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For many years Nicole Yunker has dreamt of recording an album.
Yunker says it all started when she was 12 and her music teacher approached her parents saying she had a classical voice.
“That’s when I started singing lessons. So, this has been a huge dream of mine for many, many years.”
Yunker ended up studying at the Manitoba Conservatory and Brandon University. There, she decided to use her time in university to build a career because she figured being an opera singer wouldn’t pay the bills.
A big step towards going after the dream of recording an album came one night when Nicole was scrolling through Facebook.
“Mirusia, who is an amazing classical singer, who I’ve seen in concert touring with André Rieu Orchestra, posted ‘I’m not touring right now, so I’m going to offer singing lessons on Zoom, if you’re interested, apply.’ So I told my husband, I applied, I didn’t tell anybody else because I thought, ‘oh I’m probably going to be rejected.’ So I didn’t tell anyone and to my amazement, Mirusia accepted me as a student.”
Yunker’s lessons with Mirusia involve both singing and the business side of things.
Nicole is about seven weeks into her lessons and has about a month left until she starts recording. This is what she pictures for the 4-track album.
“It’s easy listening, I imagine someone after a long day, sitting down on the couch, putting in the CD, just sitting back and relaxing. That’s really exciting for me because I want to connect with people. I think music brings people joy and I think during COVID-19 we need more joy.”
Nicole has been active on Facebook and Instagram, keeping everyone updated with her progress. She shares what it means to have the community’s support.
“Community support is massive. This community has supported me through the years, not just now. I’ve had opportunities to be a vocal coach at the high school, I’ve had opportunities to sing at concerts with amazing musicians and amazing people who have just encouraged me to keep singing. Without all that feedback, I wouldn’t have held onto the dream.”
To follow along with Nicole’s journey on Facebook, click here.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A member of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) is facing charges for unlawfully entering home, according to the Independent Investigations Unit (IIU).
On September 1st, 2018, the officer was involved in a pursuit, and while searching for the suspect, is alleged to have entered a home in Sandy Bay without lawful consent — which is considered a criminal offence.
The Independent Investigations Unit (IIU) has authorized a charge of being unlawfully in a dwelling house.
Constable Don Mills with MFNPS was issued a summons and will appear in Provincial Court on December 22, 2020, in Amaranth.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
A new electric motorcycle from Harley Davidson will feature parts made here in the Parkland.
RITZ Machine Works in Dauphin has been commissioned to build cooling tubes for Harley Davidson’s 2020 LiveWire.
Parts built in Dauphin will be shipped to California, and then to Milwaukee – where the bike is assembled.
RITZ Co-founders Rick Ilnisky and Tom Zaporzan say their company has been contracted to handle the difficult bending of tubing that hooks the cooling system together | File photo
COO of RITZ Machinery Inc., Tom Zaporzan explains their role in the production of the bike.
“All electric vehicles have a large cooling system because of the heat built up in the electric motors and the electric drive system. We were commissioned to build the tubing that hooks all the cooling systems together.”
CEO Rick Ilnisky says it’s the difficult bending of the tubes that requires their expertise.
“We’re supplying a tricky little bent tube for their electronic products that goes into their electric motor drivetrain. It’s kind of a fancy little elbow that is difficult to make for most manufacturers, so that’s where we come in. We specialize in the difficult bending that our customers require.”
Rick says estimated production is expected to be at 30,000 units, and that this will be an ongoing project.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Public health officials are reporting a much lower number of new cases on Tuesday, but also announced 5 more deaths due to COVID-19.
All 5 of the deaths announced today are individuals from the Winnipeg health region.
102 new cases have been identified today.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate in Manitoba is 8.6 percent. The test positivity rate in Winnipeg is 9.3 percent.
There are 3,495 active cases and 2,797 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. There are 130 people in hospital and 20 people in intensive care.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 85.
Today’s data shows:
• 13 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 12 cases in the Northern health region;
• two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 15 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region;
• 61 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The following Parkland health districts have active cases, according to the province: Swan River (7), Porcupine Mountain (4), Asessippi (5), Whitemud (6). Dauphin has 0 active cases. Brandon has 16 active cases.
There are 46 active cases in the Eriksdale/Ashern health district.
For more news on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
October 26
Gypsumville RCMP say a 32-year-old man is presumed dead after reportedly falling off a train bridge into a river.
On Sunday, October 25 at 9:50 p.m., RCMP received reports the man fell off the bridge while he and his younger sister were walking across it.
Officers, along with the local fire department and volunteers from the community, attended to the area and conducted a search of the river and the shoreline but have yet to locate the male.
The 32-year-old male is presumed dead with the search continuing today.
Gypsumville RCMP continues to investigate.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Numerous firearms, cocaine, cash, and drug paraphernalia have been seized in Dauphin by RCMP.
On October 29th, officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Triangle Road in Dauphin.
RCMP arrested and charged 38-year-old Tomson Flatfoot and 38-year-old Lana Flatfoot, both from Dauphin, with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and numerous firearms offences.
