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The front door may be closed, but MNP’s accounting office in Dauphin remains open for business.

Business Advisor Tere Stykalo says MNP is still here to serve their clients, but with some operational changes to ensure the safety of staff and clients.

Tere says they’re encouraging customers to use their drop slot, and anyone with more bulky records can arrange to hand those over to staff with minimal contact.

If you have questions about financial support measures being offered by the government during this time, the MNP website has useful resources explaining what kind of financial support is available to you right now as a Manitoban, at www.MNP.ca

Tere is recognizing the great effort of front line workers in our community. From the hospitals, to senior homes, grocery store workers, and everyone else that’s putting themselves in risks way to serve us.

“We just need to give them a tremendous amount of congratulations for their effort. That’s something as a community we need to be very proud of.”

MNP’s telephones are still open; their number is 204-638-6767.

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Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Apr 8, 2020 - 9:24 am

Hanne Jensen is in her third year at the University of Manitoba and she's in the Asper School of Business.

The first two and a half years have gone by just as expected. She'll report to classes, stay late to get her work done and when she gets home, it's about resetting, recharging and getting ready to do it again the next day.

Things have now changed because of COVID-19. U of M has shut down its in-person classes which means everything is done online now. For some people with strong internet connections, it is business as usual without the in-person component of being in class with other students and in front of a professor.

For Ochre River's Hanne Jensen; however, things have certainly been trickier during this process. She doesn't have a reliable internet connection in Ochre River which means she's had to add some extra kilometres on her vehicle to get her work done.

"I'm sure everyone is going through challenges. With having four classes online, it's been different, that's for sure," said Jensen.

So Hanne has made several trips into Dauphin to download all of the notes as the service in town is very good.

"I know some of my friends that live in the country have moved back to Winnipeg so they can do the work in their apartments," continued Jensen. "I'm just staying here and making the extra trips, I'll do that for now."

As if this whole COVID-19 situation wasn't stressful enough, now Hanne has to go through it while finishing her studies and no deadlines have been extended.

Most of her assignments are group projects as well which at times, means she spends an extended period of time in Dauphin to get the work done.

"It's pretty different like we're all trying to keep up our grades with the new social distance guidelines. It's stressful, but I know so many other people are going through it as well," she continued.

Jensen also adds that her routine that she was used to has now been thrown out the window and at times she doesn't get the space she's used to, but her family has been extremely supportive during this tough time.

"My parents do everything they can for me, they're so supportive," she concluded. "It's been nice to spend more time with them."

Hanne will have completed her third year at the Asper School of Business at the end of exams which are coming up soon.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 8, 2020 - 5:00 am

Sunrise Credit Union is making some changes in regards to COVID-19.

Starting April 14^th, traffic into all Sunrise branches will be temporarily suspended, although members will still be able to access in-branch services by appointment.

Sunrise Credit Union says that members can call their local branches or contact them toll-free at 1-888-289-3097.

Members are encouraged to use alternative banking options such as ATM’s and Secure Deposit Boxes, online banking, and the Sunrise Credit Union app.

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Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 5:30 pm

The City of Dauphin is holding its Spring Clean-up on Tuesday, May 19^th.

City crews will only be collecting compostable materials - garden waste, grass, leaves, shrubs and tree branches.

Materials must be placed in back lanes for pick-up.

Residents that don’t have a back lane must place their materials on the boulevard.

Composting materials can be dropped off anytime at City Waste Disposal Site northwest of Dauphin.  No plastic bags, scrap, household or commercial garbage is permitted in the compost site.

For more information call 204-622-3202.

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Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 4:12 pm

The province is taking steps to relieve the financial burden on Manitobans that have invested in post-secondary education.

Premier Brian Pallister announced that the province is suspending the repayment of student loans for six months.

The temporary stoppage of repayments is similar to a measure put in place by the federal government under the Canada Student Loan Program.

From April 1^st to September 30^th, the Department of Economic Development and Training has suspended all repayments of loans under the Manitoba Student Aid Program.

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Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 3:16 pm

Prairie Mountain Health CEO Penny Gilson is reflecting on the remarkable effort of front line staff during this challenging time.

She’s also reminding everyone to continue following public health orders, as it’s one of the most important things you can do to keep our front line providers safe.

The health authority is currently focused on guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE), and are working to ensure equipment is sourced and available for staff. For most PMH sites at this time, it’s business as usual, but the health authority is planning ahead in case things change. The PMH CEO says it's one of the most intense aspects of the planning that’s happening right now.

Testing has been going pretty smoothly at Prairie Mountain’s two testing locations, according to Gilson. There is one testing site in Dauphin, and another in Brandon.

When it comes to things like limitations to visitation policies at long-term care homes, Gilson thanks everyone for their patience and understanding, and says these are critical measures we have to have in place right now.

Ultimately, these measures are meant to give front line staff the best opportunity to continue getting patients and residents the care they need.

You can access the latest COVID information from the provincial government, as well as the online screening tool, by visiting www.Manitoba.ca/covid19.

