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The Dauphin & District Allied Arts Council will be hosting its 50^th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, November 6^th at the Watson Art Centre from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Centre Coordinator Peter Nadolny says that the event will feature rooms and halls filled with works of art and displays.

"Showing the last 50 years of the Dauphin & District Allied Arts Council's formation and involvement in the City and in the Parkland," he adds.

Nadolny went on to say that there will be speeches and performances, adding that he made his living in theatre and first performed on the stage at the Watson Art Centre.

"I owe a lot to the place and I think I'm not the only one in the town that feels that way," he adds.

According to Nadolny, the arts council's mission is to foster arts, culture and heritage in Dauphin and surrounding areas.

Admission will be free for everyone who wants to attend and all food and refreshments at the event will be free as well.

"The first half-hour will be milling around with coffee, cake, tea, etc.," he adds. 

For more information, call the Watson Art Centre at 204-638-6231 or visit their Facebook page.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 10:18 am

UPDATE (Nov. 6^th, 10:17 p.m.): The snowfall warnings have ended.

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UPDATE (Nov. 6^th, 1:15 p.m.): Environment Canada has replaced the special weather statements with snowfall warnings.

They say that heavy snow will continue before tapering off this afternoon or this evening and that an additional 5 to 15 centimetres of snow is expected today.

Environment Canada recommends that people prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions, since visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop, they add.

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Environment Canada has issued multiple special weather statements for Dauphin and surrounding areas.

They are currently in effect for many communities in the following areas:

• Dauphin - Russell - Roblin - Winnipegosis
• Ste. Rose - McCreary - Alonsa - Gladstone
• Minnedosa - Riding Mountain National Park
• Swan River - Duck Mountain - Porcupine Provincial Forest

According to Environment Canada, an Alberta clipper will bring rapidly-changing weather conditions with strong winds, rain changing to snow, and quickly-falling temperatures to parts of western Manitoba on Sunday.

They say that showers will begin in western Manitoba Saturday evening along an advancing cold front and that behind this cold front, temperatures will fall below the freezing mark and snow will begin to move in from Saskatchewan overnight into Sunday morning.

They also say that strong winds will also accompany the snow causing reduced visibility.

Environment Canada warns that hazardous travel conditions are forecast to begin Sunday morning and last through the day Sunday and that icy conditions will also develop as temperatures drop below the zero-degree mark, causing wet surfaces to freeze by Sunday morning.

Snow and winds will begin to taper off Sunday evening, but expect poor travel conditions to last into Monday, they add.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 7:43 am

Daylight saving time will end in Manitoba on Sunday, November 6^th when clocks will be set back one hour.

It ends on the first Sunday in November and resumes on the second Sunday in March.

The official time change back to standard time will occur this year at 2 a.m. on Sunday at which time clocks should be set back to 1 a.m.

Many Manitobans have deeply held views on bi-annual time changes, and other jurisdictions across Canada and internationally are examining how time change relates to wellness, economic factors, and relationships with trading partners.

The province says that it will continue to monitor these developments and evaluate the best possible options for Manitoba.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 7:25 am

Peer Connections Manitoba(PCM) hosts Peer Support Meetings twice a month at the Active Living Centre.

The meetings are the first and third Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m. and Community Peer Support Worker Eleanor Snitka says the meetings are open to anyone who's experiencing grief for any reason.

"It's a group for people who have experienced death in their family or with a loved one, but it can also be any kind of loss. We grieve for many kinds of losses, it might be the loss of an individual, loss of a job, loss of health, or any kind of loss that people are having trouble dealing with. We have a very supportive, active group, and people are so kind and supportive and non-judgmental to anything that people are dealing with."

Snitka says everyone grieves in their own ways, and that's why having a group can like this can be helpful.

"I always say to people there's no time limit, and there are no rules to grief because many times they think 'oh, I'm not getting over it' so we try to let them know that we're here for them all the time."

Those aren't the only group meetings that PCM holds however, as Snitka says she also holds a wellness group for anyone that has dealt with or has family members who have dealt with mental health issues. Those meetings are on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Active Living Centre.

"I think the important thing about peer support groups is that people have other people in their life, may times when they're experiencing mental health distress, people isolate themselves, and so coming out to a group where people really understand what they're dealing with, and say 'Hey, I understand, I've been there, that's happened to me too,' is really helping them to feel like they belong again and start to fit in."

Snitka also goes to the Ste. Rose Centre at 2 p.m. on the second and third Thursday of each month, and she holds a walk and talk at 1 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday at Credit Union Place for people who aren't as comfortable in the traditional support group setting.

PCM has set up an office at Under One Roof, and while she doesn't hold regular office hours, people can set up a meeting with Snitka by calling 431-345-0353.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 7:00 am

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced Friday that the province is providing more than $150,000 to Samaritan House’s Safe and Warm Shelter to operate an overflow warming space this winter to meet increased demand for emergency housing.

Premier Stefanson says that the announcement builds on the province's ongoing efforts to help make communities safe by addressing and preventing homelessness with new investments for community organizations that support our most vulnerable citizens.

“We recognize there is an urgent need for additional support. We are listening and we are acting,” Stefanson adds.

According to the premier, Samaritan House provides emergency shelter services for people experiencing homelessness in Brandon and provides bedding, food, and toiletries.

She says that the new funding will enable Samaritan House to create a warming space where individuals can stay when the shelter is at capacity, ensuring that everyone has a safe place to spend the night.

