NewsNow
This week on the Al Morning Show a CKDM listener phoned in, wondering why there seem to be fewer bats flying around the Parkland lately.
So the CKDM NewsNow Information team spoke with the experts to find out why.
Quinn Fletcher is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Winnipeg, and confirms there’s been a hit to bat populations in Manitoba — largely due to a disease called white-nose syndrome.
“Bat populations were doing fine in North America and were growing slowly, which is normal. When white-nose hit, it caused populations to go down.”
The relatively new disease putting some of Manitoba's bat species at risk was first detected here in the winter of 2017/2018 in the Interlake region — and more recently in the Riding Mountain National Park area.
White-nose Syndrome occurrence map - by year (2020). Courtesy of www.whitenosesyndrome.org
“I guess it’s not surprising if people are seeing less bats,” said Fletcher, adding that white-nose syndrome is particularly devastating to little brown bats, and northern long-eared bats.
Big brown bats are another species in Manitoba, however, they seem to be somewhat resistant to the disease.
Fletcher says his fellow researchers at the Dr. Craig Willis Bat Lab at the University of Winnipeg are aiming to understand how we can help bat populations deal with the threat of the disease.
“We’re basically trying to highlight how important it is for bats to have good foraging habitat — and if they do have a good eating habitat, this might allow them to become fatter before they go into hibernation and be able to survive the disease,” he said.
Are decreased bat populations related to an increase in mosquitoes?
The post-doctoral researcher at the University of Winnipeg could not confirm if decreased bat populations are related to a possible increase in the number of mosquitoes biting you on your evening walk.
Fletcher says there’s actually been a lot of focus to try and determine what proportion of a bat’s diet is comprised of mosquitoes.
“Bats definitely eat mosquitoes, but I think if given the choice, bats are more likely targetting bigger things that they get more bang for their buck.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Public health officials have identified 9 new cases of COVID-19 in the province. The total number of cases has increased to 384.
Two of the new cases are in the Interlake-Eastern Health region, and 1 is located in the Prairie Mountain Health region.
There has been a total of 33 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region.
Manitoba has 58 active cases and 319 people have recovered from the virus.
At this time 2 people are in intensive care, and the number of deaths remains at 7.
For more information about COVID-19, click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
This year would’ve been the 17th Asham Stomperfest, but the COVID situation has caused the owner of the festival, Arnold Asham, to postpone the event to next year.
Arnold is excited for the return of Asham Stomperfest next year.
“Most certainly, I’m looking forward to taking a couple years to plan this as opposed to one year and I’m at the site here right now and we’re working on the grounds, making sure everything’s in order and we’re looking forward to a big year next year and going forward to 20 years and then we’ll make another decision at that point and see.”
Asham says the long term future of the festival beyond that, is in question.
“If I can make it profitable over the next 3 or 4 years, we may continue to have it. If I can’t, well, there’s no way I can continue to lose 10 or 15 thousand a year.”
In past years, Asham spent tens of thousands of dollars to bring in performers such as Trooper and Charlie Major, as well as on lights and sound every year. With the bigger acts, an attendance around 3000 would be needed to make money and Asham says attendance was closer to 2000 or 2500 people. He says in the future they won’t be able to afford the big acts if they want to make money and keep the festival going.
One of the most satisfying parts of Asham Stomperfest for Arnold is their mission, which is to bring hope to indigenous people.
“I’ve gotten some beautiful carvings and stuff from the teams that come from the north, thanking me for what I do and the self-confidence I instil in young people.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Early next week the Community Connections Van will be making some stops around Dauphin, providing a wide range of health and harm reduction services.
The Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) program works to distribute safe injection supplies, naloxone kits, condoms, resources to quit smoking, and other useful services to the community.
Tricia Turner is a Harm Reduction Outreach Nurse with PMH.
“We bring everything with us, and we are very excited to be able to come to Dauphin.”
The Community Connections Van will be providing free and confidential services on Monday at the Dauphin United Church, at 37 3rd Ave. from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 28 — the Van will be at the Dauphin Friendship Centre at 210 1st Ave. NE from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Later Tuesday afternoon, the Van will be distributing health supplies and offering services at Parkland Crossing at 220 Whitmore Ave. from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Anyone who misses the Community Connections Van while it’s in Dauphin, can still contact Prairie Mountain Health and get connected to those services by calling the Outreach Nurses at 204-622-6220, or 204-573-0799.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The province is investing over $31 million in improvements for social housing units.
Families Minister Heather Stefanson says “we are committed to ensuring a safe and suitable range of housing options are available to lower-income Manitobans when they need it. This funding will support upgrades and repairs in units and properties across the province, benefiting hundreds of tenants.”
The funding will go towards projects including:
- refreshing individual units or common areas;
- life and safety improvements, such as new fire alarms or carbon monoxide detectors;
- replacing appliances, doors or windows;
- snow removal, yard work and related work;
- accessibility improvements;
- heating, cooling and ventilation projects; and
- structural upgrades or repairs.
