Province Starts Flu Vaccination Campaign

In preparation for a flu season made more challenging by COVID-19, the Manitoba government is launching a flu vaccination campaign.

Premier Brian Pallister says “it’s never been more important for Manitobans to get the flu shot,” and encourages all Manitobans, especially those at increased risk, their caregivers and close family and friends to get the flu shot this fall.

The province has increased its vaccination order by 20% this year.

A record 26.3% of Manitobans registered with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living received the vaccine last flu season.

Prairie Mountain Health is making flu shots by appointment-only this year.

Phone lines are now open to book appointments at flu shot clinics, however, the appointments aren't scheduled to begin until November 1.

Call 1-877-646-3888 to book an appointment.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Oct 15, 2020 - 4:57 pm

The COVID-19 testing site in Dauphin has changed locations.

Prairie Mountain Health officials say the designated drive-up testing site at the Dauphin Community Health Services Building parking lot will now cease operations.

A new indoor walk-in testing site will open Friday, October 16 at 301 Main Street North (former Potoski Medical Clinic building —corner of 3rd Ave NW & Main Street).

The hours of operation will be unchanged; Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. — closed from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. for lunch.

No appointment is required, but only symptomatic individuals are asked to seek testing unless otherwise directed by public health.

Parking is available at the back of the building and street parking is also available. Non-medical masks are required to enter the building.

PMH also advises that if possible, only those being tested should enter the building.

To view directions and regular hours of operation at all PMH designated testing sites, visit the PMH website here.

The COVID-19 online screening tool is also available on the Shared Health website here.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Oct 15, 2020 - 4:19 pm

Henderson Elementary School received a big cheque today from Co-Op’s Fuel Good Day fundraiser.

The fundraiser back on September 15^th raised a total of $5,251.24.

Principal Ronda Casavant was thrilled with the support from the community.

“I was absolutely shocked by how the amount of money that was raised. I knew there was a lot of hype in the school and in the community about the day coming but never did I imagine that we were going to receive such a generous amount of money.”

She adds that the money will go towards a new swing set, and any extra funding will build onto the existing play structure. The upgrades are expected to start next spring or fall.

The Henderson School playground fund also benefitted from a large donation from Dauphin Tim Hortons during their week-long smile cookie fundraiser.

Students and staff members are thanking everyone for their hard work and support.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Oct 15, 2020 - 3:04 pm

Emergency crews were on the scene of a multi-vehicle collision in Dauphin Thursday afternoon.

Around 1:25 p.m., RCMP, EMS, and the Dauphin Fire Department were called to the scene on Main Street at 2nd Avenue NE.

RCMP say a vehicle heading south on Main Street, was making a left hand turn onto 2nd Ave NE when it collided with a vehicle going north on Main street.

The driver of the vehicle going south, a 16-year-old female from Dauphin, was issued a $175 ticket for failing to yield the right of way.

Police believe at least one of the three occupants sustained minor injuries in the vehicle with the 16-year-old driver. The driver of the other vehicle, a 22-year-old female, and her passenger had no reported injuries.

The area has since been cleared and reopened to regular traffic.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Oct 15, 2020 - 2:24 pm

Manitoba has once again set a daily record for new COVID-19 cases with 173 cases announced Thursday.

The Dauphin health district now has two active cases, with 7 previous cases listed as recovered. This follows news of a confirmed case at Gilbert Plains Elementary.

In a release, the Mountain View School Division advised the individual attended the school on Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 9 — and it’s believed the infection was not acquired there.

The COVID-19 testing site in Dauphin will change locations starting Friday October 16. The testing site at the Dauphin Community Health Services Building parking lot will cease operations at 3 p.m. today. A new indoor walk-up testing site will open tomorrow Friday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 301 Main St. North (former Potoski Medical Clinic building).

The hours of operation will remain the same as they were at the previous site, which are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with it being closed for one hour at lunch.

Health officials also reported the province’s 38th death due to COVID-19, a man in his 40s with underlying health conditions from the Southern Health region.

Manitoba’s total number of cases is now 3,098.

Today’s data shows:

• six cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• three cases in the Northern health region;
• eight cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 23 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 133 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

There are 1,527 active cases and 1,533 individuals recovered from COVID-19.

There are 25 people in hospital and five people in intensive care.

The following Parkland health districts have active cases: Dauphin (2 active cases), Asessippi (1), Little Saskatchewan (1), and Whitemud (2).

Brandon currently has 12 active cases.

For more up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Oct 15, 2020 - 1:30 pm

No one was injured following multiple gunshots last night in Dauphin.

Around 8:10 last night, the Dauphin RCMP received multiple calls of gunshots being heard in the 100 block of 3^rd Avenue NE.

Officers were told three shots were heard and several witnesses reported seeing a bright flash along with the sound of what they believed to be gunshots.

Cpl. Kalvin Kristjanson with the Dauphin RCMP says no one was injured, and it is believed that no property was damaged during this incident.

"This is a very serious incident. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the fact that someone would discharge a firearm in town in a residential area is extremely concerning. We take all calls related to firearms very seriously, and hope that the public can assist us in our investigation."

The RCMP asks that anyone with information about this incident calls the Dauphin detachment at 204-622-5020.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Oct 15, 2020 - 9:47 am

A new online tool for reporting crimes to RCMP is launching in some parts of Manitoba today.

For the time being, the online crime reporting tool will be available only in the Selkirk, Red River North, and Grand Marais areas — but it could soon be expanded to more communities across Manitoba.

In areas where the program has launched, residents can report the following crimes to RCMP online:

- Damage/mischief to property under $5,000
- Theft of bicycle under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Theft from vehicle under $5,000
- Lost property

RCMP say a typical online report will take 15 minutes to file, and still want all emergency calls to be directed to 9-1-1.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Oct 15, 2020 - 8:07 am

The Mountain View School Division (MVSD) has reported a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Gilbert Plains Elementary School.

Health officials have advised the individual attended the school on Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 9 — and it’s believed the infection was not acquired there.

It is the first confirmed case in the Mountain View School Division.

The MVSD says they are working closely with public health officials and following their recommendations, and also say the school is undergoing deep cleaning and disinfecting.

A public health investigation has assessed the exposure risk as low and if you have not been contacted by public health officials, your child has not been identified as being exposed to COVID-19 from this case.

Gilbert Plains Elementary School is not permitted to release the name or any identifying information about the confirmed case of COVID-19 to any member of the school, community or media.

The MVSD also attached a symptom checklist with more guidance for parents & guardians, that can be found by clicking here.

Details: Contributed by 730 CKDM; Published: Oct 14, 2020 - 10:36 pm

A man involved in a violent Russell home invasion appeared in court once again.

Elroy Benn, aged 40, is one of three men arrested in connection to a home invasion at a Russell apartment complex in December of last year.

Russell RCMP reported a 32-year-old woman was assaulted while she slept.

Benn appeared in Brandon court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody to November 9.

Also in custody in relation to the incident are 32-year-old Christopher Benn and 30-year-old Harley Mecas.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Oct 14, 2020 - 3:53 pm

A committee in Gilbert Plains is holding a meeting tonight to ‘save the caboose’.

The group, which is still welcoming new members, wants to raise money for some much-needed restorations to the exterior.

Committee member Rick Kowalski says the caboose in front of the Gilbert Plains Drop-In Centre holds a large part of history in the area, and the committee would like to see it preserved.

“At some point in the future, we want to get the metal exterior parts sandblasted and painted. We’re not looking for a complete restoration on it but it is a large part of history.”

Tonight’s meeting will be held at the Gilbert Plains Municipal Chambers at 7:00 p.m.