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The Dauphin RCMP are looking for two suspects after responding to an armed robbery on Saturday.
At 5 a.m., officers, along with a Police Dog, responded to the incident at a business on Main Street. By the time officers arrived, the suspects had fled down 1st Avenue SW. The suspects entered the store with a long firearm, stole cigarettes, and then left.
They were both wearing black and white bandanas covering their faces, black hooded jackets, and green rubber gloves. The two employees in the store were not physically injured.
If you know where the suspects are, call the RCMP at 622-5020.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Nichelle Desilets grew up in small-town Manitoba and realized at a young age she wanted to pursue a healthcare career.
She went to medical school at the University of Calgary, completed a residency in rural family medicine in Prince Albert, and a clinic clerkship in Yellowknife. Now 39, Desilets has spent the last 10 years in Neepawa. She sees her patients at the Beautiful Plains Medical Clinic. She takes shifts at the Neepawa Health Centre and its emergency department, delivering babies and performing surgeries.
As a part of her duties, Nichelle is taking on a new role. She's the new president of Doctors Manitoba. Doctors Manitoba represents more than 4,000 physicians and qualified medical students in the province. It advocates for doctors.
"It's a real honour to be chosen to represent your colleagues and profession," said Desilets. "To work towards the goal that all doctors in Manitoba want, to have the resources, time, and space to provide excellent healthcare to all Manitobans."
Desilets joined the Doctors Manitoba board in 2020. Her reason for joining the board? Simple, flaws in the health care system.
"It seems like we're constantly pivoting to a new concern. I feel that I am a pretty solution-focused person," added Desilets. "It didn't sit well with me to be working on the front lines and experiencing the challenges and barriers for both my job and the ones my patients face as they try to navigate the system."
Manitoba has the lowest per capita rate of family physicians in the country. Manitoba did gain 133 doctors from May 2023 to April 2024. On a positive note, that did surpass the previous high of 83 in 2014. On the other side of the coin, Manitoba is still short 346 doctors.
In a recent conversation with Mandee Nakonechny, president of the Parkland Community Nurses Local 1022, she said front-line nurses and doctors have seen very little change in how health care is moving from the previous government to the current one. Staffing shortages are a major issue, something that has certainly been a burden on rural communities.
Nakonechny wanted Manitobans to know that things are not okay in the health system.
Desilets understands the issues of staffing shortages and how that can impact the health care system on a day-to-day basis. She says in her new role, positive change is the goal.
"Doctors do want to do the work. To have long-term longevity for doctors, which is what will best serve communities, is to acknowledge the staffing shortages," continued Desilets. "It's important to acknowledge the number of hours that health care providers are working and to find solutions to make it more sustainable."
Staffing shortages are just one issue facing health care professionals.
"Certainly the number one concern that I hear from rural doctors is difficulty in accessing the services that their patients need," ended Desilets. "Whether it's a non-urgent or urgent. Often times, the common denominator is geography and transportation."
Under her new role, Desilets plans to use her platform to inflict long-term positive change for health care professionals and their patients. She understands that many changes can't be made overnight, but she is committed and driven to better the system.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Friday was an exciting day for the residents of Crane River
Representatives with Manitoba Fisheries were on hand to release around 2 million walleye hatchlings into their nearby rivers.
Local resident and MMF representative Dale McKenzie says decreasing walleye populations have been an issue in the area for some time.
"Our Walleye population has dropped significantly due to the other species of fish, such as Northern Pike and Freshwater Drums, that are hard on our Walleye population. So we are trying to rebuild them and bring them back up."
McKenzie says the news is great for fishermen who like to go out on the rivers in search of walleye.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has completed its review of an incident in Ebb & Flow earlier this year that saw an RCMP member deploy a less-lethal firearm in an attempt to arrest a suspect.
In mid February, officers responded to a report of an impaired driver in a stolen pickup truck.
After locating the suspect in the woods after he first fled on foot, RCMP deployed the less-lethal firearm after he failed to respond to being told he was under arrest..
The suspect further escaped, only to be picked up a few hours later and taken to hospital to be treated for frostbite.
Because injuries were suffered during the arrest, the IIU was contacted and took responsibility for an investigation, in accordance with a section of the Police Services Act.
The civilian director concluded that no charges should be laid against the officer, and thus closed the investigation.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
There were about 175 people lined up on a gravel service road near the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada, near Carberry, on Thursday evening.
The province is planning to enhance safety on that stretch of road after 17 Dauphin and area seniors were killed on June 15, 2023, when the minibus they were riding in collided with a semi-trailer. Jordan Dickson, who lives 30 seconds away from the intersection, organized the rally.
"It was really good. Great to see the support from the local agricultural community," said Dickson. "It is a very dangerous option."
The province has previously said it would be putting a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection. The Carberry RCUT would include U-turns both east and west of the current intersection. It would force drivers turning left from Highway 5 to turn right onto the Trans-Canada, merge to the left, and take a U-turn.
