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Mahihkan Bus Lines has announced that it is closing its operations as of September 6th.
Besides offering charter bus services, Mahihkan offered regular service from Flin Flon to Winnipeg.
In a post on their Facebook page, the company said despite their best efforts to sustain their business operations in order to provide a reliable transportation option for Northern Manitobans, ongoing market viability, inflationary pressure, and challenging economic circumstances forced the company to make this difficult decision.
The post went on to thank Mahihkan's customers, suppliers, and employees throughout the years.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Phase two of the clinical spaces renovation project at Dauphin Regional Health Centre is projected to be completed very soon.
Debbie Poole is the Regional Lead of Clinical Planning with Prairie Mountain Health and says this round of renovations should wrap up in September, with patients being able to access the new beds by sometime in October.
"Adding seven beds, which will be new inpatient, single occupancy rooms. And then there will be two additional rooms in surgery."
Poole says adding the new beds to the DRHC is very important, as Dauphin is seen as a regional hub for the Northern part of Prairie Mountain Health.
Poole adds this phase also included a new physiotherapy area on the third floor, as well as renovating a conference room.
"The conference room was renovated so as to provide a little more space for having meetings in that room and for nurses to do training. The therapy space is much more open compared to where it was previously on the second floor. It has lots of natural light coming into it, which staff will enjoy as well as patients."
Phase one included the completion of a new cancer care unit and an endoscopy unit, both on the main floor of the hospital.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Residents in the Municipality of Gilbert Plains are selecting a new councillor today (Wednesday).
Three candidates - Robert Shumka, Roy Becks, and Tyler Bileski - are vying to fill the vacancy on council.
Voting is taking place until 8 pm tonight at the Richardson Pioneer Hall in Gilbert Plains.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The weekly Manitoba Crop Report is keeping us up to date on the substantial harvest progress, and tumultuous weather across the province.
Precipitation was noted at every station across the province, with the most being seen in Minitonas with 77.8 mm and the least being seen at the Steinbach station with .6 mm.
As it has for much of the year, total rain accumulation has been well over 100% on the year, with many areas in the Central Region seeing upwards of 120%.
Harvest continues to move along across the province, so let's get into some crop details.
In cereals, Fall Rye and Winter Wheat are 90% complete across the province, with yields ranging from 40 to 90 bu/acre for winter wheat and fall rye in the North Interlake and
Eastern regions, and 80 to 110 bu/acre for fall rye in the South Interlake and Central regions.
Spring Cereals are picking up, as 22% of barley, 13% of wheat and 6% of oats have been completed. Early yield estimates vary a fair bit for spring wheat with an average of 70 bu/acre in the Central and Eastern regions.
In the North Interlake, yields range from 25 to 55 bu/acre, and up to 70 bu/acre in the South Interlake.
Barley is estimated between 90 -115 bu/acre and oats from 80-180 bu/acre, with generally good bushel weights.
Corn is still maturing, and elsewhere, a few fields have begun planting winter crops.
Oilseed harvest is just beginning for some canola crops in the central and eastern regions, but some of the latest seeded fields are still in late flowering to pod fill stages.
The earliest seeded sunflowers are at R7, with later seeded fields in the late R5 stage.
Most flax fields are in growth stage 11, with the most advanced flax in stage 12 as the seeds ripen.
Pulses and Soybeans are at varying stages, as Field peas are at 60% complete and soybeans are still in some later growth stages.
Many Soybean crops range from R5 to R6 stage in the Southwest, Northwest, Central, and Eastern regions, and R4 in Interlake. Some aphid pressure has also prompted the use of insecticide.
Forage crops benefited from the weekend's rain, as the moisture will help replenish root reserves heading into winter.
Hay Harvests are near completion, and many producers are working on their second cut of tame hay.
Dairy producers reported good yields in their second cuts of Alfalfa with a third cut currently under way.
That being said, lingering morning dews continue to be a problem that could lead to some lower quality.
Pastures also recovered well with the rain, though the southwest area is seeing a slower recovery due to some dryer conditions.
Dugouts are between 65 - 75 percent full, and water supplies have been reported as adequate.
Looking specifically at the northwest region, some very hot weekdays led to some erratic weather over the weekend.
The temperature peaked in Ashville, logging 31.7C, and the lowest overnight temp was in Birch River at 9.7C.
Heavy rains and localized hail led to some lodged crops, and at this time, damage from the hail is currently unknown.
The most rain in our area was also the most seen in our province, with the Minitonas station seeing 77.8 mm.
Looking at the crops in our area, Winter wheat and fall rye are being harvested and approximately 60% complete.
Spring wheat is advancing towards maturity, though later-seeded fields continue to catch up.
Most field peas are in the R7 stage and desiccated and now await the appropriate preharvest interval and moisture dry down for harvest.
The field pea harvest is approximately 40% complete. Average yields are 50-55 bu/acre.
Canola fields continue to advance toward maturity. Swathing and desiccation started last week on the earliest maturing fields. Desiccation continues as stages are reached, but flea beetles are on the rise once again.
