Barry Bloomfield Arrives At Countryfest

The entertainment lineup for Countryfest has been known for awhile, but now the lineup to get into the grounds on Thursday has started!

Barry Bloomfield, as in many years past, was first in line once again. He comes early to hang out with the other people that come early, and then to get into Countryfest quickly and beat the rush.

He plans to sleep and spend most of his time waiting in line for Thursday, .but says he won’t be bored because he has some yard work he could work on back home.

Bloomfield is ready for any amount of rain, saying “I’m not made out of sugar, I’ve been doing this for 29 out of 30 years.”

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 22, 2019 - 7:28 am

Planes that have ties to World War II will be in the air above Brandon this afternoon.

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is hosting its annual display day.

"For a number of years we've been having a number of air displays," said Stephen Hayter, Executive Director. "These aircraft are the training aircraft that the RCAF used to train pilots for the war efforts. These are historic 75-year-old air crafts that have been meticulously restored. You'll hear them just as you would have in the 1940s.

The gates at the Brandon Municipal Airport open up at 1:00 p.m. The air show itself begins at 3:00 p.m.

There will also be food vendors.

"There will be several planes going up into the air, it's going to be very exciting," added Hayter. "To see planes this old fly is really neat, everyone should come to check it out."

It's just $10 to get in while 12 & under get in for free.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 22, 2019 - 5:56 am

Selkirk RCMP started working on Project Deteriorate in November 2018.

A drug trafficking network operating between Selkirk and Winnipeg which supplied drugs to many communities in the Interlake was discovered.

On June 19, 2019, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the City of Winnipeg.

As a result of this investigation, officers seized over two kilograms of methamphetamine, a quarter of an ounce of fentanyl/heroin, $25,000 in Canadian currency, a Chevrolet Trax vehicle and a conducted energy weapon.

Larry Albert Pottinger, a 34-year-old male from Winnipeg is being charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking heroin, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 x 2, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 x 3.

Connie Amanda Barker, a 36-year-old female from Selkirk has been charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 x 5, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon.

Lise Chantalle Malenfant, a 53-year-old female from Selkirk has been charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 x 7.

The investigation is continuing, more arrests and additional charges are expected.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 21, 2019 - 3:59 pm

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to recognize and celebrate Indigenous culture.

Chief Barry McKay of the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve says when we understand each other’s cultures; it strengthens our relationship.

Chief McKay shares what National Indigenous Peoples Day means to him.

“I’m very proud of it because it’s a day of recognition of who we are and the people of Canada recognizes our celebration date of June 21^st, for us that’s a very successful milestone that’s come forth and been put on the map. It’s the day of recognition right across Canada.”

Chief McKay has a message for the Parkland.

“I just welcome everyone in the Parkland area, if there’s events going on throughout the day for First Nations near them, I encourage them to participate. When they participate, that strengthens our relationship because we all need each other in this walk of life and it doesn’t matter what colour your skin is, we’re all given that gift of life, so we can enjoy it together instead of competing with each other.”

In the Parkland there are some events you can check out. Today there will be celebrations in Dauphin at the WAC from 10 to 3 and in Winnipegosis from 5 to 8 this evening.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 21, 2019 - 5:23 am

Today is the 100th Anniversary of Bloody Saturday, the climax of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike.

On that day, returning soldiers had announced a demonstration in the form of a “silent parade” on Main Street. Thousands of people assembled on the streets around City Hall. At City Hall, the crowd tipped over a streetcar and set it on fire.

The Royal North-West Mounted Police charged at the protestors, beating them with clubs and firing over 120 bullets. The violence injured about 30 people and killed two. The day ended with federal troops occupying the city’s streets.

RNWMP Winnipeg General Strike

After the crowd was dispersed, 80 people were arrested by the “special police”

The events of that day caused the Strike Committee to end the strike 4 days later on June 25th, 1919. The strike lasted a total of six weeks.

