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Nearly 10,000 pigs died in a barn fire in Sturgis, Saskatchewan over the weekend.
The farm was owned by Olymel and the finishing barn was a complete loss, with all animals inside dying in the blaze. All staff that worked at the facility were unharmed by the fire.
Staff on the property saw the fire and called the local department, but the fire spread quickly, and by the time the firefighters arrived, the barn was fully engulfed. The local fire authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The RCMP executed a search warrant on Peguis First Nation as part of an ongoing investigation last Wednesday, February 8th.
Members of the Fisher Branch Detachment, with help from the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, and National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, conducted the search. Officers seized four firearms, ammunition, and prohibited magazines.
A male and female were arrested at the scene and are facing eight charges each, including four counts of Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon, three counts of Careless Storage of a Firearm, and Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Swan River RCMP arrested and charged three people after an incident on Sapotaweyak Cree Nation last Friday, February 10th. The full details from the RCMP are below:
On February 10, 2023, at 10:25 am, Swan River RCMP received a report of a 29-year-old male having been assaulted on Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and was being transported to the Swan Valley health Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Shortly thereafter, at 11:00 am, officers were advised that two additional males, ages of 42 and 50, had come forward indicating that they just had been assaulted.
Two male suspects, ages of 19 and 27, were identified and patrols were made to locate and arrest them with negative results.
Later that evening, as officers continued their search for the suspects, RCMP received a report of unwanted guests, who were armed with knives and machetes, refusing to leave a home on Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.
Officers attended to the home and as they approached the door, one of the suspects, who was armed with a machete, appeared behind the window. The suspect made comments towards the officers and slammed the door closed.
A perimeter was established around the home and officers used a loud hailer to make contact with the suspects inside.
Over the span of several hours, the suspects surrendered themselves to officers and were taken into custody without incident.
RCMP have charged 22-year-old Chandler Cook with Assault w/ Weapon x3 and 27-year-old Scott Cook with Assault, Assault w/ Weapon x2 and both had outstanding warrants of arrest for other charges. They were both remanded into custody.
18-year-old Santana Genaille was charged with Assault, Assault w/ Weapon x7 and he was later released from custody for a court appearance scheduled March 15, 2023, in Winnipeg.
Swan River RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Canada's Premiers met yesterday to discuss last week's healthcare funding proposal from the federal government. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says it isn't as much as they wanted, but they have agreed to accept it.
The deal will provide the provinces with 46.2-billion dollars in new healthcare funding from the federal government over a period of 10 years.
Stefanson says the premiers will keep working with Ottawa on bilateral agreements tailored to the needs of each province and territory.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
It's the longest-running winter festival in Manitoba and it's set to return to The Pas on Wednesday.
The Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival is set for its 76th year and it runs up until Sunday evening. One of the biggest events is the dog sled race which features competitors from all over North America and it is always a hit. There is also a world-renowned craft show featuring vendors from across North America as well as the King & Queen Trapper and the Junior King & Queen Trapper.
Jenn Cooks is the past chairperson and she says the event organizers take great pride in making the event a must-attend.
"We have a board of directors that works diligently all year around," said Cooks. "It takes roughly 800 volunteer hours to put the festival together and it's all of the smiles from the kids that make it all worth it."
The five-day festival opens with the opening ceremonies on Wednesday at 12:15 at the Ice Palace. There is also a Bannock Slap Street Hockey Tournament and Skills Competition which takes place this weekend and the 'Pub Crawl' is Thursday evening at the Pas Regional Library starting at 5:00 p.m. You can also take part in helicopter rides and the OCN Blizzard will host a pancake breakfast and perogy lunch.
There is an admission fee for some events; however, no event is more than $15 to take part in and some are free. Another highlight of the festival is the Family Fun Day which is on Saturday from 11 to 2 at Kelsey School and it features games, food, and treats.
Event organizers would like to welcome everyone to attend the festival, one that welcomes thousands of visitors every year. You can also find out more information about the festival at Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The provincial government is continuing to try and help Manitoba's ailing healthcare system by making another investment to try and retain physicians, as well as train more.
The government is launching a new premium for physicians who offer extended hours in family medicine and pediatric clinics, as well as adding 80 physician training seats, and providing mental health support to doctors. Health Minister Audrey Gordon and Advanced Education and Training Minister Sarah Guillemard made the announcement today.
In a news release, Gordon says the government knows that physicians are an important part of healing the province's healthcare system.
“We recognize the enormous contributions of primary-care providers and pediatricians and the care they provide to Manitobans. Providing an incentive to extend clinic hours will make accessing care more convenient and timely, while taking pressure off emergency departments and urgent care centres so the health-care system functions more efficiently overall.”
Family medicine and pediatric clinics offering extended hours can receive a 20% premium on extended-hour billings. Eligible extended hours, which can be used to see existing patients or take walk-ins, are considered weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight, and weekends and recognized holidays from 7 a.m. to midnight.
President of Doctors Manitoba, Dr. Candice Bradshaw, says this is in direct response to advice the organization has offered on the behalf of Manitoba doctors.
"From an innovative and unique-in-Canada approach to help clinics with extending their hours, to a significant expansion in medical training, to new resources for supporting physician wellness and avoiding burnout, all three of these actions will help to support better access to medical care for Manitobans."
The Manitoba government will also provide funding for 40 new undergraduate physician-training seats, a 10-seat increase in the one-year international medical graduate program, and 30 seats in the two-year postgraduate medical education program for internationally educated medical students.
