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On Thursday, Manitoba’s Education Minister provided some details about what classes will look like on September 8th.
Mountain View School Division superintendent Dan Ward says the Division now has their work cut out for them, as they make preparations for 3 possible back-to-school scenarios.
“We were happy to see the announcement and to receive the document, and have a chance to look at it. We’ll continue to look at it over the coming days and determine what it means for our school division.”
Ward hopes that all students can come back to class on September 8 — as outlined in Scenario 1 — but acknowledges the COVID situation may lead to a blended approach to resuming classes, with some students still learning from home.
“We’ve already started looking at that possibility, hoping that all students can come back full time. But depending on the development of COVID-19, we do have to be prepared for that possibility," he said.
By August 1st, the provincial government will let school divisions know which of the three scenarios they will be moving forward with in September.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Two new cases of the coronavirus were announced in Friday's update from public health officials.
Both are from the Winnipeg area, and bring the total number of cases in Manitoba up to 318.
There are 11 active cases in the province, and no one is in hospital or intensive care.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at seven.
The province announced some new public health orders in effect today. Click here to read more.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Kinsmen Club of Dauphin is making some changes to become more inclusive, and part of that will be a name change.
The Club will be changing to a more gender-neutral name, and will now be known as the Kin Club of Dauphin.
President of the club, James Blake, says the move is meant to welcome anyone into the club, no matter their gender.
``Over the years our numbers have dwindled a bit and we decided it`s about time that we become more inclusive. This way we can attract not only men, but women and couples as well. ``
An event to celebrate the name change will be held sometime this fall or winter, depending on public health guidelines.
Club members are encouraging everyone to stop by when meetings start again, and check out what the club has to offer.
For more information about Kin Canada, you can visit the Kin Canada website.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Economic Development and Training Minister, Ralph Eichler, has had a busy day today in Dauphin.
Following the Vermillion Growers announcement, Eichler also took part in an economic development meeting for the Parkland.
“It’s going to be a very exciting meeting that we’re going to talk about how we can capitalize on investments and tourism here in the Parkland region.”
This is the first economic development round table meeting Eichler has been a part of since becoming the Economic Development Minister.
The meeting is in collaboration with Team Manitoba strategic and regional partners, namely Manitoba’s new Rural Economic Development Corporation, North Forge Technology Exchange, World Trade Centre Winnipeg and Travel Manitoba. The meeting will also include provincial representatives, the mayor of Dauphin, reeve of the RM of Dauphin, and key industry stakeholders, organizations and community leaders to discuss partnerships and ensure the Parkland region is best positioned to enable investment and economic growth.
Eichler says they’re in partnership with those that want to be partners and the Parkland has been very progressive in trying to move the region forward.
Eichler says there’s good buy-in from the region with a municipality group lead by Ste. Rose Mayor, Robert Brunell, and featuring other mayors and reeves in the Parkland.
Eichler looks forward to Brunell and the other community mayors and reeves being a part of the meeting.
“We’ll start developing some advertising, being close to Riding Mountain is critically important for the Parkland Region. Communities surrounding the Parkland Region can take advantage of that national park. So certainly, we want to capitalize and have people come visit our towns and municipalities throughout the Parkland region.”
Eichler says they’re here to learn from the Parkland’s community leaders and hear what they have to say about how the government can partner with them to get a great return on their investment.
Stay tuned for more details about the meeting this afternoon.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
This morning, Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler came to Dauphin and announced a 4.2 million dollar tax rebate for the Vermillion Growers greenhouse project.
The rebate will save Vermillion Growers up to 4.2 million dollars over a maximum of 20 years.
Eichler says it was really important to make this announcement and kick-start the economy.
“Vermillion Growers have been working on this project for a while and us as a government, have been working on it a while as well. So, here we are opening our economy and kicking off this investment with Vermillion Growers. We’re just tremendously excited about that opportunity.”
