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June of 2019, that's the last time the Lundar Agricultural Society had the opportunity to host its fair. While it's been a tough couple of years waiting for a return, that return is officially here as the Society is hosting their fair Friday and Saturday.

The event started with a pancake breakfast Friday morning from 7 to 10 and runs until when the fireworks fire up at 10:15 p.m. There is also a midway if you're looking to get on some rides and there's a wristband special from 6 to 10 Friday.

Friday's events also include the R/C Airplane Display in the Lundar Arena and the Antique Tractor Pull. 

Mike Kostyshyn is the president of the Lundar Ag Society and he says hosting the annual fair and rodeo is a long time coming.

"We're all so extremely excited about hosting this event again," said Kostyshyn. "We've been very busy setting up this week and the entire crew is so happy to be doing what they are doing."

Another pancake breakfast kicks off Saturday from 7 to 8 in the arena and a parade starting by the school grounds starts at 11:30. There's also a petting zoo, beef dinner and beer gardens. 

"We welcome everyone to Lundar, this is always a very special event and everyone is welcome," ended Kostyshyn.

The Thanks For Farming Tour started in 2020 to show support and connect with farmers across Western Canada. Since it began, it's continued to grow and has now visited 12 communities, supporting a local non-profit organization in each of them.

Jeremy Matuszewski is one of the organizers of the tour, and he said it's grown beyond what they could've hoped for. This year, the tour teamed up with Meridian to offer two scholarships for grade 12 students, one in Manitoba and the other in Saskatchewan.

They're going to get the opportunity to put in an application and submit a video talking about why farming is important to their community, and why that community is important to their farm.

Students with a rural address, or who are part of a 4-H club are able to apply for the scholarship. Application information can be found here.

The RCMP is still in the search for Lindsay Joseph Fredette.

The 36-year-old is wanted on charges including Robbery with a Firearm and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose. On February 25, 2022, just before 6 p.m., Mounties responded to a call of an armed robbery at a business in Camperville on Highway 20. 

That's where two men wearing high-visibility jackets entered the business, threatened an employee with a firearm, then fled with cash and other items. The RCMP shortly after arrested 42-year-old Kory Flamand, of Winnipeg who was alongside Fredette during the robbery. 

There's some clothing theft going on around town.

People have been climbing into the Canadian Diabetes Association donation bins to steal clothes.

John Tomlinson picks up the donated clothes and he says that they're making a mess of the community as a whole.

"It looks bad on the City of Dauphin, it's an eye sore," said Tomlinson. "You'll see wet and dirty clothes just scattered around the bins, it doesn't look good for the community."

The clothes collected from those bins are then sold to thrift stores in order to collect money for diabetes research. Most of the thefts are happening overnight and it's believed between 1 and 4 a.m. Tomlinson says the RCMP is doing what they can; however, it is hard to place officers at the bins so late at night. 

He asks that if you see someone in action stealing clothes or making a mess, that you call the RCMP. If you would like to donate clothing but aren't comfortable doing so in the bins, you can contact John and he will arrange a time to pick them up at your home. He can be reached at 648-4145. 

The Dauphin Fire Department is once again giving you the chance to win up to $5,000 as their annual 50/50 is back. 

Tickets are just $2 each or you can get a book of 10 for $20 and all proceeds from the 50/50 sales are going towards the restoration project of the 1919 fire truck. 

A complete sell-out which has been the norm over the past several years since the department started running the 50/50 would give the lucky winner $5,000. Tickets will be available until June 30 or until they sell-out so if you're looking to get in on the draw, it's recommended that you don't wait as tickets are already selling quickly.

To grab your tickets, you can message the DFD on Facebook or get in touch with any members of the team. You can also call the station at 622-3100. 

Fire Chief Cam Abrey also wants to thank everyone for the support.

"The support we receive is absolutely amazing," said Abrey. "There's been a lucky contestant for the last few years that have gone home with $5,000 in their pocket and we're hoping that's the case once again this year."

The Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club held an open house at Northgate Trails yesterday night, which kicked off Bike Week.

According to Club President Brenda Gregory, the main goal of the open house was to get people out to see the trails, as well as initiate them into the cycling culture, by trying out a brand-new fat bike for free.

It's for every age group to enjoy and it's an all-season facility, as well, so you can come winter, spring, summer and fall. You can walk, you can hike, you can bike, you can mountain bike, you can fat bike and you can snowshoe... We do have a trail that you can cross country to, as well.

Gregory felt fantastic that people were finally able to come to visit the facility for organized events again.

Even though people visited the trails while staying within their family bubbles, there hasn't been a lot of group get-togethers. With the exception of family bubbles, simple gatherings - like people sitting at picnic tables and talking - haven't been allowed for two years and three months.

She also hopes that people consider getting around by bike, instead of by car.