Although the current labour rights regime that is currently in place in Canada wasn’t implemented until the Second World War, The Winnipeg General Strike kick-started a fight for labour rights and health and safety standards that unfortunately some workers still fight for today.

“It’s important, in some ways, to know that some of the struggles people fight for in 2019 are things that people were fighting for 100 years ago,” said Travis Thomchuk, a curator at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. “I think (the strike) showed the seriousness for workers in improving their working situation”

The vandalised streetcar now sits at the intersection of Portage and Main as a monument of that historic day

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Jun 21, 2019 - 5:23 am

Jean-Louis Guillas isn’t officially done until next Friday, but last night at the Third Thursday Music night was his retirement party.

“Oh, it was just exactly what I wanted it to be. Which was a celebration of all the different kinds of musicians that have played here at the library through our seven-plus years of doing this program.”

The night had some great performances and surprises for Guillas.

“My girls did a beautiful, beautiful number that was very, very special, for them to have made the trip out from Winnipeg to do that. It was also great to see the barber shoppers, that was a complete surprise to me I didn’t know they were coming. All my friends who’ve played here over the days it was all fantastic to see all of them here.”

165 different performers have performed at least once during Guillas’ time as library director.

Although Guillas may be retiring, he’s sticking around town.

“My wife and I are not leaving town. I wear a few different hats so I’m going to continue to be working around town with groups like the Dauphin Rotary Club, Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal, youth theatre at the WAC, and here at the library I’m going to be doing some of the same things but as a volunteer.”

He’ll be volunteering his time to assist the staff in keeping the diverse kinds of programming.

The night finished off with Mayor Allan Dowhan sharing a few words and giving Guillas a certificate from the City of Dauphin.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 21, 2019 - 5:00 am

Brandon RCMP seized a large quantity of cannabis during a traffic stop in the RM of Cornwallis.

On June 14^th, officers with the RCMP Roving Traffic Unit conducted a traffic stop east of Brandon on Highway 1. The traffic stop led to a search of the vehicle which resulted in the seizure of 60 kilos of cannabis.

Police arrested 39-year-old Douglas Durham and 60-year-old Richard King both from Windsor, Ontario. They have been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Distributing, Possession of Illicit Cannabis, Possession of Unstamped Cannabis and have been released for court scheduled in Brandon on August 8, 2019.

“While recreational cannabis is legal, this seizure shows that there is still illicit cannabis in our communities and police will continue to enforce this,” said S/Sgt. Kyle McFadyen of “D” Division Traffic Services. “The only way to know your cannabis is safe is to purchase cannabis through approved distributors as outlined in the federal Cannabis Act and the provincial Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act.”

If anyone has any information regarding drugs or any other criminal activity, please contact your local police agency or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

RCMP continue to investigate.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Jun 20, 2019 - 1:26 pm

The Dauphin and Onanole Home Hardwares will start a new chapter this morning. They will open up an M&M Food Market Express at both locations.

"It was kind of brought to our attention through our Home Hardware area rep," said Whitney Odut, Owner/Manager. "They actually had one start up in Rankin Inlet if you can believe it. It was doing well so we sat down and talked with M&M Express people and we made it work. We're very excited about the opening."

Although they won't offer everything a full store would, you certainly won't be disappointed at what they will have to offer.

"We still offer a wide variety of things. Everything from appetizers to ready-made meals to desserts" added Odut. "There's no shortage of options."

The hours to get your meal or tasty treat are 9 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.

There is a little change from the full store to the Express opening up in Dauphin and Onanole. You won't be able to use any M&M gift cards. You can, however, use Home Hardware gift cards for all your purchases. There will be no flyers and no rewards program.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 20, 2019 - 1:24 pm

18 people registered for the Walk for Alzheimer’s last night.

The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is expecting to have raised 2000 dollars, which includes a donation from the Dauphin Masonic Group who contributed over 500 dollars.

The money will go towards their support groups for people affected by dementia and for those that are caring for someone with dementia, education for the public, different programs they have, and some of the funding will go towards finding a cure for dementia.