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The provincial fuel tax holiday has been extended for a second time.
The 14 cent a litre tax on fuel sold in the province will remain cut until the end of the 2024 calendar year, as announced this morning by Premier Wab Kinew.
He says Manitobans are still struggling with the impact of interest rates and grocery prices.
In a news release from the provincial government, the Manitoba Bureau of Statistics estimates the gas tax holiday has directly contributed to a decrease of 0.4 percentage points to inflation.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The weekly Manitoba Crop Report saw a lot of rain in some select areas of the province.
Heavy rains hammered the Eastern region causing localized flooding. Intense rains were seen in communities including Elma which received 105.5 mm over a 3-hr period on September 17th, and totalled 212.2mm through the week.
The central region also saw a lot of rain, with Winkler getting up to 162mm. The northwest had the lowest cap in the province, with the Keld station logging 29.4mm.
The rain slowed down harvest, but progress was still made in many crops.
Cereal crops saw decent progress, and more reports of quality are rolling in. The southwest, central, and northwest regions are all seeing 5% of spring wheat being rated as poor, but also 10-20% rated excellent.
Spring wheat yield estimates range from 60 to 90 bu/acre, with an average of 70 bu/acre in the Central and Eastern regions. In the north Interlake, yields range from 25 to 55 bu/acre, and up to 70 bu/acre in the south Interlake.
Spring Wheat quality ranges in the southwest, northwest, and central regions, but is more consistent in the Eastern and Interlake areas.
Barley ranges from 90 - 115 bu/acre, oats range from 80 - 180 bu/acre, and corn is still yet to be harvested.
Canola moves along as well with 55% of harvest complete. This is most advanced in the central region at 70%, and sitting at 45% in the northwest.
Both sunflowers and flax are moving towards maturity, with flax receiving pre-harvest applications.
Dry beans have seen a wide range in yield, a range from 500 to 3500 bu/acre. Soybeans are nearly ready for harvest but range a fair bit due to scattered seeding times.
Forage crops are looking great, bolstered by the late rain and warmer conditions. Most bales have been collected, and corn silage is well underway.
Cattle on the pasture are in great condition. Well managed pastures are looking excellent for this time of year, however, grass growth appears to be slowing down.
Some producers are beginning to supplement animals with hay on pasture.
Here in the northwest region, it was a slower week of harvest, as consistant drizzles halted progress.
A couple of warm days saw daytime temperatures reaching the high 20s while overnight temperatures hovered around 0 degrees at Drifting River, Ruthenia, Pipe Lake, San Clara, and The Pas stations.
Heavy dews in the morning have also narrowed the harvest window at this time of year.
Spring wheat harvest continues across the region and is approximately 75% complete. Lodged fields have made for slow progress in some fields.
The average reported yield so far is approximately 65-70 bu/acre. With some fields averaging less at 40-50 bu/acre and some going 80 bu/acre plus
Canola harvest is underway and is approximately 45% complete across the region with some areas more advanced.
Reported yields so far have been quite varied based on crop conditions throughout the season as well as disease pressure, but generally lower than average.
Average yields so far have been approximately 30-40 bu/acre.
Soybean crops are mostly in R7 stage and looking good. Some of the most advanced soybeans are moving towards R8. With good weather, soybean harvest is expected to start soon in some fields.
Seeding of winter wheat and fall rye has been underway with seeding deadlines approaching.
With a hot sunny week this week, harvest progress will like come along rapidly.
To all the producers out there, here's wishing you a safe, speedy harvest, and that the weather continues to hold out.
A final note, next weeks crop report will be published a day later, as the long weekend will be pushing that back.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
More controvery hangs over the board of trustees for Mountainview School Division.
At their regular board meeting on Monday night, members of the oversight panel appointed by the provincial government to help guide the local board walked out of the meeting following the introduction of a motion to limit the panel's ability to participate in their meetings.
Yesterday, a day after the meeting, the board of trustees issued what they called "An Important Announcement", stated that they were "raising serious concerns over the lack of response from the Minister of Education, and the unwillingness of the appointed oversight panel to collaborate without undermining local governance."
In another move during Monday night's meeting, the board approved a motion that adopts a procedure to permit the flying of only federal and provincial flags, or flags featuring school logos, on school property.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Zebra mussel problem in Clear Lake has been confirmed to be getting worse.
In a news release issued today, parks Canada noted that multiple juvenile zebra mussels have been located.
8 mussels were found on Septemeber 19th and 20th, confirming the spread of this invasive species.
In the news release, parks Canada states Zebra mussel infestations cost Manitoba taxpayers an estimated $10 million per year. This cost includes keeping mussels off critical freshwater infrastructure, such as hydroelectric dams and drinking water pipes.
