20 years for Prairie Classic

2024 marks a special year for the Russell Lions Club Prairie Classic Walleye Tournament.

This is the 20th anniversary of the fishing tournament, which draws in teams from as far as the United States, as well as across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Duane Klimack with the Russell Lions Club says there is still room for more teams to enter.

"We are right at 100 teams. We would like to get to 120, but we have not been there for a few years. I think last year we had 108 teams, so we would definitely like to see a few more before the derby starts. It is a shotgun start early Saturday morning so right up until Friday we will accept registrations for sure."

Taking place this Saturday and Sunday, around 100 teams are registered so far, hoping to share in the over 65 thousand dollars in prize money, including 25 thousand for the first place team.

Duane Klimack with the Russell Lions Club says it is quite the sight to see all of those boats out on Lake of the Prairies.

"Early morning (both days) there will be I believe 30-40 boats out there sitting behind the start line. And as soon as we have the shotgun start, they race off as if it was the Indy 500. They are gone up the lake to find those big fish. And then they get everything ready for the second heat and that all happens again an hour later. So it is incredible to watch those huge, powerful fishing boats head up the lake."

The event begins with a parade on Friday afternoon at 5, followed by a meeting to go over the rules and hand out starting times to the competitors.

It costs $700 per team to take part, and if you want to be a part of the competition you can go online to www.lakeoftheprairies.com.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jun 4, 2024 - 6:00 pm

Further Developments from the Mountain View School Division, as three board trustees have resigned from their positions as of Monday morning.

MVSD Board chair made statements to CBC on the matter, saying "There was a power struggle between the old guard and, let's say, the new kids on the block," noting, "The people who resigned are the old guard."

Northwest Métis Council Vice President Francis Chartrand spoke with CKDM, following the Red River Métis' government States on this developing issue.

"The biggest concern I have of course would be the children, staff, and the families that are a part of all Mountain View School Division. We've had backlash and calls from some of our parents saying they're going to pull their children out of school. Is it a safe environment?"

Chartrand's concerns arise over the timeline of these events.

"So, you have this presentation from Paul Coffey. You have the firing of the Superintendent. Then you have three trustees resign (yesterday) morning. So we know there's problems in the big house."

The Province is still in the midst of a governance review after the previous statements made by Trustee Paul Coffey in a presentation entitled "Racism/Anti-Racism: Nice Until It Isn't".

Chartand hopes the resulting fallout of these events doesn't affect the teachers, and the quality of education.

"We have a great partnership with the Mountain View Teachers Association. We want to make sure the staff are safe. The Staff are teaching our students are safe, and that there's no repercussions to them."

Notably, the three trustees who resigned as of Monday were not in attendance at the emergency meeting that took place Friday, which held the vote to remove Superintendent Jaddock from his role.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jun 4, 2024 - 3:57 pm

Charges have been laid against an Ethelbert man in a suspected arson case.

Dauphin RCMP say at around 3:45 Saturday morning, they received word of a reported arson happening at a home on Railway Avenue in Ethelbert.

The victim reported hearing noises outside of her window and saw a fire on the outside corner of her home.

A male suspect was seen running from the home.

The fire was extinguished with minor damage to the home, and the victim and her three children were able to get out of the home safely.

After a description of the suspect was given, police made an arrest at a property North of Ethelbert that afternoon.

54-year-old Marc Andre Dorais faces several charges, including Arson with Disregard for Human Life, Criminal Harassment, Mischief, and three counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

He also faces weapons offences after being found in possession of a hatchet and three knives.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jun 4, 2024 - 1:45 pm

A 25-year-old man faces a total of 10 charges following a weapons complaint on the Sandy Bay First Nation.

At around 10 pm Saturday night, Manitoba First Nations Police Service responded to an incident at a home in the community.

After ensuring others in the home were able to get out safely, officers found out a suspect in the home had fired a gun earlier that day.

At 2:30 Sunday morning, the Manitoba RCMP Emergency Response Team and MFNPS Canine unit entered the home and arrested a suspect.

