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UPDATE: The remaining severe thunderstorm watches and warnings have ended.
The previous update follows:
As of 5:44 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the Mun. of Ste. Rose incl. Laurier has ended.
The second update follows:
At 5:30 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the following communities:
- Mun. of McCreary incl. Norgate
- Mun. of Ste. Rose incl. Laurier
- R.M. of Alonsa incl. Ebb and Flow Res. and Sandy Bay Res.
Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel-size hail and heavy rain.
They say that the severe thunderstorm is located 10 km east of McCreary, moving east at 20 km/h and that heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.
More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.
The first update follows:
As of 3:29 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Mountain including Mafeking and Birch River, as well as Westgate Red Deer Lake and Barrows, has ended.
As of 2:49 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for Porcupine Prov. Forest has ended.
The original article follows:
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the following communities:
- Porcupine Prov. Forest
- R.M. of Mountain including Mafeking and Birch River
- Westgate Red Deer Lake and Barrows
Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel-size hail and heavy rain.
They say that, in and around Mafeking, Baden, and Powell, heavy downpours are likely to cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and that intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops.
In addition, Environment Canada has also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for many communities in the Swan River - Duck Mountain - Porcupine Provincial Forest area.
They say that conditions in those communities are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing heavy rain and that these storms will be slow moving and will produce locally heavy rainfall amounts.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Jack Bremner seeded his wheat and not even 24 hours later, four inches of rain fell on his field. That resulted in the seed rotting in the ground.
About 100 of the acres of wheat will now go towards cattle feed and that means of the 124 acres seeded, Bremner is expecting to only harvest about 24 acres. It isn't all bad; however, for Bremner, this year as his canola crop is looking great. At this point, it's still blooming and it's one of the best canola crops he has ever had.
"When we got that four inches of rain, my entire land was covered in water, that's all you could see," said Bremner. "I can't believe it survived and it has flourished, it's been blooming for about five weeks now."
Bremner said he has seen some canola fields that have finished blooming and those farmers may be out harvesting not long from now; however, that isn't the case for Jack. He says they're going to be harvesting a lot later than usual, Jack isn't expecting to begin harvest until well into September. With that, Bremner will begin harvesting well into the time when the temperatures start to take a plunge and that's when frost can become a major issue.
"I'm definitely worried about it cooling down to a point where it freezes," said Bremner. "That could mean the canola could be worth nothing, it just depends on how damaged it is. To be this late into August and for the canola to be full blooming, that's a little scary."
Jack says he put a ton of money into the ground this year and if they do get frost on their crop, that would be devastating.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The opening of the Ste. Rose Farmer's Market originally scheduled for this Thursday has been postponed.
The market is now set to open next Thursday, August 25th, at Molgat Park in Ste. Rose du Lac and will run every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. until September 8th.
Marie Sorlie, recreation director for the Municipality of Ste. Rose and the R.M. of Lakeshore, says that it will most likely be extended to September 15th due to the late start.
She also says that there are many reasons behind the postponement.
"There's actually only one vendor that has signed up for it and according to public health, we have to have those in ahead of time... The market coordinator is actually sick with COVID, so not available to be there to coordinate the market this Thursday," she adds.
She points to the late gardens and so-called crazy season they've had as to why they haven't had more vendors sign up.
Anyone interested in selling produce at the farmer's market is being asked to call or text Marie at 204-648-4797 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
They must also pay a fee of $10 per table they wish to reserve.
More information can be found on the Lakeshore & Ste Rose Recreation Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Prairie Mountain Health is offering a number of vaccine pop-up clinics this week and next.
In Dauphin today (August 17th) and Wednesday, August 31st, you will be able to get your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th dose (see 4th dose eligibility criteria below) at the Ukrainian Orthodox Hall at 304 Whitmore Avenue East from 2 to 6. There will also be a vaccine clinic in Hamiota tomorrow at the Hamiota Community Center from 2 to 6.
Appointments can be booked online or you can call 1-844-626-8222.
In Manitoba, 4th doses are available for individuals aged 50 and older, First Nations, Métis and Inuit people aged 30 and up, residents of personal care homes and elderly people living in congregate settings, and moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 18 to 49.
There will also be a vaccine clinic in Ste. Rose Du Lac on Tuesday, August 23rd, from 9 am to 12:30 pm at the Public Health Office, 603 - 1st Avenue East. Neepawa will also have one next Thursday, August 25th from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Yellowhead Centre.
A full schedule of clinics in the Prairie Mountain Health region can be found here. The website also indicates whether the clinic you plan to attend offers walk-in appointments as well as phone and online booking.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Ken Plustwa worked for Manitoba Infrastructure for the better part of 42 and a half years. Now retired, Ken is hoping to share his knowledge with the RM of Dauphin and that's why he has decided to run for council in the upcoming Municipal Election.
"After a couple of years of retirement, I think this is the right time," said Plustwa.
Ken is heavily involved in the community which includes attending all Dauphin Kings home games and he fully believes the RM of Dauphin is a tremendous place to live and he wants to help it grow.
