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Several Parkland area nurses joined hundreds of their counterparts from across the province for a rally last week at the Manitoba Legislature.
Mandee Nakonechny is the President of the Parkland Community Nurses Local 122, and says their message to the Kinew government that day was simple.
"Our current slogan is "Same Shift, different day". And no pun intended as an X marks through the F in the shift."
Nakonechny adds that front-line nurses have seen very little change in how health care is moving from the previous government to the current one.
"(The government is very proud that they have hired 600+ health care workers and made some positive moves in that sense. But the front-line workers are not seeing that, and the nurses are not holding back on speaking about how that is affecting us on everyday job levels. And that is through the entire province."
"We would really like to know the number of staff that have left besides the 600+ that they have claimed to have hired."
She goes over some of the issues that nurses continue to face.
"Staffing shortages are one of the biggest ones. We are coming into our summer season of vacations, and we are already having nurses working overtime and over and above their exceeded amounts."
"Violence is another issue. (Apparently) It is okay for medical staff to be assaulted and spit on and have objects thrown at them on a daily basis at numerous health care facilities across the province. But if that were to happen at a different job site, that would not be tolerated."
Nakonechny says there is solidarity among nurses across the province, as well as other health care teams, and that they want Manitobans to know that things are not okay in the health system.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Organizers of Thursday's Moose Hide Campaign Day event have made some changes to the schedule due to the weather.
The event, which brings focus to the issue of violence against women and children - will still begin with doors at the Dauphin Friendship Centre opening at 1 pm, and opening ceremonies and speeches going at 1:30.
But instead of an outdoor walk followed by a barbecue, that will be replaced by an indoor gathering at the DFC Hall starting at 2:30, with burgers, hot dogs and drinks from the kitched being served.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Seeding operations progressed across the Parkland this past week, according to the latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture.
Field pea seeding is about 65 to 70 per cent complete, with the Roblin and Swan River areas being the most advanced.
The earliest seeded field peas have germinated and are just starting to emerge.
Overall progress in spring wheat seeding is around 65 per cent, with some fields complete and others just starting, with those early seeded crops now starting to emerge.
Canola seeding has started across the region, with the exception of The Pas.
Weeds are also starting to grow in the region, as pre-seed herbicide applications have been a challenge due to high winds in the area.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Warm weather is here, paired perfectly with a home-cooked meal.
You may be planning to fire up the BBQ or have a smoker that's waiting to be used for the first time this year. How about that Blackstone that's calling your name? There are many wonderful options, but what's the difference between them all?
They all cook differently, providing a different taste. On Sunday, June 1, all your questions will be answered. Tortugas Smokehouse, based in Niverville, will be in Dauphin. They'll be hosting the Pit Master Academy, BBQ and smoking essentials course.
Adrian Bruce is the owner of Tortuga's Smokehouse.
"It allows your average person to come in and have a greater understanding of the basics of BBQing, things that took me 20 years to figure out," said Bruce. "The differences between grilling and smoking. The different types of fuel available and choosing the right meats, depending on what you're cooking."
The event will be at Obsolete Brewing Company (OBC), beginning at 12:30 and will take two and a half hours. For Bruce, hosting the event at OBC is a no-brainer.
"These guys are fantastic. We stumbled on their doorstep last year during the Manitoba Summer Games," continued Bruce. "I would say there is very much an alignment of perspectives on customer experiences. None of us are here to line our pockets and run down the road. It's making sure the people have good experiences through our efforts."
The cost to take part is $125 and is limited to 30 guests.
"They come in, and there is a bit of a classroom session. We'll demonstrate some of the meats, what they look like before and after," ended Bruce. "There is a hands-on component, we will get out and use some of the grills. Then we will enjoy some of the fruits of our labour. Sit down, have lunch, and get to know one another."
If you're interested in becoming a Pit Master, call Obsolete Brewing Company during business hours at (204) 647-5903.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Food banks across Manitoba, including several here in the Parklland, will benefit from a massive donation to Harvest Manitoba by Manitoba Egg Farmers.
MEF is doubling its monthly contribution of eggs to Manitoba Harvest to 3,600 dozen.
Manitoba Harvest President and CEO Vince Baretta says that means 45,000 eggs will be shared every month among food banks in fifty communities, including several in our area.
"Up in the Dauphin area, I know that there are about 100 families a month that use the Dauphin Food Bank. We also provide support to the food banks in McCreary and Ste. Rose du lac. And a lot of people are doing some really good work. I have to give a shout out to Robin Gambler at the Dauphin Food Bank, who is doing incredible work."
Baretta says Manitoba Egg Farmers have been long-time supporters of Harvest Manitoba and food banks across the province.
