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An investigation by Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) has led to several charges related to the sexual abuse of children.
MFNPS officers were notified of the alleged abuse by Sandy Bay Child and Family Services.
The case involves two child victims and several suspects. The allegations were disclosed to have happened in Sandy Bay First Nation between 2014 and 2020.
As a result of the investigation, MFNPS arrested a total of 7 people, some adults and some youths. A total of 44 Criminal Code charges have been laid.
The victims have been placed outside of the community with the assistance of Sandy Bay Child and Family Services.
No names will be released to protect the identity of the victims.
All suspects have been released from custody and have been ordered to appear in court at a later date.
The investigation is ongoing.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
No new cases of COVID-19 have been identified today. The total number of cases in the province is unchanged at 314.
There is still no one in the hospital and the number of deaths remains at 7.
At this time there are 14 active cases, and 293 people have recovered from the virus.
As of Monday morning, the total number of people tested at the three Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region designated COVID testing sites is 3,297. There have been 26 confirmed cases in the PMH region.
Dauphin's designated site has tested a total of 489 people while Swan River's has tested 164. The Brandon site has tested 2,644.
Dauphin's site is located at the Community Health Services Building Parking Lot. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. You do not need an appointment or need to call Health Links to go get tested. It is advised to take the online self-assessment test before visiting a testing location.
For more information about COVID-19, click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
If you’re planning on driving through Riding Mountain National Park, there’s some upcoming road work you should be aware of.
On Wednesday, June 24, construction work begins on parts of Highway 10 from kilometre 17 to 25.
Crews will also be working on some roads in Wasagaming, including:
- Ta-Wa-Pit Drive (from Highway 10 to Balsam Street)
- Columbine Street (from Highway 10 to Wasagaming Drive)
- Wasagaming Drive (from Highway 10 to Mooswa Drive)
You can expect some single-lane traffic, and speed reductions to 60 km/hour in construction zones.
The work is being done to prolong the life of the asphalt, and is expected to take about 5 days.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The provincial government is introducing a new program to help incentivise Manitobans to get back to work.
A maximum of $2,000 will be sent out to people who quit the CERB benefit and return to work, as a part of the Manitoba Job Restart program.
Premier Brian Pallister explains that some Manitobans are choosing to collect the CERB benefit, instead of returning to work.
"While a person collecting CERB is allowed to work, they lose CERB if they earn more than $1,000 a month. Someone working part-time at minimum wage that accepts a move to full-time could actually end up with less money in their pocket."
The Manitoba Job Restart program will provide bi-weekly payments of $500 to a total of $2,000 over six weeks.
Program participants must voluntarily stop collecting the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or the Canada Emergency Student Benefit.
To remain in the program, applicants must:
• actively return to work in Manitoba to a job with at least 30 hours per week in order to be eligible for the first $500 payment;
• complete a simple declaration for each of the following two weeks certifying that they are still working at least 30 hours per week in order to receive the next three $500 payments;
• no longer receive CERB, CESB or similar COVID-19 related support from the federal government;
• follow Manitoba’s COVID-19 health guidelines in the workplace; and
• continue residing permanently in Manitoba and be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Application forms will be available until June 26th and will be accepted until July 31.
For more information click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced yesterday, the school year will begin September 8th.
The news pleases MVSD Superintendent Dan Ward because they now have a date to work with.
“We’re also pleased that there’s not going to be a whole lot of disruption to families. I mean, this is typically when students do come back and so, I don’t think it’s going to greatly impact summer plans and I know our students and our families do need a break, they do need a rest after what’s been occurring so far. So generally, we’re happy with the announcement.”
Schools have already been preparing for the next school year and the preparation will continue over the summer. Ward says the number of scenarios they have to consider will make the work challenging.
“We hope that all students will be back on September the 8th, and if that’s the case, we know there’s going to be some social distancing requirements we’re going to have to plan for. Staggered times in terms of students moving from class to class, we’re going to have to look at our recess schedule, our break schedules, our lunch schedules, we’re going to have to look at advanced cleaning protocols, we’re going to have to look at increased safety measures and protocols, and what to do if a student becomes ill, and the list does go on.”
Ward says there’s a lot their principals and the division leadership team have been looking at and will continue to plan over the summer.
“Those plans really can’t become concrete until we know from the province exactly what school re-entry will look like and of course, that will largely depend on how the situation develops in the coming weeks.”
