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Trades students from several Parkland schools are competing against peers from across the province today in the 27th annual Skills Manitoba competition.
Taking place at Red River College Polytechnic, the event features over 40 Olympic-style, hands-on contests in areas such as robotics and manufacturing, 3D character computer animation, hairstyling, and construction.
There are competitions at both the high school and post secondary/apprenticeship levels, with gold medalists advaancing to the National competition in Regina at the end of May.
Besides hosting the skills competition today, RRC Polytechnic is also hosting around 170 female junior high students for their annual young women's conference, which is giving the participants the opportunity to learn more about career opportunities in the trades and technology fields.
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An investigation is underway after a 46-year-old man was found dead in Swan River.
On Thursday at 4:05 a.m., Swan River RCMP responded to a report of a sudden death at a home on Crescent Drive in Swan River. When officers arrived, the man was outside with injuries, and he was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The death is considered suspicious, and the RCMP believes there is no risk to the public safety.
If you have any information, you're asked to call the RCMP at 734-4686.
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It was a day to remember in Swan River on Wednesday afternoon.
Chief Nelson Genaille of the the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation was on hand to announce the development of a state-of-the-art Microtel by Wyndham. The new hotel will be on Highway 10, roughly two kilometres from Main Street in Swan River.
"We went back to the community and asked what we needed through a feasibility study," said Genaille. "This is what they came back with, and now, we're going to build it."
Genaille is looking forward to seeing the economic impacts the new hotel will bring. From staff to a new place for people to stay, this beautiful new hotel will be a hot spot in the community for years to come.
"When you look at the spin-offs from the Junior A hockey team, there aren't many options for visiting teams to stay," continued Genaille. "This includes minor hockey teams coming into town, the rodeo, and other events that come to town."
The hotel will include a pool and waterslide, along with a continental breakfast and 76 units.
There will also be a 6,500-square-foot Conference Centre.
"There will be an opportunity to host bingo. After COVID, people need to start getting back to living," said Genaille. "Weddings can be hosted, socials, and so much more. Anything is possible with the conference centre."
Chief Genaille anticipates opening the doors in August of 2026.
"I've always wanted more venues, economic development, economic opportunity," ended Genaille. "There are so many dying towns in Urban areas. With this being done, the spin-offs are going to be awesome for everyone."
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It's an exciting time for folks in Laurier as they hope to get a few different renovations done at the Community Centre in that community.
Charlene Saquet is a secretary and confirmed that they are getting a brand new tin roof. Installation is expected to begin this spring.
"That's very exciting," said Saquet. "The current condition of the roof isn't in very good shape, we're very excited to get it fixed."
They've also applied for several different grants.
Bathroom Renovation:
Total Cost: $132,300.00
From The Ground Up (Province of Manitoba) Grant: $100,000.00
Kitchen Renovation:
Total Cost: $32,596.82
Co-op Community Spaces Grant: $27,596.82
Front Door Replacement:
Total Cost: $15,178.20
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Grant: $7,589.10
Paint Siding:
Total Cost: $16,000.00
Sunrise Credit Union Grant: $12,000.00
The total estimate to complete all the renovations would be $196,075.02. Should they be successful in every grant, they would receive $147,185.92.
"We've recently sent out a letter to the surrounding communities asking for donations and we've already got some in," continued Saquet. "We're still accepting more and, hopefully, looking forward to going ahead with some of the renovations, if we can."
Charlene has set up an information night on Thursday from 6 to 8. Refreshments and snacks will be available, and donations can be made.
"It'll be a come and go. People can check out the posters with all of the information with how much everything would cost," said Saquet.
The Laurier Community Centre can host up to 302 people, which is Laurier's heartbeat.
"It's very important to keep the building updated and in good working order."
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Cautious optimism is the general thought among residents in the R.M. of Dauphin going into the upcoming growing season.
Reeve Ernie Sirski delivered that message during Tuesday's State of the District event.
"There are so many factors in play this year. It is not just markets and weather. It is also tariffs and how things are going forward. Also, labour issues that we have, and farmers have the same issues with labour anybody else in the community has, to make sure we have the right people operating our equipment because we are talking equipment that is hundreds of thousands of dollars, and trying to make sure that we have the right people in place for that."
Sirski also looked ahead to capital projects in the region this year.
"We always have our capital works projects, and most of them involve putting in approaches and driveways and culverts to make sure that our residents and producers have access to their fields and yards. That is an ongoing process that we do every year, and we are continuing that moving forward. As far as development of new roads, this R.M. is pretty well equipped with the roads that we have so we do not have any big projects this year in that sense."
He adds that maintaining drains and ditches is also an ongoing project that will continue this year.
