PC's Announce New MB Firearms Officer

In an announcement just 5 days out from the provincial election, The PC party made a promise in regard to the recent federal gun regulations of Bill C-21.

Gord Wood took to the podium at 2 p.m. yesterday at the Fort Dauphin Museum to make the official statement.

The promises moving forward are looking to counter the additional regulations imposed on non-restricted firearms that were instated in 2019, and gained further, controversial regulations in May of 2022.

The current regulations strengthen Canadian gun laws and aim to ban the ownership of "military-style assault weapons", further restricting ownership of handguns, and the ownership of hyper-realistic airsoft guns.

Many law-abiding gun owners were quick to point out that the criteria would affect numerous hunting rifles that are commonly used by farmers, hunters, and indigenous groups on a regular basis.

Gord Wood believes that under this current legislation, the wrong groups are being targeted.

"Whoever it might be that is owning guns for a legitimate purpose, for their way of life, their leisure, whatever it might be, the goal is to protect those people. There are illegal guns out there, but we need to find better strategies when we're going after those situations."

By instating a new provincially based Firearms officer, the PC party would put the matter of gun licensing on a more local level.

Wood also notes that replacing the current federally-appointed Firearms Officer would bring Manitoba in line with other jurisdictions across the country, like Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Sep 29, 2023 - 6:00 am

Dauphin Music & Electronics has been operating in the city for nearly 78 years, but soon the music will fall silent.

The owners of the long-standing business are looking forward to their retirement, but co-owner Theresa Zabiaka thinks that this business closing will leave a bit of a void in the city.

"It's sad. We were hoping that somebody would purchase the business so that we could continue to sell musical instruments and accessories to the people in Dauphin. The people of Dauphin need a place to buy their guitar strings, accessories, and any musical stuff. There won't be anyone in Dauphin doing that anymore."

Discussions on closing the business aren't new, as the business itself has been up for sale for the past two years.

One of the Owners, Danny Zabiaka has plans to move west to Alberta to be closer to his family, while his sister Theresa will remain in Dauphin for her Retirement.

Theresa will be looking to still be active in the community after serving it for so long.

"I want to do some more traveling, but focus on volunteering now that I'll have more time, and enjoy life."

Unfortunately, this isn't only a long-standing local business that will close its doors in the near future.

Black's Cycle & Sport will also be shutting down after nearly 80 years of operation.

Lorne Black, owner of Black's Sport & Cycle agrees that both of these business closings leave a hole in the local markets,

"I believe so. we need a bicycle repair shop, we need a firearms hunting store. Yeah, there will be a void. It's sort of like Dauphin Musical, same idea. We won't have a stereo or music store when they're done and gone"

Even though both businesses were looking to sell, both had no luck in finding a buyer.

As both of the business owners spoke, Dauphin will be seeing a void in its hobby hubs once these Long establishments shut their doors for the very last time.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 4:42 pm

The chair of Manitoba Public Insurance is disappointed that the leadership of the union representing its 1,700 striking employees did not present its latest offer to the membership for a vote.

And Ward Keith has reportedly said it will be the last offer made by MPI, adding they will now wait until binding arbitration is required, which kicks in once the strike hits the 60-day mark.

MPI says their latest offer, which was presented earlier this week after four days of conciliation talks in an effort to end the now month-long labour dispute, offered includes total wage adjustments of 12.5 per cent over four years, universally available to all employees over time, along with an additional and immediate one-time signing bonus worth 2.8 per cent of average salary.

They add the monetary value of the offer was approximately $3.3 million more than an offer made on August 22nd, which they say includes over 10 per cent more in new money.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union rejected the offer, saying it was "a step backward".

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 1:19 pm

Mountainview School Division is reminding staff and families within the division that there will be school both tomorrow and Monday, despite the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation holiday this weekend.

"Truth and Reconciliation Day is a federal holiday. While it is recognized federally, it is not a provincially recognized holiday for the education sector." according to MVSD Superintendent Stephen Jaddock.

He adds that a number of activities have taken place in their schools throughout the week, with more planned for Friday.

"I know that a number of schools are going to be doing an orange shirt day on Friday. Some are also doing week-long celebrations where there are events that are geared towards reconciliation, that will be occurring within the school."

MVSD does have a professional development day planned for Tuesday.

Frontier School Division plans

Meanwhile, classes will also be in session on Friday in the Frontier School Division, although there will be an administration day held in that division on Monday in recognition of National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Chief Superintendent Reg Klassen says a number of activities are planned for Friday for schools within their division.

"Some of our schools will be making orange shirts, tie-dying them. One of our schools is also tying orange ribbons. Many of our schools will be doing walks. I know that one school close to Pine Creek will be visiting the Pine Creek Residential School memorial monument."

Assemblies and speeches from elders are also being planned for Friday.

Klassen says National Truth and Reconciliation Day is a significant day for their division, with eighty per cent of their school population being indigenous.

"We are trying hard as a school division to move forward from teaching truth and reconciliation, and the history of residential schools, to trying to teach our students that throughout all of our courses and throughout the whole year. So that we do not just recognize orange shirt day today, that our students as they go through our education system have a much deeper understanding of that history."

Frontier School division operates schools in a number of Parkland communities, including Rorketon, Crane River, Camperville, Skownan, and Waterhen.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 1:12 pm

A Candidates forum put the local Candidates in next Tuesday's provincial election front and center to discuss the issues important to the people of Dauphin.