Minister Rochelle Squires says that the provincial government understands that as winter approaches, unhoused individuals in Manitoba face increased risk due to a lack of appropriate shelter.

“The funding announced... will ensure Samaritan House’s Safe and Warm Shelter in Brandon will not have to turn anyone away,” Squires adds.

More information can be found on the Province of Manitoba website.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 6:15 am

Former Cabinet Minister and NDP MLA Ron Kostyshyn will run again for the Manitoba NDP in the 2023 provincial election.

The party says that he will be nominated as the candidate in Dauphin this weekend, joined by Leader Wab Kinew and supporters.

Ron Kostyshyn says that he wants to make life better for families in the Parkland.

"Over the last few years, I’ve seen how PC cuts have damaged our health care system and how their changes to Crown land leases have hurt cattle ranchers. I’m ready to fight on behalf of my community, alongside Wab Kinew, to fix health care and make life more affordable for Dauphin families,” Kostyshyn adds.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew says that Kostyshyn brings years of experience and expertise to their team.

"He's committed to serving the people of Dauphin and Manitoba and he’s excited about what the next NDP government can do for families,” Kinew adds.

Ron Kostyshyn was first elected as MLA of Swan River in 2011 and served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, and Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. Prior to and following his time with the provincial government, Kostyshyn served as the Reeve of the Mossey River Municipality. He finished his term prior to the most recent municipal elections.

Kostyshyn was born and raised in rural Manitoba, and his family has operated a cattle ranch for decades. He has sat on the board of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the Manitoba Conservation Commission, and various other local organizations.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 5:40 am

A Winnipeg resident is facing major charges after he had more than three million contraband cigarettes confiscated. The number is the largest seizure from a single person in Manitoba's history.

After an investigation that was dubbed 'Project Shark', more than 3.4 million cigarettes were confiscated. The cigarettes represent more than $1 million in lost tobacco tax revenue to the province, according to a release.

Police also seized more than $3,000 in cash, a personal truck and a utility trailer from the person who had the bulk of the cigarettes. Five other adults face a variety of charges under the Tobacco Tax Act, the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act and the Criminal Code, the province says, and face more than $4 million in financial tax penalties.

Three Winnipeg convenience stores are also facing charges and they have had their retail tobacco licences suspended. They include Royal Supermarket on Wellington Avenue, Honey Convenience on Provencher Boulevard and Muncheez on Dufferin Avenue.

Fines under the tax acts are up to $10,000 and up to six months in jail, as well as a potential triple tax penalty. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Nov 4, 2022 - 3:25 pm

Elder and Knowledge Keeper Clarence Nepinak, a member of Minegoziibe Anishinabe, also known as Pine Creek First Nation, has passed away at the age of 73, after a months-long battle with bone and colon cancer.

Nepinak, along with his wife Barbara, were known for their commitment to preserving and advancing indigenous culture. The couple was both inducted into the Order of Manitoba in 2019 for their work.

Nepinak was a member of the Standing Indigenous Advisory Council at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which works to identify processes and ideas for more meaningful engagement.

According to Chief Derek Nepinak of Pine Creek First Nation, a distant relative of Clarence, he would still make regular trips to the community for teachings and ceremonies, even as his health deteriorated.

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Nov 4, 2022 - 8:03 am

The City of Dauphin received a rating of 5 Blooms and a special mention for Cultural Conservation: Celebration of Ukrainian Heritage during the 2022 Communities in Bloom (CiB) National/International Symposium and Awards Ceremonies in Victoria, B.C.

CiB Committee Chair Patti Eilers says that Dauphin earned a score of 83.55 out of 100 points.

"We gained another one-and-a-half points from our other competition that we were in... This is a high-level competition because it's international," she adds. 

The City of Dauphin participated in the CiB International Challenge Small category along with Glaslough, Ireland; Ingria, Italy; Lewisburg, W. Va., U.S.A.; Sussex, N.B., Canada; and Velika Polona, Slovenia.

Over the summer, trained volunteer judges travelled to participating communities to evaluate the overall contributions of municipal council and departments; industry; businesses, and the private sector – including volunteer efforts – regarding the following criteria: Community Appearance, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Tree Management, Landscape, and Plant & Floral Displays.

CiB judges Susan Ellis and Alex Pearl say that Dauphin is very clearly a multi-cultural community, with its Ukrainian roots proudly preserved and honoured at Selo Ukraina and the Ukrainian Heritage Village.

"From the warm, traditional welcome ceremonies by children who presented visitors with gifts of bread, salt and wheat, to an afternoon street fair where food, clothing, jewellery and crafts were on display amidst cultural music and dance performances, Dauphin proudly celebrates its history, and builds solidly on its strengths for the future,” they add.

A complete list of results can be found here.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Nov 4, 2022 - 6:05 am

The federal government is sending out one-time GST credit payments to more than 11 million eligible Canadians today, to support those most affected by inflation.

Those who received the GST credit in October will be receiving the additional one-time payment. The one-time payment will double the GST credit amount that eligible individuals get in six months.

The amount received is based on each family's situation and adjusted family net income in 2021.

If you are single, payments will be up to:

• $234 (no children)
• $387 (with 1 child)
• $467 (with 2 children)
• $548 (with 3 children)
• $628 (with 4 children)

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Contributed by Sam Brownell

Published: Nov 4, 2022 - 5:55 am