On top of these announcements, the government is contributing $450,000 to the Physician Peer Support Program run by Doctors Manitoba, in an effort to improve overall wellness and help reduce the risk of burnout.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Mountain Road will be closed in front of the DRCSS starting at 7 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, February 14th), while the city works to repair a water main break.
This is the second time in less than a week the City has closed this stretch of Mountain Road.
2nd Avenue NE, 3rd Avenue NE, and the school's parking lots will still have access to Mountain Road while work is being done.
The City asks that people avoid the area if possible.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Planning for the Gilbert Plains-Grandview Ag Society Fair and Rodeo is well underway, but the Ag Society is hoping they can find some help ahead of time.
They recently held their AGM, and President Kevin Boese says they're looking for more board members ahead of this year's event.
"We definitely need a few more board members to keep this thing going. We've got some very dedicated board members that have been on this fair board for, some of them close to 50 years, and they're looking to train somebody a little younger and maybe step back a little bit."
Boese says the board isn't a massive undertaking, saying they meet once a month to plan the fair, and it's always a good time when they meet.
"There's a lot of planning that goes on throughout the year, and we have a lot of fun doing that at our meetings. If anybody is looking to be part of a fun board and committee, it's not just that one weekend in July. Throughout the whole year, we do some things, we have a Christmas party, and it's a great event."
On top of more board members, the Ag Society's also looking for some more volunteers for the week of the fair.
"We have a great group of volunteers who always show up. Sometimes we wonder how we're going to get it done and then that week comes and a bunch of local people that have been helping for many years shows up and we appreciate that. But, you know, there's a lot of stuff going on, and we always need more volunteers for that week before."
This year's fair has also been pushed back a week because of conflicts, so it will be held the third weekend in July, on the 14th, 15th, and 16th. Boese says on top of all of their normal events, a third day of Chuckwagons has been added for this year's event.
Anyone interested in becoming a board member can reach out to the Ag Society on Facebook, or contact Boese at 204-647-6334.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Saskatchewan RCMP is asking for the public's help in locating three homicide suspects.
At around 4 a.m. on Friday, February 10th, RCMP responded to a report of a break-and-enter and a suspicious death at a residence about 20 km south of Esterhazy. When police got to the scene they found the male resident deceased, and the female resident was taken to the hospital with injuries.
The suspects stole three long-barreled firearms, a significant amount of ammunition, and a vehicle from the residence, however, the vehicle was found on fire nearby. The police have released the following descriptions of the suspects:
- Suspect #1:
- Male, believed to be in his 20's;
- Approximately 6' 2" tall
- 180-200 pounds, slender build
- Piercing/scar or absence of hair on left eyebrow;
- May have a lower stomach tattoo;
- Face was covered by a thin neck warmer/tube pulled up
- Wearing a black beanie-style head covering/hat
- Dark-coloured Carhartt/work-style jacket with a lighter-coloured "sherpa" style liner
- Suspect #2:
- Male, believed to be older than suspects #1 and #3
- Approximately 5' 11";
- Approximately 210 pounds;
- Face was covered by black balaclava
- Sparsely-haired moustache visible
- Tattoos:
- Small pointed tattoo near the corner of left eye (possibly a teardrop or arrow);
- Top of arched tattoo partially visible under facial covering near the top of the left cheekbone, under the left eye;
- Suspect #3:
- Male
- Shorter than suspects #1 and #2;
- Approximately 200-240 pounds;
- Face was covered by a thin neck warmer/tube pulled up
- Wearing a black beanie-style head covering/hat
- Wearing what is believed to have been a Red Dragon Apparel hoodie. There was a large Red Dragon logo on the front, no zipper;
If you believe you know who one or any of these individuals are, or have information to share related to these sketches, contact your nearest RCMP Detachment or police service immediately or call 310-RCMP in non-emergencies.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Yorkton Farm Toy is back for its 35th year as it takes place from 9 to 5 today at the Yorkton Auction Centre.
Featuring dozens of exhibitors from around Western Canada, there are hundreds of farm toys that are up for sale at the event which kicked off with a great first day yesterday. 100% of the proceeds from the event go to those in need and this year, all the funds will go to Adriaan. He's a basketball-loving, young man who lives in Langenburg with his family.
"It's emotional to hear Adriaan's story," said Mehrer. "If we can help out a little bit in some way, it feels like we have done our job.".
New this year is the tractor peddle races for the kids and there are also other activities taking place throughout the day and a canteen will be open. There is no charge to take part.
"It has always been great to work alongside the Yorkton Auction Centre," ended Mehrer.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The truck was located on Thursday on 7th Avenue Northeast in Dauphin. Officers then started surveilling the vehicle, and a short time later, they saw two males enter it and start it up.
As the two males were about to drive away, they were arrested without incident. The full details from the RCMP are below:
On February 9, 2023, officers with the Manitoba West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST) located a stolen pickup truck on 7th Ave NE in Dauphin.
Officers established surveillance and within a short time, observed two males enter and start the vehicle.
As the suspects were about to drive away, officers pulled up on scene and arrested both suspects without incident.
Keanu Roulette, 26, and Jamie Desmarais, 22, both from Sandy Bay First Nation, were taken into custody. Upon search of the suspects and vehicle, officers located and seized over 200 grams of methamphetamine, two firearms, two CO2 replica firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition, body armor, a machete, a knife and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Both suspects had outstanding warrants of arrest and were later remanded into custody on numerous drug and weapons-related charges.
RCMP urge anyone who may have any information regarding drugs or any other criminal activity, to please contact your local police agency or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
West District CREST continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
