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A 21-year-old is facing several charges after the RCMP responded to an armed robbery at a business on Main Street in Strathclair.
On August 3 at 10:05 p.m., officers arrived on the scene and were informed by an employee that a male had entered the business, demanded money, and threatened them with bear spray. The male fled on foot with cash and alcohol.
The suspect was later brought into the Minnedosa RCMP detachment by a family member and arrested. A warrant was previously issued for his arrest after officers identified him.
21-year-old Styles Hotain is charged with Robbery with a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon, Failure to Comply with a Probation Order times two, and Disobeying Order of the Courts.
He remains in custody.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
If you know someone who lives in the Ashern area, loves reading, and is between the ages of three and 12, the Siglunes District Public Library is the place to be.
Chrissy Hickerson, the librarian, wants to ensure that young kids continue to read. So she's introduced the 'Summer Reading Challenge' for August. The challenge is simple: read as many books as you can.
Head to the library, sign out the age-appropriate book you want to read, write down the name of it, the author, and a small description of what the book is about. Then, when you finish the book, return it and take another one. Repeat this process throughout the month, and you could be crowned the Summer Reading Challenge champion.
"At the end of the month, one boy and one girl who read the most will get a sweet prize," said Hickerson.
The library is at 61 Main Street in Ashern and is open from 3:30 to 6:30 on Monday, 11:00 to 6:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 11:00 to 2:00 on Saturday. Now, just more than a month into the challenge, Hickerson says she is amazed at how it's gone.
"This day and age, kids spend more time on their electronic devices and watch movies, so it makes me happy to see so many are interested in reading," ended Hickerson. "There are so many kids who love to read, which makes me very proud."
The challenge continues until August 31.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative is planning a field tour of their Brookdale farm this Tuesday.
General Manager Mary-Jane Orr discusses what they will be profiling.
"We are pretty excited this year about showcasing some new forage oat varieties that have come out from two companies. One through Seecan, which is the OReBOOST forage variety. And then also CDC Westgate, which is put out by FP Genetics."
They will also be sharing early 2025 demo data for their EcoTea dry seed dressing of cereals on dry matter biomass yield, as well as a field demo of a microBIOMETER.
Farmers interested in attending are asked to preregister by emailing information@mbfi.ca.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Roblin Ag Society wants you!
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The city of Dauphin has announced its new Director of Public Works and Operations.
Bernardo Pasco brings over 30 years of municipal engineering experience to Dauphin, along with extensive technical experience and leadership.
Holder of a degree in Civil and Sanitary Engineering, Bernardo also completed the Municipal Engineering Technology Program at Red River College.
He is also a Certified Asset Management Professional, a Civil Engineering Technologist, and is working towards his Professional Engineering designation.
Pasco rep[laces Mike van Alstye, who recently left to join Manitoba Transportation.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Police in Gypsumville are looking for a 29-year-old man from Lake St Martin First Nation following a child abduction incident in that community.
Allan Marsden is accused of breaking into a home with a weapon and threatening everyone inside the home at the time.
Four adults and three children got out of the home safely, but two young children remained with the suspect.
A one-year-old was found safely in the home by police a short time later, while the two-year-old was taken to a nearby home where he was eventually located.
Marsden is still at large, and wanted on charges that include abducting a child under 14, four counts of assault with a weapon, and a count of break and enter.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Expansion work has begun at AgWest's facility in Russell.
The new 20,000-square-foot facility will house expanded parts and shop areas.
It will triple the total size of the Russell operations.
The Manitoba-based farm equipment retailer is expecting to open the new facility by the end of the year.
A similarly sized building is also being constructed for AgWest's Brandon location.
One year ago, AgWest was purchased by the Dutch firm Mechan International.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Jewel of the Parkland was hopping last weekend as the Roblin Agricultural Society hosted its fair and rodeo.
This weekend, it's the community of Kelwood's turn to take centre stage. The Kelwood Agricultural Society will hold its fair on Saturday. The always popular parade begins at 11:00, and the Andy Aucoin Memorial Show & Shine is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Before the parade, check out the horse show at 9:00 a.m.
