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There are thousands of encounters between bears and humans every year in Manitoba alone. Hundreds of which happen inside the Riding Mountain National Park. That means the next time you drive through the park, there's a good chance you could encounter one.
When you're in a car, you're completely safe. There are some tips to keep in mind when you go camping next time.
"You should always make sure attractants are secure, so in your vehicle, a sturdy building, or a bear-resistant container," said Janine Stewart, Human-Wildlife Conflict Biologist with Manitoba Sustainability. "Bears are very motivated by their stomach and attracted by their nose."
If you do encounter a bear and you're not in your vehicle, it's very important to remain calm at all times.
"We always tell people to stop, remain calm, and assess the situation. If a bear isn't even aware of your presence, you can just back away and go the other way," continued Stewart. "If a bear is aware of your presence and it's showing signs of aggravation, like swatting at the ground or something like that, it shows they're stressed by your presence. At that point, you should talk quietly to the bear and assure them that you're not a problem."
If a bear does approach you, there could be a reason. You may be wearing strong smelling cologne or you may have something in your pocket with a scent. The bear may also be curious, or even predatory.
"A black bear being predatory is very, very rare. In that case, you want to step to the side and allow the bear to just pass you," said Stewart. "If the bear continues to follow you, you have to get more assertive and aggressive and basically, assure the bear that you are a potential threat and someone they shouldn't pursue."
If the bear continues to show aggression and even starts to attack you, you should go for his vulnerable spots. Those spots include anywhere on the face.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Gilbert Plains - Grandview Ag Society fair and rodeo starts tomorrow.
Jack Bremner, director of the Gilbert Plains - Grandview Ag Society says they’re looking for more volunteers because they couldn’t do the fair and rodeo without the over 200 volunteers.
"We're getting set up here and we're having trouble getting some volunteers to fill positions. It's getting pretty thin, we have some people who are up there in age and they can't do what they used to and we need some young people to come volunteer and help us out."
They could use some volunteers for the kids pedal tractor pull, and this afternoon at 1 they have to put up the beer garden tent and they’d like some help to make that happen quickly.
You can contact Bremner’s wife at 204 648 4650, she’s looking for people to sell 50/50 tickets, you can talk to any board member, they’ll find something for you, or you can call Jack himself at 572-4268.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Ste. Rose Grotto & Restoration Committee is looking for volunteers this Saturday to assist in the restoration of the Grotto.
"We have stone-masons working right now and there's prep work that needs to be done before putting in the new grouting," said Rene Maillard. "We're asking for people to help in assisting chipping away some of the existing grouting."
No experience is needed, but you are asked to bring safety goggles and gloves. There is no set amount of time that you have to volunteer, you can come and go as you please. You can begin volunteering at 9:00 a.m.
"It's very simple work and the people already working there have the proper tools," added Maillard. "If you have some spare time on your hand, it would be much appreciated. The workers there will gladly tell you what needs to be done."
There will also be a lunch served around 12:00 p.m. If you can't make it on Saturday, you can volunteer anytime throughout the week. All you have to do is check if the stone-masons are there.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says that everyone sent to hospital by yesterday's carbon monoxide leak at a Super 8 hotel on Portage Avenue will recover just fine.
Emergency crews were alerted to the leak by a carbon monoxide alarm in the hotel`s boiler room just after 10 am; which led to an evacuation of all 52 occupants of the hotel, including a dog. 46 of the occupants, including 2 children, were transported to hospital.
According to Winnipeg's Fire Paramedic Service; 15 people were initially listed as critical due to high carbon monoxide readings in their blood. Readings at the hotel itself came in at 385 parts per million. Carbon monoxide levels become dangerous at 10-20 parts per million.
As well as several emergency crews, Manitoba Hydro was quick to respond by shutting off gas lines and ventilating the hotel.
The City of Winnipeg said the building has been completely ventilated and carbon monoxide levels are back to 0.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Kelleher Ford is one of 3 dealerships outside of Winnipeg to be SAFE Work Certified.
Kelleher Ford GM, Chuck Burton says the main thing is they have put together an environment that is safe for employees to allow them to do their job better and safer. He adds it will allow them to look after their customers better too.
Burton says that they’ll have to do audits for two years in a row now.
“What happens is they’ll give us what our shortfalls are on our safety program, things we need to improve, or changes that need to be made. We do those changes, then a year later, we do another internal audit to ensure those changes have been implemented and it’s actually just a process of continuous improvement throughout the life of the dealership and to create a culture of safety within the dealership.”
