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This week is Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world.
With this weekend being the long weekend, it'll see more people travelling which will cause more collisions.
The RCMP say whether you drive a car, motorcycle, bicycle or are a pedestrian, it’s important that you focus on the road, pay attention and be aware of changes in your surroundings at all times.
Julie Courchaine an RCMP media relations officer is asking people to buckle-up, put the phone down, drive sober and slow down.
All week, police vehicles will be stationed around the province to remind people that safe driving habits save lives and reduce injuries.
So far this year, there have been 15 fatal collisions causing 15 deaths.
Courchaine says all of the fatal collisions are preventable.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
On Sunday around 2:30 in the afternoon in Brandon, emergency services helped save someone who was walking along the outside railing of the southbound 1st St. Bridge.
The woman was on the Assiniboine River side of the bridge.
Sergeant Kirby Sararas says the crisis negotiator team trains heavily for situations like these.
She says showing empathy and using active listening skills is the key to helping someone through a crisis.
Sararas says they prepare the best they can for these types of situations with knowledge and having as many people as they can.
Members from the Fire department and emergency services were also there to stand by with both an ambulance and water rescue equipment.
A family member of the woman was also on scene speaking with her.
By 4:00 pm the woman started to fatigue and slip.
She required the assistance of officers to pull her over to safety.
The woman was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance where she was met by family.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
In the morning around 9:30 on May 9th, Manitoba First Nations Police attempted a traffic stop on a suspect believed to be in the possession of weapons.
The suspect refused to pull over, causing a pursuit to begin.
After pulling into a driveway, the suspect ran from Police.
A vehicle check found a loaded sawed-off .22 rifle and a replica pellet gun, both were seized by the police.
The police conducted community checks and followed up on multiple tips but couldn’t locate the suspect.
The next day, May 10th Police were told the male suspect was at the Amaranth Beach area.
MFNP and the RCMP attended the area and saw a male wearing a black balaclava run into the marsh.
Police located the suspect, taking him into custody without incident.
Jeremy Gordon Whincup was arrested and charged with possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm while knowing possession is unauthorized, unsafe transportation of a firearm, possession of a weapon contrary to an Order (x3), and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
The accused is set to appear in court today.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
As part of its Aquatic Invasive Species Program, Riding Mountain National Park is hosting several orientations throughout the summer.
The Seasonal Permit Orientation Sessions will provide visitors with the necessary info on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels.
Once completing the orientation and mandatory inspection, boaters will be issued a seasonal permit which will allow them to enter Park waters as often as they’d like. The seasonal pass will help the inconvenience of having to renew permits weekly.
The sessions will last an hour and a half to two hours and will be held at the Visitor Centre in Wasagaming. Sessions are being planned in Dauphin, McCreary, and Rossburn with those dates to be determined.
The schedule is as follows:
MAY
May 18, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 19, 20 & 22, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
May 25, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 28, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
JUNE
June 1 & 4, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
June 6, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
June 8, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
June 15 & 18, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
June 20, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
June 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
June 29, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
JULY
July 6 & 13, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is required and can be booked by calling 204-848-7275.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
It's Canada Road Safety Week and the number of fatalities in our province is already at a shocking number.
In the first four months of 2019, pedestrians made up nearly half of the fatalities on Manitoba’s public roadways. Four pedestrian fatalities happened in Winnipeg while one each happened in Thompson and Peguis First Nation.
“Pedestrians are certainly vulnerable because there really is nothing they can do to help themselves when a vehicle is approaching them," said Brian Smiley, Media Relations Coordinator for Manitoba Public Insurance. "You want to be facing traffic and if you're walking at night, make sure you're wearing bright clothing. If there are lights to cross at, always cross at them. Also look at the wheels of a vehicle, if they're still spinning that vehicle isn't stopping."
On average in Manitoba, about 12 pedestrians are killed and about 130 are injured yearly. About half of all pedestrian deaths occur at an intersection, while one in 10 deaths take place either between intersections or while walking on the road.
Another tip is to never assume that vehicles see you, you need to walk defensively. You do have the right of way, but only when the vehicle allows you.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The federal government helped start Jordan’s Principle a couple of years ago.
It all started when a First Nation’s boy named Jordan River Anderson had to stay in the hospital for the first two years of his life.
He was then discharged, but because the federal and provincial governments kept arguing, he had to stay in the hospital.
He ended up staying three more years before he became very ill and passed away at the age of 5.
Jordan’s Principle is an initiative started to help First Nation’s youth get proper health, education, and social services.
