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Despite pressure to open things up again, the border restrictions on non-essential travel between Canada and the United States will be extended again, until the end of July.

The measures at the border have been in place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.

The pressure to relax the restrictions has been building from businesses on both sides of the border, and increasingly from American lawmakers as vaccination rates climb in Canada.

Federal officials expect to have enough vaccines delivered for 80 percent of eligible Canadians to be fully vaccinated by the end of July.

This week Dauphin Co-op announced that they’re renewing their sponsorship with the Countryfest Community Cinema.

General Manager of the theatre, Ron Suchoplas, says that Co-op was one of the first to renew their sponsorship and have one of the theatres named after them once again.

He adds that it’s not just this sponsorship, but the events that the Co-op usually holds at the Cinema, when it’s open, that give them the support they need throughout the year.

“A lot of the public doesn’t see it because it happens either before we open or after hours, or sometimes it’s a private rental, so the average person doesn’t see it unless they’re going to it. So there’s more than just this, as we’re open they’re supporting us on a monthly basis with business.”

Lorne Eiffert, General Manager of the Co-op says this sponsorship was prompted by the cinema asking them for support, and that they didn’t hesitate to help out.

“We’re one of the founding partners in getting the Cinema up and running initially, and we thought, with them celebrating their 10-year anniversary, and given the challenges in the past 18 months, we felt part of our vision is enrich the lives of our communities, and we really truly believe that, and factor that into all decisions that we make.”

Co-op presented the cinema with a cheque for $25,000.

The search for Eric Wildman is officially over. Wildman was arrested on June 18th at 5:30 am

He was taken into custody by Ontario Provincial police at a residence just outside Belleville, Ontario.

Wildman is a suspect in the sudden disappearance and presumed death of his neighbour Clifford Joseph.

Clifford Joseph was last seen leaving his home the morning of June 7th, and The RCMP are treating his disappearance as a homicide.

Wildman has been a suspect in the case since at least June 12th. One day after police had found his abandoned vehicle in Winnipeg, which inside was found to have police tactical gear, guns and other items resembling police uniforms.

The Dauphin Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on Thursday evening at about 5:45.

The owner had just parked the vehicle when they noticed a burning smell, then saw smoke coming from the dash vents.

Thanks to the owner’s quick response to call 911 and control the fire using their garden hose, the damage was contained to the vehicle.  Firefighters completed the extinguishment upon arrival. There are no injuries as a result of the fire.

You may have heard his music on 730 CKDM, and Now Errol Ranville has released a book on his life story.

Ranville says his book “Run As One: My Story" talks about his struggle with poverty.

“To me, it’s our story of poverty and triumph. It’s hard to separate me from my two brothers Wally and Don because it was the three of us against the world.”

He adds that there was an interdependency that gave them the courage and strength to move out of poverty and into the limelight with their music.

Ranville is also working on a screenplay and wants to make a film adaptation of his story.

“There’s gonna be a little bit more going on in the move than in the book. What’s in the book is great and I think we did a good job, but I think we can cover a lot of ground in a two-hour movie.”

The book is available for purchase, but Ranville is planning to have an official launch for his book in July.

The book launch has been postponed a few times because Errol Ranville and his band, the C-Weed Band would like to have a live band performance with the launch.

The book is also available at Parkland Fabrics at 118 Main Street north, and can also be ordered online here.

Parkland campus director for the Assiniboine Community College, Gabe Mercier, is set to retire today after ten years as Parkland Campus Director.

Mr. Mercier spoke with CKDM about what is next for him:

“I am still interested in education and training. I think in the Parkland region there is still a market for bringing people together in training. That is one thing I might be working with community futures with. Also, I am the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and I am just starting my first year as President, and I am going to try to be an active president.“

Mercier then chuckled and added that he would be occupied with gardening as well to keep busy.

The Dauphin & District Chamber of Commerce announced via their Facebook that there would be a retirement parade to celebrate Mr. Mercier today, starting at 1:15 pm.

You are encouraged to bring banners, balloons, and whatever else you think fits the celebration to give Mr. Mercier the send-off he deserves.

For more information on the parade, you can click here.

Premier Brian Pallister has officially become chair of Canada’s Premiers and the Council of the Federation for 2021 – 2022.

He assumed this new role following a virtual meeting of Canada’s premiers today to discuss reopening plans and COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

In his new role, Pallister will lead premiers in their ongoing work to strengthen the healthcare system for all Canadians and prepare for economic recovery.

The premier announced that Manitoba will host the first in-person meeting of Canada’s premiers in over 18 months in Winnipeg from Oct. 5th to the 7th.

The province has put a pause on new COVID-19 vaccine bookings for youth in the province moving forward because of a Pfizer supply slowdown.

This afternoon the province announced that it's been told that shipments of the Pfizer vaccine are expected to slow down at the beginning of next month.

However, the province says it's receiving thousands of doses of the Moderna vaccine and is advising Manitobans to not wait for Pfizer and to get Moderna as their 2nd shot instead.

Johanu Botha, the co-lead of Manitoba's Vaccine Implementation Task Force, says the federal government released its Pfizer delivery schedule which shows Manitoba's allotment will decrease in July.

Botha says second-dose eligibility will continue to expand, as there are Moderna doses available, but youth won’t be able to book vaccine appointments unless more Pfizer doses are confirmed.

Right now Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for children ages 12 and up in Canada.

Six new flags have been hoisted on Brandon University’s campus, including multiple Indigenous flags.

Brandon University President, Dr. David Docherty says the flags are symbolic of the multiple, overlapping communities that call this land home.

Previously, Brandon University only flew the Canada flag on a single flagpole, but now a Canada flag and Manitoba flag are joined by a Treaty Two flag, a Métis flag, an All Nations flag, and a Brandon University flag.

Director of the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre at the University, Chris Lagimodiere says that representation matters.

“Seeing Indigenous flags flown side by side stirs up a lot of pride.”

Lagimodiere and Docherty were joined by Brandon University Chancellor Mary Jane McCallum and flag representatives for a series of ceremonies.

The flags were smudged, and the grounds were cleansed, before being raised. When all six had been raised, an honour song was performed.

The flags are a permanent addition to the campus.

Manitoba Infrastructure has committed to making changes at an intersection in Swan River that has been prone to collisions.

The Government of Manitoba released a new report that shows the perspective of almost 350 Manitobans on safety improvements at the intersection between Highway 10 and 83.

These Manitobans had participated in an online public engagement about ways to improve safety at the intersection.

Two options were presented to residents of Swan River for input: the addition of protected left-turn lanes, and the construction of a new roundabout.

76 percent of respondents preferred the addition of a protected turn lane over the construction of a new roundabout.

Manitoba Infrastructure is implementing the improvements and construction is anticipated to be underway in the 2022 construction season.

On Thursday Mountain View School Division announced that remote learning will continue in Dauphin schools until the end of the school year.

Dauphin schools will be closed to in-person learning for students with the exception of Kindergarten to Grade 6 students who are children of Critical Service Workers who can’t make alternative care arrangements, children with special needs and students who are deemed at risk.

The school division says they will provide information on re-opening in the fall in August.

Small groups of students will continue be invited to attend school, and to pick up report cards by appointment. Report cards can be mailed by request.  

Parents can direct their questions to their child’s school.