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A fiscal update released Tuesday shows Manitoba's new N-D-P government is facing a ballooning deficit.
The update says that the deficit is now projected to come in at 1.6 billion dollars, which is more than four times the original amount listed in the province's spring budget.
A softening economy and a major downturn in Manitoba Hydro's numbers are being cited as reasons for the huge deficit, along with increased expenses driven by inflation, new health-care costs and recent collective agreements in the public sector.
Premier Wab Kinew has previously accused the former Progressive Conservative government of hiding the state of the province's finances before voters went to the polls.
with files from the Canadian Press
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The second annual Christmas Celebration and Santa Claus Parade of Lights is set for this Friday evening in Gilbert Plains.
Courtney Roehl - the CAO for the Municipality of Gilbert Plains - says they have a full evening of activities planned.
"The Dauphin Kings are coming out for a street hockey game with some of our local youth. That will be between 5:30 and 6:15 right on Main Street in front of the EMS building. Following that our parade of lights starts at 6:30, and follows our usual parade route, going from the elementary school, past the care home, and then around town."
"Following the parade, we have the Christmas tree lighting, a bonfire, cookies and hot chocolate, pictures with the Grinch, a Christmas movie, and sleigh rides, all happening from the EMS building."
Roehl says they are expecting a big crowd for the events.
"Compared to last year, we have almost double the amount of floats in our parade, and we are expecting quite a few people to be watching and participating in our events."
"I think it is good to just get the community together and celebrate different aspects, including recreation and family, while keeping traditions of the Christmas tree lighting, hot chocolate, and the sleigh rides."
Roehl says they already have twice as many floats signed up for this year's parade, but adds there is room for more.
You can register a float by contacting her and the Municipality of Gilbert Plains office, or by contacting the HOPE club on Facebook.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Swan Valley Community Foundation is set to hold its annual general meeting tonight.
The gathering will also include presentations to their 2023 fall grant recipients.
The meeting is set for 7:30 tonight at the Westwood Inn.
For more information, you can contact Donna Martin at 204-734-9129.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 31-year-old man and a 27-year-old female are facing a slew of charges after they failed to stop for RCMP on Main Street in Dauphin.
On December 4 at 4:45 p.m., officers attempted to stop a vehicle; however, the vehicle did not stop and began driving erratically, and due to safety concerns, officers did not pursue and alerted other officers to be on the lookout.
Officers from the Yellowhead area set up a spike belt along Highway 10, south of Onanole, which saw the suspect vehicle run over the belt and the vehicle went into the ditch. The two occupants in the vehicle exited and began running on foot.
The female was arrested a short distance later, but the man continued to flee. Ultimately, Marook the Police Dog tracked the second suspect down through difficult terrain including high grass, swamps, and wooded areas and the suspect was arrested without incident.
31-year-old Dakota Tripp has been charged with Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Prohibited, Flight from a Peace Officer, and Resisting Arrest. He was also wanted on several warrants. He was remanded into custody.
The 27-year-old female is facing charges of Resisting Arrest and Possession of cocaine. She was released on an Undertaking with an upcoming court date.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Municipality of McCreary has issued a notice to people using their water services that Low pressure may been seen tofay due to repairs.
a break in the water treatment plant creating these lower pressures, and repairs are in the works.
The Bulk water station is notably closed to conserve water, and citizens are requested to conserve water as well.
for more information you can contact the McCreary Municipal council at 1-(204)-835-2309
PUBLIC NOTICE!!!
Posted by Municipality of McCreary on Tuesday, December 5, 2023
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A group has been formed to look at issues that threaten the future viability of Dauphin Lake.
Sediment loads coming into the lake from nearby rivers, as well as weed growth because of this, has led to rapidly decreasing water levels over time, especially on the south shore of the lake.
Bill Griffin from the group Friends of Dauphin Lake says the Edwards Creek drain was started in the 1950s to get water off of farmland and into the lake quicker.
"Channels were straightened and places were cleaned out. And since then there has really been nothing done with regards to the sediment levels that have actually occurred within the lake. The south basin of the lake is getting shallower as we speak because of the load that is coming in."
The group is looking to get support, in the forms of both funding and letters of support, towards the purchase of weed cutting machine so they can cut the weed beds, and make the lake more accessible for boating, water skiing, and other lake uses.
Griffin says the future of the lake is bleak if these issues are not controlled.
"Everyone has to realize that we are not doing this just for us people that live along the lake. We are doing this for the people in the area. This lake has been huge for the area - economically, tourism-wise - and I think that is the thing that we really have to stress is that is not just about the people that live along the lake. This is for everyone in the area to not lose what we have. Once it becomes a marsh, there is no going back."
If you are interested in supporting their efforts, you can contact the group through the Friends of Dauphin Lake Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The DRCSS Concert bands will be looking to get local residents into the Christmas spirit tonight.
Their annual Winter Warm-Up concert is set for tonight at the DRCSS Gymnasium and will feature the school's grade 9, grade 10, and senior concert bands.
The concert is set to begin at 7 pm tonight.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
An R-M of Ethelbert resident will be back in court on December 13th in relation to a break, enter, and theft in Grandview.
Dauphin RCMP says on October 2nd, someone broke into a business in Grandview and stole several items, including power tools.
11 days later, police executed a search warrant on a property in the RM of Ethelbert, seizing multiple items including power tools, lawnmowers, a snowblower, and an ATV.
53-year-old Marc Dorais was arrested and charged and appeared in a Winnipeg court late last week.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
McCreary's Christmas Parade of Lights is set to take place this Friday night.
Recreation Director Nancy Buchanan says the event returns this year after they took a few years off.
"It starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 8th at the McCreary arena and will go past Alpine Manor and the care home before returning to the arena. Following that we will have pictures with Santa, free public skating, hot chocolate, and treat bags."
Buchanan adds there is a lot of excitement in the community over the return of this event.
"They are excited to have it back. It has been a few years, and it looks like the weather is going to co-operate and it is going to be a really nice evening."
Businesses and groups interested in putting in a float for this parade can contact the recreation office or just show up before 5:30 on Friday night.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The community of Ochre River is looking into some means to make it's streets a little safer.
CAO of the RM of Lakeshore Micahel Besser has been concerned about the amount of crime and vandalism that takes place in the community, and is considering the assembly of a Citizens On Patrol Program.
The Citizens on Patrol Program is a crime prevention initiative where volunteers act as extra eyes and ears for their community and local law enforcement, and Besser thinks it's what the community could need.
"I've heard a lot of concerns, and it's been several vehicles over a couple of weeks that have been either stolen or destroyed. Everybody works hard for what they earn out here, and we don't want to see people's hard work going down the tubes just because somebody feels like they want to take something on a joy ride."
Besser also made two facts abundantly clear;
One, this is not a vigilante program, so no pitchforks and torches are involved. And Two, this is still in the planning phase, and nothing is solid just yet.
If you want to learn more, or voice your opinion about this project, you can contact the RM of Lakeshore at 204 133 2423 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Advanced weekend passes and camping passes for the 2024 edition of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival are now on sale.
Kayla Gillis is president of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival.
"Early bird tickets are $125 for a weekend pass, and our camping for the upper is $100, and lower camping is $75 this year. It is a great deal because if you wait, you will pay more. Our early bird sales go until the end of January, so after that pricing will increase on February 1st."
Budmo has already been confirmed to be performing at the 2024 show, with more acts to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Tickets are available online at cnuf.ca, by calling 204-622-4600, or in person at their office at 17 - 3rd Avenue NE.
The 2024 festival will take place from August 2nd to 4th.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
