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The grand opening of the Richardson Pioneer Gilbert Plains Community Hall was a great success.
Murray Stoughton was one of the many people at the hall celebrating on Saturday night. “I think it’s a great focal point that brings the whole community together. They did a beautiful job of the grand opening. And I’m proud for the community.”
Gilbert Plains resident Yvonne Smith was equally excited. “We needed a new hall. Unfortunate the old one didn’t make the renovations. But in the long run, it’s really good. It’s really nice that the community will use it, especially the drama club, and all the socials and weddings, and everything, and the dances. So looking really forward to all the things coming up in the New Year,”
Blake Price, the Reeve of Gilbert Plains Municipality, says the new building is more accommodating with the opportunity now to do bigger and better things. “I think it’s wonderful. I don’t know if it’s more than what we expected but we sure are pleased with the numbers, the turnout, and the enthusiasm that we’re experiencing right now.”
The Galaxy Theatre Company performed skits depicting the history of the old hall. The performance included local women wearing actual wedding dresses from the 1930s to today that were worn at receptions in the old hall.
The grand opening was sold out long in advance.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The Parkland no longer has the extreme cold warning.
After days of frigid temperatures the forecast is looking relatively nicer, temperatures in the minus teens.
If you would like a list of all the places no longer effected, click here.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
It started when Karlii Beaulieu, who is transgender, made a phone call to her bank to transfer something in her services. Something she’s done in the past. The clerk on the phone said there was a comment on the account, male calling on a female profile, she verified that that was incorrect. That evening she tried to deposit a cheque with photo deposit and it didn’t work. She tried accessing a few different things in her bank account and couldn’t. Beaulieu then called back and explained to the supervisor that it was a misunderstanding. He said he couldn’t do anything and she had to go to the branch, even though every detail had been verified earlier in the same day. Beaulieu said she couldn’t because of the extreme cold.
All she could think about was the comment on her profile, male calling on a female profile.
Her account was flagged for fraud and she couldn’t access any money to use for anything.
This isn’t the first time it’s happened to her. She had the problem before when she was transitioning. When it happened the first time there wasn’t as much at stake because she wasn’t living by herself.
She felt discriminated against. She says it’s not okay to assume someone’s gender because of the sound of their voice. Adding that it’s 2019, people should be up to date on gender roles and not assuming.
Her account has since been unfrozen, although not all services have been restored to her account.
She won’t be switching banks because she doesn’t want to go through all of this again. Beaulieu’s bank is working on being more inclusive and trying to make sure nothing like this happens to her ever again.
Her message to people who are going through a similar situation is to speak up and look for help. They shouldn’t give up when they feel like everything is taken away from them.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Firefighters were called to the bond building fire just before 3 am on Thursday.
Cam Abrey says there are two options when approaching a fire, offensive or defensive. After starting with an offensive attack on Thursday, the firefighters withdrew because the main floor was spongy. That means the fire was burning under the floor. They transitioned into a defensive approach where they fight the fire from outside the building through the windows and doors.
Abrey says the extreme cold is extremely hard on the firefighters. That’s why they called in the Gilbert Plains firefighters. With the extra help, they could rotate in and out of battling the blaze and warming up at the fire station.
The cold weather is also very hard on the equipment. The ladder truck had an issue where the water froze so it had to return to the fire station to thaw out.
There were about 30 firefighters including the ones that came from Gilbert Plains.
They were on the scene for about 13 hours. After they got back to the fire station there were another two hours of work to make sure everything would be ready next time they get called out.
Cam Abrey is grateful for the help of the Gilbert Plains Fire Department.
“We thank the Gilbert Plains Fire Department and those firefighters for coming out to assist us. Their help is greatly appreciated.”
The other emergency services played a role in helping the firefighters on Thursday. The RCMP kept crowds back and controlled traffic. EMS was on the scene not just for the public, if the firefighters need anything they can help. Abrey calls them all 'one big emergency services family'.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Parkland was represented by many cattle producers at the Manitoba Beef Producers AGM this past week.
Brad Michaleski attended the meeting and says some big topics affecting the Parkland included predation and crown land.
“I know livestock, and mixed farm operations are a big part of our Parkland economy. We’re not in the Red River Valley. We have a land base that has a mixture of land qualities. And of course, our broader economy is very much a mixed agriculture zone. I keep harping on that to government.”
