ACC To Offer Three New Programs

Assiniboine Community College’s Parkland Campus is offering three new programs this fall.

Applications are now being accepted for Office Management, Office Skills, and Medical Administration.

Director of the Parkland Campus, Gabe Mercier says these new programs have been a long time coming.

“We did a market research and a needs assessment for employers around six years ago. These programs will round things up very well.”

Collectively the three programs will offer 25 seats, 10 are available for Office Management, 10 for Medical Administration, and five for Office Skills.

Mercier says the goal is for Parkland residents to be able to take courses here rather than needing to live in Brandon or Winnipeg.

“I think the whole region will benefit from it. The employers will be hiring the graduates, and the graduates themselves will save money, and the money spent will remain in the Parkland region.”

The college will be hosting a free office programs online information session on Tuesday, May 25^th and Monday, June 7^th. More information can be found here.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: May 6, 2021 - 5:00 am

You've been waiting to get back on the water and the sport fishing season is nearly here in the Parkland. The season will open in the southern division on May 15.

This includes Dauphin, Swan River, and Brandon areas. And while you book your fishing trip in the area, it's a good time to brush up on some safety tips while out on the water. On average, in Manitoba over the past five years, 22 people lose their life to drowning. That number is down slightly from the 10-year average of 24.

Dr. Christopher Love with the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba says preparing for the worst possible scenario will allow you to have a great day.

"The biggest thing that we stress is wearing lifejackets, it really is the most important thing that can save you," said Dr. Love. "If you do happen to fall into the water, your lifejacket can save your life."

With the colder water temperatures, your body will suffer a cold shock if you do fall into the water. Your heart will start racing and if you aren't wearing a lifejacket, you could potentially get water in your system which could cause you to drown. Love says another safety tip is to never head on the water under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"When we do see injuries or fatalities, alcohol or drug involvement is a big factor in those cases," said Dr. Love. "We want everyone to have a ton of fun on the water, but we want everyone to do so while sober."

While the fishing season opens in the southern division this weekend, fishing in the northwest and north-central divisions of the province will be permitted on May 22. It's also highly recommended that you tell other family members or friends where you are going and when you plan on returning.

Additional information can be seen at Manitoba's angler's guide.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: May 6, 2021 - 5:00 am

On Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. Sifton Fire Department responded to a report of a field and bush on fire.

Because of the size of the fire, Dauphin Fire Department was also requested and arrived to assist.

The fire started with a burning barrel where embers carried into some grass.

The owners were present and helped extinguish the fire by using their equipment to make a fire break to stop the flames from spreading.

Fire Chief Cam Abrey says with the owners and departments working together, the fire was contained quickly and there was no damage to any structures.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: May 5, 2021 - 8:44 pm

The City of Dauphin recently announced its 2021 financial and strategic plans.

On Monday city council released Dauphin’s 2021 budget plans, which City Manager Sharla Griffiths says will bring a 4.6% decrease in property taxes collected, with no decrease in services.

“$501,000 was provided to the city if Dauphin based on a per capita. $301,000 has gone to reduce taxes this year, with the remaining money to reduce taxes in 2022.”

The city also has plans to upgrade public recreation.

“Council has committed up to $300,000 for the rejuvenation of Meadow Lark Park. That will look to create not only tennis courts, but a pickleball court, and a basketball court.”

Council has also committed to spending up to $125,000 on an addition to the active transportation route along 1^st Avenue SE in the city.

Griffiths says the city’s 2021-2024 strategic plan focuses on providing a safe and healthy community.

“It talks about the vision and mission of our community, as well as five goals identified. Those goals would be to be a sustainable community, to have community growth, to have public engagement and awareness, to promote some tourism opportunities, and to have a healthy and safe community.”

For more information on the city’s strategic plan, click here.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: May 5, 2021 - 5:00 pm

Constable Jason Kitzul -- who went to trial in connection with multiple alleged assaults -- has had his charges stayed by the Crown.

In December of 2018, the Roblin RCMP received a report from a third party that a woman may be the victim of an assault. Following a lengthy investigation, Kitzul was arrested in June of 2019, in relation to off-duty incidents that took place in 2017 and 2018.

Ultimately, the Crown decided to stay any charges against Kitzul, bringing the case to a close.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: May 5, 2021 - 12:13 pm

Manitoba has expanded the eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines today.

All Manitobans aged 45 and older can book appointments at supersites and pop-up clinics in the province.

To book an appointment, you can call 1-844-626-8222.

Johanu Botha, operations lead on the COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force says they will expand the eligibility regularly based on age, as vaccine supplies and available appointments allow, and all Manitobans over the age of 12 are expected to be eligible by May 21^st.

