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Dauphin Chamber minutes, old promotional shirts, and cups, and pictures were unboxed this week, and some go as far back as 1912.

Stephen Chychota is looking forward to going through the many boxes that were stored at the back of the city’s shop.

“What was in there was some financial records that were being kept but are no longer really needed. But what were really cool to find were some really old meeting minutes from like 1912 to 1925 there’s a book on minutes in there. There’s some old contents from past street fairs that the Chamber has done in the early 2000s. Just some really old interesting stuff from the Chamber and the City of Dauphin.”

He’s also found some documents that mention the Town of Dauphin.

Chychota says there are still some decade-long gaps missing that he hopes will turn up eventually. He says it’s going to be a fun mystery or treasure hunt to see what they uncover as they go through the boxes.

After he goes through the boxes he’s going to see what the chamber should save and what, if any could go to local museums.

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Flu season is in full swing.

Mahmoud Khodaveisi, medical officer of health with PMH, says the flu numbers in Manitoba continue to increase.

In Manitoba there are 157 confirmed cases of the flu, in PMH’s region, there have been 22.

The death totals are kept private because there is a very low number.

The younger population has been affected more than the older population with the flu this year.

This year, PMH believes the flu shots hit the dominant virus, Influenza A.

Nominations are open for the Manitoba Beef Producers’ s Lifetime Achievement Award.

 Individuals and families are eligible for the award that's handed out every five years.

“The Manitoba Beef Producers Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes local beef producers who have made significant contributions to the beef industry and their commitment to excellence, exemplifying leadership and involvement in their community and province,” said Brian Lemon, MBP general manager. Nominees for MBP’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be considered in the following areas:

• Must be a current or past member of MBP or the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association;
• Beef advocacy activities with a genuine interest in the beef industry;
• Achievements and lasting benefit of their contribution to the beef industry;
• Excellence in being involved in the beef industry as a leader, mentor, volunteer;
• Their use of innovation and strategies for successful business.

It's being presented at the President’s Banquet during the 40th Annual General Meeting in Brandon on February 7th.

Nominations are due no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, January 18, 2019.

Nomination forms are available from the MBP office by calling 1-800-772-0458 or online at www.mbbeef.ca.

There’s a higher chance of a fire in your home this time of year.

Cam Abrey, Dauphin's fire chief, has ways to stay safe in the holiday season. “If you have a live Christmas tree remember to water it because dry Christmas trees are prone to going up in flames rapidly if a fire breaks out. If you’re using a fake tree or a live one, make sure you check the cords, read the manufacturer’s notes to make sure you don’t exceed the amount of strands that can be connected together. Also, check to make sure the bulbs are tightened, there are no bare wires, and see if the wires have been pinched or kinked after being put away for the past year.”

Abrey says not to overload electrical circuits and to avoid temporary light gauge extension cords.

Christmas trees and anything that could catch fire should be at least 3 feet away from a fireplace or heat source. Christmas trees shouldn’t be blocking exits.

79 new drugs are being added to the Manitoba Pharmacare Program.

Some of the drugs include Revestive for the treatment of short bowel syndrome, Spinraza for Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy, Dysport Therapeutic for the treatment of lower limb spasticity, and Lancora for the treatment of heart failure.

73 are generic medications at different strengths.

Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen says the generic reduces the amount that would have otherwise been spent on higher-cost equivalent drugs by $350,000 annually, allowing that money to be reallocated to cover new drugs.

“Medications are important treatments for many different illnesses and diseases,” said Friesen. “Manitoba’s universal prescription drug benefit program is one of the most comprehensive in the country and these new additions will help families across the province access drug coverage through the program.”

Coverage of the new drugs will go into effect on the 24th of January.

For more information on the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, visit:

www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare.

This past week was the second week of the RCMP Holiday Checkstop Program.

3530 vehicles were checked at 70 checkstops. 40 charges were made, 18 for impaired driving, 17 for improper storage of alcohol or cannabis in a vehicle, and 5 for refusing a breath demand. There were 8 alcohol-related tiered suspensions. The highest blood/alcohol reading was .300, nearly 4 times the legal limit.

Last year during the second week there were 50 checkstops that checked 2306 vehicles and 23 charges were laid.

One checkstop on Highway 12 in Steinbach resulted in an arrest. The driver could not provide vehicle registration and was asked to pull over. It was quickly determined that the vehicle was stolen. Further investigation determined that the driver was also in possession of counterfeit currency, break-in tools, and drug paraphernalia. Cory Couture was arrested and charged with identity fraud, Possession of Property Over $5000, Possession of Property Under $5000, Possession of Counterfeit Currency, and Possession of Break-In Instruments. The vehicle was seized and the investigation continues.

Things could get a bit more slippery tonight.

A special weather statement is in effect for Dauphin - Russel - Roblin - Winnipegosis including Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Valley River, Fork River, Ethelbert, Sifton, and the R.Ms of Lakeshore and Riding Mountain West.

The full statement from Environment Canada is below:

"A low pressure system will bring a risk of freezing rain to portions of southern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba Thursday night into Friday.

