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A Winnipeg man has received a hefty fine for flying a drone in Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP).
Park Wardens were notified about a drone at a day-use area. A Search Warrant was executed to examine the drone's data. The result revealed the drone had been flown within RMNP on three separate occasions, where it was used to harass wildlife.
An investigation led to a fine of $1,680 under the Canada National Parks Act for the Winnipeg man.
Operating a drone within RMNP without prior authorization is prohibited.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
June is Pride Month.
Ashern is hosting their Pride event on Friday at the Ashern Legion from 1:30 to 5:30. The City of Winnipeg hosted their Pride event earlier this month, and hundreds attended. Now, it's time for the Village of Winnipegosis to take over.
Their Pride event begins at 11 a.m. on the Boulevard in that community on Sunday.
Cyndie Blythe says this is their fourth year, and excitement is off the charts.
"And we find that extremely gratifying. To be able to say we've been able to hold a Pride event for four years in the little backwoods puddle of Winnipegosis," said Blythe. "We're really reaching people. We feel that there is a lot of excitement locally."
There is a ton planned between 11 and 4. Then at 4, the Pride Parade hits the streets of Winnipegosis.
"Every hour or so, we will have a family-friendly drag performance. We are bringing three wonderful drag performers from Winnipeg, which is very exciting," continued Blythe. "We will also be having the drag performers read children's stories. We'll have food stands, yard games, tattoos, finger painting, and face painting."
There will also be inspirational speeches and a variety of vendors. Now 62, Blythe, who identifies as a Lesbian, was well into her 40s before she was able to embrace her sexuality.
"That is something I wouldn't wish on anyone," added Blythe. "To have to live 40 years in denial and self-loathing. In hiding."
Last year's event was an overwhelming success.
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Sunday, starting at 11, is all about inclusiveness in the Village of Winnipegosis, and you're invited to join in on the parade. Blythe says it's critical to celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness in her community.
"We are providing an opportunity for people to learn about the 2SLGBTQ+ community," ended Blythe. "Most importantly, there are people who are questioning and hiding. This is a safe place. This is where you can be out and proud."
That's the Winnipegosis Pride event, starting at 11 on Sunday on the Boulevard.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Their mission is to keep Dauphin safe.
Almost a dozen incredible volunteers have been doing their part. Dauphin Citizens on Patrol has been working hard since December 2022. They've logged over 6,700 kilometres to help prevent crime.
Richard Ives is the program coordinator and is pleased with how things have been going.
"Things are great. Summer time is a little slower for us, as our volunteers want to enjoy the weather," said Ives. "We do two-hour patrols at a time when we're out. We have a great group of volunteers."
Recently, Dauphin Citizens on Patrol received a $5,000 grant from Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (DNRC). This will go towards their new initiative, "Light Up the Night". They'll be giving away free solar-powered security lights to Dauphin residents. The goal is to help brighten our streets and yards.
Keeping outdoor areas well-lit has been proven to discourage criminal activity. Ives said they'll announce soon when the security lights will be available.
He's also very thankful to DNRC for their generous contribution.
"It's very exciting. The DNRC has been behind us since the start," said Ives. "When we got the letter that it was approved, we were thrilled to have the support. If we can light up backyards around the community, we hope that crime rates go down."
Would you be willing to give a helping hand? Richard says the time commitment is only about four hours per month. You can feel great knowing you're in on making our community as safe as possible.
"Folks can email us at dauphincopp22@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook," ended Ives. "It's another way to give back to our community."
Stay tuned in the near future for more on the new initiative, and as always, stay safe.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Two Parkland-area projects will receive funding through Sunrise Credit Union's Building Communities grant program, spring intake
The Burrows Trail Arts Council is receiving a $5,000 grant to assist in bringing in 4-time world hoop dancing champion Dallas Arcand to speak at local schools, in an effort to make arts and culture more accessible in the region.
And the Sandy Lake-Elphinstone Handivan Project is getting $10,000 towards the purchase of a new, fuel-efficient van.
A total of 50 applications were whittled down to five recipients throughout Westman and the Parkland, who will share in $46,730 in funding through this spring intake.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The new sitting of the House of Commons has brought on added responsibilities for Dan Mazier.
The Riding Mountain M-P has been named the health critic in the opposition Conservative Party's shadow cabinet.
For Mazier, it is a huge honour.
"Figuring out what is the provincial role, and where can the federal government actually improve things. It has been an interesting learning curve. I used to be a farmer and former President of Keystone Agricultural Producers. So I was pleased to see that portions of the CFIA - Canadian Food Inspection Agency - are included under the Health Minister's portfolio. So that fie, I am pretty excited to figure out what is going on there as well."
He says the biggest issue he is focusing on is access to health care for all Canadians.
