Grasshoppers A Concern In Parts Of MB

Grasshopper populations have become a concern in many parts of Manitoba, after a few years of dry weather conditions that have allowed their populations to grow.

John Gavloski is an entomologist that contributes to the weekly Manitoba Crop Pest Update. He says grasshoppers can cause significant economic damage to crops.

“Levels have been building for the fourth year in a row now. Grasshoppers seem to do better when we get consecutive hot dry summers, and in many parts of in Manitoba, that’s been the case for several years now. So we are seeing the grasshopper levels build.”

There are roughly 85 species of grasshoppers in Manitoba, according to Gavloski, and 4 of those species are considered pests.

He says there are two main species to look out for: the twostriped grasshopper is the most dominant across the province, and is a bit of a generalist in its eating habits, affecting many different types of crops.

Another species Manitoba farmers are looking out for is the clearwinged grasshopper, which is known to feed on grasses.

“If that’s the dominant species in an area, your cereals and forage grasses would be most at risk,” says Gavloski.

While grasshoppers are moving into their adult stages in most parts of the province, Gavloski says hot and humid weather conditions might help take the populations down a little bit.

For the most up to date information on insects and all the other pests affecting crops in Manitoba, make sure to look out for the weekly Manitoba Crop Pest Update from Manitoba Agriculture.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Aug 2, 2020 - 4:18 pm

Public Health Officials have announced 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba.

This brings the total of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases to 435.

As this is the long weekend, we will have to wait for Tuesday's update for the number of active cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the province.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Aug 2, 2020 - 1:12 pm

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is giving an update on their COVID-19 testing sites, heading into the holiday weekend.

The temporary testing site in Russell, at the Russell EMS building parking lot, has been extended. The site will now be open Wednesday, August 5^th and Thursday, August 6^th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Holiday Weekend Hours

The designated COVID-19 testing sites in Brandon, Dauphin and Swan River will be operating with the following schedule for the August long weekend:

The Brandon site (Town Centre Parkade) will be open on Saturday, August 1 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and closed on Sunday, August 2nd.
Dauphin (Community Health Services Building) and Swan River (Primary Care Centre) sites will be closed Saturday, August 1and Sunday, August 2.
All three designated sites will be open on the holiday Monday, August 3 with regular hours of operation.

To view the regular hours of operation of all regional testing sites, visit the PMH website.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Aug 1, 2020 - 5:20 pm

Two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported by public health officials on Saturday.

The total number of confirmed and probable cases in Manitoba is now 417.

The most recent data from the province on Friday showed 70 active cases in Manitoba, with 337 listed as recovered, and 6 people in hospital.

As of July 30, a total of 6,247 have been conducted in the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region.

PMH officials have also announced the temporary testing site in Russell will have an extended schedule, and will now be open Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, August 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The PMH COVID-19 screening sites in Dauphin, Brandon, and Swan River will be operating with adjusted hours this long weekend — but will be open on Monday for the stat holiday.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Aug 1, 2020 - 1:11 pm

The temporary COVID-19 testing site in Russell has extended its days of operation.

The site will now be open Wednesday, August 5^th and Thursday, August 6^th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

PMH had initially reported the Russell testing site would have its final day of operation on Friday, July 31.

The site is located at the Russell EMS building parking lot, near the hospital.

A referral is no longer needed to visit any testing site in Manitoba. If you're experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, you're advised to use the online screening tool to see if a test is required.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Aug 1, 2020 - 12:09 pm

Although Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival has postponed its regular festivities this year, the celebration definitely lives on this weekend.

You may have seen the CNUF board members out on the parade float around town Friday afternoon.

On Saturday night, the celebration continues with the CNUF online virtual festival, starting at 7 p.m — a huge grandstand variety show, nearly 3 hours long.

You can tune in to the virtual festival at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival Facebook page, the CNUF website, or their Youtube page.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jul 31, 2020 - 5:07 pm

The civic holiday (Terry Fox Day) is this Monday, August 3rd – so here's a list of what's open and closed.

Liquor Mart in Dauphin
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Monday (Terry Fox Day): 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Grocery Stores
The Dauphin Co-op grocery store will be closed on Monday, August 3.

Safeway will be open from 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. on Monday, August 3.

Ken’s No Frills is open 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.

The Dauphin Marketplace Mall
The Dauphin Marketplace Mall will be open for the civic holiday on Monday, from 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.

The Post Office
Closed on Monday for the civic holiday.

City Hall
Dauphin City Hall will be closed for the stat holiday on Monday.

Dauphin Rec
All Dauphin Rec facilities are closed for the stat holiday.

Garbage & Recycle Pick-Up
The schedule for pick-up of recycling and garbage in the City of Dauphin will not be affected by the holiday on Monday.

The Dauphin Vet Clinic
The Dauphin Vet Clinic will be closed for the holiday on Monday.

COVID Community Testing Sites
The designated COVID-19 testing sites in Brandon, Dauphin and Swan River will be operating with the following schedule for the August long weekend:

The Brandon site (Town Centre Parkade) will be open on Saturday, August 1 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and closed on Sunday, August 2nd.
Dauphin (Community Health Services Building) and Swan River (Primary Care Centre) sites will be closed Saturday, August 1and Sunday, August 2.
All three designated sites will be open on the holiday Monday, August 3 with regular hours of operation.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jul 31, 2020 - 5:00 pm

RCMP have laid charges in connection to a homicide investigation in Portage la Prairie.

On June 24^th, the remains of 27-year-old Gerhard Reimer-Wiebe were found near Baker Street in Portage.

The investigation led to the arrest of 29-year-old Kyle Evan Sinkovits from Winnipeg, and 25-year-old Jonathan Bradley Narvey from Winnipeg. Both men were charged with First Degree Murder, Forcible Confinement, and Indignity to a Dead Human Body.

The investigation is ongoing, and further information is expected in the coming weeks.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Jul 31, 2020 - 4:35 pm

Millions of people claiming the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be transitioned to the federal Employment Insurance (EI) program, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In an announcement Friday morning, Trudeau emphasized that “no one will be left behind” as the government winds down the CERB in the coming weeks.

Going forward, Trudeau says EI should cover everyone who is looking for work, and those who don’t qualify will be able to receive a benefit that is similar to Employment Insurance.

The prime minister says more details about the transition plan will be given by the end of August.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jul 31, 2020 - 1:45 pm

Six new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the province. Manitoba now has a total of 415 cases.

Two of today’s cases are in the Prairie Mountain Health region, and three are in the Interlake Health region.

Right now, Manitoba has 70 active cases, and 337 people have recovered. There are 6 people in the hospital with 5 in intensive care.

The number of deaths remains at 8.

The three testing sites in the Prairie Mountain Health region have conducted a total number of 6,247 tests, as of July 30.

The Brandon site has tested 5,098 — Dauphin has tested 818 — and the Swan River site has done 331 COVID screening tests.

Prairie Mountain Health testing sites are operating with some adjusted hours this weekend, but will be open on Monday for the stat holiday with regular hours.

For more information about the virus, click here.