NewsNow

It is shaping up to be a busy next few months at the Watson.

Cam Bennett with the Watson Art Centre says the next few weeks in particular are going to be very busy.

"We have a Dauphin art group paint workshop coming up this weekend.  Greg Rekus and Kayla Luky have a show coming up on Thursday (September 12th), and then an Open Mic night on Friday.  And we have the Desiree Dorion album release party on September 27th.  Emma Peterson is going to be on stage with her as well so that is going to be a great event."

Other upcoming shows include local bands Year Zero and the Friday Night Rebels, as well as the Sean Taylor Band.  And the highlight is the Northern Pikes performing on October 19th.

Schedule and ticket info can be found online at www.watsonartcentre.com or on their social media platforms. 

Bennett adds they are also trying something new for some of their shows, called "Trust Us" tickets.

 "We put out 'Trust Us' tickets for the Northern Pikes show.  They were half-priced tickets and we had not announced the name of the band yet, all we said was 'you know, just trust us it is going to be great'.  And we had 20 people that paid $20 and said they were going to trust us.  So now we have set up a meet and greet with the Northern Pikes for them before the show, and we are reserving the front row of tables for those people as well, just to give them a little perk for saying 'you know what we trust you guys'."

The Watson is also looking for volunteers to help with the Centre and some of their upcoming events.

If you want to help out you can call the Watson at 638-6231 between non and 5 on weekdays, or you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Details

Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Sep 11, 2024 - 12:09 pm

In the Northwest Region, which includes the Parkland, Swan River was the driest location on record last week as another Manitoba Crop Report was released by the Manitoba Government.

Swan River received 0.8mm of precipitation between September 2-8. The wettest location in the Northwest is Pipe Lake who received 15.8mm of precipitation over that same period. Pipe Lake is less than 60 minutes away from Dauphin.

The percentage of harvest completion by crop and region does vary as of September 9.

More from the Northwest:

A mix of weather still allowed for good harvest progress. Unsettled weather events did bring thunderstorms to parts of the region, including hail in the Swan Valley area. To note, there were varying degrees of damage to some crops while some areas along the western portion of the region received a light frost, but it wasn't a killing frost.

Swan Valley station was the lowest recorded overnight temperature at 0.5 °C. High day time temperatures helped crops to move along over the weekend with The Pas station the highest at 32.6 °C.

Of note, soybean crops are in the R6-R7 stage and looking good. The recent heat has helped advance the crops quickly. 

To check out the complete Manitoba Crop Report for the week, head here. 

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Sep 11, 2024 - 5:00 am

Stephen Roznowsky has organized the Terry Fox Run/Walk for 25 years.

Since returning to Dauphin in 1999, Stephen has been front and centre for the Dauphin event and this Sunday will mark another edition of the yearly fundraiser. This year's Terry Fox Run/Walk will take place on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at Vermillion Park. 

"I am very excited to once again be a part of this fundraiser," said Roznowsky. "The tagline this year is 'No Matter What'. It's going to be great and the weather looks like it will cooperate for us."

Registration on Sunday will begin at 10:30 and ahead of that, you can get yourself all signed up and donate to the cause. Stephen and his crew will be at the Dauphin Coop Food Store on Thursday and Friday collecting donations and registrations from 11-6. 

Should you decide to donate, you will receive a tax receipt and there will also be draws for prizes at Coop.

While you can certainly run for the entirety of Sunday's event, Stephen says you don't have to.

"They can run, they can rollerblade, they can bike, they can walk, whatever they want," ended Roznowsky. "I had an elderly female call me the other day to ask me if she could bring her walker and I said absolutely, anything works."

You do not have to donate to take part; however, donations are encouraged. Since its inception in 1981, over $850 million has been raised for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run/Walk, which is held across Canada and around the world.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Sep 11, 2024 - 5:00 am

RCMP in Russell had an interesting recent recovery effort.

A few weeks ago, Mounties received a report of a submerged vehicle in Lake of the Prairies within the RM of Riding Mountain - West. 

They vehicle was spotted by a fish finder, with photos and a GPS location provided to police.

The RCMP Underwater Recovery team used sonar to get a license plate number for the vehicle, which helped them determine that the submerged vehicle was a 1970s pickup truck. 

Police then found the owner, who told them he'd been returning home in the winter of 1990 and took a shortcut across the ice, but the truck went through.

The owner added everyone got out safely, and that he had returned multiple times over the years trying to locate the truck, but had never found it.

Details

Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Sep 10, 2024 - 3:00 pm

The Manitoba Country Music Association has announced its nominees for their 2024 awards, which will be presented on November 10th at Club Regent in Winnipeg.

Winnipegosis area resident Nelson Little leads the charge with 7 nominations, including Male Artist, Top Roots artist, NCI Top Indigenous artist, and the Fans Choice award.  He was also nominated for single, Video, and Songwriter Song of the Year - all for his song "Just Make It Happen".

Little is up against Roblin's Ryan Keown for both Male Artist and the Fans Choice awards, while Ryan's son Austin Ryder has been nominated for the emerging artist award. 

Ethelbert's Jerry Sereda will also go up against Little for a pair of awards - including male artist and NCI Top Indigenous artist.

Emma Peterson of Winnipegosis is also up for two awards - including top Interactive artist and female artist of the year - where she will go up against Dauphin's Desiree Dorion and Elkhorn's Kendra Kay.

Kay received a total of four nominations.  

And Dauphin's Kate's Outlaw also has a pair of nominations, for Group or Duo of the Year and Top Emerging artist.

Rounding out the list is Alonsa's Rylan Knaggs, who is nominated for all star - guitar award, and 730 CKDM - who will look to defend our crown as Radio Station of the Year.

