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Canadian-US border restrictions are being extended until April 21st.
United States officials made the announcement over Twitter yesterday that restrictions for non-essential travel will not be lifted for at least another month.
The announcement comes days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it’s too early to reopen the border, and that it isn’t an immediate priority.
The border has been closed to non-essential travel since March 21st 2020.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
A youth has been charged with 2nd-degree murder in the death of a woman whose remains were found in Portage la Prairie in September of 2020.
RCMP announced a 16-year old male from Winnipeg is now facing charges in connection to the death of 36-year-old Tamara Benoit.
Police say this is the same youth who was arrested in January 2021 and released without charges, who was 15 at that time.
He is remanded in custody.
Tamara Benoit was reported missing on July 10th, 2020 and was last seen in Portage la Prairie.
Her remains were discovered in Portage on September 3.
In January of 2021, police announced 2nd-degree murder charges for two other individuals in connection to the homicide investigation.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
This Thursday there will be pop-up clinics providing COVID-19 immunizations in several local communities — including Dauphin, Ashern, and Portage la Prairie.
Similar to the immunizations at the supersites (in Brandon, Winnipeg, Thompson and Selkirk), the pop-up clinics in smaller communities are by appointment only.
Eligible Manitobans can call 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) to book an appointment, however there may be few appointments still open at the pop-up clinics happening this week.
Appointments at supersites can now be made online here with an email address and health card number.
On Wednesday, eligibility criteria to be immunized at a supersite or pop-up clinic were expanded to include individuals aged 73 or older and First Nation people aged 53 or older.
Click here to see the popup clinic schedule, with hours of operation and clinic locations.
AstraZeneca Update
With the national vaccine advisory committee approving the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in those over the age of 64, the provincial vaccine task force announced how that will affect the way it’s used in Manitoba.
Medical lead for Manitoba's vaccine task force Dr. Joss Reimer said it won’t immediately change our plans, but called it great news for Manitobans in the long run.
“That doesn’t change the fact that we only have 18,000 doses of AstraZeneca available. So for now we will be sticking with the current eligibility criteria and continue to make it available through doctor's offices and pharmacies.”
The AstraZeneca is currently available for Manitobans aged 50 to 64 years — and First Nations people aged 30 to 64 — with a high-risk condition.
The AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine is now available through some medical clinics and pharmacies. The online map shows appointments are still available at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy and the Dauphin Medical Clinic. Click here to see more.
Reimer also spoke to some concerns over the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine, after several European countries halted its use this week linking it to blood clots.
“We are not seeing that here,” said Reimer, adding “the version of AstraZeneca being used in Europe is not the same as the [AstraZeneca batch] being used in Canada — we don’t have the same batch. But even if it was the same batch, there’s no indication that the vaccine has caused any of the adverse reactions being reported in Europe. In fact, in the UK where they’ve administered 11 million doses of AstraZeneca, they have not seen an increased risk of blood clots.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Dauphin Regional Library is holding a virtual storytime featuring a local author.
The virtual event will take place over the noon hour on March 25th.
Parkland Regional Library Director, Allison Moss, says author Alli Mackenzie, who grew up in Dauphin, will read her book “Robbie the Robot Steals the Moon”.
“So Alli will read her book and then there will be a little bit of a question and answer period. Tara, our children’s librarian will do a mini interview.”
Moss says they’re also holding a colouring contest, and the winner will get a signed copy of Alli’s book.
“We’re going to run a colouring contest. It’s a pretty informal contest. We want you to draw a picture of what you think a good robot looks like. Then you can put your name on it and your parent’s phone number, and stick it through the book slot drop or you can drop it off at the library.”
For more information and to register, you can call the library at 204-638-6410, email Tara at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or click here to register online.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Today Manitoba health officials expanded the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria.
Manitobans aged 73 and older, and First Nations people aged 53 and older can now book vaccine appointments at all five supersites in the province in Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, Thompson, and Morden, and at vaccine pop-up clinics.
To book an appointment you can call 1-844-626-8222. Manitobans can now book appointments at vaccine supersites online by clicking here.
Today public health officials announced 96 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths today.
Public health officials are announcing nine additional confirmed cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant of concern first identified in the United Kingdom. The cases identified today are all from the Winnipeg health region.
The total number of variant cases identified in the province is 46.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
• two cases in Interlake-Eastern health region
• 51 cases in the Northern health region
• one case in Prairie Mountain Health
• two cases in Southern Health-Santé Sud
• 40 cases in the Winnipeg health region
There have been a total of 32,996 cases identified and 917 deaths in the province since the start of the pandemic.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.4 percent provincially and 3.4 percent in Winnipeg.
