NewsNow
From November 21 to 25, the RCMP's Strategic Enforcement Response Team (SERT) executed 13 arrest warrants and four of the top five most prolific offenders, identified by criminal analysts, were charged.
The warrants were executed on Sandy Bay First Nation, Dakota Tipi First Nation, and the City of Portage la Prairie.
In total, 36 new charges were laid, which consisted of various firearms offences, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Breaching Release Order, Possession of Stolen Property, and weapons possession offences.
Items seized included 13 firearms; 22 other weapons, including machetes, knives, brass knuckles, and batons; more than two ounces of methamphetamine, an ATV, a dirt bike, a vehicle, and a MIG welder.
“SERT is all about intelligence-led, data-driven policing,” said Superintendent Rob Lasson, Officer in Charge of RCMP Major Crime Services. “When SERT is deployed, it means we have identified an issue, determined what or who is driving the issue, and are taking concrete steps to stop the issue. We are very happy to team up with our policing partners to execute this operation to address crime in rural Manitoba.”
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Food inflation isn't going away anytime soon. The latest edition of Canada's Food Price Report predicts food prices will continue to rise in the new year, with expectations that it could be by as much as 7%.
For the average family of four, that means groceries will cost nearly $16,300, almost $1,100 more than last year. Dalhousie University professor and lead author Sylvain Charlebois says food inflation will remain stubbornly high in the first half of the year before it begins to ease.
“Our relationship with food is changing, and so will our food budgets. Showing up at the grocery store knowing what you should be paying will help.”
Food price increases in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Saskatchewan will likely be higher than the national average in 2022, while price increases in the remaining provinces will be lower.
Within the grocery store, vegetables are expected to see the biggest price hike. The U-S has been struggling with dry conditions and bacterial contaminations, and a weaker Canadian dollar could make importing goods more expensive.
The full report can be found here.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Dauphin R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program had a successful first weekend. It's the 30th year the program is running, but the first it's been in operation since 2019. Over the weekend, the program had 22 volunteers, and they got 57 people and their cars home safely.
The program is expecting to get busier as the holidays approach, and New Year's Eve is usually their busiest night of the year. To prepare for the increase, the R.I.D.E. program is looking for more volunteers so they can keep up with demand.
Anyone looking to donate to the Dauphin R.I.D.E. Program or wishing to volunteer for the program can call Cory or Sho-Sho at 204-638-1463.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update: According to Manitoba Hydro's Outage Map, power has been restored in Ste. Rose.
---
Original Article: There's an unplanned Power Outage in Ste. Rose this morning.
Manitoba Hydro isn't reporting a cause of the outage at this time, but they estimate that power will be restored by 9 this morning. There are just over 800 customers affected by the outage.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Last month on November 5th, Amy Strang of Dauphin purchased a pair of tickets at Al's Lucky Lotto for Lotto 6/49's "Gold Ball" draw. One of them turned out to be worth one-million dollars, as she would soon find out.
Nearly a week later on November 11th, Strang took her tickets to a self-checker at the Dauphin Marketplace Mall and was shocked at first, saying she thought her prize was a bit smaller.
"I actually thought it was a-hundred-thousand at first but when I kind of leaned in and counted the zeros ... it was a million."
Strang says she thought the self-checker must have been broken, and that it could not be real. Even nearly a month later, she is still having a hard time believing it.
"It was a big shock, I didn't even really know what to think, there was a lot of emotions going ... it's all still very surreal", recalled Strang.
The big lottery win could not have come at a much better time for Strang, who moved back to Dauphin from Nunavut this summer and bought a house. As you can probably guess, the mortgage will soon be paid off. Another chunk of her winnings went toward a brand new vehicle. She also said that some of the money will go to her family, including to some nieces and nephews to help with future post-secondary education costs.
The "Gold Ball" draw is a new format in conjunction with the regular Lotto 6/49 draw, and it was Strang's mother who told her about it. When the two were at the mall on November 5th, Strang decided to give it a shot for the first time. Turns out that was a millionaire's choice.
"It's funny because I never thought in my entire life that this would happen."
I don't know about you, but I'm going to buy a ticket too.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Today (Saturday, Dec 3) is National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day and in Manitoba it is led by the Winnipeg Police and Manitoba RCMP.
Both police services will be targetting impaired drivers at various locations in and around Winnipeg, as well as rural Manitoba. There are several ways to get home safely instead of choosing to drive while impaired. You can call a friend, a taxi, or arrange for a designated driver. The Dauphin R.I.D.E. Program is also available to you on most weekends in December.
The full release from the RCMP is below:
Saturday, December 3, 2022, is National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, and the RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service are joining forces to target impaired drivers at various locations in and around the City of Winnipeg. The RCMP will also be doing further enforcement in rural Manitoba.