"You can have all of the programs that you want, but access is number one. The other thing is that we have a shortage of doctors and nurses (in the country), so looking at workforce issues and what is going on with that. And then lastly, is taking a different approach and putting more of a focus on addiction recovery efforts."
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The recent dry weather has allowed local producers to make great headway with seeding operations.
According to the latest Manitoba Agriculture Crop Report, seeding is now almost complete, with 98 per cent of spring wheat in the ground, 99 per cent of field peas seeded, and 90 per cent of canola acres planted.
Soybeans are around 95 per cent seeded, while fall rye and winter wheat crops range from boot stage to early head emergence.
Some pest issues are also popping up, as field pea weevil has been spotted in the region, while flea beetles are increasing in canola crops.
Province-wide, 95 per cent of this year's crop has been seeded.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Dave McInnes has had enough.
He is sick and tired of people abandoning animals on the side of the road. Earlier this week, Dave got a call from someone informing him that four young puppies were found on the side of the highway northeast of Winnipegosis.
The puppies are between eight and ten weeks old and full of ticks and worms. They would have died if they weren't found and hand-delivered to Dave and his incredible crew at Barkland in the Parkland Pet Resort.
Abandoned animals are something Dave and his crew have become used to. It's heartbreaking and not right.
"I was very upset. It's quite concerning when you have a province under a state of emergency and there are people up north that aren't evacuating because they can't take their animals with them," said McInnes. "Yet, in such a large part of the province, we have people who are dumping dogs and cats like they're used luggage."
If you have an animal and are having trouble taking care of it, Dave said there are options, including taking them to his establishment. Dumping them on the side of the road should never be an option.
There are stiff penalties if you are caught dumping animals on the side of the road. However, they aren't easily enforced.
"Until we have people that are willing to come forward and say that's not right, you can't do that," continued McInnes. "People come forward for child abuse cases all the time. But when it comes to animals that would have died if they weren't found, people won't come forward for that. We need people to stand up and say Enough is enough."
Owning an animal can come with its challenges. From training to feeding and everything that comes with it, being a pet owner isn't for everyone. If you are interested in becoming a pet owner, McInnes recommends you take it slow.
And if you aren't up to it, that's okay.
"Ask for a trial period if you're looking at adopting a new family member," ended McInnes. "You need to see if they fit with your family. Raising a pet is not easy. But it is so exceptionally rewarding."
If you spot someone abandoning an animal on the side of the road, make sure to report it. Just like us, our furry friends deserve the best life possible.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The annual 4-H Beef & Sheep Show & Sale will once again serve as the kickoff event for this year's Dauphin Ag Society Fair.
It's set for June 26th at Rotary Arena, with the show going at 10 am, and the sale beginning at 6 pm.
Organizer Ben Fox says the event is a culmination of a year of hard work done by the 4-H members in raising their animals.
"The kids go out and talk to the potential buyers and bidders, and they learn from that interaction basically how to deal with talking with people as they grow older into doing their own career choices."
This year's competitors come from four local clubs - Alonsa, Eddystone, Mountainview, and Spruce Woods.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Central Hub for evacuees that have come to Dauphin after having to eave their homes in Northern Manitoba due to the wildfires has announced new hours of operation.
Located at the Rotary Arena, it will now be open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, with meals being offered three times a day for evacuees.
Those meals go from 10 to 11:30, from noon to 1:30, and from 4:30 to 6, but evacuees needing a meal are asked to show up early as they are subject to availability.
Organizers of the Central Hub are also still in need of volunteers o work some shifts, which include cleaning up after meals and at the end of the day, and helping to sort donations.
Shift times are 10 to 1, 1 to 4 and 4 to 7, and you can inquire a the arena if you are able to help out.
The hub is also still accepting donations of items - particularly toiletries, water, and snacks - for the evacuees.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A suspect is being sought after an armed robbery earlier today at a Main Street South business.
Dauphin Mounties were called to the business just before 6:30 after reports of a man dressed all in black with a face mask and gloves swung a hammer in the direction of a clerk before stealing 30-35 packages of cigarettes.
Despite efforts of the store employees to keep him inside, the suspect was able to escape and flee the scene on foot.
The Police Dog Service was called in to help, but the dog was unable to pick up a track due to foot traffic in that area.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Dauphin detachment at 204-622-5020.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 63-year-old man is dead after rolling an ATV.
On Friday at 10:30 p.m., Russell RCMP responded to a rollover on Highway 482, one kilometre west of Dropmore. Dropmore is less than 30 minutes away from Russell.
Several bystanders were trying to assist the man who was seriously injured. He was taken to the hospital and then transported by STARS to Winnipeg for further treatment. That's where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