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Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 2:53 pm

Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 have been announced today, bringing the total number of cases in Manitoba to 217.

There have been no new cases identified in the Prairie Mountian Health region, where the number of cases remains at eleven.

Officials have also announced Manitoba’s 3^rd COVID related death.

Twelve individuals are currently being hospitalized.

So far, there have been twenty-one individuals recovered.

While many families get together for Easter or Passover celebrations, health officials remind people to not let their guard down by gathering this year.

If you are concerned about your exposure to, or risk of having COVID-19 you should call health links at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.

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Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 1:46 pm

Parcel delivery in the Parkland has been able to continue relatively smoothly during the COVID outbreak.

Darcy from Dawson Logistics tells CKDM his company is making some significant changes to package delivery, in order to meet social distancing guidelines. 

The signing of parcels is no longer required, which helps delivery staff and customers stay safe by avoiding contact closer than 6 feet. Darcy explains that his staff can now simply ring a doorbell, drop the package off and walk away. The company is also taking extra measures to ensure important packages are received.

Delivery vehicles are now equipped with disinfectant wipes, gloves, and sanitizer. Darcy says it’s important to educate staff on their role in ensuring their safety, and the safety of customers.

Dawson Logistics regularly functions as a pick-up point for Maple Bus Lines, however, Darcy explains bus line service has been suspended now since early March. He says that particular company often uses 15-seat vans, which can not safely transport passengers at this time.

All in all, Darcy says he’s pleased with the way his business and staff have adjusted to the new health guidelines. He says it’s been a big wakeup call for everybody.

Dawson Logistics have a fleet of delivery vehicles that cover the Parkland, and service four major courier companies, including UPS and DHL.

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Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 1:43 pm

Fusion Credit Union has announced that Darwin Johns will become the financial cooperative’s Chief Executive Officer. Johns will take over for Ron Hedley who is set to retire.

Johns is currently the Chief Risk Officer and he will assume his role as CEO on May 4. 

Guy Huberdeau is the President of the Board of Directors and he had this to say on Johns becoming the CEO of Fusion Credit Union.

"He's worked in every different field of this organization over the years," said Huberdeau. "He's very strong in the financial end of the industry and especially in the time of chaos right now, the board thought it was very important to hire someone with a strong financial background."

When they were in search of a new CEO, Fusion Credit Union made it a point to hire someone who could take over and continue with what Ron has done over his lengthy career. Guy says Johns may not have the same characteristics as Ron; however, he's a great fit.

"It's honestly pretty hard to hire a guy just like Ron," he added. "He did a tremendous job and we know that Darwin will continue with that, he's going to do an excellent job."

Johns’ professional experience is extensive, going back to 2000 when he began as a Member Services Representative for Vanguard Credit Union while he was still a student at Brandon University.

After ten years as a lender he was appointed Vice-President Finance and Technology in 2010, and later Vice-President Finance and Risk Management. In conjunction with the Fusion Credit Union amalgamation in 2018, he was named Chief Risk Officer.

"I've known Darwin since he started in the Credit Union system and it was always his goal to climb up the ladder," concluded Huberdeau. "Once he became a Vice-President, he made it well known that his next goal was to become the Chief Executive Officer and he has now achieved that goal."

Johns has pursued ongoing education and achieved professional designations through the Credit Union Institute of Canada at Dalhousie University and a bachelor’s degree from Brandon University.

He’s also active in the community, coaching hockey and baseball and serving on a number of volunteer boards over the years, including his current position on the Hamiota Education Stakeholders Committee. He lives near Kenton with his wife Erin, son Kyle and twin daughters Addison and Haily.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 11:52 am

Jasper's TV has become one of the newest YouTube pages started and it's all thanks to a Dauphin family. Led by Jasper, the Rauliuk's have put together the channel which now has nine videos. 

In those videos, you'll see Jasper and Mitchell videotape what they're doing these days as both are off school because of COVID-19. They started the channel as something to do in a time where everyone is practicing social distancing and aren't spending perhaps as much time as they would like with their family and friends.

Thanks to Jasper's TV, everyone is able to stay up to date with what the Rauliuk's are doing. 

"I just told them it would be a good and fun idea to make some videos with what they're doing every day," said Ryan Rauliuk. "We had to convince Jasper that he's okay to be on the camera and once we did that, they've done a great job with it."

The page which is open to anyone has 13 subscribers. The first video was published six days ago and it's called "1st video that Jasper does on YouTube". This is where Jasper rides his bike three times around his cul-de-sac to see how fast he can get it done. That video has already been viewed more than 165 times.

"It's slowly taking off here and people are tuning in to check it out," Rauliuk added. 

Another video shows off Jasper's sweet hands as he continues to enjoy the game of hockey more and more every day.

"You will probably see more hockey videos down the road, Jasper is really enjoying those," said Rauliuk. 

Just as Ryan says, you can expect more videos moving forward. You can also check out all of the nine current videos by heading to Jasper's TV which is available on your favourite device, 24/7, 365.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 7, 2020 - 5:00 am