Sirski adds they are hopeful for a better year than last, when around 15 percent of fields in the R.M. went unseeded due to excessive moisture and flooding.
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Representatives from 5 different local municipalities took center stage on Tuesday to provide an update on what is happening within their jurisdictions.
The Parkland Chamber's "State of the District" included presentations from the City of Dauphin, RM of Dauphin, and Grandview, Gilbert Plains and Mossey RIver Municipalities.
Chamber Executive Director Stephen Chychota says an event like this creates awareness of what is happening in everyone's communities.
"The message that we want to emphasize at events like this, as well as through work that we do, is that when we look at the Parkland as a whole, and the communities that are within it, they all play a factor with each other. When there is a win or a loss in one community, it does have an impact on the rest of the region. So it was great to hear from some of our municipal leaders on the developments that they are having out there."
Chychota adds that each Municipality had some positive messages to relay during their speeches.
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Sunrise Credit Union (SCU) has reached $2 billion in assets.
President and CEO Tim Klassen says this milestone speaks volumes about our strength, vision, and, most importantly, our people.
"Our Credit Union has grown to the size where our assets from member's deposits to our buildings, and everything has grown to over $2 billion," said Klassen.
The $2 billion asset milestone represents years of strategic growth, innovative services, and a member-first approach.
"It puts us in a position where we are that much larger when it comes to offering more for our members and our communities where we live, work, and play in," continued Klassen. "It allows us to afford a lot of the new technology and the staffing that we continue to train."
With 19 branches, servicing roughly 34,500 members with over 225 employees, Tim is thankful for each employee and member of SCU.
"It's because of you, we're two," ended Klassen. "It's our people that make us who we are. This is a celebration as much for members as much as it is for Sunrise."
SCU was formed in 2008 and serves Baldur, Boissevain, Brandon, Cypress River, Deloraine, Grandview, Hartney, Holland, Laurier, Melita, Minnedosa, Reston, Sandy Lake, Shoal Lake, Ste. Rose du Lac, Strathclair, Treherne, Virden, and Waskada.
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With it looking more and more like spring is finally here, the city is preparing to spruce things up along Main Street.
The Beautification Advisory Committee is looking for individuals or groups interested in adopting one of the many planters that line the main road in Dauphin.
Individuals or groups can adopt a planter for either one or three years, and also have the option to plant flowers of their choice themselves, or have the city do it at an additional cost.
Anyone interested in adopting a planter can call City Hall at 204-622-3200.
The city will also be responsible for fertilizing, watering, and refreshing the soil throughout the year.
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The Healthy Lifestyle Women's Group will meet for the first time on Wednesday afternoon at the Sandy Bay First Nation Health Centre.
The meeting will take place from 1 to 3, and Michelle Beaulieu is the home and community care program coordinator with Sandy Bay.
"What initiated this is a few women coming forward and asking for a women's group, there is a men's group and they're meeting regularly," said Beaulieu. "The ladies want a group to come together and learn about different things."
This women's only group welcomes women of all ages and backgrounds.
"It's open to any female. The women in attendance will determine how the group is set up," continued Beaulieu. "It'll be up to the ladies, what do they want to learn, and what they need more information on."
There will be no charge to participate, and if you're interested, you're encouraged to bring an open mind and ideas for future activities.
"We're going to empower each other and get it started," ended Beaulieu. "It's an opportunity for ladies to get together, share stories, and learn from one another."
Future dates are already planned on April 23, May 7, May 21, June 4, and June 18.
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The first annual "Stars of Tomorrow" variety night is set for Wednesday night at the Watson Arts Centre.
The event is being put on by the Watson Youth Arts Council as well as the DRCSS CREW group, which stands for Creating Relationships and Enhancing Wellness.
Organizer Sho-Sho Shuttleworth previews some of the acts that will be performing.
"A high school rock band will be performing, one of the community choirs, which is a group of 25 youth that will be singing, musicians such as piano players and drummers. We also have a young ventriloquist, which will be really cute to see, as well as a juggling act and a lot of fun stuff."
All performers will be entered into draws for prizes donated by the local business community.
The show begins at 6:30 pm in the Johnston and Company auditorium.
A silver collection will be taken at the door.
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A 21-year-old Dauphin man has been arrested after being wanted on an unendorsed arrest warrant.
Mounties were conducting patrols along Main Street Monday afternoon when they spotted the suspect walking.
He initially escaped on foot but was eventually tracked down, with police seizing crack cocaine, illicit pills and a large amount of Canadian cash in his possession, as well as a handgun that he allegedly tossed onto a roof as he was escaping.
Among the charges laid against Jayden Peters are carrying a concealed weapon, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, resisting arrest, and several firearms-related offences.
Peters has been remanded into custody.
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