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If you want to experience Oktoberfest festivities in Dauphin, you're in luck.

Obsolete Brewing Co. is hosting Oktoberfest, with special beverages, food, live music, games and prizes, says brewer Marcos Bardelli.
 
The festivities begin at 11 AM tomorrow, Saturday, October 4th, at 24 Second Ave NW in Dauphin.
 
 

Staff Sergeant Scott Linklater told CKDM NewsNow that the RCMP Detachment in Swan River is understaffed.

Only 12 of the available positions are occupied by officers. Three officers are expected to join the force in November, bringing the total number of officers to 15. Linklater says it isn't just Swan River having trouble, as Detachments throughout the province are having resource struggles. 

The Town of Swan River held a meeting in response to the growing community concerns regarding crime, justice, and homelessness. The public had an opportunity to engage with local law enforcement, mental health officials, and harm reduction services. 

"The attendance was incredible, the hall was full of people who are concerned about what is happening in their community," said Staff Sergeant Linklater. "They voiced their thoughts and possible solutions for the town. It was a good turnout."

When it comes to property crime, violent crime, and shoplifting, Swan River is below the five-year average. 

"One of the things that we heard is that people are not reporting some of the property crime," continued Linklater. "Reporting to us gives us a better picture of what is going on. Sometimes we can connect crimes to an offender. We strongly encourage the public to report all crimes, small or big."

Linklater believes people are apprehensive about reporting crime because they think there is no follow-up or action they're looking for. He says property crimes can be difficult to solve because evidence may not be left behind. He says others are fearful of repercussions from the accused.

Scott, despite the shortage, says officers in Swan River are doing their best to keep crime down.

"The members here are working very hard," ended Linklater. "While they are short-handed, they are responding to calls and are focused on keeping the community safe. Officers are out as often as they can, doing proactive tasks."

CKDM NewsNow has reached out to the Town of Swan River for comment. More will be provided upon their response. 

It was years in the making.

One more set of signatures is required from the Rural Municipality of Dauphin, and it's a done deal. The City and the RM of Dauphin have tentatively struck a deal for funding recreation in the community moving forward. The agreement would see the RM provide $419,000 in recreation funding in 2026. 

Contributions in 2027 and 2028 would be on a per capita basis with a cost-of-living cap on any annual increases. The RM will also contribute $50,000 per year for capital requirements over and above its operating contributions. 

CKDM NewsNow caught up with Mayor David Bosiak.

"I must commend the RM for making a proposal that is very similar to ones we had discussed early on through many of our two long years of negotiations," said Bosiak. "We came up with a deal that I would say is pretty much confirmed. Both councils were there."

Bosiak says when they met recently, they were leaving the room with a deal or not. The RM has recommended a few adjustments to the governance structure, which the city agreed to, and Bosiak says they signed a resolution on Monday night. 

"The City is absolutely ecstatic. All we want is fairness, and we believe this deal is that," continued Bosiak. "We're so happy that the RM wanted to meet and continue discussing. Since our negotiations broke down, the City has been working hard with the DRS to figure out how we were going to operate next year and the two years after with the reduced funding from the RM."

The new agreement will drive recreation in the community and allow DRS staff to rectify issues inside the Parkland Rec Complex. Bosiak says the windows inside the Curlers Lounge are an example of something that needs upgrading, as they're more than 25 years old.

If you've noticed a leaky showerhead in the dressing rooms at the pool or any of the dressing rooms inside Credit Union Place, those could be upgraded, under the new agreement, which David expects to be confirmed in the coming days.

David does say the Rec Complex has always been safe and that it has never been compromised. Anything that needed to get done for safety reasons or up to code was completed.

"A lot of the other things. Like the normal wear and tear, you want to replace the carpets when they're worn out," ended Bosiak. "You want new chairs in the hallway when they're old. Those sorts of things kept getting pushed down the line because DRS wasn't sure about the budget. Those are the things that we hope to address in the next little while."

CKDM NewsNow expects to hear from the Reeve of the RM Ernie Sirski, and we will provide more when that happens. 