Among the charges laid against Joseph Cam Sutherland were uttering threats, obstructing a peace officer, and several firearms related offences.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jun 4, 2024 - 12:32 pm

The Mountainview School Division announced Monday the departure of Superintendent Stephen Jaddock, effective immediately.

No reason was given for Jaddock's departure.

CKDM News Now reached out to the School Division for comment, with School Board Chair Gabe Mercier responding by email with the following statement

"Out of respect for Mr. Jaddock's privacy and in keeping with our commitment to confidentiality, the Board of Trustees will not be providing further details on his departure. We can confirm that our focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition and continuing to provide a high-quality education to our students."

CBC however is reporting this morning that Mercier told them that Jaddock was removed because he proposed a change to his salary, and that his contract was ending at the end of June.

CKDM has also learned that three trustees - Leifa Misko, Scott McCallum, and Floyd Martens - resigned from the school board on Monday.

The search for a new Superintendent and CEO will begin immediately.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jun 4, 2024 - 7:38 am

The St. Viator's Catholic Women's League is giving back to support the community.

After raising some excess money through a fundraising effort, the Women's League will be giving a total of $5000 across 5 organizations.

These include the Dauphin Personal Care Home, St. Paul's Activity Department, Dauphin Hospital Palliative Care, Star Air Ambulance, and Ronald McDonald House.

Linda Zazuliak, from the church group, is thrilled to support these initiatives.

"We would like our community to know that St. Viator's Catholic Women's League is here, we're alive. And, we want to thank our community. We do bake sales and perogies, and we wanted to give back to the community."

The money was initially raised to replace some infrastructure in the parish, but now further supports everyone in Dauphin.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jun 4, 2024 - 6:09 am

A double homicide has been reported by the Winnipegosis RCMP after gunshots rang out in Minegoziibe Anishinabe.

On Sunday, June 2nd, at approximately 11:30 pm, shots were reported on West Road in that community, and RCMP located a 34-year-old male.

Despite life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.

In the early hours of June 3rd, roughly 4:30 am, a deceased woman, aged 52 was found near where the first victim was found.

About an hour later, a suspect was identified and contained in a house, firing shots at the police.

No officers were harmed in this altercation.

The 19-year-old suspect attempted to flee in an off-road vehicle but was soon detained.

No formal charges have been laid, and the investigation continues.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jun 3, 2024 - 5:50 pm

A roof leak at Parkland Rec Complex has created some notable water damage, with more firm assessments.

Drywall and flooring will be replaced or repaired in much of the upper floors, including areas of the Aspen Lodge, Curlers Lounge, Kitchen Facilities, and Bathrooms.

water damage also seeped down as far as the office, where drywall must be replaced.

Dauphin Rec Services sends their thanks to ICL for their assistance in this assessment and construction thus far.

DRS reminds everyone that no scheduled programming should be interrupted as these repairs take place.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Jun 3, 2024 - 2:55 pm

Two adults and one minor are facing multiple charges after the investigation into the illegal sale of liquor from a home on the Ebb and Flow First Nation.

On May 29, officers from Ste. Rose along with assistance from the Manitoba West District CREST, and Police Dog Services, executed a search warrant at a residence in the community.

Upon a search, officers seized numerous bottles of liquor, several cases of beer, over seven grams of crack cocaine, marihuana, unstamped tobacco, and over $5000 in cash to go along with a loaded firearm.

Three suspects were arrested, one of which is 17-years-old. The other male is 29 while the lone female is 45 years old.

All three will appear in a Dauphin courtroom on August 29, where they will face charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. Charges were also issued under the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act for the Unauthorized Sale of Liquor and Possession of Fewer than 25 units of unmarked Tobacco.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 3, 2024 - 1:16 pm

Another court appearance has been made by a Key First Nation man who was arrested following a weapon and drug bust this past February in Dauphin.

40-year-old Roland Klyne was remanded back into custody until his next court appearance this Friday.

And a 25-year-old from Gilbert Plains also had a new court date set in connection with the discovery last October by RCMP of around 375 thousand dollars worth of heavy machinery and vehicles.

Jordy Robertson will return to court in Dauphin on June 11th.