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Kids Help Phone is holding their national strategic board retreat in Dauphin this week.
Board members and National executive for the youth mental health program are meeeting for several days in our city, with a particular focus on their truth and reconciliation journey.
When asked why these meeting are being held here, Kids Help Phone CEO Kathy Hay says they are on a quest throughout the organization of making sure they are on a continuous learning journey.
"We are making sure that no one is left alone. So we are in communities that we serve. We serve lots of young people across Canada, and we serve lots of young people in Dauphin."
Local board member Carole Shankaruk says part of the visit includes an event at Northgate, that they have invited local stakeholders, indigenous youth and elders, and school administration to participate in.
"We are servicing 16 schools in very diverse, different communities. And so building those relationships is a big piece. Face-to-face, we know that is the best way to interact and communicate. So we are inviting those principals, the youth, the elders, and knowledge keepers to make those commections, and let Kids Help Phone speak to them, connect with them on a human-to-human level, and find out right from them what can we do and what kind of services can we provide."
In September alone, 12 per cent of all calls taken by Kids Help Phone came from Indigenous youth, marking the highest user activity volume from indigenous youth in the program's history.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The city has unveiled its first recipients of the Sunshine Awards.
The awards recognize individuals and groups for outstanding contributions towards making Dauphin a better place through their dedicated service.
This year's recipients include Manitoba Summer Games co-chairs Carla Wolfenden and Clayton Swanton, as well as Brenda Gregory and Jerry Joss.
In a news release announcing the winners, Mayor David Bosiak said "These awards are a way of expressing gratitude to those who go above and beyond to support the growth of our community. Each of this year’s recipients stand out in their own way for their volunteerism and acts of selflessness, which remind us of the community spirit that makes Dauphin such a special place to live."
The Sunshine awards, which were established under the City's Community Recognition Policy, will be presented annually during the Thanksgiving season.
This year's honourees will be recognized at a special ceremony being held at 4:30 today at City Hall as well as on October 21st.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Municipality of McCreary is advising its residents that an unplanned emergency water service line repair is taking place today.
Crews have started the work, but caution that this repair may result in an interruption of water supply to the entire town.
The municipality recommends filling containers with water to minimize inconvenience during the repair process.
Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A municipality in the northwestern part of the Parkland is being sued by a former employee, who is alleging that he was forced to leave his job after "humiliating, high-handed" treatment by the current reeve.
According to a report by the CBC, a statement of claim was filed by Janes Webb in Manitoba Court of King's Bench on September 26th, accusing the municipality of wrongful dismissal and alleges that he was bullied and harassed by Reeve Bill Gade.
Webb was hired in 2020 as Financial officer for the municipality, eventually being named acting CAO later that year and taking the position permanently in 2021.
In the statement of claim, Webb claims he was subjected to "ridicule, bullying and harassment both inside and outside the workplace" by Gade, adding that the "embarrassing treatment" that he experienced breached a term of his contract that entitled him to fair treatment, making his continued employment impossible.
The suit that Webb was constructively dismissed from his job in October 2022.
The claims have yet to be proven in court.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A long standing local court case has finally come to a conclusion.
In June of last year, 38-yuear old Christopher Bilay was pulled over by RCMP on suspicion of speeding on Main Street in Dauphin.
The traffic stop led top the seizure of a homemade gun with a bayonet attached, along with used and unused ammunition, several cell phones, and some cash.
Bilay had his trial on Dauphin court on Wednesday, where he was found guilty of Impaired Driving.
He was given a one-thousand dollar fine as a result.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The leaves are turning, and quickly falling, meaning it's once again time for the fall city clean up.
City Public Works Director Mike vanAlstyne has the details you'll need for Tuesdays:
"People should have their materials ready in their back lanes if they have, and if not, on their front streets. We'll be picking up any yard and garden waste, leaves, shrubs, and tree branches so long as thier neatly piled and accessible. materials can be in bio-degradable bags or boxes, but any plastic will be left behind."
Branches must be no longer than 8 feet long, and 6 inches in diameter.
