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With the province allowing more businesses to reopen as part of Phase Two, it’s become somewhat challenging to navigate which businesses in the Parkland are actually opening their doors to customers.
Luckily, the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce has organized a Facebook group to help spread some of that information.
Chamber Executive Director Stephen Chychota says the “Parkland Area Business Updates” is a useful online tool for businesses and customers.
“It’s a great one-stop-shop for residents to come together and find out what business are doing, and what they have going on with sales or different hours of operation.”
The Facebook page also has an option to filter the information based on location.
The Dauphin Chamber is continuing to support the businesses community in the Parkland, sharing the latest information from the provincial and federal levels of government.
“As for now, it’s making sure our business community is well informed and supporting them as best we can. This has been quite an unprecedented time that they’ve had to go through.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Two new cases were announced today, increasing the total number of cases in the province to 297.
There is still no one in the hospital, and the number of deaths remains at 7.
There are 12 active cases and 278 people have recovered.
The latest COVID-19 information can be found here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Today the province announced more details about which Manitobans will be eligible for the $120 million wage top-up for front-line workers.
Front-line workers will receive a one-time payment based on their income for their risk of working during the COVID-19 situation.
Manitobans eligible for the wage top-up include, but are not limited to: retail workers, health care workers, law enforcement and emergency services.
To see the full list of eligible positions and organizations, click here.
Online applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, June 3. The application deadline is June 18 and the province will issue payments via direct deposit once it verifies applications.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Due to a lack of rain in the area through May, the Inglis area is experiencing extremely dry conditions.
Yesterday, Inglis Fire Fighters responded to three fires.
On Facebook, they say the three fires had the potential to turn extremely bad because of high winds, but they were able to get the fires under control.
They ask that residents use caution when having a bonfire, as the slightest ember caught by the wind can start a fire right now.
Inglis Fire Fighters are also reminding residents that burn permits are required to do any kind of burning with the exception of controlled bonfires.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The local chapter of a climate change awareness group has planned a small event outside Dauphin City Hall on Friday.
The event will run from 12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5th — which coincides with World Environment Day.
Rebecca Van Otterloo and Virginia Cail are co-chairs of the Citizens' Climate Lobby Dauphin Chapter — and plan to make sure the event follows to public health guidelines.
“We want to be safe, but we also want to draw attention to the ongoing climate problem.”
Rebecca says she will use chalk markings on the ground to give attendees a reference for proper physical distancing, and says they welcome people to come on Friday — but will ask people to carry on their way if they do hit that 50 person cap.
The group has invited Dauphin City Council to take part.
“The ongoing issue of climate change remains just as real and urgent as ever. We just welcome people to join us and explore those solutions and be apart of building a liveable future together.”
For more information on the Citizens' Climate Lobby - Dauphin Chapter, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Five youths that escaped from the Agassiz Youth Centre late last week were successfully located by Portage la Prairie RCMP.
On Friday, May 29th, police responded to reports of six young offenders attempting to escape the facility.
Five of the youths were successful in escaping under the fence and running off — but were located and arrested shortly after with the help of a drone and canine unit.
Five male youths, between the ages of 15 and 18, are charged with Escape Lawful Custody and Prison Breach.
The investigation is ongoing.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Public health officials have identified no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.
There are 10 active cases in Manitoba, and no individuals in hospital because of the novel coronavirus.
A total of 295 confirmed and probable cases have been identified in Manitoba over the course of the pandemic.
Monday, June 1st is the official launch of Phase Two of reopening Manitoba’s economy.
For a detailed look at the new measures part of Phase Two — and what that means for those of us in the Parkland — click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Some commercial fishers on Lake Winnipeg are having a difficult time getting their hands on the right fishing nets.
The province has introduced legislation requiring commercial fishers on Lake Winnipeg to use nets with mesh spaced 3.5 inches apart — compared to the old nets spaced 3 inches apart.
The provincial government explains the wider nets will help increase fish stock, by allowing smaller fish to avoid being caught and having greater opportunity to breed.
With the global supply chain interrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, some commercial fishers have reported difficulties obtaining the new fishing nets — and some local sellers have either run out or are running low.