The project is the construction of the first large-scale greenhouse in Manitoba. It’ll be a high-tech hydroponic commercial greenhouse designed for vegetable production, initially consisting of tomatoes with plans to expand to other produce. The first phase of the project is a 10-acre facility and plans are to expand to 60 acres after five years of production.
Eichler says they chose Vermillion Growers because the project has a focus on economic development, long-term job creation, and will substantially improve property values.
“(Vermillion Growers will) provide safe affordable food, grown locally. Critically important to all sectors, that we have good safe food and reliable food and products that we know are grown and looked after in Manitoba is critically important.”
Maria Deschauer, managing director for Vermillion Growers, says they aren’t receiving 4.2 million dollars in cash, instead, the rebate will save them money from property taxes annually.
“Those funds will be used to ensure that our operations are successful in terms of our financial model. As well as that means that we then have more money that can go towards expansion, faster, through this program as well.”
Deschauer says the timeline for completing the project is a little uncertain because of the COVID situation but anticipates most of the project to be completed by March 2021.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The R.M. of Lakeshore will be scheduling dust control treatments to roads for the 2020 season.
All residents must cover the cost of their treatments, and applications must be submitted by June 29th.
Anyone interested can contact the Lakeshore municipal office at (204) 732-2333.
If you have applied your own dust control, you must inform the municipal office to assist the Public Works department in maintaining the roads.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
This morning around 4:30, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Parkland.
A series of disturbances tracking across the central prairies will usher a hot air mass into southern and central portions of Manitoba.
The hot air will begin to work its way into the region today and settle over the area throughout the weekend.
Daytime temperatures in the low to mid-thirties are expected for Saturday and Sunday with overnight lows in the upper teens or low twenties.
A cold front tracking into Western Manitoba will likely bring some slight relief to these regions over the later part of the weekend.
The heat could linger in the Interlake, Red River valley and eastern Manitoba into next week.
Environment Canada advises to be on the lookout for heat warnings as the criteria will likely be met over a number of areas.
The special weather statement is in effect for:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
6:54 p.m. Update:
The severe thunderstorm watch has ended.
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A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of the Parkland, as of 2:07 p.m.
Environment Canada is calling for conditions that could lead to severe thunderstorms, producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.
The severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
The low-pressure system is tracking across eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba, and is expected to trigger scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Manitoba government is planning out how to get students back in the classroom for the new school year.
Teachers and staff will return to school on September 2nd, and students will return on September 8th.
Right now, officials are looking at three possible scenarios.
Scenario 1
Scenario one will allow all students to return to school with relaxed physical distancing guidelines. Students would be required to maintain one meter of distance between each other.
Scenario 2
Scenario two will keep physical distancing and health measures intact, and prioritize grades K-8 for in-person learning since online learning for this age group would present more challenges for both students and parents. High school students would see parts of their classes in person, and the other portion online.
Scenario 3
Scenario three will only allow limited use of school facilities, and the majority of learning will be done from home.
Manitoba’s Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen says a final confirmation will be given by August 1, based on public health directions.
The province is also looking into ways to safely resume specialty programming, extracurricular activities, and school transportation (busses).
All schools will take extra steps to ensure proper hygiene and sanitizing requirements.
For the provincial announcement of the Restoring Safe Schools plan, click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba public health officials have identified one new case of COVID-19 on Thursday.
This brings the total number of confirmed and positive cases to 316.
There are 16 active cases province-wide, none of which are in the hospital.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at seven.
COVID testing sites in the Prairie Mountain Health region will be closed on Canada Day (Wednesday, July 1), and open back up with regular hours the following day.
The province is reminding Manitobans to continue to practicing social distancing during the holiday, whether at home, the cottage or camping — and to stay home if you feel sick.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
RCMP have found human remains in Portage la Prairie.
On June 24, 2020, at around 9:30 p.m., Portage RCMP received a report of human remains found near Baker Avenue.
The identity of the deceased is unknown at this time.
RCMP continues to investigate and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
