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The tornado over the weekend brought the issue of cell coverage in rural Manitoba to everyone’s attention.
Many people in the RM of Alonsa were not able to take proper precautions because they did not receive any kind of alert or information about the weather risks.
Alonsa Reeve Stan Asham shares with us how over time cell reception in the Interlake is getting worse over time.
“We haven’t had cell service, about the middle of May we noticed and now it’s down to nothing. We used to get service from across the lake. I live north of the beach and I would get cell service, sometimes from the Ebb and Flow tower and sometimes the one at the first nations across the lake. But I could always text, but now I can’t even do that.”
Asham says there were a number of problems that came from not having the service available in an emergency.
“That was devastating not to have that service when that storm came along. People weren’t warned, they never got warnings on their cell phones, you know, they are supposed to beep when the warning comes. There was none of that to warn and people were trying to get ahold of the people at the beach who just had their cell phones. They saw it coming and never had much time to get out of there. Some of them did. Two people, the owner of the beach and some other guy rode it out. But they’re lucky.”
Around May and June, a good number of customers had no cell service for 6 weeks after cell towers near Amaranth and Ebb and Flow were being upgraded.
One of the reasons for lack of service, according to Bell MTS, is that they have been upgrading the network in the Amaranth and Ebb and Flow area with LTE Advanced. The new towers have reduced coverage compared to older HSPA technology.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
A blaze on an acreage outside of Brandon caused a lot of damage.
The fire started on Monday in the rural municipality of Cornwallis when a car backfired.
There were hundreds of old cars sitting in tall grass so the fire got out of control.
The fire started after an owner tried to start one of them and it backfired.
It took a lot of time to fully extinguish the blaze and no one was injured.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
If it isn't already in your plans, it should be... and that's the Meet & Greet with Dauphin's Barry Trotz that goes down on August 22 in the Lions Den at Credit Union Place.
The event which will follow the parade will give you the chance to get up close and personal with Barry, and celebrate right in your region.
"It's the best opportunity to meet Barry in person, and take some photos with him," said Whitney Odut, Barry's Cousin. "It's going to be a fantastic evening."
Each and every dollar that's raised from the day will go right back into our community, and Barry will be adding his own touch to show his appreciation.
"Barry's vision from the start was to give back to the community he was raised in," said Odut. "And, you can help. Barry will be matching every dollar up to $75,000, and it's all going right back into the community."
To take part in the event, it's $1000 which gets two people in. There will also be drinks, food and guaranteed great times to be had throughout the evening.
"Who knows when you'll get another chance to see Barry in person and actually talk with him," said Odut.
If you want to buy a pair of tickets, call Whitney at 572-6140.
"Help Barry achieve his goal of donating back to this community... by picking up your tickets today," she added.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Local farmer, Ben Fox has stepped down as president of Manitoba Beef Producers to seek a federal party nomination.
Fox had been president of the organization since February 2017.
Tom Teichroeb, MBP’s vice-president, will assume the role of MBP president on an interim basis.
The MBP board of directors will meet on the 28th to discuss filling the vacancy on its board executive.
Fox stepped down effective today.
He is currently the President of the Dauphin Ag Society.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The tornado in the RM of Alonsa, that killed one man, is being described as devastating.
Alonsa Reeve Stan Asham says they don`t know when the cleanup will be close to finished, adding right now they are just clearing mostly fallen down trees.
“At least on land, we can get in there and get the trees, that’s about all that’s happening now is clearing trees out of yards and stuff. But, it’s the lake, it’s terrible. I was with Brian Pallister, the Premier, yesterday and he saw it all. He was devastated too. Like, there’s campers, big campers with wheels just showing out in the lake. There’s trucks turned over and all crumpled in the lake. Hydro poles, we lost a complete hydro line, 7 poles. The polls they couldn’t find when they came to fix and the wire isn’t even there. It had to be bad to take that.”
Asham hopes that the Canadian military will come and help with the efforts to clear up the area torn up by the massive tornado.
“A lot of metal buildings that were just, the metal is just twisted, the wind took it and laying so far from where the building. We had two buildings, we don’t even know where they went. The man that lost his life, his building, no one knows where that ended up. And then the farmer along the beach, there was fourteen of them in the basement and none of them got hurt. But no one knows where that building’s gone.” He continues, “Oh, and then there was a cabin. No one knows where that is!”
The lack of cell service was a major problem for Asham, saying many people did not receive any alert that a tornado was on its way.
