NewsNow
With the Louis Riel Day long weekend coming up, the COVID-19 testing sites in Prairie Mountain Health are experiencing some adjusted hours.
The sites in Swan River, Neepawa, and Russell are all closed for the holiday.
Dauphin
The 301 Main Street N. location (former Potoski Medical Clinic Building) will be open Monday, Feb. 15 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Appointments are required to be tested at this site.
Brandon
The Van Horne location will be open Monday, Feb. 15 from 8:45 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. No appointment is needed.
The Dynacare location (Brandon Keystone Centre) will be open Monday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Appointments are required to be tested at this site.
The 7th Street Health Access Centre will be closed Monday, Feb. 15. for the Louis Riel Day holiday.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Some public health restrictions in Manitoba have been relaxed under a new set of public health orders that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. this morning.
Restaurants in Manitoba are now allowed to open their doors to diners at 25% capacity, for the first time since November.
Restaurant-goers can only dine with people they live with, and no more than 5 people are permitted at a table.
Places of worship can hold religious services at 10%, or 50 people, whichever is lower, with physical distancing measures in place except for those who are members of the same household.
Museums, libraries, tattoo parlours and other personal services businesses can open at 25% capacity.
The same 25% capacity limit is also in effect for gyms, which may only open for individual or one on one training, with group fitness classes not permitted at this time.
Indoor sporting facilities can also open at 25% capacity, but only for individual, one-on-one instruction and with no team sports or games permitted.
Declining case numbers in the province have played a role in opening the door to reopening more businesses — but Dr. Jazz Atwal says the future of loosening more restrictions will hinge on the behaviour of Manitobans.
“It’s all going to be based upon how Manitobans behave. It’s how we behave when we go to that restaurant now. It’s up to Manitobans to keep our case counts down and look at how we can loosen [more] restrictions in the future.”
The health orders in Manitoba are due for another update in three weeks, at which point Manitobans could see more restrictions relaxed depending on a number of variables, such as case numbers, hospitalizations, and vaccine supply.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Health officials are reporting 90 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 more deaths today.
Two men from Winnipeg and a woman from the Southern Health region are the most recent deaths due to COVID-19 in Manitoba. The total number of deaths is 862.
There has been a total of 30,507 cases province-wide.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
• 13 cases in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 43 cases in the Northern health region
• eight cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• three cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and
• 23 cases in the Winnipeg health region
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 4.9 percent provincially and 3.9 percent in Winnipeg.
There are 1,582 active cases and 28,063 people who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 92 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 152 people in hospital with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 244 hospitalizations.
There are 14 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 18 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 32 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (3), Riding Mountain (1), Swan River (0), Porcupine Mountain (5), Duck Mountain (0), Asessippi (10), Little Saskatchewan (0), Whitemud (0), and Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 16 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 15 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 27.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Dauphin Fire Department (DFD) is congratulating Equipment Captain Richard Snyder on his retirement.
Retiring after over 39 years of service, Snyder first joined the DFD in July 1981 and rose to the rank of Captain in 1987.
Fire Chief Cam Abrey says most people stick around in rural fire service between 5 to 10 years, “so when someone sticks around for that many years, it’s quite a contribution to the community we live in. Richard is a fountain of knowledge working on the equipment here, mechanical skills, electric skills, computer, plumbing — you name it.”
Richard was also voted by his peers as the Fire Fighter of the Year in 1986 for his dedication and for going over and above the normal call of duty.
“It’s more than him being the Equipment Captain," said Fire Chief Cam Abrey, adding that Snyder was a real contributing member of the community as well in volunteering his time.
"From the bottom of our hearts we really thank him for all the years he was part of our firefighting family," said Abrey.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Manitoba government has agreed to purchase two million doses of a new Manitoba-produced COVID-19 vaccine.
Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement on Thursday morning, saying Manitoba will receive the first 200,000 doses of the new vaccine from Alberta-based Providence Therapeutics.
The new mRNA vaccine, which is similar to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, is currently undergoing clinical trials with approval from Health Canada expected in late 2021.
A release from the province states Manitoba will receive two million doses in total — enough to vaccinate every Manitoban who wants one.
- Details
- Contributed by 730 CKDM
The province says fishing is free this long weekend so Manitobans can get outside and try their luck ice fishing at many of Manitoba’s world-class lakes and rivers.
Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen encourages Manitobans to “grab a rod and reel and safely head out onto the ice to catch a good time this weekend, while exploring the many fishing opportunities this province has to offer.”
Manitobans can fish anywhere in the province except national parks from Saturday, Feb 13, to Monday, Feb 15.
Anglers may retain up to a conservation licence limit of fish, which includes four walleye/sauger, four northern pike, two smallmouth bass, one lake trout, one channel catfish and two stocked trout. Regular limits apply for those who already have a regular angling licence and all other angling regulations apply during this weekend, including regulations for individual waters.