Factoring in the damage to fisheries and tourism, that estimate could be considerably higher.
With this new information, Parks Canada staff plan to analyze the options for a potential eradication treatment using the best evidence available and in consultation with third-party experts in the field.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The Keystone Centre in Brandon has installed a permanent reminder to first nations people that lost their lives to historical violence, including residential schools.
Westoba Place in the facility now has what is called the "Seat of Truth", an orange seat located in Section 112 of the arena in row K and at seat 2.
The significance of the location of the seat acknowledges Treaty 2, which was signed in 1871 at Manitoba House, which is now known today as Kinosota.
The seat will remain intentionally empty for all events to serve as a commemorative action, and Keystone Centre officials hope visitors will take a moment to acknowledge the histories that shape our collective identity and to participate in conversations that can lead to deeper understanding.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
If you are considering running for one of the vacancies on Mountainview School Division's board of trustees, you are running out of time to get your nomination papers in.
Those completed packages, which must include signatures from at least one per cent of eligible voters in your ward, need to be turned in and approved before 4:30 this (Tuesday) afternoon.
You can drop off the completed nomination package at the Mountainview School Division office west of Dauphin on Highway 5.
Four spots on the board need to be filled - two for the Roblin area, one for the City of Dauphin, and one for the area that includes Ethelbert, Gilbert Plains, and Grandview.
Byelection day is set for October 30th.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
An update on the negotiations of the CUPE/MGEU health care workers: a strike notice has been served.
On October 8th, thousands of healthcare support staff from the WRHA, Shared Health, Southern Health, and MGEU members in Prairie Mountain and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority could commit to job action, if a new deal is not reached before then
According to statements on CUPE's website, no significant movement from the employer has been seen since Union members rejected the last offer in August.
CUPE's statement continues, saying they will continue to put pressure on the government to remind them that fixing health care starts with the front lines.
Both unions state that striking is always considered a last resort and that they remain hopeful to see a resolution before October 8th
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Manitoba is often known for its fresh water and amazing fishing, but a new aquaculture project could make it a global leader in Artic Char.
Taking over the former Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ experimental fish hatchery, Saphire Springs farm is set to open in 2026 about 30 kilometers north of Manitoba’s capital.
This high-demand fish is a close cousin to Salmon, and Saphire Springs is looking to supply at least half of the global market by producing 5000 metric tons annually.
In a news release, Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba’s minister of agriculture expected 224 jobs to come with the facility, including 104 full time positions and an additional 120 indirect jobs.
With this new investment, Manitoba will make a big splash in both aquaculture and the global fish markets.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Dauphin's Fire Chief was recognized over the weekend.
Cam Abrey was presented with a King Charles III Coronation Medal by the Canadian Association of Fire Fighters.
The medal, which was presented on Saturday in Montreal, recognized Abrey for his work with the CAFC.
"Over the past two years in my role as President of the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs, I represented the Manitoba Fire Service to the National Advisory Council. I also sit on four other sub-committees for the CFAC and participate in those monthly meetings. It is quite an honour to be recognized for those contributions on a national level."
Abrey was one of three Manitoba fire chiefs to receive the award, joining Steinbach Fire Chief Kelvin Toews and Deputy Chief Scott Wilkinson from Winnipeg.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Expectations are high across the city as a veteran-laden Dauphin Kings squad embarks on a new season.
Kings' Director of Business Operations Christian Laughland (lock-land) says that optimism has been reflected in season ticket sales, which have been strong so far.
"People have been wondering if you can still get (season tickets). They are still available by coming down to (Credit Union Place) and asking for a sheet. We will give you one and you can sign up, write down the seats that you want and then pay for them all at the ticket office. Just the overall buzz about the hockey club has been really good this year so it is exciting."
Laughland says they will have a number of special promotional events throughout the season, including Ag Appreciation night in November, hockey card night and Tractor Lotto draw games in December, and the ever popular Ukrainian night in January.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Fire has closed the closure of a well-known restaurant in Swan River.
Members of the Swan Valley Fire Department were called out at 12:19 AM Sunday night to reports of heavy smoke coming out of the front and back of the Pizza Place on Main Street.
The main fire was found in the kitchen area of the restaurant, but smaller spot fires, fire extension, heavy smoke, and heat provided further challenges for crews.
Crews also put out small fires on the roof of the building, and also found some smoke and fire extension inside a connecting business.
The fire commissioner's office is investigating the exact cause of the fire.
Damage amounts have not been released, and fortunately nobody was injured as a result.
A post this morning on the Pizza Place's Facebook page stated they would be closed until further notice.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
