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Mossey River Municipality will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting event tonight (Friday) in Winnipegosis.

Santa Claus will be in attendance for the event, which will also include free hot dogs, hot chocolate, and caroling.

It is set to take place from 6 to 8 pm on the Boulevard in Winnipegosis. 

A project in Shoal Lake is one of three to receive funding from a new grant program through Sunrise Credit Union.

The Shoal Lake Aeration Project hopes to revitalize the lake by adding an aeration system to help alleviate excessive algae growth over the past few years. 

Organized by the For the Love of Shoal Lake organization, the project not only aims to protect its ecosystems in the lake but also return Shoal Lake as a popular destination for anglers. 

The project will receive $15,000 from Sunrise through its Building Communities Grant Program, which was first announced last month.

Community betterment is the goal of the grant program, which will have two application intake periods per year.

Other projects being funded in this initial intake are the Holland Outdoor Arena and the Elkhorn Ice Plant project. 

January 16th is the next scheduled court appearance for a Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nations woman arrested in relation to a death on the reserve this summer.

26-year-old Fantasia Prince remains in custody after being charged with second-degree murder.

On June 29th, Manitoba First Nation Police Service was called to a home on the reserve, to a report of an injured female.

Upon arrival, they found the body of a 24-year-old woman.

The victim's name has never been released. 

It started 31 years ago and Dauphin R.I.D.E. continues to service Dauphin and surrounding communities.

Over the years, Dauphin R.I.D.E has made sure people who are out and about having fun get home safely along with their vehicles. As the 2023 holiday season continues to ramp up, volunteers are getting ready for what should be another busy weekend.

Running Friday and Saturday this weekend, it's pretty simple. If you drove your vehicle somewhere and have had too much to drink, you can call Dauphin R.I.D.E and they will pick you and your vehicle up and your home will be the next destination. While it is free of charge, donations are greatly appreciated.

Sho-Sho Shuttleworth has been a part of the program for the last 25 years since moving back to Dauphin and to her, this program means a lot.

"My dad and mom have been the driving force of this program for so many years," said Shuttleworth. "My father has since passed and my mom isn't helping out this year, but we just felt that we need to continue with the program."

The program will be in operation from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. this Friday and Saturday. If you and your vehicle need a ride home, call 204-638-5707. Many people have also been wondering what areas Dauphin R.I.D.E services and it isn't just Dauphin.

"We do Ste. Rose, Ochre River, Fork River, Keld," offered Shuttleworth. "Grandview, Gilbert Plains, Roblin...we service a very good portion of the Parkland region, so you don't need to be in Dauphin to take advantage of this service."

If you are outside of town and looking for a ride, you are asked to call before 1:30 a.m. If you are being picked up from outside of Dauphin, Sho-Sho asks that you know the road number where you will be picked up and the address of the residence you are at. 

So far this year, Dauphin R.I.D.E has taken 157 people and their vehicles home. While this number is significantly down from last year, Shuttleworth does expect the numbers to pick up over the next three days of operation, especially on New Year's Eve. 

"New Year's Eve is always our busiest day," ended Shuttleworth. "We have an incredible group of volunteers set up and they are ready to drive you and your vehicle home safely."

Following this weekend, Dauphin R.I.D.E will return for one more day this year with that being on New Year's Eve. 

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the death of an RCMP officer who was based in Waywayseecappo at the time.
 
Constable Dennis Stronquill, who was born and raised in Barrows, was shot and killed on December 21st, 2001 when he and his partner stopped a truck that matched the description of armed robbery suspects.
 
Constable Strongquill was a 20-year veteran of the RCMP, having previously been stationed in Churchill, Powerview, Amaranth, and Rossburn prior to his posting in Waywayseecappo. 
 
A baseball field in his hometown of Barrows was named in his honour after his death, as was a lake near Flin Flon.
RCMP in the province is advising businesses to keep an eye out for individuals attempting to purchase goods using counterfeit U.S. currency.
 
Last Friday, a business on Saskatchewan Avenue in Portage la Prairie reported that a male suspect bought items using a $100 U.S. bill, that upon closer inspection was determined to be fake. 
 