Soybean crops are in the R5 to R6 stage and looking good. The recent heat has helped advance the crops quickly. Recent rain will have helped the pod fill.
As harvest season continues to roll on, here's wishing producers a safe, a productive season with bountiful yields.
But that's it for this week, and next week's crop report will be published on Thursday.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A new semester is right around the corner for the Assiniboine College and this week has some orientation days to get new students settled.
Ashley Sidlar, an administrative assistant on the AC campus, will be helping to answer questions at this open house orientation.
"Some of the most common questions that we get from new students are 'Where is my classroom?', 'What does my timetable look like?' 'Who are my instructors?' 'What resources are available?' and with being such a small campus we really have the flexibility to be able to answer all these questions upfront and utilize our other staff that we have who are ready at any time to take these questions, and yah, help out everyone."
Posted by Assiniboine Parkland Campus on Thursday, August 22, 2024
Carol Stewart, AC Campus director, says there is still time to apply for a class.
"We still have a few spots left in several of our programs, and we will accept applications until the end of the first week of classes. so that's next week Friday. So if you're still making your mind up or haven't had a chance to apply, you can come in tomorrow and we can help you get started."
So if you're looking to expand your skills, be sure to visit the Assiniboine College Open house. Everyone is welcome to attend
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A guilty plea has been entered in the death of a man on the Pine Creek First Nation.
In June of 2022, Winnipegosis RCMP were called to a reported stabbing in Pine Creek, where they located the body of a 51-year-old man.
The man was taken to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.
42-year-old Sheryl Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter and will be back in Dauphin court on October 8th.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The annual fall cleanup in Swan River is set to begin on October 7th.
Items that will be picked up throughout the week include bundled or bagged grass, yard waste, and ranches with a diameter of less than one inch.
Items that will not be collected include large trees or branches, stones, bricks, and construction materials, as well as acceptable items that are not bundled.
Items to be collected should be on the curb by 7:30 am on October 7th, as Swan River Public Works crews will make only one pass through the entire town.
Anyone wanting more info can contact Swan River town office at 204-734-4586.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
After reductions in moose draws in 4 of Manitoba's game hunting areas earlier this year, the Chief Of Pimicikamak Cree nation thinks more needs to be done.
Pimicikamak resides in Game Hunting Area 9A, one of the locations that saw a reduction in tags. Notably, this reduction cut draws down to 100, rather than 400 the year before.
Chief of this Cree nation, David Monias, said that the moose population are in "a state of crisis," with community members reporting less sightings in the area, and some members are even crossing provincial borders to harvest moose in Saskatchewan.
According to the most recent provincial data, the moose population was just under 500, as of 2014.
Chief Monias has lobbied to shut down moose draws this year, and failing to do that, looks to do so next year through a communication with Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses.
The hunters who received moose draw licences in GHA 9A this year can harvest in the area from Sept. 16 to Oct. 13 and Dec. 2 to Dec. 15, according to this year's hunting guide.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
After a year of searching, the RCMP is once again asking for Information on a homicide.
Lyndon McIvor was last seen in the early morning of August 26, 2023, after a night out with friends.
His remains were found by community search and rescue on August 31, 2023, in a forested area on Lake Manitoba First Nation.
Investigators believe his body was dumped in this location and more individuals were involved in his death.
The RCMP are certain that there are people in the public who have crucial information regarding the Death of Lydon McIvor, and urge those who do to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to Major Crime Services Tip line at 431-489-8110, or submit a tip anonymously at Manitoba CrimeStoppers.CA
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The 2025 rent guideline in Manitoba has been set at 1.7 per cent, effective January 1st.
Manitoba Consumer Protection and Government Services updates this on an annual basis, using a formula based on the consumer price index for Manitoba.
The guideline applies to most residential rental properties including apartments, single rooms, houses, and duplexes, with a few exceptions.
The guideline does not apply to rental units being rented for $1,640 or more per month, rental units owned and operated by, or for, provincial, municipal, or federal governments, and not-for-profit life lease units.
It also does not apply to various types of social housing, and rental units in buildings first occupied after March 2005
The 2025 rent guideline is lower than the 2024 guideline, which was three per cent.
Landlords and tenants are reminded that written notice of a rent increase must be issued at least three months before the increase takes effect.
And, with a few exceptions, rent can only be increased once a year.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Access to all provincial parks in Manitoba will be free this upcoming Labour Day long weekend.
Provincial Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt hopes Manitobans will get out and enjoy some of the over 90 provincial parks in Manitoba through this initiative.
Even though entrance to provincial parks will be free, nightly camping fees will still apply.
To reserve a camping site, you can call 1-888-482-2267, or online at www.manitobaparks.com.
As well, the free access does not carry over to national parks, such as Riding Mountain, where regular entrance fees will still apply.
Campers are also reminded because the emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Winnipeg, no firewood can be transported outside the city limits.
Firewood is available for purchase from local retailers at most campgrounds.
Transportation violations can result in charges and fines of up to $1,300 for individuals or $15,000 for businesses.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
