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Crop Connect Conference 2019 begins this morning.
CFL legend Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons presented over the noon hour. The crowd joined in whenever he got the crowd to clap, say something back, or jump up.
At 10 there were three different presentations. One’s about autonomous Ag, another is about soybean response to hail damage and late seeding, or attendees can hear about mental health.
This afternoon there are a bunch of presentations. Some include trusting the data, an update on the movement of grain from western Canada, and integrated strategies for fusarium head blight management in spring wheat.
Benjamin Schwab is heading to the Victoria Inn, in Winnipeg, to cover day one of the conference.
Tune in throughout the day to hear coverage about what’s going on.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Texting and driving is a problem everywhere.
Corporal Marcel Dewar says texting and driving is dangerous because it takes your eyes off the road. Averting your eyes from the road for even a moment can result in you being in some very unwanted positions.
A first offence of distracted driving results in a three-day license suspension and a 672 dollar fine. If the incident results in a collision that causes injuries or death, the penalties can increase significantly. Criminal charges may even be warranted in certain circumstances.
Corporal Marcel Dewar says there are exceptions to using your phone in your car if it’s an emergency. A person is allowed to make a call for emergency purposes.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Dan Ward has accepted the position of Superintendent and CEO for Mountain View School Division.
Ward has been the Assistant Superintendent of Education for MVSD since July of 2015.
“I think my most valuable experience has been the last three and a half year working with Donna Davidson and our senior admin team, as well as our board of trustees. I’ve learned a great deal.” Ward continues, “prior to that, I bought classroom experience, administrative experience, and working with the province. But certainly over the last three and a half years working for Mountain view has been great.”
He thinks everything he’s done up to this point will help him in his new role that starts on July 1st.
Ward has been an educator for over 23 years spending 11 of those in middle and senior year classrooms. He holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration.
In an MVSD press release, the board of trustees say that “Mr. Ward is an educator who believes in a school division art where students can meet their true potential in a supportive, respectful learning environment.”
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
A Neepawa high school student is one of 35 students to receive the Loran Award.
Kailyn Hanke, who attends Neepawa Area Collegiate, was awarded a $100,000 scholarship.
“A little bit of shock. I wasn’t really expecting it. Especially after meeting everybody there because everybody was just so nice and they had done so much. I felt really honoured.”
Hanke recently flew to Toronto, on the 1st and 2nd of February, for national interviews.
“They mostly just ask about your application. We also had to do an online questionnaire before we went. And a lot of the other questions were just kind of to get to know the person more on a personal level than you can from an application on paper.” She continues, “it was very nerve-racking. It was a very good experience to have.”
So, why did the committee choose Kailyn? “That’s actually something I’ve been wondering myself! Because I’m really not sure. Everybody else I talked to there were super humble, very down to earth, and very kind. In addition to all they’ve done with their academics and volunteering and what not. So, honestly, I’m not too sure."
Kailyn doesn’t know where she’s going to go after school ends. “I’m not really sure. I’ve applied to Guelph, Dalhousie, and McGill so far. And I don’t really have a front runner right now. But I just know that I kind of want to get out and go to a new place and go to school there.” She has applied to agricultural and environmental sciences, but is looking forward to first year.
She is involved in a lot of school activities including student council. She plays volleyball, soccer, basketball. She is also part of her school's social justice group and is a peer tutor.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The Dauphin H.E.R.O. (Helping Everyone Reach Out) Club has temporarily relocated to the Dauphin Friendship Centre.
Their original space was destroyed in the Bond Building fire last week.
Maria Kent, a PMH Mental Health Manager, says the Dauphin Friendship Centre has been outstanding in providing a gathering space.
“We’re very grateful to them for them being able to support us over the next few days while we try and find something more permanent.”
“We’re still able to offer the programing that we were as much as possible,” she said. “The H.E.R.O. Club has a calendar that comes out every month. So all of those actives that have been previously scheduled, we’re going to be going ahead and offering those activities.”
Some of the items damaged were woodworking tools, furniture, and other outdoor items, including the hot dog cart.
Anyone wanting to make a financial donation to the Dauphin H.E.R.O. Club can do so through Prairie Mountain Health.
As they look for a new place, non-monetary donations are not being accepted at this time.
“We’re also very grateful to the fire department and all of the people involved in responding to the fire.”
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
All 22 communities that rely on winter roads now have full access to Manitoba's 2,400-kilometre road network.
Typically more than 2,500 shipments are delivered to isolated northern communities from mid-January to mid-March. The system also provides road access for area residents.
“Winter roads not only facilitate the hauling of freight to northern and remote communities, but also provide the residents with temporary inter-community travel as well as road access to the rest of the province,” said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler.
Some sections of the winter road system may be closed for repairs on short notice, due to changing weather conditions.
Manitoba’s winter roads are funded between the provincial and federal governments.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Credit Union Place was jam-packed last night as Paul Brandt's "Journey Tour" made a stop in the City of Sunshine. The show was the tours 13th since January 25 and there is no doubt it was a hit for everyone in attendance.
"I thought it went absolutely excellent. We were able to get the big city show here in Dauphin," said Rob Waloschuk, General Manager of Dauphin's Countryfest. "Hats go off to the guys at Credit Union Place for getting a show that's usually set for larger venues into the arena here. It was a great night."