There are 1,035 active cases and 31,044 people have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 61 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 88 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 149 hospitalizations.
There are 10 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 11 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 21 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Duck Mountain (2), Porcupine Mountain (3), Asessippi (2), and Little Saskatchewan (5). Brandon has 8 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has one active case, and the Fisher/Peguis health district has four.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The body of a 15-year-old boy who was reported missing on Sunday has been found in Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
RCMP say Jaxon MacDonald was last seen leaving a home in the jubilee subdivision of Duck Mountain Provincial Park at around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday.
MacDonald’s remains were found shortly before noon on Tuesday, Mar. 16 on an island on Madge Lake.
RCMP have not released any more details on MacDonald’s death, and continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba health officials announced 111 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths today.
Officials are confirming 13 new cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant of concern first detected in the U.K., and one case of the B.1.351 variant first detected in South Africa.
The number of variant cases reported in Manitoba is 55.
There have been a total of 32,903 cases province-wide. The number of deaths is 917.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are from the following health regions:
• one case in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 71 cases in the Northern health region
• three cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• five cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• 31 cases in the Winnipeg health region
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.2 percent provincially and 3.7 percent in Winnipeg.
There are 989 active cases and 30,997 people have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 58 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 93 people in who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 151 hospitalizations.
There are 10 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 12 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 22 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases of COVID-19 in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (0), Duck Mountain (2), Porcupine Mountain (3), Asessippi (2), and Little Saskatchewan (6). Brandon has 9 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has no active cases, and the Fisher/Peguis health district has four.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
COVID enforcement officials handed out 44 tickets last week.
From Mar. 8 to Mar. 14, a total of $32,228 in fines were issued to Manitoba businesses and individuals.
There were 16 tickets issued to individuals for various offences, four for not wearing a mask when required, and one to a Manitoba business.
Eight of the fines issued to individuals were in relation to private gatherings that went against current health orders.
Two $5,150 fines were issued for breaking the Federal Quarantine Act.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Canada is changing the recommendations for use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says there is now enough evidence the vaccine is both safe and effective for seniors.
Prior to today's approval, the vaccine had not been recommended for use in those over the age of 65.
Currently in Manitoba, the eligibility criteria for the AstraZeneca vaccine includes those aged 50 to 64 at risk of severe outcomes and First Nations people 30 to 64 at risk of severe outcomes.
It is unclear at this time how the new approval will affect eligibility for the AstraZeneca vaccine in Manitoba.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A pair of traffic stops by Manitoba RCMP last week has led to drug trafficking charges for two men.
On Friday, March 12th, Dauphin RCMP pulled over a vehicle on Highway 5 about 10 kilometres west of Ochre River.
Police say the driver refused to provide a roadside breath sample and was arrested, and a search of the vehicle found a large assortment of cannabis products, approximately 195 grams of cocaine, Canadian currency and an open bottle of liquor.
30-year-old Jory Rowe of Winnipeg faces charges for drug trafficking and refusing to comply with a breath demand, among other charges. He was remanded into custody.
Another traffic stop by Manitoba RCMP the following day resulted in a Duck Bay man facing trafficking charges.
On Saturday, March 13th, officers conducted a traffic stop on a taxi cab in Thompson as part of a drug investigation.
Police say the passenger was arrested and officers seized approximately 140 grams of cocaine and Canadian currency.
28-year-old Christopher Cordell of Duck Bay has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime. He was remanded into custody.
Police say Christopher Cordell of Duck Bay was arrested in possession of approximately 140 grams of cocaine and Canadian currency.
RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
The Mountain View School Division (MVSD) has announced a member of the school community at Roblin Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.
A notice on the MVSD website states the individual informed the school on Monday, March 15th that they had tested positive for COVID.
A letter sent to parents states at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 was in the school when they may have been infectious on March 9th, 10th, and 11th in the Grade 1&2 Keown Classroom, Grades 3&4 Kowalchuk Rathgeber Cohort, and the Grade 5&6 Black Classroom.
Individuals believed to be close contacts have been advised to self-isolate, according to the online statement, and more information has been sent by email to Roblin Elementary families.
The notice from the MVDS also states if you have not received separate direction from the school or a public health official, then you and/or your child have not been deemed a close contact and nothing further is required at this time.
Any questions can be directed to school administration at 204-937-2585.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