The province says second dose appointments will begin shortly after first doses are done. Botha says their goal is to open up second dose bookings starting May 22nd.

More pop-up vaccine clinics are coming to the Prairie Mountain Health region in the coming weeks:

Russell – George P. Buleziuk Centre, 106 Shell River Ave. S, May 18
Swan River – Swan River Veterans Hall, 119 Sixth Ave. N, May 18
Neepawa – Yellowhead Centre Hall, 175 Mountain Ave., May 20
Shoal Lake – Shoal Lake Community Hall, 315 The Drive, May 20

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: May 5, 2021 - 10:34 am

People who rely on the town water supply in Ashern are now under a 'Boil Water Advisory'.

A repair was done at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and the repair took a few hours. The water supply has resumed, however, due to the depressurization of the water system, the advisory has been put in place.

During this advisory, all water used for consumption should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute. This includes drinking and ice-making, preparing beverages, such as infant formula, and preparing food.

It is not necessary to boil tap water used for other household purposes, such as laundry or washing dishes. Two different negative samples will have to be returned before the advisory is lifted and this could take up to 72 hours.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: May 5, 2021 - 9:28 am

Trey Negrich one day has a goal of owning a home and he's hoping that trading his way up to get one is the way to go.

A couple of weeks ago, Trey decided that he wanted to start trading things with fellow Manitobans and his journey to his end goal is off to a great start.

He started with a loonie and he was able to trade that up to get a Samsung S21 case and a pop socket.

Negrich says he's really enjoyed this whole process of trying to trade up.

"It's been really exciting and cool," he said. "It's also kind of a wait. Because not everyone will want what I'm trading, but that's okay. It's been a fun time."

And now in a separate trade, Negrich continues to climb the ladder. His boss gave him a motor from a bowling alley and Negrich was able to trade it on Monday afternoon in exchange for a gazebo dining tent.

"I'm really happy about this trade. My uncle was talking to this guy and he turned it over to me and we made the deal," added Negrich. "It's one step in the direction to my end goal, in my opinion."

Negrich will immediately look to trade the tent. His end goal is to trade up to a house and he won't stop until he can achieve his goal. If you're looking for a gazebo dining tent and you have something of value you'd like to trade, you can reach out to Trey on Facebook.

"I'll go as long as I can with this, I certainly don't plan on stopping anytime soon, I'm just getting started," ended Negrich. "I would say a great landmark would be trading up to a car, that would be my first little major goal, you could say."

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: May 5, 2021 - 5:00 am

Manitoba RCMP has made another arrest in the homicide of Tamara Benoit.

RCMP officers arrested Tova Jeanine Peters on Tuesday, May 4th in connection to Benoit’s death.

She is facing charges of obstruction of justice and breach of a court order.

Benoit’s remains were found in Portage la Prairie in September 2020.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: May 4, 2021 - 5:23 pm

Public health officials issued 112 warnings and 58 tickets to Manitobans that broke COVID-19 public health orders last week.

A total of $53,594 in tickets was issued between April 26th and May 2nd.

Tickets were handed out to 42 people for various offenses, 12 people for not wearing a mask in an indoor public place, and four Manitoba businesses.

Officials advise that 33 of the tickets issued to individuals were for holding gatherings that went against public health orders.

Officials were present at rallies in Winnipeg and Winkler this past weekend. Provincial data shows that 20 tickets have been issued for a rally at The Forks in Winnipeg on April 25.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: May 4, 2021 - 11:27 am

The Dauphin Fire Department is here to serve and protect the community and Tuesday is their day.

It's International Firefighters Day and Fire Chief, Cam Abrey says every day he works at the department is a great day.

"I'm living the dream. My dad always told me that if you want to live in a community, you have to be a part of the community," said Abrey. "The best way to be a part of the community is to give back and I get that opportunity working at the DFD."

Cam's oldest son is a current firefighter and his youngest son is a part of the cadet program through the high school. Cam says although times are different because of the coronavirus pandemic, the force remains committed to serving the community when they are called.

Whether it's a house fire to a fire in the field and anything in between, the Dauphin Fire Department has always and will always be here ready to get their job done in the safest and most effective way possible.

"We have an amazing group here, we call it our fire family," offered Abrey. "It's such a great group of people that are doing what they can to serve their friends and family."

As the weather continues to improve and with summer right around the corner, Cam does want to remind you to be extra cautious when having a BBQ or a fire outside. He says to never leave any fire unattended because it doesn't take long for the fire to spread. Bonfires are allowed within the City of Dauphin as long as all regulations are met.