NDP: Millions Spent On Dauphin Healthcare

According to the Manitoba NDP party, the PC government has spent over $5 million on privately-employed nurses to address chronic shortages at the Dauphin Health Centre over the past three years.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew says Dauphin families need a fully-staffed healthcare centre with the quality care they can rely on.

“The common-sense thing to do would be to hire nurses to work in Dauphin because it’s clear that that’s needed. $5 million being spent on these private nurses shows you that there aren’t enough nurses to work here in Dauphin to look after the patients both from in town but from the surrounding area too.”

Kinew says more and more nurses are leaving the community because the PC government keeps fighting with the nurses.

“That’s $5 million that could have created some good jobs for people who live here in town, and they could stay here and spend the money at local restaurants and stuff like that. But instead, that money’s gonna leave town most likely, because it’s going to people who are only here temporarily.”

Kinew adds that during this time period, Manitoba nurses have been subjected to unfair wage freezes, denied quality PPE, and forced to work mandatory overtime to make up for PC cuts. Because of this, nurses organized a strike vote in the middle of the pandemic.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 3, 2021 - 5:00 am

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for parts of the Parkland today, including:

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

According to Environment Canada, the smoke we are experiencing is coming from forest fires that have spread across central and northern parts of the Prairies, sending smoke throughout Manitoba.

Over the next couple of days, light winds will keep this smoke trapped near the surface and limit the dispersion of this smoke.

With these smoky conditions, individuals living in the areas listed above are advised to be aware of potential health concerns associated with current air conditions; even healthy individuals may experience irritated eyes, tears, coughing, and a runny nose in these current conditions.

In times of special air quality statements, Manitobans are encouraged to:

Limit outdoor activity and strenuous physical activity; if breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity
Reduce exposure to smoke by staying indoors or moving to areas with cleaner air, as conditions can vary dramatically by area
Turn off furnaces and air-conditioning units that may draw smoke indoors
Keep indoor air cleaner by avoiding smoking or burning other materials

People at higher risk are young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions, particularly asthma. These individuals should avoid as much exposure to smoke as possible.

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Aug 2, 2021 - 10:09 am

August 2^nd marks Terry Fox Day Manitoba.

Terry was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma just above the knee, and was 18-year-olds when he lost his leg to cancer.

Terry embarked on his run across Canada, in hopes of pursuing his dream of finding a cure for cancer.

Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12^th, 1980.

On September 1^st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, he was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs.

Terry passed away on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22.

There’s a virtual run taking place on September 19^th, that you can register for here.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 2, 2021 - 6:00 am

Communities in Bloom are a national non-profit organization and charity committed to environmental responsibility and the beautification of communities by focusing on improving green spaces.

Since 2003, Dauphin has maintained a five bloom status and has won three national competitions along the way (2004, 2008 & 2013.)

Chairperson of Communities in Bloom for Dauphin, Patti Eilers, voiced the meaning behind this program.

"Communities in Bloom fosters civic pride and environmental responsibility in communities and encourages municipalities, businesses, schools and individuals to become involved in making your community a better place to live."

Eilers highlighted the goal of the program.

"It really focuses on green initiatives and doing things to make your community more resilient to climate change."

Judges would usually travel across Canada during the summer to evaluate communities and the overall contributions of the municipality. But, due to the pandemic, the judges who would normally come to town are forced to view from afar. To make the best of what life has handed the program, communities will now be making online profiles showcasing their Communities in Bloom.

Voting for the 2021 installment of Communities in Bloom will take place virtually on August 6th, and this year's colour theme is red, white & yellow with green & white accents.

Dauphin in Bloom has created and restored many green spaces around the city, including the Berry Patch, the South Entrance, Meadowlark Park, Gartmore Park, and numerous pocket parks. To view Dauphin in Bloom's exciting 5-year plan (2021-2025), click here.

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Aug 2, 2021 - 5:00 am

Manitoba Association of Watersheds has announced the release of the Summer 2021 Living Lab Eastern Prairies (LLEP) Newsletter.

John Fitzmaurice, Site Coordinator of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says a living lab isn’t necessarily a new concept, and it has been used in many different industries around the world.

“It’s an approach to agriculture and innovation that brings farmers, scientists, and other partners together, to co-develop test, and monitor management practices and new technologies in a real-life context. The goal of the living laboratory is to result in more practical technologies and sustainable farming practices, and adopting them more quickly by Canadian farmers.”

Fitzmaurice says there’s a cycle to the Living Laboratory that starts with planning and targeting, validating and refining, and setting your priorities and outcomes that you would like to achieve.

