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If you've ever driven to or from Thompson, especially in the Winter, you might have a story or two to tell about driving on Highway 6.
A group called the Safer Highway 6 Citizens Action Group was recently at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg to bring awareness to the need for improvements to Highway 6. Especially during the cold, snowy months.
It's extremely dangerous in the winter time because there's so much semi-trailer and double-length trailer traffic. If it's a snowy day, over and over again, if you follow a semi, or one's coming at you, there's a couple seconds where you're blinded from snow. There's been a humongous number of accidents over the years, many people are scared to drive that highway..", said Volker Beckmann, who is part of the Safer Highway 6 Citizens Action Group.
Some of the accidents that have occured over the years on Highway 6 have been fatal. Including as recently as December of 2021 when Thompson's MLA Danielle Adams died in a car crash on the highway.
Beckmann noted they are seeking improvements such as wider shoulders, more rest stops, and more passing lanes.
The group also has a petition on change.org which has garnered close to 6000 signatures. It was presented to Doyle Piwniuk, Manitoba's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, who said he would take a drive to Thompson in June to see Highway 6 for himself. While Beckmann and the group were thankful for that future gesture, they say the minister needs to drive Highway 6 in Winter with his own family to truly understand the need for improvements.
Beckmann also mentioned the government said they are looking at a ten-year construction plan. However, he and the group pointed out that according to Manitoba Public Insurance there are 7 to 8 accidents a month on Highway 6.
".. And if we don't see improvements very soon over the next few years, those statistics for accidents will continue."
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The Grand Plains Handivan, which serves the Gilbert Plains and Grandview areas, has had to suspend its services while looking for a driver. Larissa Love is the Grandview Chief Administrative Officer, and she said they've been unsuccessful in filling the role of Coordinator/Driver so far.
If you don't have your Class 4 license the Handivan will reimburse you to get that licensing, provide training for you for the operation of the Handivan, and assist you in any way to make it a successful service again in our communities.
The coordinator manages the daily financial and operations of the Grand Plains Handivan and ensures communication between the board of directors, vendors, and municipal staff.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Last night, the RCMP West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST) made a traffic stop on Highway 10 in the RM of Dauphin. During the stop, they noticed a gun in the Vehicle.
The Driver, 34-year-old Britanny Bungay of Dauphin was found to have an outstanding warrant for Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and was also in possession of about 7 grams of Meth. She was arrested and remanded into custody on charges of:
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition in a Vehicle
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition without a Licence
- Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime
- Possession of a Firearm with a Tampered Serial Number
- Possession of Methamphetamine
The passenger, an unnamed 27-year-old female from Dauphin, was arrested and released win an upcoming court date on charges of:
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition in a Vehicle
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition Without a Licence
- Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime
The Dauphin RCMP along with CREST are still investigating.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Manitoba High School Rodeo is in Gilbert Plains on June 4th and 5th for one of their last events of the year.
75 Students compete in events across the province for the chance to go to Provincials in Swift Current for all ages, Nationals in Wyoming for High school, and Georgia for middle school according to Association Chair Teresa Fawns.
Our kids start in grade five and they go right through until they graduate in grade twelve. It's mostly Manitoba kids but we do have a few kids from Saskatchewan that are close to the border that come our way just because of traveling and cost.
You can see the events schedule and get more information about the rodeo from their website here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Manitoba Government introduced the Disaster Financial Assistance program at the beginning of May to help Manitobans recover from uninsured losses caused by flooding. They're now hosting Virtual Information Webinars for people to learn more about the application, screening, inspection, evaluation, and payment process of the program.
They're encouraging anyone with flood-related damage to attend one of the two remaining virtual sessions, as it will make it easier to navigate the program. The final two sessions are on May 30th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and June 8th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
They say the sessions will run about 45 minutes with time for questions after. You can sign up by emailing your name, municipality, and the session you want to attend to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Manitoba government introduced a new bill that would see license holders be allowed to sell all types of alcohol carried by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. This means beer stores would be able to carry wine and spirits as well, and wine stores would be able to have beer and spirits.
It also loosens the requirement for beer vendors to provide accommodation, which is the reason vendors have always had to be attached to hotels. The bill would allow for a five-year pilot project that would allow liquor sales in businesses like grocery stores, but it would have to go through a public consultation process first.
The PC Government says this would bring Manitoba more in line with other provinces, while the opposition NDP says the government is moving toward privatization, and more widely-available alcohol creates a risk to minors.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update: The severe thunderstorm watch has ended.
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There's a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for the Parkland. Environment Canada says a low-pressure system over east-central Saskatchewan will trigger isolated to scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. The threat of thunderstorms will diminish this evening.
Severe thunderstorms can cause a lot of different issues from hail to lightning, and even tornadoes, according to Environment Canada.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Beef Producers have an opportunity to be rewarded for getting a sustainability certification through the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Farm Credit Canada has created the Sustainability Incentive Program that will provide payment to FCC customers who have their CRSB certification.
FCC Director of Lending Products and Sustainability Programs Curtis Grainger says this program will pay out up to $2000 annually to producers who qualify, based on their lending with FCC.
"FCC's excited to join the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef to really acknowledge producers for getting their CRSB sustainability certification." said Grainger "FCC customers who are already certified through the CRSB are eligible to apply now through our online portal"
Producers who aren't yet certified by the CRSB are eligible for the program once they have their certification. You can apply for the program and find more information on FCC's website here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Rainbow Beach Provincial Park and Manipogo Provincial Park Campgrounds are open this weekend after conditions improved, however, there are still a number of closures around the province.
The province is still advising against travel to Duck Mountain because of road washouts. All campgrounds, canoe routes, and backcountry campsites are closed in Duck Mountain Provincial Park are closed.
Information about all the provincial park campground closures across the province can be found here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Prescribed fires are planned for today in Riding Mountain National Park if weather conditions allow for them. Parks Canada says the goal of prescribed fires is to help reduce the threat of wildfires and improve the area’s ecological health and this fire aims to restore oak woodlands and help maintain habitat for species at risk such as the Golden-Winged Warbler.
Some smoke may be visible and Parks Canada staff will monitor wind conditions to try and ensure smoke won't affect publicly used areas whenever possible. Specific areas may be closed for short periods of time for visitor and staff safety
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
A prescribed fire is planned for today (May 25th) in the Eastern boundary of Riding Mountain National Park in the Wilson Creek Prescribed Fire unit.
If conditions remain favourable, another prescribed fire will take place tomorrow in the greater Wilson Creek area.
The plan is to create a fire guard in the Mount Agissiz area. The prescribed fire also aims to restore oak woodlands and help maintain habitat for species at risk like the Golden-Winged Warbler.
You may see some smoke in the area as a results of the fires. Parks Canada staff will try to ensure that smoke doesn't affect publicly used areas when possible.
There may also be closures for short periods of time.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
