Don't Miss Dauphin's Countryfest

The party of summer is less than two months away and it's your turn to get in on the action. The "Early Bird" deadline for Dauphin's Countryfest tickets is tonight at 11:59:59.

That means you can get your full weekend pass until tonight for just $249.00 plus taxes and fees. After tonight it goes up to $279.00 plus taxes and fees.

"If you're one of those people that like to save some money and a lot of people do this is the deadline to do it," said Rob Waloschuk, General Manager.

This year's festival will be the 30th and it features artists such as Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Old Dominion, the Brothers Osborne, and so much more.

"We're pretty excited for sure. It's been a long time and we're really excited about the lineup we have," said Waloschuk. "Some people are saying it's the best lineup ever."

"We're also going to have a lot of other things going on for the 30th birthday and we're working on some things to let you know about," he added.

Dauphin's Countryfest begins on June 27 with the 730CKDM Kick-Off Party on the Bell MTS and Credit Union Corral Stages.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Apr 30, 2019 - 9:43 am

Farm Credit Canada released it's 2018 Farmland Values Report yesterday, and values in the Parkland have again risen.

In Manitoba overall, farmland values went up by 3.7% in 2018. The Parkland region is right behind that at 3.2%. Producers looking to start or expand their operations, and landowners selling to their renters are key reasons for the continued uptick in value.

The Eastman region of Manitoba experienced the strongest hike in farmland value at 7.3%. The lowest was the Interlake region at an increase of .1%

According to the report, the value of farmland in the Parkland is $2,344 an acre. To see the full report, click here.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Apr 30, 2019 - 8:24 am

The surgery program at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre recently received a generous contribution to go toward a new colonoscope, which is used for endoscopy procedures.

The contribution was for $36,000 and came from the Dauphin Hospital Foundation.

In the picture: At left, representing the Foundation and Health Centre, is Curt Gullett, DRHC Director. Further, left to right, are Petra Huschenbett, DRHC Care Team Manager, Operating Room staff Simone Greening and Holly Hewens, and general surgeon Dr. Milos Vuksanovic.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Apr 30, 2019 - 4:58 am

A larval-stage zebra mussel has been found in a water sample from Shoal Lake, Ontario.

The larva was found in one of six samples taken from the lake, which doubles as Winnipeg’s water supply.

Zebra mussels are an invasive species that can coat surfaces and clog water pipes. In some places, they have edged out the native species, and their shells have littered beaches.

No zebra mussels have been found in the City of Winnipeg’s annual monitoring, and the news release stated that the discovery of one larva does not mean that zebra mussels have taken over the lake.

Winnipeg has taken steps to protect its water supply and has also set aside $1 million to protect the city’s intake facility at Indian Bay on Shoal Lake.

Boaters using the lake are asked to remove aquatic plants and invasive species as well as drain all water and remove drain plugs before moving their boats. The release also asks boaters to dry all equipment properly and dispose of bait before placing their boats in other lakes.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 29, 2019 - 4:25 pm

RCMP responded to a report of assault and robbery at a house in the RM of Portage La Prairie Sunday morning.

The homeowner told police that a 42-year-old female had come to his door appearing to be seriously injured; she was later transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Officers met with the victim at the hospital, where she then told them that she had been picked up by a friend in Carberry, along with another male, who then assaulted her with a weapon. She was the forced back into the car where she was driven around the area and eventually thrown out on the side of the road. After walking for hours, she located a house where she then asked for help.

RCMP have arrested 21-year-old Austin Russell Wieler, of Portage La Prairie, as he was in possession of the victim's car. He has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Police believe a second suspect was involved and are requesting anyone with information to call the Portage La Prairie at 204-857-4445, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Portage La Prairie RCMP continue to investigate.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 29, 2019 - 3:23 pm

Manitoba Beef Producers will again award six $500 bursaries to deserving Manitoba students.

The bursaries will be available to MBP members, or their children who are attending university, college, or any other post-secondary school. Trade students will also be eligible.

Students pursuing an education in agriculture or acquiring a skilled trade that will help the rural economy will be given preference. All those applying must be 17 years old as of January 1st, 2019 and either be an active beef producer or the child of one.

Students who are granted the bursaries must use them within two years of receiving it and must be in a course that is a minimum of a year long.

Interested students must submit a 600-word essay on what the beef industry means to them, their families, communities, and Manitoba as a whole. They must also include why they enjoy being involved in agriculture.

Applications must also include a high school or university transcript, proof of enrollment at a recognized school, a list of the applicant’s community involvement and three references.

The application can be found at www.mbbeef.ca/producers/mbp-bursary/. A group of MBP directors will select the winners. The names on the essays will be redacted to ensure fairness.

All applications must be completed and sent to MBP by Monday, June 3rd, 2019. And winners will be notified by July 31st. The winning essays will also be published in the September issue of Cattle Country.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 29, 2019 - 11:28 am

The Stonewall RCMP along with Major Crime Services have made arrests related to the murder of a 42-year-old male inmate at Stony Mountain Institution earlier this month.

29-year-old Kevin Curtis Edwards and 27-year-old Peter Fisher were arrested and charged with First Degree Murder on Wednesday and on Friday 30-year-old Aaron Michael Ducharme was also arrested and charged with First Degree Murder.

The RCMP are continuing the investigation.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 29, 2019 - 11:21 am

The Dauphin Kinsmen Club held another successful business expo over the weekend.

It was the 31st annual, with businesses, services, and community groups from all over the Parkland and Manitoba in attendance. Dauphin Kinsmen Club member James Blake was pleased with how things were going on day one. "It's going pretty good, we've had a pretty steady turnout, people keep coming in... it looks to be a great year".

If you have been to the expo in previous years, you may have noticed a few changes in how the displays were set up this year. The expo's gaming area was in the curling rink, and a few businesses had to shrink their displays a little bit, to make way for others. This is a good thing, as it means more businesses, companies, and groups were involved this year than ever before.

The Dauphin Co-op Home & Building team took home the "Best Display in Show" award.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Apr 29, 2019 - 6:18 am

Tickets are available to the Dauphin Friendship Centre’s Square Dance Jamboree.

Lindsay Sanderson with the DFC says in previous years, they’ve held a square dance competition.

The jamboree is to take away from the stress of competition and just celebrate and enjoy the traditions of metis and first nations’ art of dance.

Shawn Mousseau and his band will be performing.

Tickets will be sold at the door at Credit Union Place on June 1^st. Doors open at 9 am and the dance starts at 11.

Admission is 10 dollars for ages 13 and up, 5 dollars for ages 7 to 13 and free for those under 7.

Sanderson says people should come out for the dance routines, costumes, music and talent.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Apr 29, 2019 - 4:28 am

At approximately 9:30 Saturday morning, Minnedosa RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision involving a semi trailer carrying anhydrous ammonia, on Road 85 N at PR 262 in Minnedosa.

The driver, a 63-year-old male from Kelwood, was travelling alone and is believed to have been travelling westbound on 85 North, when the truck went through the intersection at PR 262 and collided with a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The anhydrous ammonia being transported did not leak at the time of the collision and remained intact. Rivers Fire Department, Minnedosa Fire Department and Sustainable Development are all on scene assisting with the safe removal of the ammonia

Please be advised that for the next several hours PR 262 between 3rd Street South East to 86 North will be closed and traffic will be re-directed to 84 N and then to 99 W (Bethany Road).

It is believed that alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the collision.

Minnedosa RCMP, along with a Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, continue to investigate.