RM Of Alonsa Reinstates Burn Ban

Because of dry conditions, the Rural Municipality of Alonsa is reinstating its burn ban, effective immediately.

Outdoor fires involving the burning of grass, crop residue, bushes, bush piles, old derelict buildings, and burning barrels are not permitted.

Bonfires in backyards or commercial campsites are permitted as long as they’re in enclosed fire pits covered with a fire mesh and attended at all times. Those having a fire must have a source of water or fire extinguisher close by.

The ban will be in effect until conditions improve.

The RM also declared an agricultural state of disaster last week because of the conditions.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jul 21, 2021 - 10:00 am

Tim Hortons Camp Day has arrived.

You can buy a coffee to help send close to 14,000 kids on the camping adventure of a lifetime. Dauphin Tim Hortons owner, Greg Crisanti, says that every penny will go towards sending a kid to camp.

“100 percent of the proceeds from all coffee sales, as well as Take 12 coffee, 100 percent of those proceeds will go to Camp Day as well.”

Greg says that there are many different ways that people can donate.

“Right now, we’ve got a raffle with prizes that were donated along with one of our Tim Hortons Home Brewers and gift cards, so you’re welcome to purchase a raffle for $2 and get your name in for some of those prizes. On Camp Day, we’re hoping to have a car wash in our drive-thru, so we’ll gladly wash your windows as you come through in hopes of a donation to, again, all proceeds going straight to help send kids in our community to camp.”

Last year, Tim Hortons Camp Day raised nearly $11 million. In its 30 year history, Tim Hortons Camp Day has raised over $212 million.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 21, 2021 - 6:32 am

On July 19th, Provincial NDP leader, Wab Kinew, visited with community members and leadership from Sandy Bay First Nation.

During Kinew's drop-in, the community discussed searching the grounds of the former Sandy Bay Residential School site for potential unmarked graves at a meeting.

Kinew broke down his visit and the discussions that took place,

"The community's Chief and Council hosted a feast, to kind of check-in with in the community members if that's something that they want to do, and if they move ahead, what are some of the things the community would like to see come out of it."

Manitobas NDP leader continued, "They have been talking to researchers from the U of M, and many of those folks came out, and were discussing with the leadership about what a search might look like."

When asked about what he would like to see moving forward with Residential Schools across the province and nation, Kinew said;

"I think it's important that we continue to support the communities to search these sites. But I think it's really important that the community leads it. So, for instance, like with Sandy Bay, I do think it's important for that community to make the call themselves. It shouldn't be folks from the outside making the decision."

Kinew continued, "Overall, I think as long as the community is supportive of it, and their wishes are respected. I think this is an important step in us bringing about some closure for the people directly affected, and then hopefully some education on Canada's history for all the rest of us."

In closing, Mr. Kinew shared his anecdotes from his experience in Sandy Bay.

"All in all, I think the communities chief and council are going about it the right way, and it seems like they have the support of the community wants to help out, where it goes next is just a matter of carrying forward that process. In a good way."

This potential search comes as multiple mass graves across the country have been identified at former Residential School sites, starting with the 215 bodies found in Kamloops, BC, back on May 21st.

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Jul 21, 2021 - 6:00 am

Despite the drought that the province is facing, soybeans are faring better than other crops.

Laura Schmidt, a production specialist with Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers says even though there are some signs of drought stress, there's still a lot of potential for this year's soybean crop.

“The yield is really going to be determined in these next couple of weeks here, depending on what kind of precipitation we get. Over the weekend we did get some scattered showers around Westman so things are looking pretty hopeful.”

Laura adds that it’s important to get sizeable amounts of precipitation during pod formation.

“Soybeans in the Dauphin area are setting in filling pod so that’s around R3 to R4, they’re switching from flower to setting those pods.”

Laura says weed control has been challenging this year because weeds under drought stress develop characteristics to combat the drought, but weed control was still achieved.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jul 21, 2021 - 5:01 am

There’s a special air quality statement in effect in the Parkland today because of smoke from fires in the province, and northwestern Ontario.

According to Environment Canada, the smoke is expected to persist throughout today, tonight, and Wednesday morning with very poor air quality at times.

