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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is asking the new NDP government to end the process of severance payouts for former MLAs who either lost their seat in the previous election or retired and chose not to run again.
The CTF recently released its calculations for severance payouts to 25 former MLAs who were either defeated in the October 3rd vote or chose not to run for re-election.
They say the payout is based on the number of years an MLA has been in office, with an MLA receiving one month’s pay for each year they were in office, from a minimum of three months' pay to a maximum of 12 months
According to the CTF, outgoing Dauphin MLA Brad Michaleski - who decided not to seek re-election - is in line for a transition allowance of $63,658 thanks to his almost 7 1/2 years in office.
In total, the CTF says the former MLAs are eligible to receive $1.84 million in severance, ranging from $25,749 to $102,998
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin Friendship Center is looking to spread some warmth this season with the return of its Coats for Kids Program.
For over 20 years, this community-minded organization has been working to make sure that everyone has the cold-weather gear they need.
Running until December, Robin Gambler with the DFC says keeping kids warm this winter is their goal.
"We try and focus on the kids, but there are some teenagers that need some outerwear as well. We take pretty much everything gently used. We do not have the means to wash everything, so it should come clean and ready for a child to put on"
Posted by Dauphin Friendship Centre Inc. on Thursday, October 19, 2023
The program runs until December, and you can drop off any items you wish to donate at the Dauphin Friendship Center.
They're open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for accepting donations and getting these cold weather clothes to those needing them.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The newly amalgamated Swan Valley Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of fire chief.
A posting on the Town of Swan River's website says the major duties of the job include department leadership, strategic, budget, and capital planning, as well as staffing recommendations.
It adds the job requires a number of certifications, including incident command systems, fire ground management, and firefighter level 2 certification - or the ability to get that level of certification within the next two years.
Interested individuals are asked to apply by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 30th, by sending their application to the Swan Valley Fire Department, at Box 2992 in Swan River.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A Grandview native is $15,000 richer thanks to a special anniversary promotion through Sunrise Credit Union.
The organization recently celebrated its 15th anniversary by selecting one member from each of its 19 branches to come to a special reception in Brandon late last week.
19-year-old Cameron Schettler was chosen to represent the Grandview branch at the event, where she and the other 18 finalists were each given a key to possibly open a safe containing $5,000 in cash, as well as two certificates for TFSA.and RRSP contributions in similar amounts.
Schettler's key was the one that opened the safe.
In a news release, Schettler says she plans to use some of her winnings towards nursing school, and then save the rest.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Guilty pleas have been entered in a Swan River armed robbery case from earlier this year.
20-year-old Jefferson Cook and 39-year-old Loni Genaille both pled guilty last week to charges of robbery with a weapon.
On February 14th, RCMP responded to a report of a robbery outside a business in Swan River, where a 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy claimed that a man wielding a hammer demanded money and items.
Sentencing is slated to take place next year.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
According to GasBuddy.com, the average price of gasoline in Manitoba fell another 1.6 cents per litre over the past week.
It now sits at 154.21 cents a litre, 7.8 cents cheaper than one month ago, and 26.2 cents a litre cheaper than on this day one year ago.
We are also now cheaper than the national average price, which went up 2 cents in the past seven days and now sits at 155.49 cents a litre.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Looks like we are on the verge of getting our first blast of winter-like conditions.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Dauphin area, saying that a pattern change to colder temperatures with the first shot of accumulating snow is coming this week to the region.
It adds Highs will drop to the single digits through much of the week before colder air moves in later this week, with temperatures in the -5 to -10 degree range likely by next weekend and into Halloween.
The colder temperatures will bring accumulating snow into western Manitoba on Tuesday into Wednesday
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
This weekend, the 5th annual Empower Her program is being hosted by the Northwest Metis Council.
This event seeks to bring women together for a two-day event that covers a plethora of topics that have a core focus on leading a healthy and happy life.
Northwest Metis Council Vice President Francis Chartrand has a full itinerary of events for the weekend.
There will be several speakers covering topics like healthy relationships, creating a balanced life of mind, body, and spirit, and Consent and empowerment.
The days will also include land-based programming beading, storytelling, and language classes from local elders.
Chartrand also notes that the core goal of this weekend is to have women empowered with both knowledge and courage to face the world.
She also wants to let people know that there is help available for those who need it.
If you or someone you know are seeking help from an abusive relationship, Contact the Manitoba Association of Women's Shelter, or the Gender-Based Violence Action Team at the Northwest Metis Council.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
This afternoon, The Manitoba Metis Federation unveiled a sign near Mallard Manitoba offering a $10,000 reward for information on the missing Marcus Mckay.
This is part of a search effort that's been going on for nearly 2 decades for Marcus, and Northwest Metis Council Vice President Frances Chartand understands how important closure is.
"I believe it's been about 20 years. President Chartrand has met with the family, the grandmother. The grandmother lives in Crane River. imagine if you had a loved one missing. I've never experienced it, and i never want to experience it, so i empathize. i understand loss and grieving, and i just empathize with anyone losing a Child or grandchild, wondering where they are today."
Called Pey Key Way Ta Hin/Bring Me Home, the fund provides individual $10,000 rewards for information that leads to locating missing loved ones.
MMF funding remains in place as a reward for tips leading to the location of Jennifer Catcheway, another missing person since 2008.
This is part of a larger fund the MMF put together in 2021, funding 1 million dollars to find missing and murdered loved ones across Manitoba.
The RCMP asks anyone with information to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or their local police of jurisdiction. Information can also be provided anonymously through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or by secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Shovels will be hitting the dirt soon on the south entrance of the city.
Dauphin's Public Works Director Mike VanAlstyne gives us a look a this long-awaited infrastructure upgrade.
"So, we are anticipating work to begin on the retention pond construction over the first few weeks of November."
VanAlstyne also notes this will be no small project either, as the retention pond excavation for drainage is just the first step.
"The main project will span from Whitmore Avenue to Triangle Road. The construction will involve constructing service roads of both the east and west sides of Main Street South."
Road safety is not the only consideration in this project, as pedestrian safety will be addressed in this project as well.
Lit intersections are slated to be added to the crossing near the Dauphin Marketplace Mall, and sidewalks will span both service roads as well giving people a safe place to walk.
If you're looking to keep tabs on when construction is happening, and when road closure may begin to pop up, keep an eye on the city of Dauphin Website, as they'll be keeping a construction tracker running there through the course of this project.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
730 CKDM News Now had a chance to catch up with Dauphin MLA, and newly appointed Agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn between cabinet meetings.
He says there has been a lot to catch up on.
"There is a lot of historical information that needs to be shared by the various senior staff. So that we can kind of get on the same paved road of understanding what has been done and how we need to move forward on our mission."
This is a position that the Ethelbert native has found himself in the past, so he knows the importance of this role.
"We value the importance of all kinds of economic development, but agriculture is a high precedence in the Dauphin constituency."
After the first few cabinet meetings, Minister Kostyshyn is feeling confident that the NDP government will be effective in making some changes.
"We have a strong team and we continue to work with a number of other agencies and corporations to make agriculture a high return in the economic development in Manitoba."
Nevertheless, he always appreciates the support the community has shown him throughout his career.
"It is a great honour, and it is great to be given the opportunity to be agriculture minister."
Kostyshyn notes there is still much for the new party to be briefed on, but he is confident this new government will be getting things done.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