Dickson, along with many of those in attendance on Thursday, is not pleased with the idea of an RCUT at that intersection. One of the reasons because that there is a McCain potato processing plant southeast of Carberry, which creates a lot of traffic.
"For a loaded semi-trailer or slow-moving equipment to be able to do that merge safely is impossible," she continued. "There are other options that would be a better fit for this area."
Dickson would prefer to see an overpass built. The province, however, has said that it isn't feasible at this time, noting how much it would cost. The province was at the intersection last year and came to the conclusion that an RCUT would be the best option.
"They're using traffic data from sitting there for two days last July. That's not a representation of how busy that intersection is," said Dickson. "During spring seeding and especially during harvest, it is crazy busy. One farm counted their trucks and on a busy full day during harvest and they send trucks through that intersection 500 times a day."
Construction is set to begin in early 2026. It should be open to traffic in the fall of 2026.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Dauphin is set to hold its annual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guide this Sunday, an event that raises awareness and funds for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Registration begins at noon on Sunday at Rotary Arena, with the walk starting at 1.
Event co-chair Russ Yakubchak (yuh-koob-chuck) says the service dogs trained through this program assist people i seven different areas, including autism, canine vision, hearing, and seizure support, just to name a few.
"To watch these dogs work is really fascinating, especially with children with Autism. It is really a great thing to be involved in."
He adds that several local families have benefited from this walk.
"There have been dogs in the Roblin area, as well as one in the Winnipegosis area. The cost of raising these dogs is around $35,000, so it is very costly. There is about 22 dogs in Manitoba. "
If you are planning to take part, why not gather a few pledges as well.
You can get pledge sheets by contacting Russ at 204-648-5140.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Parkland Humane Society's Endless Paws-abilities market is back, and it is bigger than ever.
Set for Saturday from 10 until 3 at the Watson Arts Centre, Parkland Humane Society Office Manager Jenn Langlois says they will have around 30 vendors at this year's market.
"We have a variety of endless possibilities that you can come out and purchase. We will also have our own 50/50, as well as a raffle and a toonie leash. Plus, our cash calendars that we have running right now can also be purchased at that time."
Langlois says they have several vendors back again this year, as well as some new ones attending a market for the first time.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A very special year for Wasagaing Community Arts.
Their 55th anniversary season kicks off this weekend with their opening exhibit,
Board chair Ken Romaniuk says they will be highlighting five different artists over the next month.
"We have Deb Fraser, who is a local photographer. Jolene Jensen is a painter. Terry Lacosse from Winnipeg, and he is also a painter. Ben Davis is a mixed-media artist, and he is from Brandon. And Linda Matchullis is a fibre artist, and she is showing some of her amazing fabric work."
An opening reception will take place Saturday night, starting at 7 at the gallery.
The exhibt will be open daily from 11 am to 5 pm.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
If you're looking for something to do this weekend, Neepawa is calling your name.
The Neepawa & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 10th Annual Chamber Fair. It runs from Friday to Sunday and has a bit of everything.
Jennifer Wiebe is the office administrator at the Neepawa Chamber of Commerce.
"Everyone I've been talking to is pretty excited," said Wiebe. "They're all hoping the weather will be great."
And those folks looking for plenty of sun this weekend appear to be in luck. The forecast calls for nothing but sun this weekend, with a high of 19 on Friday, 21 on Saturday, and 23 on Sunday. It should be the perfect weekend.
"We have Midway Rides at the fair, pony rides, and there's a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning," continued Wiebe. "We also have a town-wide yard sale. That's always a huge draw. Many people start with that before joining us at the grounds."
The pony rides will be from 12 to 4 at the grounds on Saturday. On Sunday, there will be a reptile exhibit from 12 to 4. There is no admission. You will only have to pay for food and rides.
Wiebe says this annual event is all about getting the entire family out.
"It's definitely community weekend. We have something for someone young to seniors, and everything in between," continued Wiebe. "A great range of things to do, it's pretty exciting."
A highlight for Wiebe? She'll be on the grounds from 12 to 4, soaking in the sun.
"The thing that I like to see the most is the little kids on the ponies, they're super cute," ended Wiebe. "That's my personal favourite."
The Neepawa Chamber of Commerce welcomes you for a fun weekend, with a little bit of everything.
Full Schedule:
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
There's another boil water advisory in effect for those in the Ethelbert Municipality.
A major distribution failure on May 22 has led to the loss of water pressure in the Ethelbert distribution system. Until further notice, all water used for consumption should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute.
This includes:
- Drinking and ice making;
- Preparing beverages, such as infant formula;
- Preparing food, including washing fruits and vegetables; and
- Brushing teeth.
You do not need to boil tap water for other household purposes, such as laundry or washing dishes. In addition, young children should be sponge bathed. Adults and other children able to avoid swallowing the water can wash, bathe, or shower.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
