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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
The Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce celebrated their 118th anniversary today.
Stephen Chychota, Executive Director with the Chamber of Commerce says although this year's celebration looked a little different, they were still able to hand out their outstanding member awards.
“Everything kind of lined up really nice today where we’ve had those plaques sitting around for a little bit. Usually what happens on a normal year is we have a nice big awards lunch in March, but COVID hit, so we couldn’t end up doing that this year. We’re dropping a few of them off today and tying them in with the gift card program that we’ve been putting on for the last few months.”
Chychota adds that over the last year the pandemic has had a big impact on the way they operate, but that they look forward to continuing their support for local businesses in the Parkland.
The Dauphin Chamber was federally registered back in 1903.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Manitoba government is directing $20 million towards provincial parks through their new Provincial Parks Endowment Fund.
A worker with Manitoba Conservation and climate says that it’s too early to tell how much each individual park will be getting, but that it’s much needed and very exciting.
Some of the projects that this fund will support include:
• campground enhancements
• development and maintenance of trails and boardwalks
• interpretive infrastructure to support programming
• improvements to amphitheatres, shelters, playground equipment, docks and launches
• park road maintenance
• habitat restoration and enhancement
• historical assets and cultural sites
• infrastructure to support programming
• machinery and operational equipment
• municipal servicing infrastructure
The fund, which is managed by the Winnipeg Foundation, is expected to generate around $1 million for parks annually.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The city of Dauphin has announced that recycling pick-up in parts of the day 3 area has been delayed.
If your recycling bin has not been picked up, Ottenbreit Sanitization services ask that you leave your bin out for collection.
Anyone with questions can contact Ottenbreit Sanitization Services at 1-204-783-6995.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Today marks the 51st celebration of Earth day – a day where millions of people around the world reflect on our relationship with the planet.
Earthday.org says this year’s theme is ‘Restore Our Earth’, focusing on new technologies that can help restore the world’s ecosystems.
Virginia Cail, Co-chair of Citizens’ Climate Lobby Dauphin Chapter shares some of the things you can do to celebrate this year.
“We can use less energy ourselves, put the temperature down in our house, share transportation when you can, some of those practical things. Whatever things nurture you, whatever ways you feel cared for, do that for the earth because we’re all part of the same organism.”
This year, residents in Roblin and Alonsa are encouraged to celebrate through community clean-ups on Saturday, April 24th. More information can be found here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
