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The snow is disappearing, and the bears are appearing.

Tim Sallows with Parks Canada has confirmed a few different bears have been spotted around Riding Mountain National Park over the past few weeks. While seeing bears can make for a cool moment, safety around them is paramount.

"If you come in contact with one, stay calm, watch what it's doing, and act accordingly," said Sallows. "Don't approach it; watch from a safe distance."

While it's very rare that a black bear gets close to a human, it does happen from time to time, and you mustn't act out of character.

"Make yourself look big and make some noise," continued Sallows. "Try to avoid dropping anything that you have. And if you have a backpack, it may serve as some sort of protection, so keep it with you; don't throw it to the side."

Also, keep in mind that feeding any bears you see is a big no-go. Fines can be up to $25,000 if you are caught and convicted.

"Do not feed bears, it's as simple as that, never feed them," said Sallows. "If you feed wildlife, it becomes habituated and then seeks human food, which is very dangerous for the public."

When driving through Riding Mountain National Park, if you happen to spot wildlife, Sallows said you're welcome to take photos, but don't spend long in one spot.

"Stay in your vehicles, snap a few photos, and move along as quickly as possible," ended Sallows. 

Enjoy your ride and remember, stay safe. 

The Dauphin RCMP are looking for a 24-year-old man who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.

24-year-old Chaston Moosetail is wanted for numerous offences, including Assault with a Weapon. He's 6'2" with brown eyes, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

If you see Chaston, call the RCMP at 622-5020 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. 

You are running out of time to make your way down to Brandon for this year's Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. 

The week-long celebration wraps up Saturday at the Keystone Centre.

Dauphin MLA and Manitoba Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn is among the many people that have checked out this year's fair, which he says is an important part of the province's agriculture industry,

"At the end of the day it is an opportunity to have the individuals, both young and old, who recognize the importance of agriculture and the animals and changing opportunities that we see.  And definitely the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair does a great job of showcasing the opportunities of education for our young individuals and seniors as well."

Kostyshyn calls the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair the "University of Education" for individuals who do not have an understanding of the agriculture sector.

More info on the Royal can be found online at www.provincialexhibition.com.

The Watson Arts Centre will play host to a concert featuring two Manitoba-based youth bands.

McCreary's Ranke and Stteinbach's Paradise on Fire will take to the stage in the old fire hall portion of the Watson, beginning at 8 pm Saturday.

Sho Sho Shuttleworth encourages the public to come out and support these two young bands. 

"It is so important to get our youth active again, especially in the Arts community.  What better way than supporting some young bands and checking them out."

Tickets for the all-ages show are $15 each and will be available at the door. 

A 52-year-old Dauphin man faces several charges after RCMP executed a second search warrant in the past four months at a business on Main Street in the city.

Among the items seized during the latest warrant on Thursday were :

  • 4 Bottles of liquor (Selling liquor without permit)
  • 33 Pouches / 138.6 Grams unstamped tobacco pouches
  • 179 Pouches / 2,178 Grams Unstamped Flavoured Nicotine Pouches
  • 289 Unstamped Cigarettes
  • 30 Canada Stamped Cigars (Being sold as singles, which is illegal)
  • 2,900 Canada Stamped Cigarettes
  • 106 Unstamped Vaping Devices
  • 432 Canada Stamped Vaping Devices
  • 47 Bottles / 2970 ML Canada Stamped Vaping Liquid

On December 12, 2024, police executed their first search warrant at this establishment and seized the following:

  • 994 Unstamped Cigarettes
  • 2 Grams unstamped tobacco
  • 4050 Canada Stamped Cigars (Being sold as singles which is illegal)
  • 5025 Canada Stamped Cigarettes
  • 251 Unstamped Vaping Devices

Among the charges laid against Rashid Noor were offences under the Excise Act and the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act.

He was released under a promise to appear in court at a later date.

If you've spent time in Brandon, you'll know firsthand how many people flock to the Park Community Centre.

Right in the heart of Brandon, the Community Centre is a meeting hub for so many, and it's set for a brand new facelift. As announced by the Manitoba government on Thursday, $6 million is being invested to support the revitalization of the Community Centre and non-profit child-care facility.

Jeff Fawcett is the mayor of Brandon and is thrilled that the government stepped up.

"It is great news, it was a promise that the provincial government made during their campaign," said Fawcett. "They now provided an update on how they will live up to that promise."

The Park Community Centre will host a variety of activities, including live music on a new stage, yoga classes, and gatherings for local community groups. There will also be record sales, creating a lively yet welcoming atmosphere.

A cornerstone of the community for almost 80 years, there will also be 62 new child-care spaces in the centre that will support families in Brandon. 

"That's very important," added Fawcett. "Like all of our communities, you could put daycares in every corner and still not have enough. Any daycare additions are very important."

The current building will be demolished before the construction of the new building begins. Fawcett expects that process to start next fall, and he knows there will be many eyes on the progress for as long as it takes.