One of the resolutions to come out of District 13, which represents the Parkland, included ‘Manitoba Beef Producers lobby the provincial government to move as quickly as possible to revoke the temporary suspension of unit transfers.’
District 10 presented the resolution that 'Manitoba Beef Producers lobby the provincial government to enact clear policies to protect cattle producers from future liability caused by predators harassing their cattle and breaking through fences and finding their way onto roads and highways.'
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Alcoholics Anonymous are looking for a new meeting place.
Their space burned down in the Bond building fire yesterday.
“Well, its had quite an impact. We lost all our books, and we’ve had everything that we, we had a kitchen in there for cooking,” said Larry with AA. “We’re going to be able to just have meetings at another place, and that will be just getting that setup.”
They are holding meetings at the Dauphin Senior Centre until they can find a permanent place. They had a meeting with the United Church this morning.
“We’ve lost everything. All our literature, everything is gone. It’s all insured so we're okay there.”
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
MPI has noticed a trend of vehicle thefts due to people leaving their keys in their vehicles.
Brian Smiley says last year 90 per cent of the 3200 vehicles stolen involved the use of keys. That means vehicle owners aren’t taking care of their keys.
Smiley says in the cold weather people want to get into their vehicle warm, so they start their car and go back into their house or the coffee shop. During the 30 seconds people are gone, someone could just jump into the running vehicle and steal it.
Even though there is a slight spike of vehicle thefts in the winter, Smiley says vehicle thefts are a 12-month issue.
Smiley says it’s really simple to not have this issue.
“Keep your keys in your pocket. Keep them in your possession. Keep them in your eyesight. Do not leave your keys in the ignition while it’s running. Don’t hide your keys in the vehicle the thieves know where they are. Auto theft is a crime of opportunity if you reduce the opportunity, you reduce the crime.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
When driving on Main St. in the winter in Dauphin it feels like you’re really close to the parked cars.
Bill Brenner says when it snows people tend to drive towards the parking lane instead of actually driving in the lane and that’s the problem.
The street doesn’t get any narrower because the city clears the snow off the streets.
Main Street is one of the priority streets to have snow cleared from.
Brenner says you can see the lanes halfway where they are supposed to drive and halfway in the parking lane.
He adds that they can’t stop people from parking in the winter just because people don’t drive in the right spots.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A 43 year old man from Brandon is facing possession and making available child porn charges.
RCMP and Brandon Police executed a search warrant at a home on Tuesday.
During the search they found child porn on some of the suspect‘s electronic devices.
In July 2018, a social media account was suspended after a suspect allegedly uploaded child porn to the account.
The court date for the man is set for April 4th.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
UPDATE:
After 13 hours on scene, the Dauphin Fire Department cleared the scene of the fire located at the Bond Building on 4th Avenue NW.
Although there is no estimate on damages at this time, the building is a complete loss. The MB Office of the Fire Commissioner is leading the investigation.
You're asked to keep clear of the sidewalks and use caution as there is ice accumulation in the area from the water that was used all day.
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Emergency crews remain on scene at a fire at the Bond building on 4th Avenue Northwest. RCMP ask that you please avoid the area. We will let you know when the area is back open.
From the Dauphin Fire Department's Facebook page:
"Shortly before 3:00 am this morning (February 07), DFD was dispatched to a report of a possible garbage fire at the front of a building located on 4th Avenue NW. Upon arrival, firefighters attempted entry and found the fire was located in the basement of the building with flames coming up the stairs and out the front door.
All occupants of the apartments located on the rear of the building were safely evacuated along with one of the neighboring homes. Due to the fire conditions coming from the basement, firefighters were unable to make entry through the front door and shortly after the main floor of the building collapsed into the basement.
Crews remain on scene at this time and have called in assistance through mutual aid from Gilbert Plains Fire Department. Please avoid the area on your way to work and school this morning. Updates will be posted as the scene progresses."
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- Contributed by With Files From Darnell Duff
The water reservoir under the hill by Barker School is likely in use to help the firefighters deal with the fire on 4th Ave NW.
Pumps in the reservoir automatically kick in when lots of water gets used.
Bill Brenner says that because the city’s water pressure comes from gravity having the reservoir in the north end of Dauphin can help combat low pressure if something happens in the south.
That reservoir also gets used if any issues occur at the water treatment plant to make sure Dauphin still gets water.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
