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Last week the Weather Network reported Manitoba will likely see a mild fall and a delayed start to winter.
All signs point to a warmer-than-usual September and October, with near-normal amounts of precipitation.
When the Manitoba winter does arrive, what can we expect this year?
Good news first — the 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac says the Prairies and Atlantic Canada could see above-normal winter temperatures.
The Almanac is advising the rest of the country to brace for below-normal winter temperatures.
When it comes to snowfall amounts, the entire country is looking at above-normal levels of precipitation this winter, but the Old Farmer’s Almanac says snowfall will be much greater than normal through most of the Prairies.
So while we may get a bit of a break from winter’s chill, Manitoba will see lots of rain, snow, and sleet.
The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac also advises Manitobans to expect a “Snow Train” that will bring a steady flow of winter storms throughout the season.
(Photo courtesy of the Old Farmer's Almanac)
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
You still have the chance to see a made in Manitoba movie this week, at the Countryfest Community Cinema in Dauphin.
The romantic comedy titled “I Propose We Never See Each Other Again After Tonight” was shot and casted in Manitoba, says director Sean Garrity.
“We actually funded it almost entirely in Manitoba and then we cast it from local acting pools, people who have done theatre and other films. It’s a lot of the local actors in Winnipeg.”
The film features the story of a Mennonite boy and Filipina girl who fall in love during a cold Manitoba winter.
The movie was released at the Countryfest Community Cinema on Friday, Sept 18th, and is available for one more week.
For tickets and showtimes, visit the Countryfest Community Cinema website.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
If you’re confused about where you need a mask, and where you’re allowed to go without — you’re not alone.
The recent move to scrap the targeted ‘orange’ restrictions, requiring masks in all indoor public places in Prairie Mountain Health, means it’s now up to businesses to decide their own rules.
Businesses such as Home Hardware and MR Mikes aren’t requiring customers to wear masks. MR Mikes’ staff still wear masks in the front and back and encourage the use of masks in the restaurant.
Then there are national and provincial policies requiring masks at Walmart, MPI offices, and Liquor Mart locations.
Stephen Chychota has some advice for finding out whether or not a business is requiring masks.
“Probably, the best way is if you can find any of that information on either the business’ social media channels or their website, definitely just calling the store would be the best-case scenario, and if you happen to be just wanting to go to that location, keeping a mask on hand in the vehicle or on you and if you do need it to go to the location you’re going to then you’ve got it.”
He adds that it is a case by case basis.
While masks aren’t required by the province anymore, Dr Brent Roussin still strongly recommends mask use for all Manitobans in indoor public places, especially where physical distancing of two metres can’t be maintained.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
It was a busy 12 hours for the Dauphin Fire Department, as they responded to three incidents.
Both the Sifton and Dauphin fire departments were dispatched to a structure fire northeast of Dauphin along Dauphin Lake just before 7 yesterday evening.
Upon arrival, crews were met by the homeowner, who had a quick reaction and was able to contain the fire to a small portion of the home because of the early detection of the fire by their grandson. There aren’t any injuries and no damage estimate is available at this time.
The fire seems to be accidental-electrical in nature.
Then, shortly after 9 pm, as crews were clearing the scene of the fire, another dispatch was issued for a motor vehicle incident in RMNP.
Crews arrived on the scene several kilometres south of the north gate entrance to find a large cube van in the ditch with a ruptured fuel tank. The diesel spill was contained by crews and they stayed on scene until the van was able to be towed from the area.
RCMP say the driver told them he missed a curve in the road and over-corrected to get back and rolled into the trees.
Alcohol isn't a factor in this incident.
Finally, this morning just before 6, DFD was dispatched for a single-vehicle incident northwest of Dauphin. The lone occupant was transported to the hospital for observation RCMP believe there aren't any serious injuries.
The RCMP say he may have just driven into the ditch, they add that alcohol may be a factor.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Today marks the first day of autumn, also known as the fall equinox.
It marks the astronomical start of the fall season in the northern hemisphere.
The Weather Network says we could be looking at a mild and prolonged fall season.
The weather authority says the delayed start of consistent winter weather is something most of the country will experience.
Stay tuned for a preview of the winter season forecast, which the CKDM news team will be releasing shortly.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
There will be a temporary road closure in Dauphin on Tuesday, September 22.
Dauphin City staff are advising of some repaving work happening at the intersection of 2nd Avenue NW & 1st Street NW.
The work will begin at 7:00 am on Tuesday, September 22, and the intersection will be completely closed to all traffic.
The intersection is expected to reopen in the late afternoon.
Detours will be in place.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Twenty-two new cases of COVID-19 were identified in Manitoba on Monday, along with two more deaths.
A man in his 80s from the Southern Health region and a woman in her 80s from Prairie Mountain Health are the 17th and 18th death in Manitoba due to the virus.
Of Monday’s newly announced cases, two are in Prairie Mountain Health, one is in the Interlake-Easter health region, 3 are in the Southern Health region, and 16 cases are in Winnipeg.