An area of freezing rain is forecast to develop over central Alberta this evening. This freezing rain will then spread from west-central Saskatchewan to southeastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba overnight through Friday. Regina and Saskatoon, as well as many major highways including the Yellowhead, Highway 11, and the Trans-Canada Highway between Regina and Brandon, look to be at risk for seeing some amounts of freezing rain overnight into Friday.

There is still some uncertainty in the exact track of this band of freezing rain, but it should become apparent as the system develops in Alberta today. More details on the likelihood and timing of the freezing rain can be found in local forecasts. The public is advised to watch for updated forecasts and/or alerts issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada later today."

Grandview’s EMS station isn’t going away without a fight.

Residents are fighting to keep their ambulance station from closing.

“People of Grandview should be able to keep their ambulance station open. Because one, there should be health care close to home for the people who live in Grandview and surrounding communities like Valley River, but also it’s about the long-term future of the town. If they lose the ambulance station then the concern I’ve heard from people there is they might lose the ER, and hospital, and healthcare services that they have in town.”

NDP Leader Wab Kinew says it’s a sad commentary on the government that the community has to go and get their own consultants to prove they should have a health care service in town like the ems station.

The provincial plan calls for services to come out a Gilbert Plains.

Kinew say over the past couple of years he’s spoken with the Reeves before and after the election and done a lot of back and forth with doctors and the community as a whole.

Sue Stirling is a part of the Grandview Healthcare Solutions group says 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.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Roy Christopher Brandson.

It's believed he’s in the Lundar or Eriksdale areas and may be armed with a firearm. The public is cautioned not to approach Brandson.

He's described as a Caucasian male in appearance, approximately 5’10” in height, 160 lbs in weight with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes. He may be in possession of a white 2002 Ford F250 extended-cab truck with a licence plate of FSY839.

There are two warrants for Brandson’s arrest.

The first warrant has been issued because investigators believe Brandson was involved in a violent incident on December 8, 2018, in the 3000 block of Sinclair Street where he forced entry into a residence and a firearm was pointed at two adult females. Both victims were threatened before Brandson fled. From that incident he is being charged for:

- Break Enter & Theft - Dwelling House
- Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm (x2)
- Pointing a Firearm (x2)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Use of Firearm During Commission of an Indictable Offence
- Careless Use of Firearm
- Possession of a Weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle

A second warrant for Brandson’s arrest was issued due to a number of incidents that occurred between June 1, 2018, and September 30, 2018, with one of the adult females. That warrant is charging him with:

- Assault (x2)
- Sexual Assault
- Forcible Confinement (x2)
- Overcome Resistance by Attempting to Choke, Suffocate or Strangle Another Person
- Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm
- Careless Use of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Fail to Comply with Conditions of Undertaking Given by Officer in Charge (x2)

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Additional information that may assist investigators can be relayed to Major Crime Unit investigators at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Fusion Credit Union unveiled their new brand this morning.

Ron Hedley revealed their new logo in the Dauphin location while the other branches showed it off all simultaneously.

“It is a combination of our two credit unions and we’re really excited about the effort that was put into it by our marketing agency. And I guess what it actually represents when it comes to going forward.”

Hedley says the colour palate they decided to use is a combination of the two credit unions that came to gather to form Fusion.

Their new tagline is 'Here For Good.' They define good as sold, hardworking, environmentally friendly, local, and neighbourly. 

At the event, Fusion announced an increase of the scholarship program for 2019 to $20,000 to commemorate the new, amalgamated approach. Specifics of the program haven't been announced.

“One of the keys to having a dynamic, diverse economy in our communities is to support our young people to develop skills that will keep us innovative,” adds Hedley.

The second announcement made was of ‘Elevator Rates’ for the RRSP season. “One of the ways we show member appreciation is by offering the most competitive rates we can,” adds Hedley. “This year’s rates are particularly strong, and we hope members will be encouraged to take full advantage.”

Grandview’s EMS building is still expected to close, as part of the province’s 10-year plan to overhaul the system.

Even after the community tried to save it, Premier Brian Pallister says the plan is still going forward.

“The reorganization of those stations is a tricky bit."

"Every community wants to keep it, and that’s natural. I’m the first premiere in 60 years that knows rural Manitoba real well, I mean I grew up south west of Portage la Prairie. I understand the challenges in living in rural Manitoba, and I understand the benefits too. One thing I know for sure is that most of us are real common sense people, we understand we can’t have everything in every town.”

Pallister says the plan they put forward will make the system better for everyone.

“We’re investing in dozens of skilled paramedics so that we can have a skilled person be there. Somebody gets caught in the PTO on the farm, somebody has a car accident and flips in the ditch, they don’t know where the ambulance stays they want the person to them as soon as they can get them. They want a qualified person to take care of them and stabilize them so they can get better.”

The plan calls for Grandview and surrounding region to be serviced by EMS in Gilbert Plains.

“We can’t have an MRI in Roblin, that would be nice, but we can’t. Can’t have stations in every town. So, I’ll just be the guy who says that. I think we have to do better with what we have. I think what most people want who live in Grandview, Gilbert, Roblin, that area, is if there is an accident on their farm they want somebody there who can look after them really quick.”

The plan calls for 23 low-volume ambulance garages to close, others to move and five new stations are being built.