“You’re taking all of that research and evaluating that to a new practice or technology, and then you’re adjusting that based on the producer's input as well.”

To read the newsletter click here.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 1, 2021 - 11:38 am

Early Saturday morning STARS Air Ambulance was dispatched to the Roblin area for an emergency call.

A STARS spokesperson informs CKDM that the STARS crew cared for and transported a male in his 20s to Winnipeg's Health Science Centre after he sustained a penetrating wound. He was in critical condition at the time of transfer to the HSC.

stars

At this time, there are no other details on the male's condition.

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Jul 31, 2021 - 11:21 am

Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson announced yesterday that the current rates for personal care services would remain unchanged for the upcoming year.

Stefanson says the government hopes that these measures will help ease some of the financial burdens that personal care costs can create.

"By making the decision to keep rates the same, they hope to ease some of the financial issues families and clients may face due to the pandemic."

Although the rate structure remains unchanged this year, the 2021-22 residential rates will still increase if a resident's net income increased from 2019 to 2020.

Personal care services are offered throughout the province and include:

Meals, including meals for specialized diets.
Assistance with daily living activities like bathing, getting dressed and using the bathroom;
Essential nursing care
Routine medical and surgical supplies;
Prescription drugs eligible under Manitoba's Personal Care Home Program;
Laundry and linen services.

The provincial government and the client share the cost of these services through the Residential Charges Program.

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Jul 31, 2021 - 10:47 am

The RCMP has updated CKDM on the cyclist/motorist collision, which occurred yesterday afternoon. Stating that the bicyclist collided with the side of the automobile after the driver of the vehicle proceeded through a stop sign at the intersection of Riverside Road.

The cyclist was taken to hospital with minor physical injuries.

No charges are being laid.

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A cyclist was struck by a vehicle on the service road off Main Street South in Dauphin, just south of the mall.

No injuries are known at this time.

CKDM has reached out to RCMP for further details and will provide them as they come in.

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Jul 31, 2021 - 7:55 am

With August Long weekend upon us, CKDM has comprised a list of what’s open and closed for the long weekend.

Walmart

Regular hours on Saturday & Sunday. 9 am - 6 pm on Monday.

Safeway

Regular hours Saturday. 9:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday & Monday.

Co-op Grocery Store

Regular store hours for Saturday & Sunday. Closed on Monday.

Co-op Gas Bars

Regular hours all long weekend.

Dauphin Liquor Mart

Regular hours apply Saturday & Sunday. Monday open 11 am - 6 pm.

Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy

Regular hours on Saturday. Sunday & Monday, the clinic will be open 12 pm - 2 pm.

City of Dauphin

Closed over the entire long weekend.

Dauphin Vet Clinic

Closed all weekend.

When the clinic is closed, a vet is on call for emergencies at 204-638-3044.

Cloud Nine Canna Supplies

Open Saturday from 11 am. – 4 pm. Sunday & Monday the shop will be closed.

Canada Post

Closed all weekend. Saturday, Sunday & Monday.

Countryfest Community Cinema

Open Saturday & Sunday from 2:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Closed Monday.

CKDM wishes you a safe and happy August long weekend!

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Jul 31, 2021 - 6:00 am

The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that with some improvements in weather conditions in northern Manitoba, there will be a gradual lifting of some fire and travel restrictions. However, the south and central regions of the province still face high to extreme fire danger levels, therefore current restrictions will continue to apply, including in the Dauphin area.

Some rural municipalities have their own fire bans in place. Below is a list of RM’s surrounding Dauphin and the fire bans in place:

RM of Roblin – Enclosed fire pits, propane BBQs/fire tables permitted between the hours of 8 PM to 8 AM.
RM of Ethelbert - Complete fire ban in place with the exception of enclosed fire pits and BBQs.
RM of Mossey River – Complete fire ban in place with the exception of enclosed fire pits and BBQs.
RM of Rosedale – Fire pits/BBQs allowed only if attended.
RM of Alonsa – Complete fire ban in effect.
RM of Lakeshore – Complete burn ban in effect.
RM of Swan River – Complete fire ban in effect.
RM of Grahamdale – Complete fire ban in effect.
RM of Mountain - Complete fire ban in effect.
RM of Minitonas-Bowesman – Complete fire ban in effect.

To view a full list of RM’s that have fire bans in effect, click here.

Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain Provincial Parks have some fire bans in effect. Enclosed fire pits and BBQs are allowed. However, fireworks and lanterns are prohibited at all times.