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The newest councillor in Gilbert Plains is ready to tackle her new duties.in the municipality.
Kristen Rubeniuk won a three-person byelection last Wednesday.
Rubeniuk says she is very excited to learn more about municipal government works.
"How things run and how things are decided and just the workings of the government."
She adds Gilbert Plains is very important to her.
"I have lived here my whole life and it is something that I have always been interested in. Now that my kids are grown and things like that, I have a little bit more time so I just wanted to get more involved."
Rubeniuk attends her first meeting as part of the Gilbert Plains municipal council today (Monday).
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
With the federal election writ now dropped, the naming of candidates for the newly named Riding Mountain federal constituency is expected to take place soon.
Conservative MP Dan Mazier will be seeking re-election, as he looks to hold on to a riding that he has represented since 2019.
His lone competitor so far is Donnan McKenna, a former superintendent with the RCMP who is representing the People's Party of Canada.
Two other former Parkland residents are also running in other constituencies in Manitoba.
Janice Morley-Lecomte, who grew up in Cayer, is the Conservative Party candidate in Winnipeg South, where she will go against Liberal cabinet minister Terry Duguid.
And Byron Gryba, who grew up in the Gilbert Plains area, is the PPC Candidate in Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman.
The federal election is set for April 28th.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
If you feel that this winter has lasted a little longer than last year, you're not alone.
Environment Canada Senior Climatologist David Phillips says after a warmer, El Nino-style winter last year, this year's La Nina weather was a little harsher and is sticking around longer.
"Dauphin, for example, had 55 days this winter - and we are not done yet - of cold days or -20. And, normally you would have 48 of those, so a little bit more than normal. But compare it to last year when there were only 23 of those miserable kind of cold days."
Phillips adds temperatures in Dauphin from December to February averaged around -16, which is significantly below last year's average of around -10 for that time.
He adds snowfall over the winter was around normal to about 10 per cent below normal levels, and is sticking around a little longer as average temperatures for March have been about two degrees below normal so far this year.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Many Canadian products are feeling the pressure of US tariffs, but recently China has layered on even more on Pork and Canola.
This two-pronged assault has Cam Dahl, executive director of Manitoba Pork, a bit worried.
"These are two of our larger markets. From a Canadian perspective, China is our third largest market, it's out 5th largest for Manitoba. it not just the size of the market that counts, it's what we ship there."
China buys a larger variety of pork products than any of our global trade partners, making their business a unique challenge to replace.
You can hear the full conversation with Cam on Monday's noon-hour edition of Agriview.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Outdoors enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that Provincial Parks Access will be free for 2025, as announced in the 2025 Budget.
Starting April 1st of this year, Provincial Parks will not require a Pass to visit, though camping site fees will still be in place for rented camping sites.
Previously, the provincial Government contracted out to an American company to design Park Passes for distribution in Canadian stores.
When the first round of U.S. tariffs was about to hit on Feb. 4th, Premier Wab Kinew singled out Manitoba’s “terrible contract” with Aspira, an outdoor recreation software company headquartered in Dallas.
According to statements in the Budget, this move looks to inspire more Manitobans, and Canadians across the board, to enjoy what our provincial Parks have to offer.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The City of Dauphin has signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with Dauphin's Countryfest, totalling $100,000.
Mayor David Bosiak says previous sponsorship agreements have been mostly gift-in-kind related, but this one is different.
"In discussing things with their executive and their board, it became very clear to us that they were in a situation that this might be the last festival if they do not secure more sponsorships, sell more tickets, and basically generate the funds that historically they have been generating."
The money comes from recreation and community development reserves, and the city decided to pay the entire 5-year sponsorship up front in order to help the festival with its current cash flow issues.
It will allow the city to have a major sponsorship presence around the main stage area of Countryfest.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Another edition of the Rotary Book Sale is right around the corner.
Set for April 3rd to 5th at the 8th Avenue Hall, the bi-annual fundraiser is known for the wide variety and great quality of available books, according to organizer Jean-Louis Guillas.
"People understand how valuable this sale is in terms of filling the gap in terms of availability for books and reading materials in our community. We get all kinds of great things. And of course, people are continually moving from the community or changing housing, which frees up books."
Returning for this edition is the wine-tasting night, which will be the evening of April 4th.
Tickets for that are $40 and are available at Liquor Mart in Dauphin or from Rotary Club members.
Book donations can now be dropped off in the bins outside of the 8th Avenue hall.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Dauphin's Mayor says he was genuinely pleased with the direction of yesterday's provincial budget.