Details

Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Sep 10, 2024 - 1:30 pm

Sawyer Bauch loves to smile and she loves when other people are smiling.

Earlier this year at the Ashern Personal Care Home, it was all smiles not only for Sawyer but for every resident and staff member at the Care Home. While at Alf Cuthbert School in Moosehorn, Sawyer was asked by her teacher what one of her goals was. 

With no hesitation and no surprise, Sawyer wanted to make people smile. So she decided to train her miniature donkey named Fireball to be a service animal that could visit residents at the Ashern Personal Care Home.

The visit brought great joy to all involved.

"I wanted to bring my donkey to the care home because it makes me happy to see other people be happy," said Bauch. "It went great, everyone loved him. They were all interested and Fireball was so happy, he loves pets."

Sawyer has had Fireball for four years and spends as much time as possible with him. Previous to Sawyer getting Fireball, he had never been handled by people. Now he's a Bauch and Sawyer wouldn't have it any other way.

While the visit at the Ashern Personal Care Home was outside, Sawyer is now training Fireball to be able to go inside. 

"I love spending time with him, he makes me so happy," shared Bauch. 

Sawyer plans on taking Fireball on more visits in the near future so if you're lucky enough to see him in person, give him a few extra pets and prepare to smile. 

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Sep 10, 2024 - 12:00 pm

Grand Chief Cathy Merrick will lie in state on Wednesday at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

The former Grand Chief, who suddenly passed away last Friday, will lie in state between noon and 5:00 p.m. During this time, members of the public are invited to pay their respoects, but photography will be prohibited in the ceremonial room where the lying in state will take place.

A book of condolences will be placed at the base of the Grand Staircase of the Manitoba Legislative Building.

If you attend the lying in state, you can sign a book, which will be gifted to the family after the week ends. Following Wednesday, you can sign the book for the remainder of the week between the hours of 8 and 8. The flags at the Legislative Building will be lowered to half-mast until the funeral in Cross Lake on Saturday.

Cathy spent more than a decade as a band councillor at Pimicikamak First Nation and became the community's chief in 2013, the second woman to do so. She was then elected grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in October 2022 and was re-elected in July of this year. Merrick became the first woman to lead the advocacy group in its nearly 35-year history. 

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Sep 10, 2024 - 9:12 am

If your daily commute takes you to or from the west end of the city, you will have to alter your travel plans for the day.

CN Rail is conducting repairs on the track at the rail crossing on PTH 5A and Buchanon Avenue, meaning that crossing will be closed from, 8 am to 4 pm today (Tuesday).

Traffic will have to use the Highway 5 by-pass to get to and from the west end of the city.

Details

Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Sep 10, 2024 - 9:00 am

Parks Canada has announced it is removing a curtain deployed last month in an effort to contain zebra mussels to one corner of Clear Lake.

The curtain, which was weighted to the bottom of the lake, was positioned from Boat Cove to Wasagaming's main beach.

But it was recently dislodged by winds and high waves.

Parks Canada officials say the curtain was damaged and is no longer an effective means of containment and cannot be repaired or replaced this fall.

They add the private contractor that provided and installed the curtain will be responsible for its removal.

Clear Lake will continue to be monitored for mussel DNA, larvae, and adult mussels until ice forms this winter.

The monitoring will help determine whether plans for a potential eradication or control treatment using potash are feasible.

Temporary watercraft bans at Clear Lake remain in place and Boat Cove remains closed to the public

Details

Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Sep 10, 2024 - 7:48 am

In Canada, approximately 12 people die by suicide each day.

Per year, approximately 4,500 people die by suicide. In 2022, 153 Manitobans took their own life, 105 of which were males. Suicide rates are approximately three times higher among men compared to women.

Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults between the ages of 15 and 34. It is estimated that 12 per cent of people had thoughts of suicide in their lifetime while 2.6 per cent have had thoughts in the past year.

It's also estimated that 4.2 per cent had planned suicide in their lifetime and 3.1 per cent had attempted suicide. 

Tuesday marks World Suicide Prevention Day.

Rod Seib is a peer support coordinator for the Canadian Mental Health Association - Swan Valley Branch.

"This is a topic that many people are uncomfortable discussing," said Seib. "So many people have been affected by suicide, whether it's a loved one or a friend. Suicide is something that needs to be talked about more and that is why this day is so important."

Seib understands that reaching out for help may be one of the most difficult decisions that has to be made. In a recent annual report from the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, 37 youth deaths by suicide were reported between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, 42 per cent more than during the previous year. 

If you or someone you know is having a hard time, Seib encourages you to reach out because there are professionals who are ready to help.

"There is no judgement, many of us struggle alone and are scared to reach out," shared Seib. "By not reaching out, things can get worse. In many cases, things do not get better without help."

Seib also stresses the importance of being kind. 

"Do not be afraid to ask someone how they're doing, it could make their day," said Seib. "Ask them if they have anything they want to open up about. Offer that patient, non-judgemental ear with empathy to hear what's going on."

You may have heard the saying 'It's okay not to be okay'. It means that it is normal and valid to feel off sometimes. It's also a reminder that self-care could be needed. You shouldn't blame yourself and always know that should you need it, help is there.

"You have to understand that it is not a weakness to be struggling," ended Seib. "We have to get the message out that it is okay to not be okay. If you are struggling, that is okay. Do not beat yourself up by thinking you should be doing better than you are. There are supports and resources available if and when you need them."

Locally, the Canadian Mental Health Association - Parkland Branch can be reached by calling 638-4097. You can also call Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Sep 10, 2024 - 5:00 am