Ebb and Flow Man Charged With Kidnapping

RCMP say a man from Ebb and Flow First Nation has been arrested after holding a 44-year-old woman against her will and sexually assaulting her over a period of time.

She managed to leave the residence and was taken by Emergency Medical Services to hospital.

Blaine Lindsay Malcolm, aged 54, from Ebb and Flow First Nation was arrested and has been charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault, assault, administering a noxious substance, and uttering threats.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court today in Dauphin.

RCMP continue to investigate.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: May 25, 2021 - 2:13 pm

A group of Manitoba doctors are urging health officials to implement a stay-at-home order as COVID-19 infection rates continue to soar.

Chief Nursing Officer for Shared Health, Lanette Siragusa, says that the majority of hospitalizations during the third wave consist of younger Manitobans.

“The demographic of patients that we are seeing in this third wave is quite different than what we saw in wave two or wave one. They are younger patients, many between their 30’s and 50’s. Co-morbidity is not the same at all as what we saw before. They’re younger, they’re healthier, yet they are still critically ill and come in needing to be incubated, they need help with their breathing, and are admitted into ICU because of that.”

Manitoba has been transferring ICU patients to Ontario as hospitals in the province experience an overflow of patients.

The federal government says it will provide medical staff through the Canadian Red Cross as well as military help, and is also prepared to deploy epidemiologists, lab technicians, and other supports.

Provincial lead medical services specialist, Dr. Perry Gray, is calling on Manitobans to follow essential public health orders.

“The better the public health compliance, the more people we can return to non-COVID care, and provide more care to people who don’t have COVID. We want to get our staff back to them. That is why we are here asking for compliance with public health measures.”

Manitoba continues to have the highest infection rate in Canada.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: May 25, 2021 - 2:00 pm

Manitoba is extending the public health orders that were in effect for the Victoria Day long weekend.

The restrictions were set to expire at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26^th, but will remain in effect for the rest of the week.

The following health orders will remain in effect until May 29^th at 12:01 a.m.:
• indoor public gatherings are not permitted and visitors are not permitted on private property, except in certain circumstances
• outdoor gatherings with anyone from outside a household are not allowed and this applies to all recreation spaces including playgrounds, golf courses, parks, and sports fields
• retail businesses may only operate at 10 percent capacity or 100 customers, whichever is fewer, and only one person per household will be allowed to enter a business, with some exceptions, such as a single parent with children or someone who requires a caregiver
• many businesses and organizations will remain closed for in-person service including gyms and fitness clubs, restaurants and bars, personal service businesses, museums, galleries, and libraries

The Public Health Act states that Manitobans who live alone can still designate one person to have at their residence, and they may also attend that person's residence.

This is in addition to a variety of health orders that are in effect. To see a full list of health orders, click here.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: May 25, 2021 - 1:06 pm

Kyle Parisian is wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant.

His current whereabouts are unknown at this time. If you have information about the 27-year-old, you're asked to call Major Crimes at 204-986-6219.

You can also submit a tip to Crime Stoppers.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: May 25, 2021 - 10:27 am

All schools in the City of Dauphin are being transitioned to remote learning.

Due to an increased number of COVID-19 cases at schools in the city, Manitoba Public Health has advised the Mountain View School Division to move to full remote learning for two weeks.

Beginning Wednesday, May 26th, the DRCSS, Smith-Jackson, Ecole Macneill, and Lt.Col. Barker VC schools will all be closed to in-person learning until June 9th.

Whitmore School, Mackenzie Middle School, and Henderson Elementary will extend their current remote learning periods until June 9th.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: May 25, 2021 - 5:22 am

Pine Creek First Nation is closing its band office, health centre, Jordan's Principle office and daycare centre because of the increase of COVID-19 cases in the community.

On top of the closures, the community is placing checkpoints at some highway junctions. Security at those checkpoints will take note of names and vehicles passing through, and those names will be passed along to the First Nation's health officials.

Figures released Sunday night showed that the community had 15 active cases of COVID-19, including eight variant of concern cases.

40 people and 13 homes are in isolation.

The closures were implemented yesterday evening and will last for at least two weeks, and are set to be reassessed on June 4^th.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: May 24, 2021 - 7:36 am

Today’s Victoria Day, a Canadian federal holiday established to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday.

In 1845, it was declared an actual holiday by the parliament of the Province of Canada, and became a legal holiday in 1901, when the Queen died.

Victoria Day is known by different names like May Long Weekend, May Run, and May Long.

Victoria Day is the oldest state holiday of Canada and Canada is the only country to honour Queen Victoria with an official holiday.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: May 24, 2021 - 5:05 am

As many areas in southern Manitoba experience wildfires due to extremely dry conditions, the Reeve of Mossey River is extending his thanks to everyone battling the fires.

Ron Kostyshyn says some fire crews have been at work for days at a time to control fires

“The fire departments and various communities are trying to control numerous fires in our Municipality – anywhere from the Oakbank country to the east part of our municipality up to the northern parts and the western parts – so there’s a number of municipalities. More importantly, the fire departments who dedicate their times to help out and to deal with what I would call a historical event in our municipality for the amount of fires we’re putting up with.”

Kostyshyn is thanking all fire departments in the area, along with landowners who have come to assist, for all of their hard work and dedication.

“From the staff of the Mossey River Municipality and council, we appreciate all the hard work they’ve done.”

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: May 24, 2021 - 5:00 am

Last week, MLA Brad Michaleski introduced a private member’s resolution in Legislature commending the province’s commitment to protecting and enhancing Manitoba’s fish and wildlife habitats.

The province has made significant investments through the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund to support initiatives like projects, programs and studies.

Michaleski says the move by the government to modernize funding is really smart.

“It puts a layer of accountability and transparency in those funds, and it also adds an element of marketability.”

Michaleski says the resolution gives him an opportunity as a private member to stand up in the house and acknowledge the work that’s being done.

“I took the opportunity to really showcase and shine the light on the great the work of the Inner Mountain Sport Fish Enhancement Group and other groups in the area.”

Moving forward, the province has entered into an agreement with the Winnipeg Foundation to administer a trust fund that will provide stable and long-term funding for fishing and wildlife initiatives.