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Dauphin City Council has put forth its financial plan for 2025.

Mayor Dave Bosiak says work on the lagoon is the major project on the books for this year.

"The initial quotes have now been received, and we are talking about a project that is now going to be 20 million dollars to do.  When we initially applied for funding to the province and the federal government seven years ago, the quotes were at the time for a 13-million-dollar project.  So the project has grown significantly over time in cost, and that responsibility primarily falls to the municipality."

Bosiak adds they will use reserve funds and add a long-term debenture, as well as future adjustments to water and sewer rates, to fund this project.

Other highlights include funding for 2nd Avenue NW enhancement, a new project management position with the city, and the creation of a reserve fund to be used towards purchasing properties for future development.

There is also around 1.5 million dollars committed to road, sewer, and sidewalk repairs, over 3 million for RCMP in the city, and over 2 million for recreation.

The bottom line for all of this... residents can expect to see an approximately four per cent increase to their property tax bill this year. 

"We are very cognizant of that, knowing that the cost of living and inflation is at least half of our increase this year.  So to do all of the things that we have to do in the city.  And everybody knows that nothing ever gets cheaper.  But I want to tip my hat to our senior staff and administration, who have spent a lot of time and effort making sure that this works."

Bosiak also thanked the province for providing grants and funding for several projects within the city.

A boil water notice is in effect for the Village of Ethelbert.

All water used for consumption should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute.

This includes:

  • Drinking and ice making;
  • Preparing beverages, such as infant formula;
  • Preparing food, including washing fruits and vegetables; and
  • Brushing teeth. 

The notice will be in effect until further notice. 

The Home Care Program within Dauphin Community Health Services is now home once again to a piece of specialized equipment, thanks to a generous donation from the Dauphin Hospital Foundation.

The $4,000 contribution was used to purchase a Bidop Doppler.

Jessica Rafacz is a Home Care Case Co-ordinator and describes what it does.

"Trained medical professionals use the Bidop Doppler to perform a non-evasive test that we would typically refer to as an ABPI.  The ABPI is completed to assess blood flow in the lower limbs.  This test determines whether the compression therapy that the doctor has ordered is safe, and that the level of compression that we will be using in the compression therapy is appropriate to use on the client.  So we are talking about compression stockings or dressings."

Jessica is very thankful to the Dauphin Hospital Foundation for this donation.

"Before receiving this donation, we were borrowing this equipment from other programs and facilities. Their help with this is greatly appreciated.  It is so nice to now have our own equipment to reduce barriers is accessing this test."

Jessica says she has a number of clients who need this testing on an annual basis, adding it is comforting that they can now continue to offer it to clients within their program.

Annie the Musical was a raging success.

The people wanted it, and now, they're about to get it. Get ready for a night of suspense and laughter—Ste. Rose School proudly presents 'Clue', a live performance packed with mystery, mischief, and unforgettable moments.

Katherine Dupré has more on the play.

"If you've ever played the board game, that's what you're in store for," said Dupré. "It's a whole bunch of mystery to find out who did it. The options are almost endless, it's a lot of fun."

Dupré says the talented cast has been practicing for a few months and is ready for the curtain to rise.

"It takes a huge crew to put this together. From costumes to set designs, to building the set," continued Dupré. "We were so thrilled with how Annie went last year, we thought we had to do something again. It's an opportunity for the kids to get out of their comfort zone."

Tickets are available by calling the school at 447-2088 or the Ste. Rose Thriftarama. One of the students in the play can't wait for Friday.

"I'm feeling a lot better this year because I did Annie last year," she said. "I'm very excited about it."

Clue, the ultimate mystery story, takes over Ste. Rose School on Friday and Saturday. 

Tuesday afternoon is the time to celebrate in Grandview.

The Grandview Personal Care Home will celebrate 50 years of dedicated service to its residents and community.

Aaron Miner had this to say on the celebration.

"To acknowledge all the good things that the personal care home in Grandview has done," said Miner. "We also want to thank the community members who have made it possible. The Grandview Personal Care Home is one of the best in Prairie Mountain Health."

The event will be from 2 to 4 at the Grandview Personal Care Home. It'll include memories, guest speakers, refreshments, and a look at their journey over the past five decades. 

Ahead of the event, Miner was quick to emphasize that it's the people who truly make Grandview PCH such a special place.

"It's that small town mentality, they take care of their people, facility, and everything around it," ended Miner. "The community is strong and advocates for their senior community."

Prairie Mountain Health is looking forward to celebrating with you as they look back on 50 years of great care and love at the Grandview PCH. 

The first edition of the Parkland Business Expo, under the management of Dauphin's Countryfest, is now in the books.

Rod Carberry says they averaged around 200-300 people per hour coming through the gates at the event.

Carberry adds that they have plenty of good notes of how they can improve the expo next year.