The banknotes look authentic, but the texture and feel of the paper are what alerted staff to the possibility of it being counterfeit.
 
Mounties believe other businesses may be targeted, and are urging those that accept $100 U.S. currency to make sure ti examine them carefully. 
 
Businesses can go to https://www.bankofcanada.ca/bankn.../counterfeit-prevention/ for tips on how to spot counterfeit bills.

A 25-year-old Gilbert Plains man will be back in Dauphin court in the new year in relation to the recovery of stolen property. 

RCMP executed a search warrant on a rural Gilbert Plains property on October 12th.

they seized several items with a combined value of around 375 thousand dollars, including heavy machinery, trucks, off-road vehicles, trailers, and snowmobiles. 

Jordy Robertson is slated to return to court on January 23rd. 

More performers have been announced for the 2024 edition of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival.

Festival organizers recently announced the addition of Za Okeanom band from Saskatoon to the list of performers for the August 2nd to 4th show. 

They have also unveiled the Masters of Ceremony for the event.

Hannah Picklyk and Kaitlyn Vitt host a Ukrainian dance and culture podcast based out of Winnipeg called Vsi, where they explore Ukrainian traditions, folklore, and historical and modern-day culture. 

Weekend passes and camping spots are now on sale through the festival office on 3rd Avenue North East, as well as online at www.cnuf.ca

One man is dead after a structure fire Tuesday morning in San Clara.

Roblin RCMP says the fire occurred around 6:20 that morning at a residence on Provincial Road 367. 

Once the blaze was brought under control and extinguished, firefighters entered the home where they found a man who had died inside of the home. 

His death, as well as the cause of the fire, are currently being investigated by RCMP and the Fire Commissioner's office. 

He is gone, but never forgotten. Adrian spent 10 years as an RCMP officer in Roblin. 10 years ago, Adrian took his own life, but his memory will live on.

Quick to call Roblin his home, Gulay was an animal lover and his love for dogs was as genuine as love can get. While patrolling Roblin and surrounding communities, he would carry dog food in his RCMP cruiser and he would feed any stray dog that he would come across. 

Adrian and Brian Onofreichuk became great friends and to this day, Brian still remembers the great times they spent together and in Adrian's memory, Brian has started collecting donations of dog food.

The food will then be sent to the Parkland Humane Society in February. Last year, more than 5000 pounds of food was collected.

Hundreds of pounds of dog food has been donated as of today. The total is expected to rise as donations are being accepted until January 17. You can drop off your donations at Roblin Ford and the Roblin Review. There will also be a Roblin Ford vehicle stationed at Parkway Co-op on Thursday and Friday where you can make donations. Brian says the support has been incredible.

"It's just overwhelming," said Onofreichuk. "I tell people, if you walk down the street and mention Gulay's name, everyone remembers him. RCMP come and go, but he lives on."

Brian remembers Gulay for being a great man who was extremely kind to people and always wanted to make you smile.

"He had such a big heart and such a great sense of humour, I had so many great times with him," ended Onofreichuk. "The way he dealt with people, he was so nice and so fair. He respected people, it was unbelievable how great he was."

Brian wants to thank everyone for their incredible support and he's looking forward to sending all donations to the PHS early next year. 

Before he makes his much-anticipated trip around the world on Sunday night, Santa Claus will be paying a visit to Ashern tomorrow night. 

Organizing committee member Tara Schoenberger says the community's Santa Claus parade will begin at 6:30 tomorrow night from the Ashern Centennial Hall. 

"It will travel East onto Highway 325 until 2nd Avenue North, then to 1st Street South, before it heads East towards Railway Avenue. where it will head North towards Main Street.  From there it will turn West onto Main Street until we get back to 2nd Avenue North, where will make our way back to the Centennial Hall"

Schoenberger says they will be accepting entries right up until the 6:30 start time for the parade.

"I have about five floats registered, but I find that people do not often want to register, they just show up and go into the parade.  They can show up at the Ashern Centennial Hall, I would say to be there by 6:15, because the parade starts at 6:30." 

Schoenberger adds there is an added treat for residents before the start of the parade.

"We are offering hot chocolate and cookies that are donated by the local Tim Horton's at six o'clock at the chamber booth."