David Bosiak says with no cuts to any government departments, he expects funding to remain consistent this year.
Bosiak noted there were two direct mentions of Dauphin in the budget.
"There is some spending in the health area where the diagnostic services area is getting additional funding for one of the programs that is going on at the (Dauphin Regional Health Centre). And we had another renewed commitment for the consultation and information gathering stage - sort of the pre-planning stages for the Justice Centre."
Bosiak says they have been told not to expect any construction work on the justice centre until 2026 at the earliest.
With that in mind, he is anticipating a much bigger announcement regarding the justice centre in next year's budget.
Meanwhile, R.M. of Dauphin Reeve Ernie Sirski also saw a number of positives in Thursday's provincial budget.
"When I look at the highlights, there is an increase of two per cent in the base operating grants coming from the province to all municipalities. And combine that with the One Manitoba Growth revenue fund, which is a commitment of 62 million dollars over the next five years - it has been increased by $12.9 million which will mean an overall increase to municipalities outside of Winnipeg totalling nine per cent."
Sirski was also pleased to see a continued commitment towards a new Justice Centre for Dauphin.
Sirski admits he is still exploring the details of expanded funding to several agriculture programs and services in the province.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
After holding a by-election earlier this week, the Municipality of Gilbert Plains has announced it needs to fill another vacancy on its council.
The byelection is set for May 28th, if more than one candidate files nomination papers.
Prospective candidates can file nomination papers between now and April 22nd at the Gilbert Plains Municipal Office on Main Street.
You can also email your nomination papers to seogilbertplains@gmail.com
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Dauphin's Countryfest has finalized their lineup for this year's festival, set for June 26th to 29th at the Selo Ukraina site.
Among the additions are local artists Kate's Outlaw and Desirtee Dorion to the main stage lineup, as well as finalizing the lineup for the Hilltop stage.
Here is the full lineup for this year's festival
Thursday Night (June 26th)
Toque
The Haileys - as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Kates Outlaw - as Tragically Hip
Revolving Door - as Rolling Stones
Legion 183 Smalltown Rock Throwback
DJ Johnny’s Rock Hour
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Friday June 27th
Hilltop Stages
Matt Lang - Headliner
Ultimate Escape - Journey Tribute Band
MACH10
Eh to Zed
The Haileys
Lachlan Neville
Kingsway
Dawson Gray
Austin Ryder (from Roblin)
Pure Entry
Louden King
Friday Main Stage
Josh Ross
Jackson Dean
Drake Milligan
Kalsey Kulyk
Desiree Dorion (from Dauphin)
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Saturday June 28th
Hilltop Stages
Corb Lund
The Legendary Life of Tom Petty with Clayton Bellamy
Sean Taylor Band
Catie St Germain
Tim Albertson
Mitchell Makoons (from Kinesota)
Daisy Chain
12/21 - Blink 182 Tribute
Hold On Surely - Doobie Dan
Car 287
United Thunder Square Dancers (from Dauphin)
Saturday Main Stage
Jordan Davis
Meghan Patrick
The Road Hammers
Kates Outlaw - (from Dauphin)
Teagen Little Chief
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Sunday June 29th
Hilltop Stages
Steven Lee Olson
JaimesonRhy
Emma Peterson (from Winnipegosis)
Quick Dick McDick
Daniel Desorcy
Unchained / Looks that Hill (Motley Crue/Van Halen Tribute)
Crush
Matt Cory
Brett Schulz
Avery Stykalo - (from Laurier)
Sunday Main Stage
John Michael Montgomery
Lonestar
Mark Chesnutt
Neal McCoy
Deana Carter
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Ochre River Players are hosting a fantastic theatrical performance for the next few days.
Steve Pearson is a player in this group, and he's thrilled to present "How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Parrty in 15 Simple Steps"
"Miss Penelope, who you'll get to know, is hosting a murder mystery dinner seminar, That's what the play is built around. the crowd is drawn into it, and supposedly its in 15 simple steps, but you'll find out they're not as simple as they appear."
Friday features a full dinner theater, and Saturday and Sunday will be accompanied by hors d'oeuvres. The cost is $40 for Friday, and Saturday and Sunday are $15.
"I just really encourage people. Hey, you want a great evening out that's very affordable? give us a shot Saturday night or Sunday afternoon especially, and we'll put on a show for you!"
Tickets can be obtained from the Ochre River Post Office, or any cast member, or by contacting Colleen at 204-647-0970.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
