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A new important bird area has been established south-west of Riding Mountain National Park near St. Lazare.
The Ellice-Archie and Spy Hill Community Pastures are important because of the threatened bird species that depend on these grasslands.
The two birds are called Chestnut-collared Longspur and Sprague’s Pipit.
The two species need grasslands for breeding and the area provides the greatest density in Manitoba.
The area is an actively managed pasture, so you need to contact the pasture manager if you would like to visit.
The pasture manager’s phone number is 204-722-2062.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The extreme cold warning in the Parkland has returned.
It had ended a few hours ago.
The wind chill could be as low as -40 to -45 in some areas.
If you would like to see all the areas effected, click here.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
This afternoon you can jump into some ice cold water for the Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Manitoba.
All the money raised from the Polar Plunge in Dauphin stays in the Parkland to support the local programs and about 50 Parkland Special Olympic athletes.
We checked in with Tristen Osborn, from Team CKDM, to see how he’s feeling heading into these freezing moments.
“I’ve always kind of liked the cold. So I think feeling like a popsicle for a bit is going to be fantastic."
Alex De Vries, from Team CKDM, is the one who organized the team.
“I haven’t actually got involved as being the person part of the fundraiser in a while. I’ve supported other people in their fundraisers. But, I just wanted to be a part of something and I just thought, spring is here, why not jump into some ice cold water.”
Dallas Jansen, from Team CKDM, is happy to be a part of the fundraiser.
“I think I’m looking forward to drying off and warming up after, haha no but, I’m just looking forward to raising money to help a great cause.”
There is still time to register by going online to www.plungemanitoba.com, or you can walk up this afternoon for registration forms at 12pm.
Even if you don’t want to jump into the cold water you can still come down to Credit Union Place and say hi to Team CKDM.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Mountain View School Division is holding a public budget forum this week.
Everyone is encouraged to come and discuss the 2019-2020 Operating Budget.
Bart Michaleski isn’t anticipating any significant changes to the budget this year. He says they are trying to stay as far away from the classroom as possible.
“We’re looking at all the things that go in, and typically non-personale and non-instructional and we try to pare back where we can.”
The last few years have been challenging in terms of resources. Michaleski says they are trying to protect what they already have.
“This is our third year now, and as you continue to remove any flexibility in your budget, it just makes it harder and harder to make reductions.”
Those interested in participating are encouraged to attend at the Administration Office on Monday at 7 in the evening.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
There's an extreme cold warning in effect across the Parkland.
Overnight the windchill will be close to -40.
The warning isn't expected to be long with Sunday warming up to -14.
Click here to see all the affected areas.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Co-op Community Family Trails are now open to the public.
There are 3.5km of trails for walking, biking, and skiing.
Clayton Swanton feels fantastic to have the trails open right now.
“It’s nice to see a plan that you see on paper, that looks really good, finally come to fruition and be able to welcome the public out and start using it.”
Swanton has high hopes for the bike trails. By the end of 2019, he wants to increase the current 3.5 kilometres of trails into 20 kilometres of trails.
He wants to develop a welcome area with washrooms, picnic shelters, a bike wash station, skill development parks, and a playground.
Swanton says all of this couldn’t have happened without the 150 thousand dollar grant from the Co-op Community Spaces Program.
Here is the map of the trails:
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
At least one million litres of crude oil spilled after the train accident near St. Lazare.
The Transportation Safety Board says it's too early to comment on the environmental impact.
An overview report says the temperature at the time was about minus 27 Celsius when the emergency brake was applied. It’s reported the train was travelling east at 79 km/h.
The board says a total of 37 tankers left the tracks when the accident happened February 16. Of these 16 sustained breaches. They also say the spill was mostly contained in a low-lying area next to the track.
The T-S-B investigation continues.
Amon Rudolph posted a video of the crash on Facebook. you can check it out by clicking here.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The flows on the Assiniboine River is expected to be high this spring.
The province’s first flood outlook warns peak water levels will be below flood protection levels.
They are warning flows might produce some flooding of farmland and low-lying areas.
The Shellmouth Dam will be operated to store a portion of the spring run-off, thereby reducing downstream river flows.
Major lakes are expected to remain in their respective operating ranges this spring.
They say there is a low risk of overland flooding in the Interlake, upper Assiniboine and Whiteshell lakes areas.
The Saskatchewan River and Carrot River in northern Manitoba are at moderate risk of overland flooding.
Because below-normal temperatures are expected in March and April, there is the risk that delayed snowmelt could happen at the same time as spring rains.
March remains a crucial month in terms of snowmelt and weather conditions, and how that will affect the flood forecast going forward,” Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said. “We expect to update Manitobans with more information as updated forecast data becomes available.”
Ice is also expected to be thicker than normal, which would increase the risk of ice-jam flooding.
Currently, Manitoba Infrastructure is collecting ice thickness samples across Manitoba basins.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Band students from Dauphin scored high at the 44th Optimist Provincial Festival in Winnipeg.
Grade 9's received the highest score possible at the festival three 5 Star ratings and received a Superior Performance Achievement Award.
The Grade 10 Band took the audience on a trip to the other side of the world with a performance of One Night in Athens and Moscow, 1941 and received three 4 Star ratings.
(Grade 10 Band performing 'One Night in Athens')
The Senior Band also received the highest score possible at the festival three 5 Star ratings and received a Superior Performance Achievement Award.
Taylor Schmidt says not only did the 103 band students play well, but they were great ambassadors of Dauphin and the DRCSS.
“It’s just an opportunity for you to go and get some music ready in the middle of the year and play at a festival and receive some great adjudication, and get an idea of how you are doing.”
If you want to hear the concert recordings click here.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
In the new day and age, social media is becoming increasingly important. This is especially true for businesses.
Richard Bankert focused on Facebook when he spoke at yesterday’s breakfast series, saying the platform provides businesses with exposure, people will find you much easier because most people are already on Facebook.
If you don’t know how to use Facebook, it’s a fairly easy platform to learn, or you can always find someone who knows how to use it already.
Bankert says being on different platforms such as Twitter or Instagram will give you different results.
A point about Facebook he wants to make clear is due to the algorithm, the more you post the more you’ll be seen.
This is because only 10 per cent of the people who like your page will end up seeing a post.
If you need help with Facebook you can contact Bankert on Facebook or give him a call at 204 648-4952.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Three years later, the RCMP are still searching for Lorlene Bone.
She was last heard from on February 29th, 2016 when she called her mother from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.
She is described as approximately 5’5” tall, 155 lbs with brown eyes and black hair. Lorlene was known to often dye her hair red or blonde and is from Indian Birch First Nation.
Sergeant Steve Henson with the Swan River RCMP Detachment says the investigation remains active and ongoing.
“We continue to explore and investigate all potential leads as it is our goal is to bring Lorlene Bone home to her family.”
Anyone with information regarding Lorlene’s whereabouts is urged to contact Swan River RCMP at 204-734-4686 or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Secure online tips can also be made at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
