Trial Starts October 17th in Dauphin

Jack Winters had his final court appearance yesterday before his two-week trial starts on October 17th in Dauphin. Winters is facing 15 different charges for a fatal collision in the RM of Dauphin in 2019.

Winters, who is from the RM of Dauphin, was arrested on July 17th, 2020, and charged with:

Two counts of Impaired Operation Causing Death
Two counts of Dangerous Operation Causing Death
Three counts of Impaired Operation Causing Bodily Harm
Three counts of Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm
Two counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to or more than 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, Causing Death
Three counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to or more than 80 mg, Causing Bodily Harm

On August 16th, 2019 Dauphin RCMP responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Provincial Road 362 and Road 147 North, about 3 kilometers north of Dauphin.

Four-year-old Quinn and six-year-old Oksana Dutchyshen were on their way home from a swimming lesson when the collision occurred. They were taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died from their injuries. Two adult females in the Dodge Ram with the children suffered serious injuries.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Sep 27, 2022 - 5:55 am

Dwayne Lavallee was reported missing four years ago and the RCMP continue to investigate his disappearance. He was seen last in Ebb and Flow First Nation on September 22nd, 2018. His vehicle was found abandoned on a rural road soon after. Lavallee's family and police are hoping to hear from anyone who has reached out before, or anyone who may have new information. More details from the RCMP is below:

It’s been four years since Dwayne Lavallee was reported missing and the Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP continue to investigate his disappearance. He was last seen in Ebb and Flow First Nation on September 22, 2018.

Since that time, extensive searches have been completed after his vehicle was found abandoned on a rural road located off Provincial Road 276 on September 26, 2018. RCMP investigators, RCMP Search and Rescue, RCMP Police Dog Services, the Civilian Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), the Office of the Fire Commissioner, and numerous local volunteers have been involved in the searches.

Police and Lavallee’s family continue to seek answers in relation to his disappearance and are asking anyone who may have reached out before or may have new information to contact the Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP at 204-447-2513, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Image - RCMP

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Sep 27, 2022 - 5:17 am

The Dauphin City Council held its second regular council meeting of the month tonight. The council spoke about the Vermillion Park Trails, which were damaged by flooding earlier this year.

Work has yet to be started on repairing the trails, as the city had applied for funding from the provincial government's Disaster Financial Assistance program, and they had to wait for a quotation for repairs. The city has now received a quote from Inspection Plus for $52,000 plus GST, which brings the total cost of the repairs to $54,600.

The city's estimated share of the repairs is $40,943 which the council approved to be taken out of the Recreation Reserve. Now that the funding has been approved, Director of Public Works & Operations Mike VanAlstyne, says that Dauphin Rec Services is likely to start work on the repairs immediately.

On top of the repairs that need to be made, the city has also been informed that prevention measures need to be taken to be eligible for any future disaster relief assistance. Dauphin Rec Services has proposed the use of the Mitigation & Preparedness Program funding to commission a flood study and implement recommendations from the study.

You can watch tonight's full council meeting on the City of Dauphin website here.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Sep 26, 2022 - 7:43 pm

One of the names you will see on the ballot for the municipal election is Randy Daley. He is running for one of the six spots on Dauphin City Council.

Daley came to Dauphin with his wife thirty years ago after he was transferred here with the RCMP. Once he retired, the couple decided to stay in Dauphin.

"I care about what happens in Dauphin. I've been here for thirty years, I've been involved in the community at some level for pretty much most of the time", commented Daley.

That involvement in the community consists of working with the Dauphin and District Food Bank; the Dauphin Crisis Prevention Task Force; the Manitoba Junior Hockey League; the Dauphin Kings; and the DRCSS Clippers hockey team, to name a few.

When asked what he would like to see for Dauphin, Daley mentioned teamwork will be top priority to get things done.

"I think if we're all pulling on the same rope and have a positive attitude and be willing to listen and share, I go in to this with a real positive outlook", said Daley.

Some of the things he would like to see a focus on are local businesses; vulnerable people and attracting people and investments to our community.

Daley continued by saying a vote for him is a vote for someone who can bring a lot of valuable experience to the table.

"I believe I have the life experience and knowledge, and networks that I've built at a variety of levels of community and government, and I have time and energy to put into it ... you're gonna get an effort out of me", he added.

There are seventeen candidates for Dauphin City Council in total. The election itself will take place on Wednesday, October 26th.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Sep 27, 2022 - 5:39 am

There is a slight change to yard waste collection in Dauphin this week to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday.

This means yard waste collection days have been bumped up. Day 1 collection is today (Monday), while days 2, 3, and 4 will follow. There will be no collection on Friday and regular collection days will resume next Tuesday, October 4th.

For more information about your garbage, recycling, and yard waste day, contact City Hall at 204-622-3200 or consult the 2022 Waste, Recycling & Yard Waste Calendar.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Sep 26, 2022 - 6:54 am

COVID-19-related border restrictions in Canada are to expire as of midnight on Saturday, October 1st. The federal government is expected to make an official announcement today about them.

This means travellers will no longer have to submit public health information via the ArriveCAN app; provide proof of vaccination; or undergo testing before or after arrival.

As well, COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation will not be required when returning to Canada, nor will people have to wear masks on planes and trains or undergo health checks for travel on air and rail. You will also not be expected to monitor and report signs or symptoms of COVID-19 after arriving back in Canada.

The changes apply to all travellers regardless of citizenship.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Sep 26, 2022 - 6:43 am

The Parkland Family Medicine Residency Program focuses on training physicians to deliver health care in rural areas.

Dr. Scott Kish, the site director for the program through the University of Manitoba, says that it has been having a strong impact on Dauphin since 1991.