Both the NDP's Ron Kostyshyn and PC's Gord Wood made their stances on the many burning questions.

Kostyshyn was impressed by the breadth of topics brought up in the discussion

"We know that health care and education is a top priority, and that will continue to be. But I think when we talk about the environment, about the agriculture component of it, and the crown lands sector that is quite near and dear to my heart, as well as health and education, it was quite a large variety of questions."

Gord Wood was happy to see his time knocking on doors prepped him well for the topics

"The questions were great, and these were all questions that we are getting at the door when we are visiting our communities. So in one way, we were prepared in that regard. But certainly, it was nice that people invested the time to send questions and really are engaging in the whole process."

Wood also remarked on a challenge that both of the candidates faced Wednesday night, the time frame to answer questions.

".Certainly I was feeling a little bit handcuffed with the one-minute limit. Certainly, it was tight to get responses out, and even just to formulate the words that you want to get out in that time frame."

With questions ranging from healthcare, agriculture, education, and the economy, there's a lot to speak on in just 60 seconds

Kostyshyn notes that this forum was an important night for the campaigns to try and sway undecided voters before next Tuesday.

"Some people choose to wait until the last day, but I think as (Gord) indicated, as well as myself, we are here to sit back and wait for the audience to come forward if they have any burning questions - we are more than willing. Or get a hold of us at the campaign offices and we will answer any questions."

If you missed the forum, it is available to watch online on the Parkland Chamber of Commerce facebook page

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 28, 2023 - 9:18 am

Dauphin RCMP are hoping the public can help them with their investigation into a pair of reports of gunshots in the city from Monday night.

The first incident happened around 8:30 with reports of shots being fired at a strip mall in the 1300 block of Main Street South.

Mounties found shell casings in the parking lot, but fortunately, no injuries or damage was reported.

Police want to speak with three people who were in a blue vehicle, possibly a Chevrolet Cruise or Malibu, that was in the parking lot around the time of the incident.

Then at 10:45 that night, RCMP received a report of a shot being fired at a home on Main Street North.

Multiple bullet holes were found on the north side of the building, even though only one gunshot was heard.

There were multiple people in the home at the time, but fortunately, nobody was injured.

Anyone with info on either event is asked to contact the Dauphin RCMP at 204-622-5020, or you can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 27, 2023 - 1:08 pm

Road work officially begins Thursday on a portion of 1st Avenue NE in Dauphin.

The city says the intersection of Main Street and 1st Avenue NE will be temporarily closed to all traffic as of 7 am tomorrow morning

They add access to No Frills will be provided from 1st Street NE, and that flag people will be used to help with traffic flow.

The work will proceed easterly towards 4th Street NE in the coming days, with the work stopping over the weekend from 5 p.m. on Friday until 9 a.m. Monday.

The city says motorists can expect road closures and detours while the work is being done.

Crews also continue improvements on River Avenue between PTH 20 and Main Street North.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 27, 2023 - 11:40 am

A Birch River man will be back in court next month in relation to a death in that community.

21-year-old Lincoln Chartrand-Flett is charged with second-degree murder, after a house fire in Birch RIver last October.

Swan River RCMP says after the fire was extinguished, they located the body of a 68-year-old man inside of the home.

Chartrand-Flett remains in custody and is due back in Dauphin court on October 31st.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 27, 2023 - 10:40 am

Harvesting operations across the Northwest region have neared the three-quarters complete mark.

According to the latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, farmers were greeted with good harvest weather throughout the week, with some rain pausing progress in some areas on Sunday.

The Ashville weather station recorded the warmest temperature of the week at 28 degrees, with the coolest temperature coming in at 1.1 degrees in the Inglis area.

Spring wheat harvest is now about 98 per cent complete, with yields ranging from 50 to 90 bushels per acre, and quality being reported mostly as good, although there have been some reports of lower protein.

Canola harvest is now about 75 per cent wrapped up, with yields averaging between 40 and 55 bushels per acre.

Field pea harvest is now complete, with yields varying from 40 to 45 bushels per acre on fields with less precipitation, and 60 to 70 bushels per acre on other fields.

Soybean harvest has started in some areas, with more fields expected to be ready throughout this week, Early yields are ranging from 30 to 35 bushels per acre.

The report adds that most winter cereals have now been seeded.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 27, 2023 - 9:58 am

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce is hosting a candidates forum Wednesday night for voters in the Dauphin constituency.

Local candidates Gord Wood of the Progressive Conservatives and Ron Kostyshyn of the New Democrats will answer pre-submitted questions during the anticipated 90-minute event.

Parkland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephen Chychota says the event is ideal for anyone who is still undecided on who they will vote for on October 3rd.

"For anybody to get a little more insight into what are some of the issues and how the candidates are addressing things. And even understanding a little bit more of the party's perspectives on certain items. It is a good opportunity to check it out and see what the candidates are all about."

The forum begins at 7 p.m. at the Watson Arts Centre.

"We are going to have some intros by the candidates, and then questions that were submitted previously by the public. So everything that is addressed by the candidates is current topics that residents of the Dauphin riding are concerned about. We will get through as many as we possibly can."

Chychota reminds those attending that there will not be an open mic session during the forum, but there will be brief periods before and after the forum for those in attendance to meet the candidates in person.

He adds there will also be a members-only segment from 6 to 6:45 pm, where Parkland Chamber members will have the chance to meet and talk to the two candidates.