None of today’s newly announced cases are in the Dauphin health district.
There are 363 active cases and 1,227 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. There are 8 people in hospital and two people in intensive care.
Public health officials have sent a letter to parents about a possible exposure to COVID-19 in the school portable at Meadows School in Brandon on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Wednesday, Sept. 16. This case was not acquired at school. Public health has recommended that all students and staff in the same room as the case be identified as close contacts and advised to self-isolate. This class has been transitioned to remote learning as of today.
The school will remain open to all other students and staff, who can continue to attend school in person.
Health officials are advising of another possible exposure to COVID-19 at a school in Winnipeg, Collège Garden City Collegiate on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of last week. The site is not being elevated on the Pandemic Response System, given the low risk and lack of close contacts.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Ochre River Hotel is under demolition today.
The RM of Lakeshore is advising of the demolition in a Facebook post, and has issued some safety reminders while the work takes place.
They're advising the public to use caution in the area, as it is a construction zone. The public is also asked to stay behind the barricades and well away from machinery and the building site.
The RM asks that folks avoid hindering traffic by parking on Highway 20 or other surrounding streets.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
This week is Farm and Food Awareness week in Manitoba. While kicking off the sixth annual celebration, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen encouraged Manitobans to learn more about where their food comes from and how it’s produced.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we are rolling out Farm and Food Awareness Week this year, allowing for the creation of educational materials that will be available online year-round. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we continue to celebrate the importance of agriculture in Manitoba and the role it is playing in our economic recovery.”
Farm and Food Awareness Week is meant to encourage activities to promote Manitoba farms, Manitoba food, and other products of farming in Manitoba.
This year’s theme is ‘150 Years of Agriculture in Manitoba’ to highlight Manitoba’s rich agricultural history, the resiliency of the industry, and innovation and opportunity in the sector.
5 videos will be launched on Manitoba Ag’s Twitter account this week, focusing on 150 years in agriculture.
Some other virtual resources are available for Farm and Food Awareness Week, including a number of at-home learning resources from the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, which can be found here.
Also, Farm to School Manitoba is developing a series of hands-on videos focusing on Manitoba grown vegetables. More info can be found here.
Nearly 40,000 Manitobans work in the agriculture industry, contributing to Manitoba’s economy significantly.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Today the province is providing details about the funding available to Manitoba school divisions to help ensure a safe learning environment during the COVID pandemic.
Provincial funding is offering $52 million to school divisions, plus $48 million in savings from the shortened term last school year.
Manitoba’s Education Minister says of the $52 million, $12 million is estimated for masks and PPE, $32 million for school divisions and independent schools to access up to a per-pupil maximum, and $8 million to address urgent health and serious safety measures over and above the school division allocation.
The funding will also be used to support enhanced cleaning and sanitization, including more custodial staffing, increased bus transportation capacity, and ensuring substitute teachers and educational staff are available.
There is also $85.4 million in federal funds to help support learning in Manitoba.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
This past week was another example of the Dauphin and Parkland community coming together for a worthy cause.
Henderson School is in a great position to make some much-needed upgrades to their playground, thanks to both Tim Hortons’ week-long Smile Cookie initiative, and Co-Op Fuel Good Day on Tuesday, September 15.
Principal Ronda Casavant tells CKDM the school is very grateful for Co-Op and Tim Hortons choosing Henderson to receive the benefits of their initiatives.
“We’re thankful at Henderson School that our community has jumped on board in supporting this initiative to upgrade our playground,” said Casavant, adding that the support is “certainly going to make a lot of students happy, and bring a fresh new set of swings to our playground.”
The school principal says it all started when she was approached last year by Henderson kindergarten teacher Stacey Penner about getting onboard with these two fundraisers.
Stacey Penner is no stranger to getting involved with fundraising initiatives in the community — with experience improving playgrounds from her time working on the Whitmore School Playground Fund.
“When I moved over to Henderson a year ago, I saw a nice playground — but I really thought there were some elements missing. I know those swings are ancient and rusted and thought that ‘I have this experience under my belt, so I might as well run with it for the Henderson playground’.”
The 12th year MVSD teacher sent in applications and letters of requests at the beginning of 2020, which are now coming to fruition. She says it was a total fluke that both Co-Op and Tim Hortons’ fundraising initiatives in support of the playground upgrades happened in the same week.
“I was stunned with what an incredible community the Parkland region and Dauphin is when the chips are down and something important is needed,” said Penner.
Other funds raised for the playground include Dauphin Vet Clinic’s $2,000 donation; Wal-Mart’s small community grants $1,000 contribution to the project — and the Dauphin & District Community Foundation putting forward $5,500 to the Henderson playground upgrades.
Fundraising Results
As for Tim Hortons, Penner tells CKDM that $12,174 has been raised for the playground as a result of the Smile Cookie campaign.
Co-Op Fuel Good Day saw $0.10 from every litre go towards playground upgrades. A total of 52,512 litres sold on Fuel Good Day contributes a total of $5,251.24 to Henderson School.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