Burton says over the past year they have put in a lot of work to get certified.
“I’m very proud of my staff, it was a year-long process. There’s a lot of paperwork, processes that need to be put into place, a lot of courses that need to be taken by staff and management, and they’ve done a great job.”
They got certified on the first audit which impressed Burton.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A Manitoba trucking industry leader who donated nearly $30 million to Winnipeg organizations and the single largest donor to both St. Boniface Hospital and Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre died on Sunday.
Paul Albrechtsen has donated $13.4 million to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation and $7 million to St. Boniface over the past three decades. Albrechtsen also gave $8 million to the Reh-Fit Centre in 2006.
Jonathon Lyon, the President and CEO of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, says Albrechtsen epitomized the Canadian dream.
Albrechtsen, a mechanic by trade, immigrated to Canada from Denmark in 1954 with $50 in his pocket. He settled in Virden where he founded Paul’s Hauling Ltd. The small transportation company that hauled salt water and oil for the petroleum industry expanded over the years and now has branches in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Albrechtsen started giving money to the HSC Foundation in 1993. His donations have gone towards purchasing new interventional angiography equipment for stroke survivors.
A 2017 donation of $5 million enabled the hospital to buy a sophisticated stereotactic radiosurgery system that targets and destroys tumours while leaving behind healthy tissue.
Albrechtsen also donated $8 million to the Reh-Fit Centre in 2006 as a thank you after staff revived him after he collapsed while working out in the ’90s. He was running on the track when his heart started beating irregularly and he collapsed.
He was invested into the Order of Manitoba in 2016 and appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017.
In addition to his contributions to the HSC Foundation, Albrechtsen gave a $1.5-million gift to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2015.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
UPDATE:
Bighetty has been safely located
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Thompson RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing girl.
14-year-old Allison Bighetty was last seen in Thompson on June 29th, 2019 at 10:00 pm.
Bighetty is 5’5 with brown hair. She was last seen wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
Police believe she may still be in the Thompson area.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6911
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The Gilbert Plains Garden Tour in support of the Gilbert Plains Community Fund is going down tomorrow.
There will be two tours, one is at 1:00 p.m. and the second begins at 6:15 p.m.
Donna Meyer is with the Community Foundation and she's excited about the event.
"We visit five different yards. Some are in the country and some are in town," said Meyer. "We'll get into vehicles and drive around and inspect everything from flower gardens to vegetable gardens, to shrubs. It's always an enjoyable event."
If you want to take part, you're required to meet at the Gilbert Plains Legion 15 minutes prior to your tour. It's $15 per adult and that includes a summer beverage & dessert. Youth is $8. The event will go on rain or shine. Luckily for you, the forecast tomorrow calls for sunny skies with a high of 26.
You also don't need your own vehicle, as the members will drive you around.
Meyer also has a reason why you should take part.
"I believe because you get so many ideas, it's unbelievable what is in some of the yards," said Meyer. "They have so much to offer. It really is a wonderful afternoon or evening."
You're asked to pre-register. You can do so by picking up your tickets at the Gilbert Plains Pharmacy. You can also call Donna at 548-2816.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Yesterday morning around 11:30 the Dauphin Fire Department responded to a structure fire, occurring east of Dauphin past the eclipse area in an abandoned farm house.
Fire Chief Cam Abrey says the owner had been doing a controlled burn but a few embers escaped his control.
“We want to remind everybody that even a controlled burn can escape your responsibilities, quite rapidly, and never hesitate to call 911 for assistance before that bad situation gets worse.”
Being abandoned, the house was unoccupied and no one else was injured from the fire.
It took 2 and a half hours to put out the fire, and get all the firetrucks prepared for the next incident.
The fire has been deemed accidental in nature.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Shortly before 7 in the morning yesterday, Brandon Police received a report that a man smashed a vehicle window.
Police located two suspects following a search of the area.
A 27-year-old male was arrested for mischief to property. He was also in possession of 5 grams of meth and packaging material he will appear in court, August 12, for possession for the purpose of trafficking and mischief to property.
The other suspect, a 31-year-old male was in possession of 3 grams of meth and a scale, while on court orders not to possess drugs. He is appearing in court today for possession for the purpose of trafficking and breach of recognizance.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
This year's Mossey River Days took place from July 4th-7th.
The weekend saw hundreds of people take in live entertainment, food, and activities in downtown Winnipegosis.
One of the event coordinators, Barret Procyshyn, says that planning for next year is already underway with plans to make it bigger and better than before.
Next year's event will once again be held the weekend after Countryfest.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