"We ended up having around 2000 people at the event and we were pleased with that," he added. "It looked great in there and I think everyone had an absolutely fantastic time."
The Hunter Brothers kicked off the show just after 7:00 p.m.
After that, the one female act, Jess Moskaluke took centre stage.
Cheap Wine & Cigarettes set the stage for High Valley. After High Valley, Paul Brandt took the stage to cap off what was an incredible night of country music. He even got into the home town spirit by wearing a Dauphin Kings' jersey.
"All of the bands were the highlights of course, and to see all the production and the interaction between the acts and fans was awesome to see," said Waloschuk. "The bands were telling me in the back that for a Sunday, the crowd was incredible."
With the "Journey Tour" officially in the past in Dauphin, all the attention is now on Dauphin's Countryfest which goes from June 27-30.
"That's why we did this concert. We had a lot of people from out of town and we wanted to keep the entertainment in this market place," said Waloschuk. "It really is a tee up towards June."
Tickets for the party of the year are on sale right now at Dauphin's Countryfest.
"Ticket sales are going okay," he added. "We obviously have a ways to go and people aren't necessarily thinking about summer yet but they soon will be."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The grand opening of the Richardson Pioneer Gilbert Plains Community Hall was a great success.
Murray Stoughton was one of the many people at the hall celebrating on Saturday night. “I think it’s a great focal point that brings the whole community together. They did a beautiful job of the grand opening. And I’m proud for the community.”
Gilbert Plains resident Yvonne Smith was equally excited. “We needed a new hall. Unfortunate the old one didn’t make the renovations. But in the long run, it’s really good. It’s really nice that the community will use it, especially the drama club, and all the socials and weddings, and everything, and the dances. So looking really forward to all the things coming up in the New Year,”
Blake Price, the Reeve of Gilbert Plains Municipality, says the new building is more accommodating with the opportunity now to do bigger and better things. “I think it’s wonderful. I don’t know if it’s more than what we expected but we sure are pleased with the numbers, the turnout, and the enthusiasm that we’re experiencing right now.”
The Galaxy Theatre Company performed skits depicting the history of the old hall. The performance included local women wearing actual wedding dresses from the 1930s to today that were worn at receptions in the old hall.
The grand opening was sold out long in advance.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The Parkland no longer has the extreme cold warning.
After days of frigid temperatures the forecast is looking relatively nicer, temperatures in the minus teens.
If you would like a list of all the places no longer effected, click here.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
It started when Karlii Beaulieu, who is transgender, made a phone call to her bank to transfer something in her services. Something she’s done in the past. The clerk on the phone said there was a comment on the account, male calling on a female profile, she verified that that was incorrect. That evening she tried to deposit a cheque with photo deposit and it didn’t work. She tried accessing a few different things in her bank account and couldn’t. Beaulieu then called back and explained to the supervisor that it was a misunderstanding. He said he couldn’t do anything and she had to go to the branch, even though every detail had been verified earlier in the same day. Beaulieu said she couldn’t because of the extreme cold.
All she could think about was the comment on her profile, male calling on a female profile.
Her account was flagged for fraud and she couldn’t access any money to use for anything.
This isn’t the first time it’s happened to her. She had the problem before when she was transitioning. When it happened the first time there wasn’t as much at stake because she wasn’t living by herself.
She felt discriminated against. She says it’s not okay to assume someone’s gender because of the sound of their voice. Adding that it’s 2019, people should be up to date on gender roles and not assuming.
Her account has since been unfrozen, although not all services have been restored to her account.
She won’t be switching banks because she doesn’t want to go through all of this again. Beaulieu’s bank is working on being more inclusive and trying to make sure nothing like this happens to her ever again.
Her message to people who are going through a similar situation is to speak up and look for help. They shouldn’t give up when they feel like everything is taken away from them.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Firefighters were called to the bond building fire just before 3 am on Thursday.
Cam Abrey says there are two options when approaching a fire, offensive or defensive. After starting with an offensive attack on Thursday, the firefighters withdrew because the main floor was spongy. That means the fire was burning under the floor. They transitioned into a defensive approach where they fight the fire from outside the building through the windows and doors.
Abrey says the extreme cold is extremely hard on the firefighters. That’s why they called in the Gilbert Plains firefighters. With the extra help, they could rotate in and out of battling the blaze and warming up at the fire station.
The cold weather is also very hard on the equipment. The ladder truck had an issue where the water froze so it had to return to the fire station to thaw out.
There were about 30 firefighters including the ones that came from Gilbert Plains.
They were on the scene for about 13 hours. After they got back to the fire station there were another two hours of work to make sure everything would be ready next time they get called out.
Cam Abrey is grateful for the help of the Gilbert Plains Fire Department.
“We thank the Gilbert Plains Fire Department and those firefighters for coming out to assist us. Their help is greatly appreciated.”
The other emergency services played a role in helping the firefighters on Thursday. The RCMP kept crowds back and controlled traffic. EMS was on the scene not just for the public, if the firefighters need anything they can help. Abrey calls them all 'one big emergency services family'.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