"It's in our core downtown, so that makes a difference; a lot is going on in downtown Brandon," ended Fawcett. "Initially, the plan was to revitalize the green space. There was a community outcry that had us look at rebuilding. To the province's credit, they've got themselves involved and took it to the next level."

Fawcett was unsure of how long it will take to complete the build but added that it will be worth the wait.

About 30 grade 12 students are set to cross the stage and be handed their diplomas from Goose Lake High School in Roblin.

The school will hold its graduation on June 21, followed by a dinner and dance on June 22. The excitement continues to build for the soon-to-be graduates, and ahead of their big day, they're holding a Safe Grad fundraiser.

Prizes up for grabs:
1st prize: $1000.00
2nd prize: 2 x $500.00
3rd prize: 4 x $250.00

Tickets are only $20 each, and a limited number are still left. The draw date is April 11.

If you're interested in tickets, you can contact any grad or call/text Paulina at 204-293-1822.

The interview process is underway as the search for a new Chief Administration Officer (CAO) for the Rural Municipality of Dauphin continues.

This was after Nicole Chychota left the position, as she took a position with the City of Portage la Prairie.

Ernie Sirski is the Reeve of the RM.

"I'm optimistic we're going to find somebody; we'll get someone in place in the near future," said Sirski. "It's a challenging situation, there is no doubt about it. This is an important position for the municipality and we want to make sure we get the right person in place."

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing information to the Council and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws. This includes overseeing on-site staff and managing Public Works operations, among other duties.

Sirski believes it can be an extremely rewarding position.

"It would provide the successful candidate with a challenging opportunity to grow your skills in municipal government and provincial laws that govern municipalities," said Sirski. "I believe it would be a welcomed challenge to the right individual."

Assistant CAO Tyral Solski has taken over the position on an interim basis.

"It's not the first time that she's done it; we're in good and capable hands right now," continued Sirski. "We don't have to worry about the rural municipality falling apart, that's for sure."

If you are interested in applying, Ernie says it would be nice if you had some experience.

"Some municipal experience would be a nice thing to have," ended Sirski. "At the same time, we know what kind of challenges that brings. If we have to, we will look at training the right individual."

If you are looking to apply, you can call 204-638-4531 or head to the office. 

A Pine Creek woman will spend 10 years in prison following the stabbing death of her partner in 2022.

Sheryl Thompson was originally charged with second-degree murder, but pled guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The sentence was handed down yesterday in Dauphin court in relation to the death of 51-year-old Lance Moosetail.

In the most recent provincial budget, the government announced a $150 million commitment to the agricultural sector in the face of tariffs from the United States and China.

Details of that commitment were announced Wednesday, with $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programs such as AgriInsurance and AgriInvest.

Dauphin MLA and Provincial Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn says the intent of the funding is to have money available if tariffs put Manitoba producers in a challenging position.

"We still do not know what may change, but we just wanted to work in partnership with the proposal that had been brought forward by the Federal Agriculture minister.  We just solidified that thought that we were putting additional dollars in the budget towards the Ag Stability program."

There is also an additional $90 million set aside as a contingency for farmers and producers if the impact of tariffs grows.

More than 1,200 athletes competed for gold medals, and more than 700 volunteers made it happen. Thousands of visitors came to Dauphin to witness history in the making.

The 2024 Manitoba Summer Games, powered by Manitoba Hydro, were an overwhelming success this past summer. The event featured the top athletes in the province in various age groups, and people are still talking about how special it was.

And as the City of Winnipeg gets set to host the 3rd Annual Tourism Awards, Clayton Swanton and Carla Wolfenden will be there

The 2024 Summer Games is a finalist for Event of the Year - Rural Category. 

The Ghost Tours at Lower Fort Garry, the Gimli International Film Festival, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, and Nuit Blanche 2024 round out the top five.

Carla Wolfenden was a co-chair for the Dauphin event.

"We're very honoured. It's a great way to be recognized for all of the years of hard work that people put in," said Wolfenden. "We aren't able to pay or recognize everyone because it was literally hundreds of people that made it happen. It makes me feel very proud of our community. We didn't just get it done, we got it done very, very well."

The week-long event began with the Opening Ceremonies in front of a packed crowd at Credit Union Place and ended with the Closing Ceremonies, once again in front of a packed crowd at Credit Union Place. Athletes competed in several different sports.

"We put Dauphin on the map again as a great event-hosting community," continued Wolfenden. "We were able to show off our incredible recreational facilities. Many of the athletes had never been here before and were so impressed with what we have here."

Wolfenden knows this event couldn't have happened without the volunteers and executives. 

"On behalf of Clayton and myself, we can't thank our executive and all of the incredible volunteers enough. You stepped up when we made the call for volunteers," ended Wolfenden. "They helped us put on a great event and showcase our town to the province."

The 2024 Manitoba Summer Games, an event that no one will forget.