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Accessibility was the theme during a presentation at Barker School on Thursday.

Dauphin MLA Brad Michaleski, other provincial government officials, and representatives from the Mountain View School Division were at the school to talk about the improvements recently done to the building.

A full-sized elevator was just one part of the 1.47 million dollars in upgrades. Other improvements included barrier-free washrooms that made the amenities easier for staff and students.

Donna Davidson, the superintendent and CEO for Mountain View School Division, says it’s important to maintain and upgrade their facilities so that they can serve the students of today but also children in the future. She notes that that is an efficient way to use taxpayers’ dollars.

“There’s evidence that indicates that if children are educated in facilities that are safe and healthy, their outcomes are better,” said Davidson. She goes on to explain how some consider schools as the third teacher. It’s not just the physical building but also how the teacher structures their classroom, where they put the desks and how they use that physical space.

 She says at one time they might not have any students who require an elevator, but during the year there are always cases where temporary injuries occur, and students need to use crutches or a wheelchair.

She also mentioned that the elevator is beneficial for parents and other members of the community to be able to access all parts of the building. One example included parent-teacher interviews where parents who struggled with stairs were unable or struggled to get to the second or third floor because of the lack of accessibility.

“It’s a big part of the community. Barker School has been around for a long time, lots of families have gone through these facilities,” said MLA Brad Michaleski. “Accessibility is a great addition.”   

The full-sized elevator is replacing a stair lift. The old system took a long time to use and only allowed one student to use it at a time. Davidson explains that you had to strap in and then slowly elevate to the top. With the elevator, students can now be wheeled in and brought to all four stops, including the basement. 

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Today at city hall, the Riding Mountain UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is in Dauphin for a stewardship water day.

Zebra mussels and blue-green algae bloom are the two major threats to water in the biosphere reserve and that’s the focus of the meeting at city hall.

Jim Irwin, chair of the Riding Mountain UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, says the Red River, Lake Winnipeg, and Cedar Lake are under the threat of zebra mussels.

Some of the lakes in the area have heavy algae blooms as well. The toxic blue-green algae bloom is the concern.

 The problem with these invasive species is how easily they can spread unknowingly. Part of the discussion today is how people and groups can take action to keep the waters clean.

Making the public aware of the two threats goes a long way to stop the transfer of the invasive species.

In Manitoba, it is the law that you have to dry out watercraft and water-related equipment so the veligers, which are zebra mussel larva, die. That law is to clean, drain, dry and dispose of any unwanted bait and worms. By law, if you are coming out of contaminated or invaded areas you have to decontaminate.

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The two men involved in the armed robbery at the Beach Road Service on Sandy Bay First Nation haven’t been found yet.

The incident occurred late in the evening on Monday, April 15th, at 11:06.

Entering from the back of the store, the two men pointed firearms at the two employees and proceeded to leave with cash and cigarettes, they used an ATV to escape.

Manitoba First Nations Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects who are considered armed and dangerous.

If you have information on who the two men could be, call the MFNP Sandy Bay Detachment at 1-204-843-7705, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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MacKenzie Middle School is getting major upgrades to a 60-year old wing of the building including a roof replacement.

The provincial government is investing $57.5 million into 59 infrastructure renewal projects across the province.

A comprehensive renewal at MacKenzie Middle School will see at least $4 million in upgrades.

Donna Davidson, the superintendent and chief executive officer for Mountain View School Division, says these upgrades are necessary to support MVSD's mission to create learning environments that are inclusive and safe for all students. She says this is done “so they can participate actively in all aspects of school life and reach their full potential.”

 “It’s important to just keep maintaining. It’s an ongoing responsibility of the government and it’s great to see the commitment that’s going into the schools in the Dauphin region,” said MLA Brad Michaleski. “Regular maintenance, these things are significant additions because the accessibility issues haven’t been addressed and now they are.”

It will also see a new mechanical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system and a foundation upgrade. 