"The vast majority of the physicians in Dauphin have come as a result of having the residency program, so they're graduates from our program... Many physicians in the surrounding communities... There are some of our physicians in Ste. Rose, Swan River, Brandon, Neepawa, Selkirk, Portage la Prairie... so many of our previous graduates have gone on to work in other rural settings in Manitoba," he adds.

Dr. Kish went on to say that the success that they've had in Dauphin is now being replicated across the province and that this was only possible because of that success.

"I think we're in a healthy position... There's a shortage of family physicians... across the country... I think there's lots of need for ongoing training and for training physicians in rural practices... I think there's going to be an ongoing expansion of rural training programs across the country," he adds.

According to Dr. Kish, they've been really fortunate to be able to recruit and retain physicians locally.

"I think that's one of the primary benefits and then I think the secondary benefit is just being able to seed and expand the physician base in other areas in the province and in rural Canada," he adds.

Dr. Scott Kish says that if someone from outside Canada is already a physician and they're looking to work in Canada, they would have to go through the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba to evaluate their previous training.

"For some of those physicians, there's... a one-year assessment process that they could do through the College. Some of our students would then apply for a competitive match through the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) and that's, unfortunately, a very competitive process and it's tough to get into our program, so out of seven hundred applicants to our program that are international grads, we would pick two of them," he adds.

Dr. Kish went on to say that it's less competitive for those who graduated from Canadian universities to be accepted into the program.

"We would have, in that situation, around eighty applicants for four positions," he adds.

Anyone interested in learning more about the residency program can visit the University of Manitoba website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 26, 2022 - 6:03 am

Fusion Credit Union's Community Infusion event is coming up on October 4th, at 6 p.m. at the George P. Buleziuk Community Centre in Russell. Four businesses will give their pitch to a panel of judges, with the chance to win part of $30,000.

Fusion's Business Development Manager Mike Csversko says last year's event was so successful they decided to make it an annual competition.

"We opened it up for anybody to enter, whether that's a new business, maybe it's just a concept people have on paper and they need more information or help or financial help, and also to people who are in business but are looking to expand. So we go through a process where they apply and then we go through a business plan, judging around, and then it leads us to what we're talking about today in the final event where it's like a live pitch, much like, I guess, you would see on T.V. with the Dragons Den or Shark Tank."

This year, there are four businesses competing for a portion of the prize money says Csversko.

"We have four finalists, unfortunately, we had five but one just very recently had a family commitment come up so they weren't able to make it on October fourth, so we're going ahead with four. We have Fierce Female Hockey, Modern Mini and Me, Dauphin Lake Rentals, and Moonlit Canopy, so they'll all be competing for a chance to share in $30,000 which should be very exciting and really fostering that economic development in our region."

The event is free to attend and the winners will be announced after the business pitches.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Sep 26, 2022 - 6:00 am

The Municipality of McCreary is advising residents that they will be conducting repairs to improve isolation valves on September 26^th, 27^th and 28^th.

According to the Municipality, this will cause a temporary water supply interruption, as well as low water pressure, for an undetermined period of time.

They say that the valves in multiple locations north of Highway 50 and east of Burrows Rd. will be replaced and that the entire urban municipality will be affected.

The Municipality recommends that residents take necessary measures to avoid undue inconvenience.

They advise all homeowners to be prepared for service interruptions, allowing for unforeseen and emergency issues that may arise.

People can call the Municipality of McCreary for more information at 204-835-2309.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 24, 2022 - 10:44 am

Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal will be hosting a fall fundraising supper tomorrow, September 25^th, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Parkland Rec Complex Curling Rink.

Event Organizer Monica Archer says that it will start with a photo-op area and that there will be a 50/50, a guess-the-weight-of-the-pumpkin contest, and a silent auction.

"If you're dining in, you're going to get a plate. Then you'll go through the buffet, choose what you want, and desserts, and beverages... If you're doing takeout, then we'll give you takeout containers [to fill up with whatever you like]... and wrap up any desserts you want," she adds.

Archer went on to say that the main goal of the event is to help Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal with its programming.

"It's $20 to come to the supper and $2 from every [ticket] will be going to Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal," she adds.

Monica Archer says that the event is important because a lot of people in Dauphin need help.

"This summer I met a young man who had worked for me years ago and he was in the situation where he didn't have a roof over his head, he didn't have meals and we had talked and he was using the organization... [He was very] thankful... to have it and to see that it was here," she adds.

According to Archer, they will be serving Ukrainian food, including perogies and cabbage rolls.

Tickets must be purchased in advance to attend and that can be done by calling Monica at 204-648-5911 or Tracy at 204-672-0202. They can also be picked up at Under One Roof or at the Arena Concession.

More information can be found here.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 24, 2022 - 6:22 am

A new high-resolution surveillance system has been installed to monitor the D-Town Plaza Skatepark.

Justin Tokarchuk, ICT (Information & Communications Technology) Manager for the City of Dauphin, says that the upgrade was made at the request of the City's Protective Services Committee, which liaises with the RCMP.

"They hope that it will reduce crime and vandalism and, quite frankly, it's also nice for parents just to be able to take a quick peek and see what's going on there," he adds.

Tokarchuk strongly believes that having a surveillance system at the skate park will deter crime and make it a safer place.

"We will be providing footage to the RCMP when they request it," he adds.

According to Tokarchuk, the funding for the project came from the City of Dauphin's budget.

Anyone interested in having a look at what's happening at the D-Town Plaza Skatepark can do so by visiting the City's website.

The City encourages any crime or suspicious activity to be reported to the Dauphin RCMP by calling 9-1-1 or 204-622-5050 in the event of an emergency, or 204-622-5020 for non-emergencies.