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In today’s COVID-19 news conference Manitoba’s top doctor talked about the online threats that he’s faced during the pandemic.
Dr. Brent Roussin says that he’s received many threats against him and his family, that he’s been in contact with security and the police about.
“There's been suspicious activity reported to me around my house, where I’ve been in contact with law enforcement.”
Roussin says the threats have increased over the third wave of the pandemic.
"I think email type threats or at least low-level threats were pretty common throughout all stages of the pandemic. So that was probably daily or at least weekly. During this third wave, things have been stretching out, so I've been getting more and more severe ones, ones that have been reported to me that people have seen in social media that have had some law enforcement involvement in it.”
Roussin said he hopes the threats decline as Manitoba starts to reopen.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
There’s a special air quality statement in effect for Dauphin and the surrounding area.
Environment Canada says there are numerous forest fires producing large quantities of smoke in areas east of Berens River and north of Kenora.
West winds developing later tonight are expected to push the smoke farther east, with most of it remaining on the Ontario side of the border through the overnight hours.
We could also being seeing smoke from the 206,017 hectare fire in the Rural Municipality of Grahamdale.
The fires are causing heavy smoke in areas, reducing visibility and causing poor air quality.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
This year’s extremely dry conditions have made it challenging for fruit growers in the province.
Angie Cormier, who’s an executive director with Prairie Fruit Growers Association, says there’s a small window to go to some ‘U-Pick’ sites this year.
“This has definitely been a challenging year for fruit growers, and keep in mind this is now the second summer that we’ve had drought conditions.”
Cormier adds that the demand for local fruit is very high this year, but the supply is very low.
“I think it started last year with COVID. People weren’t allowed to travel, so families and individuals were all looking for something to do. So with U Pick farms being open last year, it was something they could do as an outing.”
Fruit farms and local fruit producers can be found here.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Many communities in Manitoba broke hot-weather records over the weekend.
Environment Canada had issued heat warnings for several parts of the province including Dauphin.
The weather agency is reporting that the following communities beat hot-weather records for July 11th:
- Swan River reached 34.9 C, passing its previous record of 32.3 C that was set in 2012
- Fisher Branch set a new record of 35.3 C, beating its previous record of 35 C which was set in 2012
- Deerwood reached 33.5 C, beating its previous hot-weather record of 33.3 C, set in 1957
- Flin Flon hit a record temperature of 32.2 C. Its old record of 31.1 was set in 1939
- Gimli experienced a record temperature of 34.8 C. Its previous of 34.3 C was set in 2012
- Grand Rapids saw a record temperature of 34.2 C. Its previous record of 33.3 C was set in 2012
- Oak Point set a new record of 31.8 C, beating its old hot-weather record set in 2012
- Steinbach set a new record of 34.1 C, with its old record of 32.8 C set in 1957
In Dauphin, we could be seeing temperatures in the mid-thirties later this week.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Customers of Dauphin’s Co-op can expect to see their equity cheques in the mail soon.
Dauphin Co-op announced $1.27 million in cash-back to their member-owners, thanks to another successful year in 2020.
General Manager, Lorne Eiffert wants to thank members for their support in 2020.
"You can feel confident knowing that every single dollar our Co-op earns stays right here in your communities and goes back to your members. I am very pleased to announce cash-back to our members this year of over $1.2 million dollars and the cheques are in the mail!"
He adds that the support has helped Co-op invest in brand new facilities, and expand existing ones to serve customers better.
“In 2020, over $170 thousand was invested in community programs and initiatives. This investment betters the lives of our employees, you and your family and the communities we work and raise our families in.”
Those wanting to support local can take their cheque to Fusion Credit Union and exchange it for Chamber Bucks.
Anyone can become a Co-op member by signing up at any Co-op location, or online.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Parks Canada is looking into the possible presence of blue-green algae in Moon Lake, in Riding Mountain National Park.
Parks Canada says as a precaution, swimming is not currently advised.
They also say to not drink the water, or allow pets to drink the water at this time.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Parkland and many other parts of the province are under an extreme heat warning this weekend.