To improve accessibility, a new link will connect the second-storey wing to the main building and two accessible washrooms will be installed. 

“That’s what we want to have, an environment where kids are able to make their way, and everybody, to make their way around the schools and use all the facilities,” said MLA Brad Michaleski.

“Our ongoing investment in school infrastructure will strengthen buildings and improve accessibility so that Manitoba students can receive a quality education for generations to come,” said Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen in a media release.

Davidson notes, “It’s critical that we continue to maintain our infrastructure. We can’t be continually replacing schools if we don’t maintain them.”

Construction is slated to begin this summer.

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There has been more uncertainty in farmers’ decision making this year as trade issues, and commodity price drops have their effects.

Jim Kaleta, the owner of Dauphin Plains Seeds Limited, says most producers are sticking with their rotations, but there is a slight shift to growing other commodities.

“We’ve seen increased interest in barley, some in oats, and also some in flax seed. Guys are looking to diversify some of their cropping plans to hopefully have things that are going to move and help them with their cash flow needs come this winter.”

Heading into this growing season farmers are dealing with higher costs and lower commodity prices.

“Commodities have went down. We’ve also seen increases in costs. Nobody has to tell anybody out there what’s happening with prices of energy. The diesel fuel gas and stuff has taken off.” He continues saying the gas does not match the barrel price or the foreign exchange rate very well. Higher energy prices have also pushed up farmers’ fertilizer prices. The carbon tax will indirectly affect farmers. From trucking, to parts, to machinery equipment deliveries there are added costs to producers.  

On the weather side of things, Kaleta says he hasn’t heard many complaints about the weather conditions around the Parkland.  He does not think too many people are worried about moisture levels. Although he says cattle producers might be a little more concerned, especially in areas east of Dauphin. “Eddystone, through that way where it was extremely dry there last summer and again last fall. They are going to need moisture to help their forage crops along.”

Kaleta noted there are concerns further west, noting people who have travelled west of Regina to Calgary said there was hardly any snow or moisture most winter.

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A Gilbert Plains man who was charged in a stabbing incident back in February appeared in Dauphin court.

Roger Keshane has been adjourned until next Tuesday, and the 17-year-old who was charged as well will appear in court May 22nd.

The incident occurred around 11:15 pm on February 12th.

The two men assaulted and stabbed a 36-year-old man when he answered the door.

The two men proceeded to take a small amount of cannabis from inside the home and then fled in a vehicle.

If you would like to know more about the incident, click here.

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Canola growers have the opportunity to ask questions about the trade dispute with China during a webinar this afternoon.

The Canola Council of Canada is hosting the webinar to discuss what farmers should know about the issue and will address farmers' questions and concerns.

Canola growers will have the opportunity to submit questions and concerns once they register for the webinar. After registering, they will receive information about how to join the webinar by phone for audio only or through a computer to see the speakers. Those who join the webinar from a computer can also submit questions during the event. 

The CCC is holding this on behalf of growers and the entire canola value chain. They are working closely with the Government of Canada to resolve challenges facing canola seed exports to China.

The webinar includes presentations from CCC board chair Charlene Bradley, CCC President Jim Everson and Canadian Canola Growers Association CEO Rick White, followed by 15 to 20 minutes for questions.

The presentation begins at 2 pm today.

The webinar will not be recorded.

You can register for the webinar by clicking here.

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The announcement of protected bike lanes in Dauphin has resulted in mixed reactions from the public.

One of the comments heard is about the snow removal plan in the winter.

Steven Sobering, community energy manager for the city of Dauphin, says they’ve been working with city works to look ahead to snow removal needs.

Snow will be pushed over to the other side of the street and sidewalk snow removers will be used in the bike lanes to keep them open 12 months of the year.

While finding parking may be a little harder, Sobering suggests parking on nearby side streets even though it’s inconvenient.