Running alongside Jack Bremner, Ken Shewchuk, Midge Sametz, and Ron Ryz, Plustwa says it would be an honour to get the chance to work alongside his fellow Councillors and Reeve, whoever may be elected come October. Ernie Sirski and Tom Gibbs are running for Reeve.
"I want to help improve the infrastructure within the RM and of course, anything else I can do to help," said Plustwa. "I have a lot of knowledge when it comes to infrastructure and I would love to share it."
Stay tuned in the coming days as we will continue to highlight this year's candidates in Dauphin and the RM of Dauphin. You can still register to run for Mayor or council until September 20.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Manitoba RCMP have released the monthly police-reported crime statistics for June.
The statistics compare the number of crimes that were reported to police in June of this year with the number of those reported in June of last year.
According to a news release on the law enforcement agency's website, the Manitoba West District — which includes Dauphin — reported increases in crimes against property, but decreases in the other categories overall.
Reports of property crimes increased by 21% (681 to 821) overall with reports of theft under $5,000 increasing by 79% (140 to 251) and reports of possession of stolen goods increasing by 62% (13 to 21). However, break and enters decreased by 11% (114 to 101).
Also noted in the release, drug enforcement decreased by 13% (46 to 40) overall with reports of possession decreasing by 23% (13 to 10) and reports of trafficking falling by 22% (27 to 21).
In addition, calls for service to the RCMP from within the West District fell from 5,121 to 5,080.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
UPDATE: The Pine Creek First Nation is now offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who can provide credible evidence that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever's responsible for the fire that destroyed the new BlueSky Family Wellness Centre on McKay’s Point Rd.
The fire is deemed to be suspicious in nature.
If you have any information, you're being asked to contact the Winnipegosis RCMP at 204-656-7003.
The original article follows:
Winnipegosis RCMP responded to a structure fire yesterday at around 12:35 a.m.
The fire occurred at the BlueSky family wellness centre on McKay’s Point Rd. on Pine Creek First Nation.
When officers got there, the centre was fully engulfed in flames and the Fire Department was on the scene.
There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire.
The RCMP say that the fire appears to be suspicious and they continue to investigate with the assistance of the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
If you have any information on this incident, you're being asked to contact the Winnipegosis RCMP at 204-656-7003, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
The Roblin Rodeo and Fair had a successful return to the Jewel of the Parkland over the weekend. With four days full of great events, it was hard for people to choose between the attractions says, Ag Society President Ellen Arnott.
"I didn't even get to see the rodeo because I was busy running other things, but our volunteers there said that they've never seen the stands so full, and on Saturday it was pretty much standing room only at the rodeo arena."
Despite two years off, and limited time to plan, Arnott says the volunteers they had were absolutely incredible.
"We have a great team of volunteers that worked so hard all weekend and before to get things together and to make it happen. Without all our volunteers, and our board members, and our members it just couldn't have happened. I can't say enough about all the people that just gave of their time."
Arnott says that other than some bad weather late on Saturday canceling Emma Peterson's second set, it was a beautiful weekend for the event.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Broken glass has been found all over the splash park pad at Vermillion Park.
Dauphin Rec shared this on their Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
With summer coming to a close, many people are wondering about back to school.
Taylor Schmidt, acting principal at the Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (DRCSS), says that the back-to-school preparations have been going well.
"Our current air handling situation has posed some challenges, but our custodial crew and divisional crew are getting our building up and ready for the fall, he adds.
Schmidt believes that the health and safety of students and staff is a top priority, so the coronavirus is being factored into this year's preparations.
"We're always following direction from our division and public health recommendations... so we're going to be back in person but keeping in mind... some of the recommendations put out by public health... We want to... [keep] everyone safe the best we can," he adds.
Schmitt says that they've brought in air purifiers, will provide access to hand sanitizer, and will welcome mask-wearing while indoors, even though it won't be mandatory.
More information on how COVID-19 will affect the return to school at the DRCSS can be found on their website.
Grade 9 Orientation Day will take place on September 7th and classes will begin on September 8th.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
David Bosiak and Kerri Riehl are the two candidates running to become the Mayor of Dauphin as the Municipal Election takes place on October 26.
Now the list of candidates to join the council has been named and Jason Alf is on the list. Knowing Dauphin is where he wanted to live and work as a young man, Alf wants to continue giving back to the community. He believes now was the perfect time to try it out and he wants to help Dauphin grow into a place where everyone wants to live and stay.
"Anything I can do to help Dauphin try and remain a good place and a better place to live is what I'm interested in," said Alf. "I've always been a big supporter of things for the kids to do, things that will attract people to Dauphin to bring money into the community."
Alf believes Dauphin is a very safe place but he understands crime rates seemed to have been spiking as of late and that's also something he wants to tackle head-on. Jason has been extremely loyal to Dauphin for his entire life and he plans on continuing to be just that.
"I think people know me to be a pretty honest, hard-working individual," said Alf. "I'm pretty passionate about Dauphin, the only time I spent away was when I went to school and I had the intention of coming back. I believe people should vote for who they think would do the best job of representing their city and hopefully, that's me."
Stay tuned in the coming days as we will continue to highlight this year's candidates in Dauphin and the RM of Dauphin. You can still register to run for Mayor or council until September 20.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