Manitoba is putting $31.2 million renovations and repairs in housing properties – $9.6 million more than last year’s budget.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Public health officials announced one new case of COVID today, and have also updated the plans for Phase Four of reopening.
Today’s only case is a man in his 40’s in the Interlake-Eastern Health region.
As of 9:30 Thursday morning, there are 49 active cases in Manitoba, and one individual in intensive care.
A total of 375 cases have been identified in Manitoba, with 319 recoveries, and 7 deaths.
Changes To Phase Four Reopening Plan
More than 50,000 Manitobans provided feedback on the draft plan for Phase Four — which begins on Saturday, July 25.
After receiving that feedback from the public, the province has now adapted the plan for Phase Four.
Measures moving forward on Saturday, July 25 in Phase Four include:
•maintaining current site capacity at 30 per cent for faith-based services, pow wows, but eliminating the need for sub-groups (cohorts);
•allowing stage performances and opening movie theatres to a maximum capacity of 30 per cent of the site, up to a maximum of 500 people;
•allowing casinos to open at a maximum of 30 per cent of the site’s capacity; and
•allowing retail businesses and indoor recreation sites to use non-permeable barriers when distances of two metres can not be maintained.
The province has decided to hold off on the following proposed changes at this time:
•proposed changes to indoor and outdoor gathering sizes;
•relaxing of self-isolation requirements for those travelling from eastern and southern Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada; and
•walk-up counter service in bars, beverage rooms, brew pubs, microbreweries and distilleries.
Public health officials will review possible adjustments on a week-by-week basis and make any additional changes based on the public health situation at the time.
To view the updated phase four plan and to review public health guidance for businesses, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
On Saturday you can win prizes, and enjoy a MR MIKES burger for just $5, all while supporting a good cause.
MR MIKES is hosting a barbeque fundraiser Saturday, July 25th from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., in support of Countryfest Community Cinema.
Manager of MR MIKES, Bryce Hancharyk explains that the cinema has been closed since March due to COVID-19, and needs the community's support.
“The cinema is a local group and we want to raise money to help them out. I’m an avid movie goer myself, and I just don’t want to see something like that go away in Dauphin, so we’re hosting a little charity barbeque and all the proceeds are going to the cinema.”
You’ll have a chance to enter their raffle draw to win a smoker grill, a charcoal grill prize package, and more.
Hancharyk adds that it’ll be a come-and-go type of event, and people are encouraged to stop by for burgers and to enter for prizes, but not gather in the area.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A temporary drive-thru testing site will be coming to Russell, according to Prairie Mountain Health.
Beginning on Friday, July 24, a drive-thru testing site located at the Russell EMS building parking lot (near the hospital) will be operating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The testing site will close for the weekend, and reopen Monday, July 27 for the entire week, until its final day of operation on Friday, July 31.
Referrals are no longer needed to get tested, but if you have questions about your health status, you can call Health Links-Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257.
You can also access the online screening tool here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) is investigating the arrest of a 60-year-old man in Onanole early Wednesday morning.
The RCMP report the man had threatened to shoot a woman, and later locked himself inside of a residence, refusing to comply with police orders.
When the man eventually surrendered to police, he was taken to hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot injury.
The IIU is mandated to investigate because the injuries sustained during the arrest required admission to hospital, and involved an injury caused by the discharge of a firearm.
Witnesses with video footage or any other information to assist the investigation, are asked to contact the IIU toll-free at 1-844-667-6060.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The City of Dauphin is looking for your feedback on Thursday night during an open house at Credit Union Place.
An Active Transportation Strategy has been developed by the City alongside an organization called Urban Systems.
Jamie Hilland is the Project Manager with Urban Systems, whose organization has developed some options and strategy items to discuss with the general public, and solicit feedback on what barriers people are currently seeing towards walking and cycling safely.
The project team will be presenting some early results and information they’ve collected, and outline what the strategy may look like.
“At the end of the day, we’ll deliver policy and funding recommendations to help move the city move forward with providing more sustainable transportation options for local residents and tourists,” said Hilland.
You’ll have a chance to give your feedback on these draft plans on Thursday July 23, at Credit Union Place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 guidelines, there will only be 50 people allowed in at a time. The three-hour block will be divided into three separate sessions, to ensure everyone has a chance to speak with the project team.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
There’s been an increase in speed-related serious driving offences in the province, according to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).
In the three month period of April to June of this year, a total of 146 speed-related serious driving offences were reported in Manitoba.
That’s a 60% increase compared to the same three month period last year.
The highest speeding offence recorded in Manitoba during this three month period was 98km over the limit (178 in an 80 km zone).
An MPI representative says 1 in 5 road fatalities last year in Manitoba had speed as a contributing factor.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