Residents in Dauphin have also been questioning what to do with recycling and garbage bins, the answer to that is to treat the curb of the bike lane like the sidewalk curb and just put the bins on the other side of the lane.

Sobering jokes that people who are worried about damage to their cars should look at their driving abilities, before adding,

“If they are going to be hitting a curb, I’d much rather see that than a kid. In the end, we have to remember this is for safety and children. I don’t think it’s something that we have to wait for somebody to be hurt before we start being proactive.”

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With people celebrating the Easter long weekend, a number of places around Dauphin are planning to have different hours

We reached out to a number of businesses and offices around town to see who’s open and who’s going to be closed.

The Coop Grocery Store Is closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Walmart will be closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday.   

Safeway is planning to be closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

If you need gas, both Coop Gas Bars will have regular hours from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm both Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Dauphin Recreation Services will have their office closed on Friday. They will have regular hours on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, April 22nd, all facilities are going to be closed.

The walking track will be open from 11 to 5 on Friday. 

At the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre the Parent & Tot Swim and Lane Swim will run from 11:30 to 1:00.  Public Swimming will run from 1:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon.

The City of Dauphin offices are going to be closed on Friday and on Monday.

The RM of Dauphin offices are going to be closed on Friday and on Monday.

There is no school for students in the Mountain View School Division on Friday.

The Friendship Center is closed on Friday and Monday. There will be no adult activity on Monday.

We were told the Dauphin Medical Clinic would be closed on Good Friday and open on Saturday from 9 to 12.

Parkland Crossing will be closed on Friday and on Sunday. Regular Church of Christ service will take place at 10:30 with Friday service taking place at Mountain View Christian Assembly.

The Dauphin Vet Clinic is open 9 to 12 on Saturday. They will be closed on Friday and open on Monday. If you have an emergency and need to contact a veterinarian you are encouraged to call 638-3208.

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RM of Dauphin residents have until April 30th to express their intentions to apply dust control.

The RM of Dauphin doesn't apply the dust control themselves, that is left up to the resident who wants to apply it. 

The deadline is in place so the RM can prep the sites, which could include graveling and grading.

If the RM isn’t notified they will proceed with any maintenance that needs to be done.

If dust control is applied, the RM will wait until August 1st to do maintenance.

If you’d like to apply dust control you can call the RM at 638-4531.

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Intermountain Conservation District’s tree plantation got a big boost from the provincial government on Monday.

Overall, there are 41 projects announced by Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation Conservation’s Trust. Those projects totalled over 2.2 million dollars with groups getting support between four and 125 thousand dollars.

IMCD is in the process of expanding their tree plantation, going up to 6 acres planted this year.

“We’re working with a couple of local landowners this year that have donated land for the plantation,” said IMCD manager Jeff Thiele. “Right close to Ethelbert. They were kind enough to donate the land and do a lot of the maintenance. So we’re going to be supplying a lot of trees here.to expand that plantation.”

Yesterday it was announced that IMCD will receive 6 thousand dollars through the Trust. Thiele says they were required to budget 12 thousand dollars as the grant matches around 2 to 1.

 The money is going to go towards buying saplings.

“So the six thousand will go straight out to the purchase, and some of our contribution will be in-kind maintenance, and staff, and some of the cost to actually move the trees out to different commutes, and that sort of thing.”

In a media release from the province, they say the funding is going towards four distinct program areas. They include watersheds, habitat and wildlife, connecting people to nature, and innovation and conservation planning.

 “The Conservation Trust offers a lasting approach that will fund conservation, and will inspire new ideas and projects that may not have been possible until now,” said Tim Sopuck, chief executive officer, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation.

The Conservation Trust was announced in Budget 2018 and is now permanently endowed so it can support and inspire important conservation projects for generations.  The fund is expected to generate about $5 million a year and will be managed by The Winnipeg Foundation, with projects administered, tracked and evaluated by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation.

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