The two police services have teamed up to address this high-risk driving behaviour because some drivers are still making the choice to drive impaired, and that puts all lives at risk on the road. By targeting impaired drivers with increased enforcement, we are joining other police agencies across the country to raise awareness that impaired driving is still an issue on our roadways and that it continues to be the leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada.
“In RCMP jurisdiction this year, there have been 1396 impaired drivers taken off the road,” said Inspector Joe Telus, Officer in Charge of Traffic Services for the Manitoba RCMP. “Impaired driving has caused 15 deaths in our area this year. People are not coming home because of someone’s choice to drive impaired, and that is not right in any way, shape, or form. We are going to be out on the roadways tomorrow, and every day, with the goal of getting everyone home safely.”
“Police agencies across Manitoba are committed to addressing the danger that comes from impaired driving. Do your part and make a plan to get home safe if you’re going to be consuming alcohol or cannabis products,” said Inspector Doug Roxburgh, Commander of the Central Traffic Division, Winnipeg Police Service.
The Winnipeg Police Service and the RCMP ask all motorists to choose to get home safely. If everyone makes that choice, there will be a lot less tragedy on the roadways in this province.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Amy Strang of Dauphin took home the Gold Ball jackpot in the November 5th draw for Lotto 6/49.
This means she won a million dollars. The ticket was sold at Al's Lucky Lotto inside the Dauphin Marketplace Mall. The winning Gold Ball draw number was 24831841-05 and Strang's ticket had to match that exact number, which it did.
The "Gold Ball" format started in September of this year and Strang is just the 2nd Manitoban to win it.
We will have comment and reaction from Amy Strang on her big win in the near future.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
One of the many events in the Parkland that is seeing a return this year is the Country Christmas in Ethelbert on Saturday, December 17th.
At the event, you will be able to do some shopping at the Christmas Market as well as enjoy free skating, sleigh rides, a chance to take a picture with Santa, and more.
"It means a lot to the community to have this happen as we've been down for the last two years due to the pandemic. Nothing's been going on; the skating rink hasn't been open, so to have a community-wide event with the market happening, the parade, events in the evening-- it brings the whole community out, it brings life back to our community", said Wanda Loewen, President of the Ethelbert Skating Rink.
The Christmas Market at the Skating Rink will have at least 15 vendors and will be open from 10 am to 4 pm. The canteen at the rink will be open and there will be a raffle draw. Not long after that, the Country Christmas Parade of Lights will start at 5:30 at the Ethelbert School. It will head to Burdeniuks through the round about and end at the skating rink.
Evening festivities include the Christmas Market being back open from 7 to 10. Free skating, a bonfire, and sleigh rides (weather permitting) will wrap up the day.
"..and the best part yet is Santa is going to be there, so the kids can come down and take a picture with Santa", commented Loewen.
All proceeds from the Country Christmas in Ethelbert will go to the skating rink.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
As Christmas approaches, festive season celebrations will be held in Dauphin and area.
If you happen to take in some festivities while having some drinks or smoking cannabis, do not drive yourself home. Instead, call the Dauphin R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program at 204-638-5707. Volunteers will then come pick up you and your vehicle to bring you home safely. You must have a vehicle to take home in order to use the program. It is also free to use, but they welcome donations.
R.I.D.E. is available Friday and Saturday from 9 pm to 3 am. If you would like to volunteer with the program, call 204-638-1463 or message their facebook page.
As well as being in operation this weekend, the R.I.D.E. Program will be available on the following dates from 9 pm to 3 am:
Friday, December 9th
Saturday, December 10th
Friday, December 16th
Saturday, December 17th
Friday, December 23rd
New Year's Eve, Saturday, December 31st
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
As cattle producers across Manitoba get ready for another winter, their situation is looking much better than this time last year.
After the drought in 2021, a feed shortage across the prairies was a big issue, and as the province saw large snowfalls well into the spring, the problem was amplified. However, after a much better growing season this year, Manitoba Beef Producers General Manager Carson Callum says producers are in a better spot.
"Feed supply is looking a lot better, I know there's probably certain inputs that are still challenging to find, or certain minerals, or vet drugs, or things like that that have been sort of a compounding issue over the last couple of years. But in terms of just general feed supplies, a lot better situation that we saw, in particular, related to last winter."
Callum says that just because one issue isn't as bad doesn't mean there are other issues that haven't come up.
"A general issue that is a challenge in many sectors, including the beef sector, is just the cost of inputs. Whether that's sourcing feed or sourcing any sort of input for your operation it's just gone up so drastically. Yes, the commodity price of live cattle has improved, but probably not to the rate we need it to as an industry to remain profitable."
Callum says the cost of production is something that producers are trying to manage, and coming up with other ways to lower the cost of production.
Manitoba Beef Producers is hosting its AGM and Presidents banquet on February 2nd and 3rd, 2022, and they'll be accepting resolutions for consideration until 9 a.m. on Friday, January 27th. You can find more information about the meeting, including how to register and submit a resolution here.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