Environment Canada says temperatures are expected to hover in the low to mid-thirties as an upper ridge builds across the Prairies.
In Dauphin we could see a high of 33 with a humidex of 36 today.
Environment Canada says temperatures will cool off in the north of the province on Monday, but will remain very warm in the south.
Dauphinites can expect a high of 26 with a humidex of 28 on Monday.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
There are several Prairie Mountain Health walk-in vaccine Clinics happening in the Parkland next week.
There are Moderna walk-ins at the supersite in Dauphin, from today until Wednesday, July 14th, from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
There will be 30 Pfizer walk-ins at the Dauphin Supersite today and Tuesday for youth only. On Walk-In Wednesday, there will be 350 Pfizer doses for all ages, but youth will be given priority.
There will be 150 Moderna walk-ins at the Community Hall in McCreary on July 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In Swan River, Moderna walk-ins are starting at 11:30 a.m. on July 13th at the Veterans Hall.
In Winnipegosis there will be 50 Pfizer walk-ins for youth, and 150 Moderna walk-ins on July 14th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Booked appointments are still available at the Swan River clinic on July 13th.
Moderna vaccine 1st dose eligibility is 18 years and older.
Pfizer vaccine 1st dose eligibility is 12 years and older.
Second-dose eligibility is 28 days after your first shot.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
An employee at Dauphin's Co-op's food store has tested positive for COVID-19.
The team member's last shift was on July 7 and they were notified of a positive test on July 9. The employee is now self-isolating and will remain home while doing so.
The food store remains open.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
After a year that was anything but normal, Dauphin residents are looking forward to what could potentially be a summer of at least some normality.
With provincial health orders still in effect, people are doing what they can to enjoy this summer.
730 CKDM spoke with several Dauphinites, and many are taking advantage of what the province has to offer.
Betty plans to go to the beach.
“We’re hanging out at Rainbow Beach because we have a seasonal there all summer.”
Holly is looking to do some gardening.
“We’ve got a big garden, we’ve flowerbeds, we’ve got everything.”
Colton plans to go to Winnipeg.
“Probably hit The Forks, go to Grand Beach.”
Though most people are planning to travel within Manitoba, some people are travelling out of province, like Lynda.
“I’m going away to B.C. for holidays.”
For those travelling within Manitoba, Provincial parks will be free next week, from July 12th to the 18th.
Vehicle permits will not be required at any provincial park, but overnight camping fees will continue to apply.
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Over the past few summers here in Manitoba, bear encounters have been more frequently reported than in the past.
This increase may be due to the fact that there has been a lack of precipitation in the province, which often leads to all sorts of wildlife leaving their natural habitat to seek food from other sources.
On the topic of Bear safety and more, CKDM sought after the advice of Janine Wilmot, a Human-wildlife conflict biologist with the Government of Manitoba.
Wilmot spoke of ways to decrease your chances of seeing a bear to begin with.
"We really encourage people to take preventable measures so they can avoid these encounters in the first place. So some important things to thinks about doing, making sure that your securing attractants in your yard or campsite, and attractants for black bears can be anything that might potentially smell like food to them. So make sure to store food in a secure building or a bear-resistant garbage container if you are storing garbage."
Ms. Wilmot expressed concern about hanging out in areas that bear frequently are seen, but if you must, she does have tips to stay safe:
"If you're recreating in bear country, it's really good to be making noise and letting them know that there are people in the area. Most wildlife will try to avoid encountering people if they can."
She carried on to suggest more safety precautions that can be taken,
"Carrying deterrent is a really good thing to do; deterrents are devices that discourage unwanted behaviour from wildlife—things like noise-making devices, an air horn, a whistle, a rattler. A walking stick is a really good deterrent. You can use it as a visual deterrent because it's long, pointy and sharp, as well as a noise deterrent by banging it against a tree. You can use it as a physical weapon if you need it."
For a more at length lesson in bear safety, Janine Wilmot suggests viewing the international associations for bear research and managements safety video on YouTube.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
