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Mountain View School Division is seeking to be considered in the mental health in schools initiative.

The initiative was announced by the Province of Manitoba in December.

MVSD has been hosting mental health first aid training for staff.

Some of the topics in the training include eating disorders, substance-related disorders, and self-harm.

Psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia are also discussed.

The superintendent of MVSD Dan Ward says that mental health is something that should be recognized by all schools.

“Students, who are supported in their schools to attain positive mental health, not only perform better academically, but by and large, are happier children and young people. I think that’s an essential role that schools play.”

While Ward says the schools' staff doesn’t replace any medical professional, they have the skills to recognize concerns in students.

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The spring forecast has been released by the Weather Network.

Michael Carter, a meteorologist with the weather network, says heading into spring, we’ve had a winter struggling to commit itself to cold weather.

“As we turn the page into spring we might see that pattern continuing, but with no real persistent warmth. We’re going to see a lot of back and forth especially in the early part of spring leading to overall temperatures probably near normal across the region through the spring season. But with some definite periods of winter-like interruption in there as well.”

Carter is expecting precipitation to be normal and the closer you get to the US border, the more precipitation there’ll be.

“But of course, we are moving into a wetter time of year. Precipitation in just a typical year, increases dramatically through March, April and May. So we certainly would expect to see those numbers coming up a little bit. But it is certainly something we’re watching especially as we get into the planting season, the early part of the agricultural year, we’re going to be watching that very closely.”

Carter says a lot of the country will see typical spring weather.

“The core of the colder area that we’re expecting to see is up near Hudson Bay, the northern parts of Manitoba may be tipping a little bit cold this year compared to a normal typical spring season. The west coast might be a little bit warm, so if you’re looking for some above-normal temperatures, maybe head out to Vancouver or the BC coast this year. That’s where the Pacific influence is going to be the strongest and so the mildest temperatures are going to be found out west.”

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At the end of March, Mountain View School Division superintendent Dan Ward will be presenting to the Council of Ministers of Education Canada.

MVSD was selected to present at the workshop in Ottawa because of their strategic plan and report.

Ward says the department was interested in how they separated their data for indigenous and non-indigenous students and how they target supports in schools to support the learning needs of all students.

“So we are going to present on that topic at CMEC in Ottawa in late March, in terms of how the division uses the data, how we present the data to schools, and how as school leaders, we use it to essentially guide our planning around supporting students to learn to  the best of their ability.”

The workshop will focus on elementary and secondary education, exploring topics such as student completion pathways, data-sharing, approaches to self-identification, usage of indigenous data, and linking quantitative and qualitative data.

Ward says MVSD can learn from other school divisions from across Canada and hear what those divisions do with their data and what initiatives they have to support indigenous learners.

“I’m very much looking forward to hearing what’s working in other parts of Canada. Of course, we have our own context and our own needs, but I think the division will benefit from learning from other divisions and districts, in terms of not only how they use their data, but how they plan to ensure every student is supported.”

Ward says it’s a great honour that the Mountain View School Division is the only rural school division that was nominated to present.

“I believe we provide a unique rural perspective on our programming.”

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Municipal representatives from the Parkland met to discuss what to do next in regards to the closure of the Dauphin Correctional Centre. 

In their February 13th meeting, the group discussed what they learned from the town hall meeting and MGEU rally, as well as anecdotal stories from affected employees, inmates, families, business owners, and residents. 

At the meeting, Municipality of Ste. Rose mayor, Robert Brunel, was appointed group spokesperson. 

His first task is to get a meeting with Premier Brian Pallister so they can ask important questions and gather information about why they’re closing the DCC without committing to building a new facility. 

Brunel said that he plans to find out the reasoning for the sudden closure as well as the future for the affected areas.

"It's really a three part meeting. The first part is the jail and what happened to the original plan from previous governments of building a new facility. What's happening with the court house? Is there opportunies for employment for some of the people there and what's the economic development plan that the province is talking about for the area? Let's open the discussion, so we know what's going on and not have these decisions being made behind closed doors."

The group will meet again once the meeting with the premier has been secured. 

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A bill that eliminates farmers from paying the carbon tax has been seconded by Brandon-Souris Conservative Member of Parliament Larry Maguire.

Bill C-206 is being proposed to exempt farmers from paying the tax on gasoline, diesel fuel, and propane and natural gas.

The bill was introduced by Philip Lawrence, Conservative MP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, Ontario

A press release from Maguire’s office said that In Manitoba, the carbon tax cost farmers $1.7M on last year’s harvest to dry their corn.

Maguire says that he will continue to push the bill.

“I will encourage the Liberals to support this legislation and get it into law as soon as possible, Farmers cannot wait any longer and want to see action now.”

He adds that the change will help not only farmers but consumers as well. 