130 fires are currently burning according to the province’s latest situation report, including a 206,017-hectare fire near Gypsumville that is being held, an eight-hectare fire near Crane River. There are also two fires northeast of Minitonas being held.

12 of the 130 fires are considered out of control.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jul 20, 2021 - 12:14 pm

Last week the Manitoba government issued 59 warnings and six tickets to Manitobans for health order violations.

Four $1,296 tickets were handed out to individuals, one $298 ticket for not wearing a mask in an indoor public place, and one $2,542 to a repeat offender.

Officials advise that three of the four $1,296 tickets issued to individuals were in relation to gatherings in private residences or outdoors.

Since enforcement efforts began in April 2020, a total of 5,145 warnings and 2,061 tickets have been issued, resulting in more than $2.8 million in fines to businesses and individuals.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jul 20, 2021 - 11:06 am

Starting this Sunday, you can get the jab at the Band Stand in Clear Lake.

The pop-up clinic is taking place on July 25^th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and July 28^th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The clinic is offering either Pfizer or Moderna. Those wanting a vaccine can call 1-844-626-8222 to confirm product availability.

Pop-up vaccine clinics are coming to several other campgrounds and provincial parks in Manitoba, starting on Saturday:

Oak Lake Beach – July 24^th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ninette-Pelican Lake - July 27^th 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Rivers Campground - July 27^th 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Onanole - July 28^th 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Adam Lake - July 30^th 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All July pop-up clinics are now listed online.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jul 20, 2021 - 9:21 am

Over the past 20 years, Dauphin's Ecoil Recycling has accepted all of the Parklands household hazardous waste. However, with Dauphin's new Household Hazardous Waste Diversion Centre, things will be changing.

It's the end of an era, says Todd Tarrant, owner of Ecoil Recycling.

"Unfortunately, our oil depot has been closed due to an agreement between the city of Dauphin and the Manitoba Association of Resource Recovery Corporation. In a good way, we've got our diversion centre. That's what we have actually strived for all these years."

Tarrant outlined the changes.

"We cannot have anyone bring any oil products out to the site. Ecoil Recycling will do the recycling it did before the oil products. You can phone 204-638-8226 anytime to book an appointment or ask questions. We will be doing recycling for recycling products, just not any oil products or used oil products."

Tarrant went on to speak of his support for the new diversion centre.

"It's really going to help our community, and as I've said, we've strived for this for 20 years. So by us standing aside, it holds a great future for the city of Dauphin and its residence."

These changes will signify the end of Eco Fathers day at the recycling centre, an annual event which was held by Ecoil Recycling promoting the safe way of disposing of your household hazardous waste.

Lastly, Mr. Tarrant expressed how happy he is for the community.

"We really look forward to the next stage in Dauphin's evolution with the diversion centre. Everyone should remember Dauphin landfill, the place where waste should go."

Here are the figures of used oil and oil products that Ecoil Recycling dealt with over the years for the community; according to Tarrant:

Over 130k gallons of used oil.
Over 23k lbs in oil filters.
Over 71k lbs of plastic.
Over 1,600 gallons of antifreeze.

Details: Contributed by Noah Fuchs; Published: Jul 20, 2021 - 7:15 am

The man who was charged with manslaughter in the homicide of a 33-year-old man is appearing in court in Dauphin today.

30-year-old, Cheyenne Beaulieu, was arrested yesterday by RCMP.

Last Thursday, around 1:50 a.m., Dauphin RCMP received a report that a 33-year-old injured male knocked on the door of a residence in Dauphin, looking for assistance.

An ambulance then transported the male to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jul 20, 2021 - 5:01 am

Manitoba is facing extremely dry conditions right now, causing challenging times for farmers.

Andre Steppler from Steppler Farms recently made a video on Facebook to bring awareness to the drought situation in the province.

“The fact is we’re in a drought. The fact is it’s at a critical level and we need to get all stakeholders on board to push this message forward and have urgent results coming out of the provincial and federal governments to help out our cattle producers. If we don’t then we’re going to start losing our cow herd, and that’s going to have huge detrimental economic effects on our province as well as our producers themselves.”

Photo - Andre Steppler

Steppler says it’s unfortunate that we had a change of Agriculture Ministers during the drought, as Ralph Eichler was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development on Thursday.