VanAlstyne also recommends getting a yard waste bin for your home, as there will be no Spring clean-up as there has been previously.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The province has announced details of its fall Flu and Covid vaccine clinics.
The vaccines will be available as of October 15th, with seniors at personal care homes usually among the first ones to be vaccinated.
A schedule of flu and Covid vaccine clinics in the Parkland has been released, with the first clinics set for October 28th in both Dauphin and McCreary.
The last clinic is set for November 13th in Rorketon.
The Dauphin Active Living Centre will host clinics on October 28th and November 4th.
You are encouraged to pre-book an appointment close to you by either going online to prairiemountainhealth.ca or by calling 1-844-626-8222.
When getting your shots, you must bring your Manitoba Health Card.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
With a strike by healthcare support staff in four Manitoba regional health authorities set to begin on Tuesday, the union representing workers in our region is feeling some frustration
Kyle Ross, President of MGEU doesn't want to put strain on people requiring healthcare.
"A really frustrating situation to be honest with you, that we're in this scenario where we're forced to go to the picket line. We've been trying to bargain a deal with the employer, we've been trying to figure out a way to avoid this strike, and unfortunately, they haven't been participating at the bargaining table."
The strike would limit health services across much of the province, but Ross says something needs to be done to address the issues at hand.
"There are many jobs in your hometown here in Dauphin and the area that pay more than a healthcare worker gets paid to start so we can't recruit in those roles. When it's 17.07 to start, it's pretty challenging to get workers in, it's a difficult job. we have vacancy rates as high as 80% in some work locations."
If you have questions on how your heath services could be affected by this strike, you are encouraged to call 1-855-474-3338 to reach Prairie Mountain Health.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The sandy beach of Clear Lake was a bit of a different experience this year, as it was a strict no-boat zone.
George Hartlan with the Friends Of Riding Mountain Group looks back on how this summer differed from those previous.
"The lake was quiet, in regards to motor craft and those using the lake for personal watercraft vehicles. There were definitely still those swimming in the lake or using the lake for fishing. Overall, I think the weather always has a bigger impact on things. May and June were a difficult time period for a lot of people just because we had a lot of wet days happening."
From his conversations with local businesses and his own experience, Hartlan noted that foot traffic was very strong this summer.
Cabins also became easier to rent, as the lack of boaters freed up some regularly rented spots.
Overall, Hartlan noted it was a solid year at Clear Lake, despite the growing issue of zebra mussels in the water.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The province has issued High Wind Effects warnings for parts of Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg.
The Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre says high winds are expected to develop, beginning Friday night and lasting until Sunday morning.
Areas expected to be impacted the most are the south basin of Lake Manitoba as well as shorelines near Gimli on the west side and Victoria Beach on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
Property owners are advised to take precautions, as winds could gust as high as 90 km an hour over the weekend, which could result in action that could raise water levels by five feet or more.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Thursday was a big day for the residents of the Ebb & Flow First Nation.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially open their newly constructed elementary school.
Ebb & Flow First Nation Director of Education Darcy Malcolm says there is a definite need in the community for this facility.
"The existing school, which is now going to be renovated, first opened up in 1983 to accomodate approximately 250 students. And now today, we are sitting at approximately 800 students."
The elementary school is phase one of a 55 million dollar project, which includes renovations to the existing school - which is now used by grade 7-12 students, as well as the construction of 22 homes for teachers.
Malcolm says one feature he is particularly proud of with the new school is a marked improvement in internet access.
"And this is something that I feel is going to be a long-term benefit for our community's children. We have struggled in the past with internet connectivity. But now with 1 GB of dedicated internet fibre-optic service, that improvement itself allows our students to be able to access resources online."
Recreation was also a key component of the project, with a gymnasium, a combined soccer and football field, a track, and two baseball diamonds also included.
Malcolm says there is a lot of excitement in the community over the new school.
"All of the students were part of the celebration. We have approximately 800 kids - around 420 in the grade 7-12 program, and around 380 n the K-6 program, who are now in the new school. And we had all of these children gather during the ceremony, and you could hear all of the cheers and claps during the ceremony and everybody was so excited. There is a lot of excitement in the air."
He added this project has been a total team effort
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
