$4.2M Tax Rebate Announced For Vermillion Growers

This morning, Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler came to Dauphin and announced a 4.2 million dollar tax rebate for the Vermillion Growers greenhouse project.

The rebate will save Vermillion Growers up to 4.2 million dollars over a maximum of 20 years.

Eichler says it was really important to make this announcement and kick-start the economy.

“Vermillion Growers have been working on this project for a while and us as a government, have been working on it a while as well. So, here we are opening our economy and kicking off this investment with Vermillion Growers. We’re just tremendously excited about that opportunity.”

The project is the construction of the first large-scale greenhouse in Manitoba. It’ll be a high-tech hydroponic commercial greenhouse designed for vegetable production, initially consisting of tomatoes with plans to expand to other produce. The first phase of the project is a 10-acre facility and plans are to expand to 60 acres after five years of production.

Eichler says they chose Vermillion Growers because the project has a focus on economic development, long-term job creation, and will substantially improve property values.

“(Vermillion Growers will) provide safe affordable food, grown locally. Critically important to all sectors, that we have good safe food and reliable food and products that we know are grown and looked after in Manitoba is critically important.”

Maria Deschauer, managing director for Vermillion Growers, says they aren’t receiving 4.2 million dollars in cash, instead, the rebate will save them money from property taxes annually.

“Those funds will be used to ensure that our operations are successful in terms of our financial model. As well as that means that we then have more money that can go towards expansion, faster, through this program as well.”

Deschauer says the timeline for completing the project is a little uncertain because of the COVID situation but anticipates most of the project to be completed by March 2021.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 26, 2020 - 11:56 am

The R.M. of Lakeshore will be scheduling dust control treatments to roads for the 2020 season.

All residents must cover the cost of their treatments, and applications must be submitted by June 29^th.

Anyone interested can contact the Lakeshore municipal office at (204) 732-2333.

If you have applied your own dust control, you must inform the municipal office to assist the Public Works department in maintaining the roads.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Jun 26, 2020 - 10:41 am

This morning around 4:30, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Parkland.

A series of disturbances tracking across the central prairies will usher a hot air mass into southern and central portions of Manitoba.

The hot air will begin to work its way into the region today and settle over the area throughout the weekend.

Daytime temperatures in the low to mid-thirties are expected for Saturday and Sunday with overnight lows in the upper teens or low twenties.

A cold front tracking into Western Manitoba will likely bring some slight relief to these regions over the later part of the weekend.

The heat could linger in the Interlake, Red River valley and eastern Manitoba into next week.

Environment Canada advises to be on the lookout for heat warnings as the criteria will likely be met over a number of areas.

The special weather statement is in effect for:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 26, 2020 - 5:33 am

6:54 p.m. Update:

The severe thunderstorm watch has ended.

-----

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of the Parkland, as of 2:07 p.m.

Environment Canada is calling for conditions that could lead to severe thunderstorms, producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

The severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park

The low-pressure system is tracking across eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba, and is expected to trigger scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jun 25, 2020 - 2:16 pm

The Manitoba government is planning out how to get students back in the classroom for the new school year.

Teachers and staff will return to school on September 2^nd, and students will return on September 8^th.

Right now, officials are looking at three possible scenarios.

Scenario 1
Scenario one will allow all students to return to school with relaxed physical distancing guidelines. Students would be required to maintain one meter of distance between each other.

Scenario 2
Scenario two will keep physical distancing and health measures intact, and prioritize grades K-8 for in-person learning since online learning for this age group would present more challenges for both students and parents. High school students would see parts of their classes in person, and the other portion online.

Scenario 3
Scenario three will only allow limited use of school facilities, and the majority of learning will be done from home.

Manitoba’s Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen says a final confirmation will be given by August 1, based on public health directions.

The province is also looking into ways to safely resume specialty programming, extracurricular activities, and school transportation (busses).

All schools will take extra steps to ensure proper hygiene and sanitizing requirements.

For the provincial announcement of the Restoring Safe Schools plan, click here.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Jun 25, 2020 - 1:38 pm

Manitoba public health officials have identified one new case of COVID-19 on Thursday.

This brings the total number of confirmed and positive cases to 316.

There are 16 active cases province-wide, none of which are in the hospital.

The number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at seven.

COVID testing sites in the Prairie Mountain Health region will be closed on Canada Day (Wednesday, July 1), and open back up with regular hours the following day.

The province is reminding Manitobans to continue to practicing social distancing during the holiday, whether at home, the cottage or camping — and to stay home if you feel sick.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jun 25, 2020 - 12:50 pm

RCMP have found human remains in Portage la Prairie.

On June 24, 2020, at around 9:30 p.m., Portage RCMP received a report of human remains found near Baker Avenue.

The identity of the deceased is unknown at this time.

RCMP continues to investigate and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Jun 25, 2020 - 12:20 pm

A man from Roblin made another appearance in Dauphin Provincial Court, Tuesday, in connection with a homicide.

26-year-old Joshua Britton was remanded to the next court date, next Tuesday, June 30^th.

Back on February 24^th, he was charged with manslaughter in the death of 35-year-old Daniel Paul.

The RCMP haven't released the cause of death because the incident is still under investigation.

Details: Contributed by Isaac Wihak; Published: Jun 25, 2020 - 11:57 am

COVID testing sites in the Prairie Mountain Health region will be closed on Canada Day.

The testing sites in Dauphin, Swan River, and Brandon will be closed on Wednesday, July 1^st, but will reopen on Thursday, July 2^nd.

If you’re experiencing minor symptoms, it’s recommended you stay at home and self-isolate until the site reopens Thursday.

If you’re having more serious symptoms with shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, you are advised to go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Dauphin's site is located at the Community Health Services Building Parking Lot. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

A referral is no longer needed to go to any COVID-19 testing site.

Details: Contributed by Tess Kovach; Published: Jun 25, 2020 - 11:09 am

One of the most iconic buildings in the City of Sunshine will be reopening on Canada Day.

The Dauphin Rail Museum is celebrating its grand reopening July 1st from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with live music, food, and ice cream.

Ed Stozek and Dauphin Legion Pipe Band will be handling the tunes, and C&D Snack Shack’s food truck will be on hand serving up the food.

With the province relaxing public restrictions, the Museum is now able to open, but will be taking safety measures like limiting the number of people inside at one time.

Details: Contributed by Matt Hamel; Published: Jun 25, 2020 - 10:24 am

This afternoon we’re expecting Manitoba’s Education Minister to reveal the plan for reopening schools in the fall.

Kelvin Goertzen will be alongside chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin at 1 p.m. for the announcement.

Earlier this week, Goertzen revealed students would be returning to class on September 8.

Schools were closed on March 23 as a COVID-related precaution, but were cleared to open earlier this month for limited activities, like one-on-one assessment.