Both accused have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in Dauphin court on December 29th.
The investigation continues.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Dauphin Fire Department responded to a grass and tractor fire on Monday afternoon.
At around 3:45 p.m., the DFD responded to the scene about 7 miles southwest of Dauphin.
Officials say the owner of the property had been performing a controlled burn of the long grass in a ditch, but the tractor rolled due to uneven ground and became involved in the fire.
The owner was able to escape injury.
Crews extinguished the fire and returned to the station within the hour.
There are no estimates on damages at this time.
Message from the DFD:
"At this time of year, many residents of the rural municipality are cleaning up long grass and burning crop residue. We would like to remind the public that burning permits are required from the RM of Dauphin year-round, and are available free of charge from the RM Office."
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
UPDATE | On Monday, November 2, RCMP confirmed that Dufresne has been safely located.
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RCMP is searching for a missing man from Swan River.
44-year-old Christopher Dufresne was reported missing on Tuesday, October 27th, and was last spoken to on Monday, October 19th.
RCMP say he was leaving for work, but never arrived.
Dufresne is described as 6’2”, 230 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes. He has a black Ford F-150 with a “Roblin Motors” decal on it.
He does not have his phone, and police are concerned about his well-being.
RCMP are asking anyone with information to call the Swan River RCMP at 204-734-4686, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure a tip online.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A man arrested on the Ebb & Flow First Nation later collapsed in a cell and died, according to RCMP.
On Friday, October 30 at 11:25 a.m., Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP received a report of a male who was in possession of a machete and making threats towards workers on Lake Road SE on the Ebb & Flow First Nation.
Officers on scene attempted to arrest the 27-year-old man — who was in a highly agitated state.
After initially resisting arrest, officers were able to arrest the man. Once at the detachment, the man was placed in a cell where he collapsed onto the floor.
Officers immediately provided medical assistance until EMS arrived and transported the man to the hospital.
He was later pronounced deceased.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba was notified and are investigating.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
On a day when the Winnipeg region was moved to red ‘critical’ -- and every other region in the province is now at the orange ‘restricted’ level -- 5 more deaths and 241 new cases of COVID-19 were announced.
The five deaths reported in Manitoba on Monday are all individuals from the Winnipeg health region.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is nine per cent. The total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 6,275.
There are 3,455 active cases and 2,740 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. There are 124 people in hospital and 18 people in intensive care.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 80.
Today’s data shows:
• 35 cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• 29 cases in the Northern health region;
• 11 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• 44 cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 122 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
A possible exposure has been reported in Neepawa
The following Parkland health districts have active cases: Swan River (7), Porcupine Mountain (4), Asessippi (7), Whitemud (6), and Agassiz Mountain (1). Dauphin no longer has any known active cases, with all 9 listed as recovered. Brandon has 17 active cases.
The Eriksdale-Ashern health district has 42 cases considered active.
Winnipeg Moves To Red ‘Critical’ Level
Public health officials are advising the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region that anyone who is symptomatic, or has a household member who is symptomatic, the entire household needs to self-isolate.
The symptomatic individual needs to stay in their own room and, if possible, use their own bathroom and not use common areas.
Exemptions are in place for asymptomatic household members if they are a health-care worker or first responder.
Effective today, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region moved to the red ‘critical’ level on the pandemic Response System. The Southern Health–Santé Sud, Prairie Mountain Health and Interlake–Eastern health regions moved to the Restricted level (orange) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. The Northern health region moved to the Restricted level (orange) on Oct. 26.
Prairie Mountain Health Now At Orange ‘Restricted’ Level
The measures will be in effect for a minimum of 2 weeks. The following restrictions will be in place beginning Monday, November 2:
- Public and private group gathering sizes limited to five, in addition to household.
- Capacity limited to 50 percent at restaurants and bars, with group sizes limited to five.
- Reduced retail capacity to 50 percent, encouraging limiting those who go shopping from each household.
- Blended learning for grades 9 to 12, voluntary blended learning temporarily available for kindergarten to Grade 8, encouraging as much physical distancing as possible.
- Personal services have no change and stay at 50 per cent capacity.
- Reduced spectators at sports and recreation facilities to 25 per cent.
- Gyms and fitness centres require contact information for all attendees and mask use at all times, except when exercising.
- Faith-based gatherings are reduced to 20 per cent or 250 people, whichever is lower.
For more on COVID-19 in Manitoba from public health, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Dauphin RCMP are looking for the public’s help in finding a black 2-door Chevrolet Cobalt with the rear licence plate GNK 642.
On Monday morning at 9:30, the vehicle was seen by police in the RM of Gilbert Plains.
When police attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled from police south into the RM of Gilbert Plains.
Police didn’t initiate the pursuit of the vehicle due to the risk of public safety.
The Dauphin RCMP asks that if the vehicle is spotted or you know the driver, to call them at 204-622-5020.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