"We wanted to make sure that it was taken off so it does two things. It helps the farmers get their grain dry and in a position where they can maintain it to the point of having it in the processable state, and it keeps food prices down for consumers."

The Keystone Agriculture Producers estimates that the carbon tax has cost the average Manitoba grain farmer over $1,700 in grain drying alone.

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The Sifton Fire Department now has Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey helping them out on the administrative side of things.

Abrey shares his thoughts on the change.

“Yeah, it’s quite an honour to have been asked by the RM of Dauphin if I would be willing to work alongside of the Sifton Fire Department in assisting with their budgeting and other administrative duties.”

The Sifton deputy fire chiefs will continue to look after the operations of the fire department.

Abrey says the change is happening because the former Sifton fire chief retired and nobody with the Sifton Fire Department was interested in the role.

“They felt there was a lot of fresh people to the department that needed a bit more experience, so we had offered to assist and try to mentor the members of Sifton Fire Department that are willing to step up to the roles of the deputy fire chief and help them along their way.”

Abrey says the Dauphin Fire Department already works closely with Sifton on certain emergency responses.

“Operationally, nothing has changed at all and we look forward to continuing working with Sifton Fire Department and building our relationship even closer than it was before.”

Over the past few years, the Dauphin Fire Department has a system with Sifton where they are immediately dispatched for any structure fires or if extrication is needed. In addition, if Sifton decides they need help with other incidents, they can request Dauphin comes along.

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A new Forage Insurance review is letting producers suggest program changes.

The review is incorporating online surveys and in-person consultations to determine how to improve the current programs.

Carson Callum General Manager of Manitoba Beef Producers encourages producers to share their thoughts and opinions.

“We just encourage producers to check it out online. There’s a current online survey that’s been launched. You can go to Manitoba Beef Producers social media and website for that information where you can take part in that survey. And keep their eye out for other announcements relating to this.  We want to encourage producers to take part as best they can especially if changes to the Forage plan are something they see beneficial.”

If you are interested in getting involved, the surveys can be found on engagemb.ca or you can visit one of the public kiosks at 117 Second Ave. NW, in Roblin or 120 Sixth Ave. N in Swan River.

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Back on Saturday, Roblin RCMP began investigating a homicide.

The victim, who was found unresponsive with serious injuries, has been identified as a 35-year-old male from Roblin.

Joshua Edward Britton, a 26-year-old male from Roblin, has been charged with manslaughter.

In court today, Britton was remanded to the next court date of March 3rd.

The investigation is still ongoing.

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The Independent Investigation Unit is investigating an allegation of assault by Brandon Police Service officers in the arrest of a 31-year-old female.

On February 20th Brandon Police Service responded to a domestic disturbance where they attempted to take a female into custody.

The woman became uncooperative with the officers and force was used in order to arrest her.

While no serious injuries were suffered, the woman is alleging that she was assaulted by the officers during her arrest.

The investigation is ongoing.

Witnesses or other individuals who have additional information are asked to contact IIU toll-free at 1-844-667-6060.

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Earlier in the month, a cougar was killed in a wolf snare near Grandview.

Bill Watkins, a biologist with the wildlife and fisheries branch says they were able to trace back the cougar.

“The animal was originally radio-collared by researchers in the Cypress Hills on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border way back in 2011. So this is an animal that is approximately 10 years of age and they were able to track its route to about as far as Moose Mountain Provincial Park in Saskatchewan before the radio went dead.”

Watkins says there have been other long-distance movements by cougar, but this ranks in the top 10 traverses they’re aware of. From where it was tracked in Cypress Hills to where it died, it had travelled over 1200 kilometres.

There’s a protocol if trappers find a cougar in their traps.

“For any trapper that finds a cougar in one of their sets on their trap line, they must immediately contact their local office where conservation officers can come out and have a look at it. It is a protected species in Manitoba and therefore, they have to report it immediately so we can make sure it’s all above board, it was caught legally and that sort of thing.”

Watkins says If you see a cougar in the wild, give it room to escape, but if it shows interest in you, move away to your vehicle or a building, don’t run, look and sound fierce by yelling and throwing things at it. He adds if the cougar attacks, fight back because past stories suggest anyone who puts up a vigorous defence will survive the encounter.

Another notable point Watkins made is there has never been a cougar attack in Manitoba ever.

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Saturday was the 4th annual Coldest Night Of The Year walk.

People met at Parkland Crossing and walked around the city to raise money for Habitat For Humanity.

The money is going towards the build of a Habitat For Humanity Home in Dauphin.

Habitat for Humanity board of director Nancy Tregunna was pleased with this year’s turnout.

“I was very excited to see so many families come out this year and we have a lot of walkers, so I'm hoping that everyone is going to have a fantastic time and we’re so happy that the weather has been fantastic too.”

The goal is to raise $20,000.

Currently, they have reached over $12,000.

She adds that you can donate money until March 31st at CNOY.org/dauphin.

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