Jordan’s Principle stopped by Whitmore School on Friday to talk about mental wellness and relieve some of the stigmas about mental illness.
If you know a First Nation’s youth that could use the service, the contact number for the Parkland is 204-622-9400.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Mountain View School Division held a public meeting to discuss the governments new comprehensive K-12 education review.
On Saturday, dozens of educators and parents came together in the Aspen Lodge at the Parkland Rec Complex to give their opinions about the changes being made to the education system in Manitoba.
A variety of topics were on the table including class sizes and teacher workload.
Marc Frison, a commission member said he hopes the public review sheds light on both the positives and negatives of education in the province.
People who may have missed the chance to come out on Saturday can still have their voices heard. They can voice their opinions by participating in an online survey or even sending in informal briefs.
All necessary information can be found at the MVSD website at www.mvsd.com
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Mother’s Day is tomorrow and for those of you who are wondering what to get mom, the perfect gift might be easier to give than you thought.
Lots of moms in the Parkland say the best thing they can get is time with their kids, a homemade card, or having breakfast and supper made for them.
What do you think? Comment on our Facebook post, what is the best thing to get for Mother’s Day or give to your mother on Mother’s Day?
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Two teachers received a prestigious award at Gilbert Plains Collegiate.
Jody Jubenville and Lindsay Agnew were nominated by Erin Knight, a 2015 Loran Scholar and former Gilbert Plains Collegiate student, for their impact on her when she attended Gilbert Plains CI as a secondary school student.
Agnew is currently working at Whitmore School, while Jubenville has stayed at Gilbert Plains Collegiate.
Jubenville is honoured to receive the award.
“It’s truly an honour to be recognized, I mean Erin was an inspiration, I think to students and adults.”
Agnew shares her thoughts as well.
“I think for me, it’s every teacher’s hopes that they have an impact and that they inspire students and whom they teach. To be recognized, as being that person in Erin’s life is very honouring.”
Jubenville explains how she made an impact on Knight.
“She would throw ideas off and I’d be like ‘yeah let’s do it’ and just encouraging her I think. Just telling her, encouraging her, and supporting all of her choices, decisions and ideas and watching her make it happen.”
Agnew says starting a philanthropy group at the school was one thing that inspired Knight. Knight learned of a passion for water conservation in a global issues class with Agnew.
Knight came to Gilbert Plains and Dauphin all the way from Calgary where she is currently going to university.
Jubenville says Knight had an impact on them too.
“She raises the bar, she was an easy person to teach, she was a go-getter, she would go beyond expectations and just to show that no matter what you believe in and go after it, you can achieve it.”
Agnew was also impacted by Knight.
“Erin was ok with walking her own path and not letting other people’s influences deter her from what she believed was right. I think now, teaching the elementary school, I see what needs to happen in order for them to reach their full potential and that no matter how hard it is or how many barriers you face, nothing’s impossible.”
There have only been around 50 teachers across Canada to receive the awards.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A 17-year-old man has been charged after 4 early morning fires left 3 homes damaged in Brandon.
The fires happened with a 40-minute window between 3:42 and 4:15 am. All the fires were started within a 10-block radius and according to police the fires were started in sheds, trees, a dumpster and on a porch.
Two homes were completely engulfed while the Brandon Fire Department was able to contain the other two fires.
The 17-year-old suspect was arrested near one of the fires. He has been charged with arson with disregard for human life, arson causing damage to property, and possession of incendiary material. He is scheduled to appear in court July 2nd
No one was injured in the fires and police are not looking for additional suspects.
A damage estimate has not yet been released.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Fusion Credit Union in Dauphin is a big-time winner.
They won the best overall marketing award for 2018 for their new brand, an award they beat out 46 other Credit Unions to win. They received the award at the National Conference for Canada's Credit Unions Gala Event at the RBC Convention Centre earlier this week.
"It's awesome, it's just such an honour to win the award," said Ron Hedley, CEO. "It pays tribute to our marketing department, our board, our members, and our staff. It truly is incredible."
"We have an incredible marketing department," he added. "We also have really good buy-in from our members, the board, and management. What we're doing is working."
Ron has been with the company as CEO for 19 years. With many years ahead, he's looking forward to what's next.
"We talked a while ago about making the "Fusion" name famous and we're going to continue in our goal of achieving that," added Hedley.
"I'm very proud to be a part of Fusion Credit Union," he added. "I'm just a small part, this really is a group that has come together quickly and we're all working together towards a common goal and it's very exciting."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