Fifty thousand Manitobans currently use food banks on a monthly basis.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Halfway through his first mandate as Mayor, Dave Bosiak says he is happy with how things have gone so far, although he admits he would like to have more items completed.
During his state of the city address on Tuesday, Bosiak admitted he would like things to be moving faster, but they are getting through items as quickly as the municipal world allows them.
"The big stuff that is going on, most of it is invisible. The $20 million project on the south end with the new roads and the new drainage - people just expect a place to drive. The same thing with when you flush your toilet - the water goes somewhere, and the waste goes somewhere. But that is $20 million too. And so that is what we are trying to do, is balance those mega-projects that we need to maintain and sustain the community, but also bring in the stuff that really makes people happy."
Bosiak says the creation of a new project manager position, which will come online this year, should help some of those smaller, less high-profile projects move along to the finish line.
Bosiak also spoke glowingly of his council team during his address.
He says the current capacity of council has allowed for some major work to be completed during the first two years of their current mandate, and will continue to allow more to be done over the next two years.
"The thing that I am most impressed with is that we have had disagreements on council in closed doors and different priorities, but at the end of the day in the public discourse, we are all on the same page. I don't want to brag, but we have not had a non-unanimous vote on any resolution yet in over two years."
Bosiak says that does mean there are no disagreements. It just means that those disagreements are all worked out before the votes take place.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A Parkland area trail is one of five in Manitoba to receive funding through the Trans Canada Trail's annual Trail Care Grant program.
The Rossburn Subdivision Trail is receiving an undisclosed amount to be used towards trimming g overgrown brush.
The five Manitoba trails will share in $21,250 from the trail care program, which helps fund community-driven initiatives that include trail clean-ups and repairs, volunteer training and appreciation, and tree planting.
Nationwide, just under 250 thousand dollars is being given to 222 community groups through the program.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 23-year-old is left with a hefty fine.
On May 6 at 3 p.m., Dauphin RCMP pulled over a 23-year-old on Mountain Road.
The driver was caught travelling 93 km/h in a 50 zone.
The RCMP said the following.
There is absolutely no good reason for speeding. One bad decision can alter your life and harm others. We must work together to keep everyone safe.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
How does a fresh seafood feast sound?
You're in luck. That's in store at Lobsterfest, hosted by the Rotary Club of Dauphin. It's set for Friday, May 23, at Obsolete Brewing Company.
Lindsay Dingwall is with the Rotary Club of Dauphin.
"Ticket sales have been going very well," said Dingwall. "We have less than 20 left, so we're very happy with that."
Proceeds from this year's event will go to the Countryfest Community Cinema (CCC).
"Not just all the proceeds, the Rotary Club has guaranteed $10,000, plus whatever we make," continued Dingwall. "If we make more, we will donate more. If we make less, we guarantee $10,000 will go towards the CCC."
Tickets for the event are just $100. From delicious appetizers and fresh mussels to lobster, dessert, and so much more in between, you're in store for a wonderful night. This year’s entertainment will be brought to you by the high-energy sounds of Club Wagon Creek.
"It's a great outing, you get fresh seafood from the East Coast, as well as fresh food served by local businesses," continued Dingwall. "It's a great way to feel good about giving back to your community."
There will also be a 50/50 and raffle prizes.
"We have some incredible prizes that have been donated from community members," ended Dingwall. "There are some Blue Bombers tickets, and a lot more. It's all to help the Countryfest Community Cinema. Every ticket bought goes right to them."
Get your tickets by reaching out to the Rotary Club on Facebook.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Sunrise Credit Union has named the winner of its 2025 "Our Manitoba" Photo Contest.
"Prairie Storm," a photo submitted by Dylan Bertholet of Lauder, was the top vote-getter among 30 finalists during a week-long public vote last month.
Initial submissions of 217 were whittled down to the 30 finalists by a panel of Sunrise C.U. staff.
Bertholet's winning entry was captured during a stormy evening last September.
He receives a $500 One-Year Term Deposit from Sunrise Credit Union for his winning entry, which will also be profiled in Sunrise Credit Union's 2026 calendar.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Kindergarten to Grade 8 students in the Mountain View School Division have had the chance this year to learn several types of indigenous dancing, such as square dancing, pow-wow, and jigging.
This Friday, they will have the chance to show off what they have learned through the first-ever Nagamon and Niimiidiwin Music Festival.
MVSD Indigenous Education Co-Ordinator Carole Shankaruk says it is important to celebrate an event like this.
"Indigenous people, and really the culture. We know that when we talk about reconciliation, it is all of us - indigenous and non-indigenous - doing this work together. And you know what, the students - no matter which school I visited about their learning - the students loved it."
Over 1,000 students are slated to take part in the festival, which will be held at Credit Union Place.
The event is closed to the public.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