Friday is the deadline for livestock entries for this year's Manitoba AG-EX.

Set for October 28th to November 1st at Brandon's Keystone Centre, AG-EX is Manitoba's largest all-breeds cattle show.

Co-chair Tracy Wilcox says all of their major cattle shows from previous years are back again in 2025.

"We also have the sheep show that is part of AG-EX.  We like to hit the sheep market, because they are an ag animal that a lot of kids are starting to use in 4-H.  So we want to introduce people to that."

Among the shows returning this year are the Little Lady Classic, Jackpot Bull Show, Junior Show and Showmanship, and wraps up with the Supreme Breed Extravaganza.

Other highlights include Moo-Mania and Ewe-Mania for the kids, a trade show, and a Friday evening dance.

Livestock registration information can be found at the Provincial Exhibition website, or by calling 204-726-3590.

Sunshine, warm temperatures, and minimal rain over the past week has been good news for local farmers, as they continue to pull this year's crop off the field. 
The weekly Manitoba Agriculture crop report says 75 per cent of this year's crop has been harvested now in the Northwest region.
That is significantly improved from the 44 per cent that had been harvested by the week prior. 
It has also pushed our region ahead of the provincial average, which is at 72 per cent complete. 
Spring wheat harvest is almost wrapped up, with yields averaging 70 to 80 bushels per acre, although some fields have reported higher yields.
After being just 10 per cent complete the week prior, Canola is now 85 per cent harvested in the Northwest.  
Yields for that crop vary from 30 to 50 bushels per acre. 
And Soybean harvest has now begun in the region, with five per cent of this year's crop pulled off the fields so far.  

Dauphin Culture Days continue this weekend with the Celebration of Cultures.

The three-day event opens with the Northwest Metis Pavilion from 11:00 to 1:00 on Friday at the Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation.

The Treaty 2 Anishinaabe Pavilion runs from 3:00 to 5:00 at the DNRC before the People of India pavilion from 7:00 to 9:00 at the DNRC.

On Saturday, the Nigeria, China, Vietnam, and Indigenous Peoples of Canada Pavilion is open from 11:00 to 1:00 at the Dauphin Friendship Centre.

The Filipino Pavilion is from 3:00 to 5:00 at the DNRC. On Sunday, the three-day festival ends with the Ukrainian Pavilion from 2:00 to 4:00 at the DNRC.

Amanda Novak is the executive director for the DNRC.

"Each pavilion will showcase cultural food, entertainment, and cultural education," said Novak. "Each pavilion will have its own artisans selling cultural items. There will be dancing and singing performances."

In the past, the Celebration of Cultures has been a one-day event. Expanding it to three days gives you a chance to mix and mingle with people from a variety of cultures.

"It's a real opportunity for folks to get educated," offered Novak. "We can connect with these people and get a better understanding of where they come from and the challenges they face every day."

There is no admission fee, but there is a silver collection at all pavilions. You can also get your passports ahead of the event at the DNRC, the Watson Centre, Dauphin Active Living Centre, and City Hall.

From there, each time you visit a pavilion, your passport will be stamped.

"If you visit three or more, you'll be entered to win two tickets to ABBA Revisited at the Watson," ended Novak. "If you complete the whole passport, you'll have two chances to win two tickets to Canada's National Ukrainian Festival next year."

If you attend one pavilion and get a stamp, you can get in the draw for a special gift package from the DNRC. Dauphin's version of Folklorama takes over this weekend in the City of Sunshine. 

The Manitoba government is making sure Manitobans have access to their cheques and other critical mail during the postal strike.

Beginning on Friday, critical mail will be directed to distribution centres around the province. Cheques for the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit can be picked up in Dauphin at Manitoba Families, the Provincial Building on 2nd Avenue Southwest.

In Roblin, cheques can be picked up on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 and 4:30 at Manitoba Agriculture, 117 - 2nd Avenue Southwest.

