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After one of the Russell arches crashed to the ground in 2016, the town is finally installing their new steel replacements. 

The first arch was installed on Wednesday and the second yesterday with the rest expected next week, according to Spencer Reavie, the chairperson for the Main Street Revitalization Committee.

“The wooden arches that we reclaimed, one of the arches came down, we decided to take down all the wooden arches. Over the process of some consultation and looking at different options we decided to go with a steel-I beam; it’s a quart and steel. So it gradually weathers over a period of time and it has kind of an orange/ brown colour to it. Much like rust actually. But there’s alloyed in the steel that prevents it from going far past the rust stage.”

The new arches are expected to bring a feeling of wellbeing, something residents can be proud of, and something to draw people into the community.

“We’re like most prairie communities; agriculture is our base economy here. We realized we should diversify. Agriculture seems to be concentrating down to fewer and fewer people that are involved in it. So we need to give people a reason to come into our community and explore as much as possible.”

“Hopefully, in doing that, it will simulate our business community, and draw in more people to open up more business and help the whole community economically.”

The Grandview Healthcare Solutions group is fighting to keep the Grandview EMS building open.

the province is using out of province examples to close the EMS building, they are getting out of province research from McMaster University in Hamilton to prove why the EMS building should stay open in Grandview.

Sue Stirling is a part of the Grandview Healthcare Solutions group and she explains why she wants the building to stay open.

“They should keep the EMS building in Grandview because it provides vital services, it’s a cornerstone of the medical services provided in Grandview, and it’s a great benefit to the community and surrounding areas. In addition, keeping the station open, which is attached to the hospital would be cost effective for the government and still allow them to do their geo positioning that they have proposed, around the province.”

The government has done little in acknowledging their efforts, the only thing they did, was set up a meeting in November of 2017, since then, the government has ignored requests for a consultation.

Manitoba cannabis retailers haven’t received a single fine since legalization in October.

Two cautions have been given out by the Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba.

One was for a broken lock on a storage unit, which has since been fixed, the other one was for receiving a shipment before the retail licence was issued.

The chief administrative officer of the LGCA, Liz Stephenson, says there has been excellent cooperation from the retailers.

She adds that inspectors are visiting each store on a regular basis to make sure rules, governing storage, signage and other restrictions are being followed.

Last night at Whitmore School’s Christmas concert, they were given a 25 thousand dollar donation for their play structure.

The donation comes from the Rotary Club, who was one of the first groups in Dauphin to make a major donation in the summer.

The Whitmore School Playground Fund is sitting at about 65 thousand dollars, they need 100 thousand for their playground.

Parkland Crossing’s greenhouse project has had a successful year growing and feeding the community.

A lot has changed since they started the project, around this time last year, according to Jamie Harvey.

“We started off with a lot of round bins and odd shaped flower pots that people donated to us when we started. And over time we realized those round pots weren’t very space efficient. So over the course of the year, we decided on one size of plastic bin that works in this area. We’ve learned that the tomatoes do better than anything else right up next to the window, other plants do better away from the window.”

Parkland Crossing greenhouse December 2018 3

The project hasn’t been without its problems. They’ve had some issues with bugs.

“We’re also learning how to deal with aphids and spider mites,” Harvey says. “The spider mites I got rid of with a thousand ladybugs. They just took care of those spider mites in a matter of three days. The aphids are a more persistent problem for us.” He used a chrysanthemum-based spray product to the aphids.

Parkland Crossing is applying for grants to help buy full spectrum LED lights, that once installed are much more energy efficient.

“Right now we have one room at 6 and a half feet; we have one room at 5 feet. Seems to be that the 5 foot high are doing better for the plants.”

Parkland Crossing greenhouse December 2018 4

They have also invested in comfortable chairs and couches that are open for people to come and relax in the environment.

Dauphin’s drinking water comes from Edwards Lake in Riding Mountain National Park.

Quite a few years ago the agreement to use the water lapsed so Bill Brenner met with people from RMNP to make sure Dauphin can continue to use the water.

Brenner met with them about making a new agreement.

The city of Dauphin has sent the agreement to the park to have it looked over and approved.

The main points of that draft are, the city of Dauphin can keep its infrastructure at the lake, Dauphin can work with RMNP to make sure we have water when needed, RMNP will help out with water flow any way they are needed, and the basics of how to deal with emergencies.

The city is now awaiting a response from RMNP.

You can now pick up your early bird tickets for next year’s Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival.

Garett McKinnon says CNUF is aiming for younger crowds and more modern shows with performers between bands, so there are no lulls in between main acts.

“With your early bird tickets, you do save 25 dollars. And because all the prime sports, the most favourite spots, close to the gates, those ones are going fast.”

Early bird passes are only 90 dollars for the weekend with campsites selling for 55 a spot.

“We got a few left, but they are selling. We sold 50 last night and today we’ve sold about 15. There’s about 250 spots, so we’re already about 20 percent sold out.”

There are three ways to get early access to a great festival. Either in person, by phone at 204-622-4600, or online at www.cnuf.ca.

Since the tougher distracted driving penalties have been introduced, 237 people have been penalized.

The RCMP jurisdiction had charged 67 people, the Parkland makes up a part of that 67.

Brian Smiley, MPI media relations coordinator, is disappointed in drivers.

“It’s disappointing to see this many caught and suspended. We know that many drivers still aren’t getting it.”

Smiley is also asking drivers to not take the risk of answering a call or text while driving, especially if there are children or other passengers in the vehicle.

Manitoba wants to make it easier for health-care professionals to tell family members if a patient is suicidal.

Current provincial law forbids medical professionals from sharing someone's personal information without their consent unless there is a serious and immediate risk.

A bill now before the legislature would allow that information to be shared in any case where there is a risk of serious harm.

Health Minister Cameron Friesen says health authorities will develop rules on how such information can be shared. 

Tonight at 6:30 is there is a Christmas Concert at Whitmore School.

Lesia Jensen, Whitmore School Principal, says there's something special about this year,

"Well, this is our first Christmas Concert in at least 25 years."

Although there have been Christmas activities or potluck dinners, this is the first concert in 25 years.

The Mud Run will be donating 25 thousand dollars to their playground fund.

Jensen says they still have a bit to go before they afford the play structure.

They will be at 65 thousand dollars out of 100 thousand because of the donation.

Because of all the community support they’ve received, they will be giving back to the community by doing acts of kindness.

Barry Trotz’s family donated tens of thousands of dollars to three groups around Dauphin this afternoon.

The Dauphin Personal Care Home received 6,640 dollars, the St. Paul’s Personal Care Home also received 6,640 dollars, and PRVSI received 11,940 dollars.

His family went around Dauphin during the 2 pm hour giving the money raised during the Stanley cup day celebrations.

Barry Trotz dec 4 2

(St. Paul’s Personal Care Home above and PRVSI below) 

Barry Trotz dec 4 3

There are still more donations to come at the end of the week.