or a pop-up clinic, or at another pharmacy, or a clinic, take the first one that’s available to you.”
Prosychyn adds that anyone can sign up to be on the wait-list. To do so, click here, or call them at (204) 638-4602.
Sherri Gardner with Super Thrifty Pharmacy in Dauphin has confirmed they’re in the same boat and are calling people off their waiting list, as all appointments are booked. She says people can sign up for their vaccine cancellation list and get more information by calling the pharmacy at (204) 638-3702.
At this time, there’s no word on when any of the pharmacies will receive more vaccine shipments.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Dauphin Rec Services will soon be planting a variety of trees outside of City Hall, as a part of their tree planting initiative.
In light of Earth Day on Thursday, Mayor Al Dowhan donated a generous $3,000 towards tree planting in the city.
When speaking with Mayor Dowhan, he said he feels it’s his way of giving back to the community.
“We’re doing landscaping of the City Hall grounds. We had a landscape architect give us a plan and we’re going forward with it this year.”
Three types of trees will be planted including Delta Hackberry, Trembling Aspen, and Starlight Flowering Crabapple.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
