Flood forecast low to moderate

The province has released its February Flood Outlook Report, which indicated a low to moderate risk of significant spring flooding across Manitoba.

The report, which came out prior to the massive snowfall that hit southern and central Manitoba over the weekend, said the forecast was due to normal- to below-normal soil moisture at freeze-up and normal- to well-below-normal winter precipitation for most of Manitoba.

The spring flooding risk is low to moderate for the Red River and tributaries and is low for the Assiniboine, Souris, and Qu’Apelle Rivers as well as in northern Manitoba.

The spring flood risk is moderate for the Interlake region, as there is a risk of ice jam-related flooding on the Fisher River and the Icelandic River.

The report adds most Manitoba lake levels are normal to below normal for this time of year and within their capacity ranges, adding the risk of lake flooding is low for most Manitoba lakes.

However, the risk of flooding may change depending on weather conditions including the amount of precipitation between now and the spring melt.

The next flood outlook will be released in late March.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 6, 2024 - 11:52 am

Three people face charges after RCMP executed a search warrant on a home on the Ebb & Flow First Nation.

Ste Rose RCMP were joined by Manitoba West District CREST unit and Police Dog Services in executing the warrant on February 29th.

Among the items seized were several drugs, including pre-packaged cocaine, meth and crack cocaine.

Prepaid credit cards, cash, firearms, ammunition, and other drug-related paraphernalia were also collected by MOunties.

Seven people in the home were originally arrested, but four were eventually released without being charged.

39-year-old Brian Houle of Ebb & Flow and 42-year-old Connie Malcolm of Bacon Ridge each face two counts of Possession for the purpose of trafficking, a count of possession of property obtained by crime, and several firearms-related offenses.

Both are due to appear in Dauphin court on April 11th.

Police also arrested 29-year-old Denee Baptiste of Ebb & Flow on an outstanding warrant for breach of a conditional sentence.

Baptiste has been remanded into custody.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Mar 6, 2024 - 11:50 am

The city says snow removal crews will begin the process of removing windows today from Main Street and the Business area.

They made that announcement on their Facebook page, adding that they are also asking businesses in these areas to ensure that their sidewalks have been cleared into the parking lanes so a thorough cleanup can occur.

Crews will also be working on day 2, 3, and 4 areas of the city

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 6, 2024 - 11:49 am

Parks Canada has announced the re-opening of more roads within Riding Mountain National Park following last weekend's snowfall.

The Highway 19 road into the park, as well as Rolling River Road, were both re-opened on Tuesday.

But park officials caution that there are snow-covered and icy sections on both of these roads, adding that motorists should drive with care.

They also say Lake Audy Road remains closed.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 6, 2024 - 11:47 am

March is Kidney Awareness Month, and Prairie Mountain Health is encouraging everyone to learn more about protecting their kidneys, and to know the risks and warning signs of kidney disease.

A release from PMH says Manitoba has the highest incidence and prevalence of kidney disease in Canada, with as many as 1 in 10 adults in the province thought to be living with the disease, with most of them not even knowing it.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common factors leading to kidney disease among adults, with other risk factors including obesity, smoking, and having heart disease, as well as a family history of kidney disease and using drugs that are damaging to the kidneys.

Symptoms of kidney disease can include high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, and nerve damage.

Kidneys can lose 80 per cent of their function before any symptoms are felt.

PMH encourages you to go to www.kidney.ca to take a self-screen test to see if you are at risk.

You are also encouraged to talk to your doctor about kidney disease.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 6, 2024 - 11:45 am

The investigation continues into the circumstances of the recent death west of The Pas.

An autopsy is scheduled for this Friday for the 19-year-old man who was found dead just over a week ago.

Peter Charlette was found dead in a wooded area near Pas on February 25th, after reportedly being last seen the night before.

Peter's Mother is concerned that foul play was involved, seeking answers to why he'd be in such a remote location without his phone or jacket.

Currently, the RCMP in the Pas do not expect foul play, but they will wait until the completion of the autopsy before making any firm statements about this death.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Mar 5, 2024 - 4:40 pm

Even though the Dauphin area has seen more snowfall this winter than normal, it has been one of the warmest winters on record in Manitoba.

Environment and Climate Change Canada Senior climatologist David Phillips says an indication of how warm it has been this winter is the number of days where we have seen temperatures frail to get above -30.

"Normally, we would have had 13 by now. This year, we have had none. In fact, the days below -20, which is kind of a cool day, we would normally see about 47 of them in a winter in Dauphin. This year, we have had 19, less than half of what you would get."

Phillips says we have been consistently mild since the start of winter.

"November was 3.5 degrees warmer than normal, December was on fire, it was almost 7.5 - 8 degrees warmer than normal. In January we did have the polar vortex, but it was still more than two degrees above normal in Western Manitoba. And February was almost five degrees warmer than normal."

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 5, 2024 - 12:40 pm

Mail service in Dauphin is starting to return to closer to normal following the weekend snowfall.

A delivery service alert for Dauphin, as well as for Brandon and Portage la Prairie has been downgraded from red to yellow, meaning carriers will make every effort to deliver today, but delays may still occur due to icy conditions, or some addresses may not be reached because of those conditions.

Canada Post is urging homeowners in the city to clear all ice from their stairs, walkways, and driveways, in order to ensure safe access for mail carriers.

A yellow service delivery alert for the remainder of Manitoba has been lifted, meaning operations in those areas have returned to normal.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 5, 2024 - 12:19 pm

Traffic is moving once again through parts of Riding Mountain National Park following the weekend snowstorm.

Parks Canada says Highway 10 was re-opened as of yesterday afternoon.

But they caution that some areas of the highway still have snow-covered and icy sections and that motorists should take it easy going through the park.

They added secondary roads such as Highway 19, Rolling River Road, and Lake Audy Road, remain closed at this time.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 5, 2024 - 12:16 pm

City snow removal crews continue their efforts to clear Dauphin streets of the latest dumping of snow.

Beginning at midnight, crews were working on the business area, before moving on to streets and venues in the day 2 area, as well as working on streets in the day 4 area of the city.