On top of that, the closure of restaurants to slow the spread of the virus has caused the demand for Lake Winnipeg fish to plummet.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Today is the 2019 income tax return deadline.
The coronavirus extended the deadline from the normal date at the end of April.
Those that are self-employed have two more weeks, as the deadline is June 15th.
Penalties and interest on amounts owing won’t be charged if the payments are made by September 1st.
For those receiving COVID-19 benefits, they won’t be factored into this year’s return.
Benefits including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy are taxable income and will be a part of the 2021 return for individuals and businesses receiving those benefits.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Today marks the beginning of Phase Two of reopening Manitoba’s economy, and there’s a lot of changes coming our way.
While no businesses are obligated to reopen at this time, more non-essential businesses now have the go-ahead to welcome customers.
The services that can now be restored include:
- increasing child-care centre occupancy to up to 24 children plus staffing;
- increasing day camp group sizes to 24;
- resuming sports, arts and cultural activities for children and adults;
- lifting occupancy limits at outdoor recreation facilities and golf courses outdoors, as long as physical distancing can be maintained and allowing limited access to indoor spaces;
- allowing direct travel to northern parks, campgrounds, cabins, lodges and resorts while ensuring physical distancing;
- allowing public/private swimming pools, spas, fitness clubs, gyms and community/service centres to reopen with some limitations;
- allowing religious or other organizations to hold outdoor services or events without limitation on numbers if people stay in their vehicles;
- reopening manicurists and pedicurists, tattoo parlours, estheticians, cosmetologists, electrologists and tanning parlours at 50 per cent capacity;
- allowing restaurants to reopen indoor spaces at 50 per cent capacity and continue to offer patio services at that capacity level; and
- allowing bars, beverage rooms, micro-brewers and similar businesses to operate patio service at 50 per cent of site capacity and to reopen indoor spaces at 50 per cent capacity.
What does this mean for the Parkland?
Recreation Services
Dauphin Recreation Services has reopened their parks, playgrounds, as well as skate park as of June 1st.
We’ll still have to wait a bit longer for the opening of the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre, Dauphin Clinic Walking Track, Vermillion Sportsplex, and the Parkland Recreation Complex. More information is expected in the following weeks.
National Park Access
Riding Mountain National Park is also partially reopening for business June 1st: allowing the use of trails, picnic areas, beaches, and green spaces. However, you’re still not allowed to do any boating; that includes canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
All camping facilities will remain closed until at least June 21 — when Parks Canada will assess whether it’s safe to allow camping services to resume.
Schools
Beginning June 1st, students will be able to go back to school on an appointment basis for 1-on-1 or small group sessions for assessment purposes. Mountain View School Division (MVSD) Superintendent Dan Ward tells CKDM that schools are embracing the partial reopening to ensure a smooth transition back to normalcy in September.
Church Service
Church service and other faith-based gatherings are still required to adhere to the 25 person limit for indoor gatherings.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
As the province lifts the travel ban to Manitoba’s north on Monday, June 1st — at least one northern fishing lodge feels that it’s too little, too late.
Carol MacLellan owns the Paradise Lodge in Flin Flon, alongside her husband Ken.
“Our first week that we’re open is usually 90% guests from Saskatchewan — we got zero because the travel ban was on.”
Carol tells CKDM her lodge has lost their most profitable part of the year, saying "May and June is the busiest time. Whatever you get [as a fishing lodge] in July and August is a bonus."
With Manitobans now cleared to visit campgrounds, lodges and resorts in the province’s north — Carol says people still need time to make travel arrangements, and worries her lodge might not see any business for another 2 or 3 weeks.
“Wait and see. That’s all we can do, is wait and see what happens."
The co-owner of the Flin Flon fishing lodge also feels the government fell short in communicating important information to their business during the travel ban, saying “we haven’t received any information from the government,” adding, “we have to find it ourselves. There’s been no written communication to us.”
As part of Phase Two of Manitoba’s reopening plan, travel north of the 53rd parallel from within Manitoba will be allowed. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19, such as cold and flu symptoms, is advised to stay home.
“Basically what they’ve done is taken away our business for this year. We may get some — but at this point, who knows?”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