Environment and Climate Change Canada upgraded the tornado to the rating E-F-4 based on the damage that was observed by its team of investigators.
The rating means winds speeds in the twister on Friday are believed to have reached over 270 kilometres per hour.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Canada`s National Ukrainian Festival was a big success.
The event took place over the long weekend and wrapped up with a huge concert featuring Euro superstar Iryna Fedyshyn.
CNUF Vice President Jan Sirski is happy with how it all turned out.
I think we had a great, great festival this year. it was well attended and we were very fortunate with the weather. We had the little hiccup on Friday. Delayed the Grand Stand for about 20 minutes but then we went right into it, had a beautiful, beautiful evening. The weather cooperated so we`re very, very grateful for that.” She continues, “It was a good weekend and I think from our comments from people I’ve heard everyone enjoyed themselves and thought the entertainment was excellent."
Sirski says they don`t have anything firm or definite yet as to who will come to CNUF next year.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Lake Manitoba water levels are changing.
Manitoba Infrastructure says that discharge through the Fairford River Water Control Structure starts today.
Flows will be reduced to approximately 2,000 cubic feet per second from the current flow of approximately 3,500 cfs.
The adjusted flow will stay in effect until Lake Manitoba Levels are within the desired water level range of 810.5 to 812.5 feet.
It will take around one week to complete the flow reduction operation.
The discharge will reduce lake levels to 60 per cent of its full capacity.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The City of Dauphin is planning to improve their wastewater treatment facilities.
The city is applying for a Government of Canada Investing in Canada Program available to communities in Manitoba.
Sharla Griffiths, the Assistant City Manager explains what upgrades they need to make and how much they will apply for. “We do need more capacity at our lagoon and increase the size. The cost estimate that we have from an engineering report is that it is $13 million dollars to do that.”
She continues by talking about how the project will be funded. “We’re hoping to secure those funds as well as some funds through the province and the rest will have to be made up by City of Dauphin utility rates.”
The initial stage of applying is the Expression on Interest, which is due on Friday.
At this point, the city is focusing on the lagoons and doesn’t have any big plans for other possible facility upgrades.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
64 percent of boating-related fatalities in Manitoba happen while people were drinking.
The Canadian Safe Boating Council is holding Operation Dry Water this weekend in an attempt to warn people of the dangers of being intoxicated while boating.
Christopher Love the Water Smart Coordinator for the lifesaving society—Manitoba Branch encourages to save the partying until after the day out on the water.
“From our point of view as an education effort, we want to raise awareness that this is a dangerous thing to do. And can results in serious injury or death to you if you’re under the influence and driving.” He continues, “But there’s also the fact that very serious charges could be brought against you as well if you are caught under the influence by enforcement officers, bylaw officers, or police.”
Human-powered boats are not excluded from the definition of a vessel and means if you are caught drinking in a canoe you could be charged with impaired operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Love says alcohol isn’t the only thing Operation Dry Water is warning people to stay away from. “Drugs, there are some intoxication cases, but alcohol is the big one and the one Operation Dry Water is really focusing on. But of course, we are concerned. We are going to have cannabis legalization coming up and that could also affect our stats. So, at this point in time we are just asking everybody, ‘hey, be boating sober no matter what it is you’re taking’.”
"Summer is all about having fun, and being out on the water is one great way to do that," said S/Sgt Bob Chabot of the Manitoba RCMP. "However, that fun can come to a crashing halt if someone gets seriously injured or dies because of a decision to boat while impaired. The RCMP will be out on the water during Operation Dry Water to help keep it safe, which will keep it fun."
Across Canada, 40 percent of boating-related fatalities are caused when people are drinking.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The tornado in the RM of Alonsa, on Saturday, had speeds between 218 and 266 kilometers per hour.
It’s was originally classified as an EF-3. That’s in the middle as the scale goes from 1 to 5, 5 is the most severe.
It has now been upgraded from to the First EF-4 Tornado in Canadian History Under the New "Enhanced Fujita" Classification.
Reeve of the RM Stan Asham called the destruction on Saturday “overwhelming”.
Meteorologists with Environment Canada say the tornado was on the ground on Friday night for 45 minutes.
you can check out a big album of destruction photos taken by Vanessa Lambourne Whyte by clicking here.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
It’s going to be a hot week in the Parkland.
Environment Canada is warning that there’s going to be a four to five day stretch of daytime highs of 30 degrees or higher with overnight lows in the mid to upper teens.
Heat warning might be issued as the stretch approaches.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