"There is some stuff that we need to do when it comes to the walking track and some of the craft tables.  We are definitely going to try and zero in on what happened, for attendance purposes from crafters, when it comes to the upper walking track and how we can build on that, and communicate with them some sort of agreement."

Carberry says plans for next year's Business Expo will begin immediately.

He adds the expo will also return to its traditional mid-April timeline next year. 

Dauphin residents are encouraged to have their say on the city's Financial plan for 2025.

A special public hearing to review the budget is set for tonight (Monday), beginning at 5 o'clock at City Hall.

City Council will hear any person who wishes to make a representation, ask questions, or register an objection to the Financial Plan. 

The Watson Art Centre will soon receive a cheque for more than $57,000.

Tim Hortons hosted its Smile Cookie campaign last week, and all proceeds are heading to the Watson this year. It was another incredible week. While final numbers won't be known until later this week, Cam Bennet from the Watson confirms the total will be more than $57,000. 

That means at the minimum, 28,500 cookies were purchased.

"Extremely grateful to Greg and the entire team at our local Tim Hortons," said Bennet. "You could tell they were worn out by the end of the week. Just a fantastic amount of support from Tim Hortons."

While Cam is grateful for what Tim Hortons did, he knows it wouldn't have been possible without you. You're the ones who purchased tasty smile cookies last week.

"Super excited about all the people who stepped up to volunteer and those who purchased them," continued Bennet. "You couldn't go anywhere in town last week without seeing a box of cookies on a desk somewhere."

Cam says the much-needed renovations will focus on enhancing the stage and resolving long-standing sound issues, while also adding much-needed storage space. Accessibility improvements are also on the agenda, and there's hope to modernize the balcony seating to create a more comfortable and inclusive experience for all visitors.

"I have personally found a manufacturer that makes a vintage-looking seat that'll be wider and more comfortable," he ended. "It could also have a cupholder, so you don't have to put your drink on the ground. It would improve the viewing experience from the balcony."

Smile Cookie Week will return later this year. 

Dauphin Consumers Co-op has made a significant contribution to the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum, also known as the Selo Ukraina site.

They have donated 200 gallons of paint, worth an estimated $12,500, through their Communities in Full Colour program.

Folk Arts Centre President Jim Perchaluk is very appreciative of the contribution.

"The site needs a facelift, and what better time than this year, as it is the 60th anniversary of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival.  So the paint will not only brighten up the place, but it will preserve the wooden buildings that we have at the festival site."

Perchaluk says painting at the site will begin soon, with plans to be complete prior to the start of Countryfest in late June. 

Each year on May 5, communities across Canada observe Red Dress Day, a national day of remembrance and action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).

It’s a solemn occasion rooted in the call for justice, equity, and the right to live free from violence—something too often denied to Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals.

The day was inspired by Jaime Black, a Métis artist whose installation, The REDress Project, used empty red dresses to symbolize the thousands of Indigenous women who have been taken or lost to violence. Hanging in public spaces, the dresses serve as haunting visual reminders of lives stolen and stories unheard. 

Indigenous women are twice as likely to experience violence from a partner or ex-partner and four times more likely to be victims of violence compared to non-Indigenous women. Though they make up less than 5% of Canada’s female population, Indigenous women account for 24% of all female homicide victims, according to national reports. Between 1980 and 2012, the RCMP documented 1,181 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls—many advocates believe the true number is significantly higher.

Red Dress Day is not just about mourning. It’s a call to action—a moment to acknowledge systemic racism, demand accountability, and amplify Indigenous voices leading the path to change.

In Dauphin, the Northwest Métis Council will host a Red Dress Day Walk in solidarity and remembrance. Participants are invited to gather at the southwest corner of Main Street & River Avenue, with the walk concluding at the Northwest Métis Council Office at 422 Main Street South. Meet at 3:30, and the walk begins at 3:40. 

Everyone is encouraged to wear red, bring a water bottle, wear comfortable shoes, and most importantly, walk with purpose and heart. Your presence matters.

It was another busy weekend for the Dauphin Fire Department.

On Saturday night after 10:30, they were on the scene of a general fire alarm at an apartment block in the southwest area of Dauphin. However, this was only a nuisance alarm, not an actual fire. On Sunday afternoon, before 2:30, high winds caused tree branches to come in contact with hydro wires, dropping sparks onto the dry grass below in the city's northeast.

Shortly after, crews responded to a yard and barn fire north of Dauphin, a fire caused by a burning barrel where embers blew into the dry grass. Less than an hour later, at 5:00 p.m., DFD worked with the Gilbert Plains Fire Department to extinguish a grass fire west of Dauphin off Highway 274. 

DFD then received a rescue assist with EMS just before 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, before receiving another call for an unknown fire near Stony Point, just more than an hour later. A hay field was on fire, covering an area a mile wide east to west and two miles north to south. Crews monitored the fire for several hours and remained on the scene until 5:00 p.m.

Throughout the whole day, the DFD crew remained in high spirits and even enjoyed the company of a four-legged friend.