The more bikes you see out there, I think people will think "why aren't I cycling to work, instead of taking my car for five minutes? I could cycle for twelve minutes and that would benefit me so much more"... You look at some of the Northern European countries who have a massive cycling culture there... You look at schoolyards and [they're] just packed with children's bicycles. We would like to get there.

There are events planned for the upcoming year, including a Manitoba Cycling Association race, which will take place on August 7th. The race will be open to everyone, including people who've never been in a race before.

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, the provincial government has you covered. Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced Thursday that you can visit provincial parks in the province and fish for free this upcoming weekend.

"Spanning more than four million hectares of land and water, Manitoba's provincial parks have something for everyone," said Wharton. "Whatever adventure piques your interest - whether it's hiking, going for a picnic, mountain biking, using an accessible trail, canoeing or beyond - you are sure to find what you're looking for in one of our incredible provincial parks."

That means vehicle permits aren't required to visit provincial parks this weekend; however if you're planning on camping, you will still need to pay. Do keep in mind that Rainbow Beach Provincial Park remains closed until at least June 16 so that isn't an option this weekend.

On June 11 and 12, anglers can fish without a licence provincewide, except in national parks where a federal fishing licence is still required. 

Anglers taking part in the free family fishing weekend are allowed to keep a conservation licence limit of fish, which includes four walleye or sauger, four northern pikes, two smallmouth bass, one lake trout, one channel catfish and two stocked trout.

A growing number of Canadians appear to be struggling with the rising cost of food as prices for basics like pasta, bread and meat all soar.

The telephone poll from Food Banks Canada surveyed four-thousand adults three months ago and found almost 25 percent reported eating less than they should because there wasn't enough money for food. The survey indicates hunger and food insecurity are increasing across the country, with lower-income Canadians hit hardest by inflation.

When it comes to how things are doing locally in Dauphin, busy is the best word to classify things. The Dauphin & District Food Bank is as busy as ever with the skyrocketing prices. Prior to grocery prices rising, about 50 applicants whether that be singles or families would head to the Food Bank for some meals. As of late, that number has just about doubled as upwards of 100 applicants head to the Food Bank's intakes. 

Robin Gambler with the Food Bank says they have had to double their staff to keep up with the influx of applicants but they're taking care of things nicely.

"We continue to fill hampers that include a three-day supply," said Gambler. "We're doing pretty well. We're also involved with the Food Rescue program so we're getting meat and produce delivered by Safeway so we lucked out there."

Donations are also being accepted. You can take any non-perishable items to Parkland Crossing or the Friendship Centre; however, they ask that you make sure all items are in date. Meanwhile, if you or someone you know is in need of some food during this time, the Food Bank is here for you. Even if you haven't been before, all you need is your Manitoba Health Card and proof of residency in the area. The next intake is Wednesday night at Parkland Crossing. You can always call Robin at the Friendship Centre in Dauphin for more information.

"So many people are suffering right now because of the high cost, it's all going up," said Gambler. "We're doing the best we can. Don't run short, chances are we will have what you need."

After the natural gas leak that occurred on 3rd Ave. N.E. in Dauphin earlier this week, Manitoba Hydro would like to remind you of what to do when one occurs. 

According to Bruce Owen, media relations officer at Manitoba Hydro, natural gas is odorized with a safe chemical called mercaptan, which gives it a really-rotten-egg smell. If you smell that, you should dial 9-1-1 immediately.

If you smell that pungent smell of rotten eggs that catches your attention, there's likely a natural gas leak... [and] you should be calling 9-1-1 immediately. Natural gas has a tendancy, when there's a leak, to migrate and it wants to take the easiest path, so it can migrate into the sewer system, even through the ground.

Owen also said that natural gas could then migrate into people's homes and that even the slightest ignition, someone lighting a candle or flicking a light switch, for example, could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

He then stressed that you should vacate the premises immediately after dialling 9-1-1.

In addition to calling 9-1-1, you can also report the leak to Manitoba Hydro by calling 1-888-624-9376.

The Dauphin Fire Department is on scene at a bush fire on Strawberry Dr. near Riding Mountain National Park. Flames were not visible from the road, but there is a lot of smoke in the area.

We will continue to follow the situation and give updates as they become available.

A ground search at the site of the former Pine Creek Residential School has revealed six anomalies that could be unmarked graves. The ground search started in early May at the site of the Catholic Church-run residential school which was in operation from the 1890s to 1969.

Derek Nepinak, chief of the Pine Creek First Nation, said that community members were told about the findings on Monday, and the results were upsetting, but not unexpected.

The First Nation asked AltoMaxx, the B.C.-based company that performed the search, to come back and carry out a more thorough radar search of the site to determine whether what they found are, in fact, unmarked graves.

People in crisis or in need of emotional support are being asked to contact the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.