The current health orders restrict outdoor gatherings to five people. Public health officials also strongly encourage those fishing, to limit their groups to members of their household.
The province reminds Manitobans to check ice conditions before travelling onto the ice. They add that it’s important to let someone know where you are fishing and to wear appropriate clothing so that your ice-fishing adventure is enjoyable.
For the month of February, vehicle permits aren’t required for any provincial park.
- Details
- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The extreme cold warning we’ve had since Friday last week is still in effect.
As the forecast has evolved over the week, the cold weather looks as if it keeps getting extended.
At one point this week, a high of -20 was forecasted for Saturday, now the high is -28.
“Nicer” weather isn’t expected until Monday when a high of -13 is being forecasted.
Environment Canada says the cold weather comes from an Arctic ridge of high pressure.
Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
Environment Canada says to dress warmly and in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. They add that the outer layer should be wind resistant.
- Details
- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Police say a woman has been arrested and charged after a stabbing on Sandy Bay First Nation.
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, police received reports that a man had been stabbed in a home.
The man was found in unstable condition with serious injuries to his upper body. He was transported to hospital and later air lifted by STARS to the Health Sciences in Winnipeg.
Police report that the man is now in stable condition after an emergency surgery.
Officers located a 24-year-old woman from Sandy Bay First Nation who faces one count of aggravated assault.
She was released on conditions and will appear in court at a later date.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Health officials announced 59 new cases of COVID-19 and six more deaths today.
Today’s new COVID-19 cases are in the following health regions:
• one case in Interlake–Eastern health region
• 31 cases in the Northern health region
• two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• four cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
• 21 cases in the Winnipeg health region
There has been a total of 30,417 cases identified province-wide. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Manitoba is 859.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.2 percent provincially and 4.1 percent in Winnipeg.
There are 1,573 active cases and 27,985 people who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are 99 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 156 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but continue to require care, for a total of 255 hospitalizations.
There are 17 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 17 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 34 ICU patients.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (4), Riding Mountain (1), Porcupine Mountain (6), Duck Mountain (0), Asessippi (8), Little Saskatchewan (0), Whitemud (2), and Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 18 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 16 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 26.
Public health officials advise six additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today including:
• a male in his 70s from the Northern health region, linked to outbreaks at St. Paul’s Personal Care Home in the Pas and St. Anthony’s General Hospital, dialysis unit;
• a female in her 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Heritage Life Personal Care Home;
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home;
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Parkview Place Personal Care Home;
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region; and
• a male in his 80s from the Winnipeg health region.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A man from Sandy Bay First Nation is facing charges and multiple weapons were seized during a traffic stop in Portage this week.
On Monday, Feb. 8, RCMP were patrolling the area on Saskatchewan Avenue West when they came across a vehicle without a license plate and working taillights.
The officer stopped the vehicle and noticed two shotgun shells in the backseat, with a search of the car locating two loaded firearms and an extendable baton.
Police say the man had no identification and no license and provided a false name.
The suspect was taken to the detachment where he was identified, and police learned the man was on conditions to not possess firearms, not consume alcohol, and follow a curfew.
27-year-old Jordan James McIvor from Sandy Bay First Nation faces a number of charges including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unsafe storage of a firearm, and failure to comply, among other charges.
McIvor also faces charges under the Highway Traffic Act for not having a licence and the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act for having open alcohol in the vehicle.
He remains in custody.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A 30-year dream has come true for Nicole Yunker as her EP, “My Dream” is now available.
In September, Nicole started getting singing lessons from Australian singer Mirusia over zoom.
Mirusia gave Yunker the push she needed to get the EP recorded.
“But the really magical part for me is that everything was done here in the Parkland. I recorded here at 730 CKDM, I have a huge group of people that helped me through the way, and I’m so grateful. Without all these people, this would not have happened. So, even though I’m sitting here, there’s a large group of people behind me that brought it to today, where I get to release my EP, My Dream, that’s for sale at Dauphin Music and Electronics today!”
Due to COVID-19, Nicole didn’t have any contact with her musicians. She hasn’t even seen them yet, everything was done by phone and email.
Yunker says the EP was a four-month project.
“Just amazing people came on board, Danny Schur from Ethelbert, Gary Procyshyn from Dauphin and Milana Zilnik from Ottawa, an amazing soul. So, I’m really really grateful and of course, René Hübener, my amazing producer right here from 730 CKDM and of course Mirusia was there, even though we’re at a distance, she is with me all the time. I’ve had so much support and it’s all been tremendous.”
"My Dream" is on sale now at Dauphin Music and Electronics.
For more details and to stay updated on Nicole’s journey with a newsletter, check out her website.
- Details
- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
