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Several years ago, then-Dauphin mayor Eric Irwin had a dream of making Dauphin the Canmore of the Prairies, given our close proximity to Riding Mountain National Park and the many outstanding trails in the northern part of the park.

Some current members of Dauphin City Council are now looking to pick up that ball and run with it, especially with the opening of Northgate Trails just outside the park.
 
Mayor Dave Bosiak says it's a project they're working on with officials from Parks Canada and Riding Mountain National Park.
"If we can achieve that objective, which is to make the trails in the north end of the park, so Hilton, Broadleaf, Beach Ridges, Crawford Creek, and Edwards Creek, become the type of trails that Northgate has, with 26 km of specifically designed biking trails, we will become a bronze ride centre in the IMBA, which is the International Mountain Bike Association."
 
In the city, Bosiak says they're working on protected bike lanes, and active tramsport routes, in particular their next phase from Assiniboine College through the fairgrounds and Maamawi Park.
A new court date has been set for a Brandon man, arrested in connection with a serious assault last month in Dauphin.
 
Thirty-Six-year-old Brendan Komarnicki is accused of seriously injuring a woman, and also assaulting a police officer.
 
His matters have been put over until August 12th, and he remains in custody.
 
Meanwhile, one of two people arrested late last year, following an armed robbery on the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, was also back in court.
 
Twenty-Seven-year-old Cheyenne Cook was also remanded back into custody, with his next appearance set for July 3rd.

The introduction of Bill 47, which would open the door to more inter-provincial trade between Manitoba and other Canadian provinces, was one of the highlights of the recently completed session of the Manioba Legislature.

MLA of the Dauphin Constituency, and Provincial Agriculture Minister, Ron Kostyshyn, welcomed the new bill.
"The tariffs that could potentially be brought forward truly brought this Bill 47 forward, because within Canada, we need to have more transparency of building opportunities between provinces.  And, not only within the province, of building on that opportunity, but also added-value business opportunities."
Kostyshyn thinks the new bill will allow for the continued growth of value-added opportunities for commodities, such as soybeans and canola, which in-turn will create more employment and tax revenue in the province.

With Tuesday being Canada Day, the city has announced a slight change to its waste collection schedule for next week.  

Day One collection next week will be on Monday, as there will be no waste collection on Tuesday.

The schedule for the rest of next week remains unchanged.

The waste disposal site will also be closed on Tuesday, as will City Hall and the city shop.  

They will all reopen on Wednesday.

The Lawrence Community Centre Grounds in Rorketon are set for the party of the summer on Canada Day.

On Tuesday, they'll be hosting Canada Day festivities beginning at 2:00 and running till midnight. The day includes bouncy castles and plenty for the kids, along with something for all ages.

Then at night, the sky will light up.

"We have a huge fireworks display coming from the Arch Angel Fireworks, that's going to be really big," said Marie Sorlie. "We also have a fantastic local band coming. They're Uncle Whiskey and the Manipogo Monsters."

If you have no way of getting to the Lawrence Community Centre, Sorlie says they have you covered with a free handi-van shuttle. The shuttle will leave from the Ochre Hall at 5:15 p.m.

"Free of charge for anyone in Ochre River or the surrounding area who lives within the RM of Lakeshore," continued Sorlie. "You just have to get in touch with me before the day to let me know. Then you can come check out all the festivities."

Back this year is the highly popular Baba's perogy supper. 

"That includes yummy sausages and of course, Baba's homemade perogies," ended Sorlie. "We're going to have two huge bouncy castles, and we have lawn games. The beer gardens will be open."

Canada Day and Rorketon, a special party is on tap. 

The Dauphin Rec Services fairgrounds will be buzzing all weekend, as the 134th Dauphin Ag Society Fair takes centre stage.

The event begins tomorrow with the first day of chuckwagon and chariot races and the midway, along with other highlights such as an inflatable corn maze, and light and draft horse classes.

Dauphin Ag Society President Terron Stykalo says it's important to keep agriculture front and centre at the fair.

"And, you will see that in our events at the fair. We have our heavy horse hitch teams, we have chuckwagon and chariot races, we have the light horse events, 4-H events are running all weekend. So, that is a big part of our agricultural side, but we also try to have entertainment for all ages to do. Whether that is the midway, or some of our agriculture events, and rides for some of the younger kids. There is activity in front of Rotary Arena such as a Lumberjack exercise and extreme dogs."
Day Passes are $20 for 13-and-over, and $10 for kids 6-to-12.
Weekend Passes are $50.

Manitoba Public Insurance has requested a 2.07-percent increase to basic rates for the 2026/27 insurance year.

The Crown corporation announced it filed its general rate application, and is asking for approval from the Public Utilities Board.

