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Last year the Red Cross supported many families in the Dauphin area. 

Annie Papadakis, the Coordinator of Emergency Management in the Westman Region, shares how much the Personal Disaster Team helped.

“It’s a pretty small team but he we had eight calls that were received from folks that were affected by stuff like house fires or a personal disaster of another sort. From that, there were 13 beneficiaries, and we had just a little bit over 14 hours of volunteering their time that was dedicated to helping those individuals.”

Volunteers also gave out six hygiene kits, six teddy bears, and 11 blankets.

“Teddy bears are such an important part of responding to personal disasters. Because when people are in a time of shock, when they are in a time of need, and in a time of distress, having that comfort and that comfort item can really help people get through that tough moment that they are facing.”

Last year was pretty average. Papadakis says volunteers can expect to be called out once every one and a half to two months.

The Dauphin area is also looking to recruit at least six new volunteers this year. If you want to help families in their time of need, you can apply by going to redcross.ca/heroesWantedMB.

Yesterday at the Selo Hall there was the Manitoba Snowshoe Run for 5 and 10 km distances.

The race was a fundraiser for the Dauphin Rotary Club’s active living find. They expected 30-40 people to come out for the race.

Brian Buyers, race director, says the day was perfect and when they get into the trees there was no wind chill.

They used the trails that will be used for the 2020 Manitoba Games. For the longer distance, once they are done touring the bike trails, they went through the bush to see potential trails.

He’s looking forward to doing this more.

“Hopefully we keep this event going every year. If everyone keeps supporting it, we’ll keep doing it every year.”

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced a memorial land donation near Riding Mountain National Park.

418 acres of land has been donated.

The not-for-profit group is celebrating the generous support of Bob Mickelson Conservation Lands.

The property consists of grasslands, wetlands, forests, and even a lake, all of which are home to many different species of plants and wildlife.

Forests located within the Bob Mickelson Conservation Lands enhance the property’s diversity by providing nesting cover, feeding and breeding grounds for many birds, amphibians and mammals, such as moose and elk.

The property is home to several waterfowl species and species at risk, including Canada Warbler, eastern wood-pewee, bobolink and northern leopard frog.

According to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the conservation of these lands is both an honour to the memory of Bob Mickelson and a benefit to all Canadians.

With this 418 acre plot of land, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has conserved 19071 acres of land as part of 83 different projects in and around RMNP.

The Beth Naylor Collection, in the Russell area, is receiving funding from the provincial government.

The funding of $6,760 will be used to purchase a travel trailer to transport the Beth Naylor Historic Clothing Collection to different places for the public to view.

The collection began when Miss Naylor started collecting clothing in the late 1930s when she was given a black dress by Mrs. John McMillan. Since then the collection has grown to some 600 pieces.        

In the province's release, they say the collection opens a window to the past and into the lives of the people who lived there.                          

“I know how important this collection of historic clothing is to residents of the Russell area, but indeed to our entire province,” said Greg Nesbitt, MLA for Riding Mountain Constituency.

The City of Dauphin has been dealing with clogged pipes because of kitchen grease.

Bill Brenner says that over the past few years they have had considerably more issues with the buildup of fats and oils in the city’s sanitary pipes.

He says the increase in issues costs the city.

“It’s getting there. We have to send out our sewer jet to clean them. And obviously the more we have to send it out the more it’s going to cost us. Because running that equipment does cost money, they don’t operate for free. And it takes away from staff doing other work as well when we have to go out and clean these pipes.”

Hot grease solidifies as it cools, which over time starts to clog the pipes as more and more collects.

Businesses like hotels and restaurants mostly cause the problem.

“Residential areas will play some part, because as you know, most people will put grease and oil down the drain. But because it’s not a huge amount at any one time, it’s usually not an issue. It’s not in the residential areas where we’re having issues. It’s in the commercial areas more that we’re having issues with it.”

Dauphin’s building inspector will be contacting businesses around town in the next few weeks to make sure the proper care is being taken to collect grease and fats before it gets into the system.

Update: As of Sunday evening all 37 oil cars are still at the site, as well as a pool of oil that has still not been cleaned.

In addition, the owner of the property where the train derailed has not been contacted for compensation.

According to a spokesperson from Manitoba Sustainable Development, there is no risk of contamination for the Assiniboine River.

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Cleanup is underway for a train derailment SE of St. Lazare near Wattsview.

It happened around 3:30 this morning.

According to reports, there are 37 oil cars with a partial leak.

There are no reports of a fire or any injuries. 

We'll keep you updated as more information comes in.

Anglers can fish without getting a licence this long weekend.

It’s the Winter Family Fishing Weekend.

Be aware that conservation limits will apply, and a federal licence will still be required to fish in national parks.

Anglers should be sure conditions are safe before venturing onto the ice, always let someone know where they are fishing and wear appropriate clothing for an enjoyable ice fishing experience.

For more information on fishing regulations in Manitoba, view the Manitoba Anglers’ Guide at www.manitobafisheries.com.

Riding Mountain National Park will be a busy spot over the Louis Riel long weekend.

Richard Dupuis says they are trying to encourage people to get out and about for the weekend, see some sculptures, partake in activities for the long weekend, and get some fresh air.

The four snow sculptures are placed at the opening of the oTENTiks, one near the opening of the park to welcome people into Wasagaming, and two are in downtown Wasagaming.

Most activities will be around the skating rink behind the visitor’s centre, friends of RMNP, or the lake house.

For a full list of activities, click here.

City of Dauphin crews have been dealing with slightly more water main breaks than average.

Bill Brenner says it’s not surprising because of the recent extreme cold.

“We can’t say with any surety that we’re done. I would suspect that we’re going to have more. We had another one that started last night, so we have two right now that we are looking to fix.”

Brenner says Dauphin has over 70 kilometres of water pipes alone underground so they never know when a leak might happen.

 If you do notice water running down the street give the city a call at their emergency number, 622- 3202.

Today is the Heritage Day Fair at the Dauphin Marketplace Mall. Until 5 this afternoon on the Safeway side you have a chance to view some vintage and antique items.

Terry Wozney with the Dauphin Agricultural Heritage Club has some cool things to show off.

“I have an old record player. I’ve got some liquor jugs here that were used by Dauphin merchants back before 1923, before prohibition and a variety of old tools, old drills, old woodworking tools, and some mechanical tools.”

He recommends also checking out what the pioneer association, the Dauphin rail museum, and the fort Dauphin museum have at their displays.

Kay Slobodzian, with Trembowla Cross of Freedom, says people should come to be connected to the past. The fair is a collection of history. She adds that people should come because might be able to identify where their grandparents went to school or even what region in Ukraine they’re from.

At around 11:15 p.m. on February 12, Dauphin RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence in Gilbert Plains.

Two males knocked on the front door of a residence and when the victim answered the door, he was assaulted and stabbed in the upper body.

The suspects then grabbed a small amount of cannabis from a table inside and fled in a vehicle.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle parked on Highway 5, west of Grandview, and both suspects were arrested after a brief altercation.

Roger Keshane, 21, of Gilbert Plains has been charged with the following:

  • Breaking and Entering and committing an Aggravated Assault.
  • Robbery with a Weapon.
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Uttering Threats.
  • Failing to Comply with Conditions x 3 and Failing to Comply with a Probation Order.

Additionally, a 17-year-old has been charged with the following:

  • Breaking and Entering and committing an Aggravated Assault.
  • Robbery.
  • Resisting Arrest.
  • Failing to Comply with Conditions x 2.

The 36-year-old victim was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.

The suspects and victim were known to each other and there is no concern for the public. The RCMP will continue to investigate.