In Swan River, they can be picked up during business hours at Manitoba Families at 1431 - 1st Street North. 

Provincial fines can be paid at these same distribution centres. You will need to show one piece of identification or two pieces of non-photo identification with your current address.

If you aren't sure which location has your cheque or other critical mail, call the Manitoba government inquiry line at 1-866-626-4862.

For a full list of distribution centres and the different types of cheques and critical mail included, head here.

The 27th edition of Boyz and Bullz returns to the Eriksdaale Rec Centre this Friday night. 

The event begins with a supper at 5:30, followed by bull riding at 7:30, with a Cowboy dance wrapping up the evening at 9:30.

Ben Kinkead with Crossfire Bull Riding says some of the best bull riders in the country will be in Eriksdale for this event. 

"Jeremy Maisonneuve is the top guy in Bull Riders Canada.  He is a young bull rider from Quebec who has lit up the entire country this summer, breakng records for earnings.   Cody Coverchuk is a two-time PBR Canada national champion.  He will be in Eriksdale.  Twelve months ago, William Barrows was in Edmonton and became a Canadian Professionaal Rodeo Association champion."  

Tickets are available from select Credit Union branches in the Eriksdale area. 

Also, starting today, a select number of premium reserved seats are going on sale a a cost of $60 each.

To inquire about these reserved seats, you need to email info@crossfirebullriding.com.  

RCMP in Russell are investigating fires at a pair of neighbouring restaurants that took place over the weekend. 

Mounties say a piece of asphalt was used to break a window to the A&W restaurant, with a fire being set near that window. 

Someone also used a bottle to break a window at the Chicken Chef, with a fire also set inside of that building. 

Both fires occurred around 12:30 Saturday morning, and were put out before police and fire crews arrived on scene. 

Minimal damage was reported to both buildings.  

The City of Dauphin is reminding residents that third quarter utility bills will not be mailed out due to the postal strike. 

Residents are encouraged to sign up for e-billing before October 9th by visiting the city's website.  

If you do not sign up for e-billing, you can pick up a printed copy of your utility bill at city hall during regular business hours after October 20th.

Third quarter utility bills are due as of November 17th, and city residents still need to pay their bill by that date in order to avoid late payment penalties.  

It was closed after severe flooding in the spring of 2022 that damaged the trail and its infrastructure.

Three years later, the Boreal Trail in Riding Mountain National Park is open. The Boreal Trail winds through the boreal forest, crosses fenland, and offers tranquil views of Jackfish Creek. New bridges, boardwalks, benches, and trail tread support a refreshed visitor experience in this sanctuary of towering trees and glistening water.

It's located about 25 minutes from Dauphin and 25 from Wasagaming.

"It's pretty easy to access. It's a short 1.2-kilometre loop trail that is great for families," said Brett Smith, Visitor Experience Product Development Officer with Riding Mountain National Park. "It's also for those who use mobility aids. That was a cool feature with this project; it allowed us to invest in areas that support the broad groups of users that will use this trail."

There is also a new exhibit featured along the trail. It was developed in collaboration with Anishinaabe Elders. It highlights how wetlands connect land and people through water and describes the importance of the boreal forest to life and creation.

"It shares a little bit of different perspectives than what was there previously," offered Smith. "The hope is that people can connect differently with the importance of the boreal forest and that part of Riding Mountain National Park."

The trail is open year-round. In the summer, it's maintained for hiking. In the winter, it remains open for snowshoeing. You can see current trail conditions, seasonal changes, and temporary closures on the trail cam

The leaves are starting to change and fall. Wildlife is out and about. Riding Mountain National Park is at its peak of beauty, and you can be a part of the magic. Whether it's to go for a drive through or stop for a picnic with friends, Smith says this time of the year is the perfect time for a visit.

"It's a great time of year to come and visit the park," ended Smith. "For the most part, Manitoba mosquitoes have been put to bed for the season. Come out and explore everything Riding Mountain National Park has to offer."

You can plan ahead by checking current trail conditions, seasonal changes, and temporary closures on the trail cam