If the hike is approved, Manitobans would see an annual increase of $21 for the average private passenger vehicle policy, which comes to about $1.75 a month.

M.P.I. added it’s also applying to the P.U.B. to expand its Driver Safety Rating scale to include a level 20. If approved, level 20 drivers would save 53-percent of the cost of their automobile and driver insurance.

Amber Fisher was back in court this week.

The former CAO of Gilbert Plains Municipality is accused of defrauding the municipality of over half a million dollars during her time with the organization.

Her matters have been adjourned until July 8th.

And, a man accused of lighting an Ethelbert house on fire, while a mother and her children were inside at the time, also made another court appearance.

Fifty-Four-year-old Marc Dorais had his matters adjourned until September 25th.

Marook, The Police Service Dog, has done it again.

On June 20, just after midnight, RCMP received reports of several men exiting a stolen vehicle and running into the woods, heading towards the lake in the RM of Alonsa. The vehicle had been stolen on June 13 and had been noticed driving erratically in and around the Ebb and Flow First Nation earlier that evening.

Marook was able to track down two suspects in the wooded area. Mathew Kakewash, 31, and Shawn Francoeur, 26, were arrested without incident.

About eight hours later, the third suspect was spotted walking along Kinosota Road. 28-year-old Brady McKay was located and arrested. Once taken into custody, he began uttering threats towards the officers and caused damage inside the police vehicle.

The trio faces several charges, including Uttering Threats, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Flight from Police, and Operating a Conveyance in a Dangerous Manner. 

The wait is finally over.

Dauphin's Countryfest opens with the CKDM Rockin' Thursday Night Kickoff Party. Kates Outlaw hits the Co-op Hilltop Stage from 7:30 to 8:30. That sets the stage for Hailey's as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Then, to cap off what will be an epic Thursday night, Dallas Smith and the rest of Default rock the stage from 10:30 to midnight. 

"We're really excited about that, they should put on an incredible show," said Duane McMaster, president. "All three bands are going to have our hilltop rocking."

The gates open at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Then on Friday, the annual festival kicks into high gear. Desiree Dorion opens the Main Stage at 4:30. She's followed by Kalsey Kulyk at 6, Drake Milligan at 7:30, and Jackson Dean from 9 to 10.

Josh Ross, who took home the Juno Award for Country Album of the Year in Vancouver on March 30, ends the night with a show from 10:30 to close. 

"That amphitheatre is an incredible place to see an entertainer. We're located right on the edge of Riding Mountain National Park, it's a great site," ended McMaster. "We've managed to get some really incredible entertainment to come out to little ole Dauphin here."

Saturday's Main Stage entertainment includes Teagan Littlechief, Kates Outlaw, The Road Hammers, Meghan Patrick, and Jordan Davis. John Michael Montgomery wraps up the Main Stage on Sunday evening. You can get a full list of performers here

Tickets for the festival are still available

The town of Binscarth is preparing for an incredible party to celebrate Canada Day.

From 8 to 10, there will be a pancake breakfast at the Binscarth Memorial Hall, and there will be opening ceremonies at 9. Then at 10:30, there is a parade, and that paves the way for a day full of activities and fun. 

Robin Robinson says the Binscarth & District Gordon Orr Memorial Museum will open right after the parade, and that's always a hit. It's at 162 2nd Ave.

"There is a large selection of artifacts. We have the oldest Bison skull in all of North America in our building," said Robinson. "People donate, and we display it. It has everything from sports to kitchen stuff, a military section, and so much more. It's quite massive."

The breakfast will be $12. When it comes to lunch, the proceeds will go towards sustaining the museum. It will be $5 for a sandwich or a piece of pie. Lemonade, iced tea, and water will be free. In the past, Robinson says about $2,000 has been raised through the lunch. 

Robinson says it's a short season at the museum, but a lively one. It's a special place and one of the heartbeats of the community. It was incorporated in 1992.

"We're only open maybe two months, but we have an amazing summer student here," commented Robinson. "We do tours. We've had four school tours this week. We bring in about 500 people per year, which is great for the size of our community, and how long the museum is open."

There's an outdoor market from 1 to 4 at the Binscarth Museum green space, and kids' games at 2. 

The supper will be at the Park & Pool. They'll be serving pulled pork and all the fixings. That's from 5 to 7, and that's when the festivities head to the ball diamonds for entertainment and the Lions Club serves up hot dogs and cake.  

Then you can stick around for the fireworks. It's going to be a great Canada Day in Binscarth.

"We are expecting likely 1,000 people throughout the day," ended Robinson. "The meals will be very well attended."

It'll be a special day in Binscarth, and if you're looking for something to do, Robin invites you down.