Goertzen says more details on the School Reopening Plan will be announced soon.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Dauphin RCMP is looking for help in finding those responsible for the vandalism.
Early in the morning Saturday, RCMP were told, an unknown group of people had broken the windows at the City of Dauphin passenger warming shelter on 1st Ave. NW.
Officers found that three windows had been broken and the suspects had fled the scene.
The passenger warming shelter is being replaced today for an estimated cost of $1,450.
If you have information that could assist the investigation, contact the Dauphin RCMP at 204-622-5020.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The province is planning to give Manitobans more freedom to visit loved ones in personal care homes.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen announced the changes on Monday, which will allow a limited number of visitors to go inside nursing homes after they are screened. Visitors will be required to wear a mask.
The new rules are set to take effect Tuesday, June 23.
The rules in Manitoba had previously only allowed limited outdoor visits.
The Health Minister remarked that relaxing visitor policies will help support the physical and mental health of those living care homes — and that virtual and window-visits can only do so much.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Dauphin City Council convened on Monday evening for a physically distanced meeting.
The meeting started off with a public hearing on the possibility of a new funeral home at 506 Main Street South.
Council also heard a presentation from the Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Dauphin chapter. Co-chairs Virginia Cail and Rebecca Van Otterloo brought forward some suggestions on how the city could monitor & reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and “respond to the need for climate mitigation and adaptation.”
In the City Manager’s report, Sharla Griffiths reiterated that property taxes were mailed out on June 8 and — for this year — are due September 30.
Griffiths says questions about tax bills can be directed to the tax clerk at City Hall, at 204-622-3204.
The City Manager also commented on Phase Three of Manitoba’s reopening plan, saying she doesn’t think this wave of relaxing restrictions will have too much of an impact on city operations.
Griffiths says there will be a regularly scheduled management meeting on Wednesday, where it will be discussed further whether Restoring Safe Services Together: Phase 3 will have any impact on the City’s operations.
The City of Dauphin is also looking at revamping their website, which was originally designed back in 2012. Council say it may take a few months before a new site launched.
You can view the meeting agenda for Monday, June 22 here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
On Monday, the provincial government confirmed the school year will begin on September 8 for students.
Manitoba's Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen revealed the news in a series of tweets.
He says school divisions have been advised that classes will begin at the traditional start time.
Schools will reopen for teachers and staff on September 2 to provide time to prepare spaces and inform staff about health protocols.
Having heard this feedback, school divisions have been advised that schools will reopen for students on September 8th after Labour Day. This is the traditional start time for students. /3 #MBPoli
— Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (@mingoertzen) June 22, 2020
Going forward, we’re still waiting on the government to provide more information on how classrooms will actually look in the new school year.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Roblin RCMP are looking for a missing girl, who was last seen on Friday, June 19 in Valley River First Nation around 1 p.m.
16-year-old Shyla Catagas, from Valley River First Nation, was reported missing on Saturday night.
She is described as approximately 5’1” in height, 120 lbs, with long black hair and brown eyes.
Her whereabouts are unknown, but police say she may be in the area of Brandon, or Regina.
Anyone with information is asked to call Roblin RCMP at 204-937-2164 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
It was a busy morning at Dauphin Recreation Services, with the expanded reopening of the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre.
Tamara Kolida, Programs & Promotions Coordinator with Dauphin Rec, says there’s been a good deal of excitement in the air.
“Our pool opens today, and I think everyone is excited, and we’re excited to see the parking lot have some cars in there. It’s a good day.”
From June 22 to July 3rd, the pool will be operating on a limited schedule, as staff are testing the waters to see if the current set up allows enough time between programs properly clean and sanitize.
On July 6th, the schedule will open up to things like public swimming, but will be limited to a maximum of 40 people.
“Right now it’s limited, so there’s no public swimming right now because that’s really hard to monitor and clean in between. All of the programs running for the next two weeks are limited.”
Kolida says the hot tub at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre must remain closed at this time.
At this time, the south entrance is the only way into the building — where members have to sign in at the front desk and sanitize before entering the pool.
Swimming Lessons
Over 100 people had lessons cancelled in the spring due to COVID. Those people had first access to signing up for lessons last week. As of Monday, June 22, swimming lesson registration opened up to the public.
Kolida says there are still lots of July swim lessons available for the public, and encourages you to go online to register children.
Splash Park
Due to a mechanical failure, the splash park is closed at Vermillion Park for the foreseeable future.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