Tracy Dash says it's you who make this day so special.
"It's the people that come out and check it out," said Dash. "That is the only thing that keeps us going."
At 9:00 p.m., Generation Gap hits the stage at the Legion for a free concert. The festivities before that cost just $5, while those 12 and under are free. One of the most exciting features of the event is the pie-baking contest. It's your chance to show off your baking skills. If you'd like to be in the contest, you must drop off your pie before 5:00 p.m. on Friday at the drop-in centre.
"We have a pancake breakfast, horse show, free pony rides," ended Dash.
So if you're looking for something fun to do on Saturday, head to Kelwood.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The province-wide State of Emergency declared on July 10 has been extended.
The province says the fire danger remains high to very high across much of the province. As a result, the deadline has been extended until August 22. The province says some areas may see brief relief due to the rain forecasted this weekend. Storm activity also brings the risk of lightning strikes, which can cause things to get worse.
There are 159 active wildfires in Manitoba, bringing the total to 403 this summer, well above the average of 305 fires for this time of year. This year's wildfire season is the worst on record in the past 30 years. More than 1.55 million hectares of area have been burned in the province.
While there are no major fires in the Parkland to note, firefighters in the northern part of the province continue to battle out-of-control blazes.
The fire located near Sherridon and the City of Flin Flon is approximately 371,900 hectares and is out of control. Earlier this summer, many residents from those communities called Dauphin and the area their temporary home when they were forced to flee.
The fire located 10 kilometres from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park is approximately 7,190 hectares and is out of control.
A fire located 14 kilometres from the City of Thompson is approximately 18,365 hectares and is out of control.
For up-to-date information on the status and location of active wildfires, visit Manitoba Ready.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
It's one of the best festivals of the summer, and you're a big reason why.
Dauphin's Countryfest organizers are looking back on what was a successful festival just south of Dauphin from June 26 to 29. In a recent Facebook post, they thanked the public for coming out.
"I want to send a big thank you to everyone involved. It takes a huge number of people to make this event possible. Whether it's our volunteer board of directors, office staff, site crew, or the 1000s of volunteers," said Duane McMaster, president. "At the end of the day, we need the fans to show up every year. Whether that's locally or from somewhere else, thank you for coming out and making Dauphin's Countryfest the great event that it always is."
When it comes to numbers, McMaster says that's a work in progress. He is pleased with the crowd that has packed the stands, but knows there is work to be done.
"We're fairly similar to last year. We haven't quite gotten back to some of the pre-pandemic numbers," offered McMaster. We are working on that. About the same as last year."
The CKDM Rockin' Thursday Night Kick-Off Party opened the festival and was very well attended. Default, featuring Dallas Smith, was a huge hit. McMaster says they have received a lot of positive feedback after deciding to return to the Thursday start.
The big question remains: will Dauphin's Countryfest return in 2026?
"We're planning already, working on it. There is no plan for us to go anywhere in the near future," ended McMaster. "If people are still willing to come out for the show, we're going to try to make sure it happens."
That's some great news for fans of Dauphin's Countryfest.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
If you are still looking for more Ukrainian culture and activities following last weekend's Canada's National Ukrainian Festival, then the community of Fork River has you covered.
They are hosting an indoor dinner and dance this Saturday night at the hall, with an outdoor street dance taking place at the same time across the street.
Organizing committee member Hope Toporowski says proceeds from the night will go towards renovations at the St John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church.
"It is going to help us restore the foundation under the church. A few years ago, we were able to fundraise and fix the roof. Now we need some funds to repair the foundation, which is desperately needed. And this is an opportunity for everybody to come out, help support us as we preserve the one last remaining church in our community."
Tickets for the indoor dinner and dance, which will feature the Drifting Cossacks, are sold out.
But tickets for the street dance are still available at a cost of $30.
You can purchase them at the Fork River post office or by calling 204-730-2152.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson