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Officials with the federal government say they’re ready to gradually re-open national parks.
The sites have been closed since mid-March to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Canada’s Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says our national parks will soon be restarting some operations.
Beginning June 1st, some trails, day use areas, green spaces and recreational boating will be available at national parks, historic sites and waterways, and national marine conservation areas.
For an update on camping resuming in our national parks — you’ll have to wait until at least June 21 — when the government says they will reassess whether to move forward with reopening campsites.
What does this mean for Riding Mountain National Park? Park officials will be sharing more information about resumption plans next week.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Celebrating National Nursing Week has looked much different this year.
Manitoba Nurses’ Union (MNU) President Darlene Jackson says employers, unions, and the general public have had to get creative to show their appreciation given the circumstances.
She says there have been some issues with food donations, because most of it can’t come into the building without being wiped — but there have been plenty of kind gestures from people showing their appreciation.
“We actually had a lady who makes and decorates cookies donate them to nurses and St. Boniface. She’s now on a project baking cookies for other healthcare facilities in Winnipeg.”
The MNU president has seen lots of pictures in windows, notes in windows; thanking nurses as front line providers.
“It’s all over Facebook, people chiming in saying thank you. I think it’s especially poignant right now.”
Jackson thinks this week should also be an opportunity to call attention to the challenges facing Manitoba nurses. “We are in a nursing shortage," she said, adding "the College of Registered Nurses just released their registration numbers from this year. Registration has dropped off again like it did last year.”
The MNU president says it’s difficult to recruit nurses, but in her own experience, it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions she’s ever made.
“It’s an amazing profession. It’s something I chose to do, and I honestly have to say it’s probably the best decision I’ve made in my entire life to go into nursing. It’s been so rewarding.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba Hydro reported a power outage on Wednesday afternoon in Grandview.
Manitoba Hydro says the outage was a result of a pole top fire that started at about 5:15 p.m.
Upwards of 380 customers were without power. Power was restored around 7 p.m.
Crews remained on the scene to repair the damage to the burnt pole.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Chris Carefoot is retiring from RE/MAX Parkland Realty after 25 years of service.
Collette Carefoot, the owner of RE/MAX Parkland Realty, believes part of Chris’ legacy will be how connected she was to the community.
“She worked very hard, was very passionate about real estate and all the people that she worked with. She became a broker as well during that time and loved it. It was just kind of part of who she was.”
RE/MAX Canada typically has an annual broker's gathering where people who are retiring attend and receive recognition in person.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Beginning Thursday, COVID-19 testing sites in Manitoba will start accepting self-referrals.
That means Manitobans will no longer need a referral from Health Links — or their health-care provider — in order to get tested.
Chief nursing officer for Shared Health Lanette Siragusa says the idea is to make it easier for people with even mild symptoms to get tested.
People with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, fatigue, headaches, nausea or loss of appetite are asked to use the online screening tool.
If you meet the criteria in the online screening tool, you can proceed directly to a testing site.
In the Prairie Mountain Health region there at testing sites in Dauphin, Brandon, and Swan River.
For more information on testing locations and hours of operation, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Some researchers at Brandon University are gearing up to take a closer look at rural mental health during the COVID situation.
The research team is looking for older adults — aged 65 or older who live in rural communities — to participate in a one-hour telephone interview conducted by Dr. Rachel Herron from the University.
Dr. Herron says the research also aims to better understand the mental health of frontline healthcare workers in rural communities.
“We’re looking forward to recruiting older adults living in rural communities to participate in a telephone interview. We have also developed a separate survey for frontline healthcare workers who are currently working in rural communities.”
Dr. Herron says the COVID situation presents new challenges to mental health care in rural communities.
“Now in the context of COVID-19, there may be particular stressors in relation to mental health for everyone; but certainly for rural communities who generally have access to fewer mental health services.”
The research aims to examine issues here in Manitoba, and search for solutions in supporting good mental health during this time.
Anyone interested in participating can find more information on the Centre for Rural Mental Health website, by phone 431-301-3032, or email Dr. Rachel Herron This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba is still working out the details of the wage top up for the province’s front-line workers.
Premier Brian Pallister says there's more planning needed to figure out how much workers will receive, and exactly who will qualify.
Pallister says workers may be getting a one-time payment of about $1,000 through an online application.
The wage top up is a federal cost-share program announced last week, meant for low-wage workers who’ve continued to work throughout the COVID-19 situation.
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Continuing with a trend of low case numbers in Manitoba, there were no new cases identified by public health officials today.
The province remains at 290 total confirmed and probable cases, with 7 deaths reported.
There are 32 active cases; four people in hospital because of the virus, and one person is in intensive care.
There were 527 laboratory tests conducted yesterday throughout the province.
For more information, visit the Manitoba government's official COVID-19 website.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The City of Dauphin’s spring clean-up has been postponed for one week.
On Monday, May 25th, city crews will start in the Day 1 area on the waste schedule, and progress through the four-day schedule.
Yard waste bins will still be collected at the curb every two weeks. If you’d like one, call the city shop at (204) 622-3202.
The city would also like to remind residents that compost material can be dropped off anytime at the Dauphin Waste Disposal Site.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A Dauphin lawyer has been appointed as Queen’s counsel.
Doug Deans is one of ten lawyers to receive the distinction, announced yesterday by the Justice Minister.
The Queen’s counsel is an honorary title given by the lieutenant-governor in council to lawyers who show integrity, leadership, and contribute to excellence in the profession.
Doug says he’s happy to receive the distinction.
“I think everybody in their own professional is flattered when they are acknowledged by that profession, or in this case, by the government. I was tickled by the announcement”
Practicing law in Dauphin for 46 years, Doug tells CKDM it means a lot to have served this community.
“It’s actually been very rewarding; I was born in Dauphin. My father actually ran the jail. That’s kind of why I ended up doing what I do, because of my upbringing.”
Going forward, a ceremonial presentation might be happening in the fall, depending on provincial COVID guidelines.
The full list of those receiving the Queen’s counsel (QC) designation include:
• Robert J. M. Adkins, QC;
• J. Douglas Deans, QC;
• Michael D. Werier, QC;
• Gail G. MacAulay, QC;
• James A. Ripley, QC;
• T. David Gisser, QC;
• James E. McLandress, QC;
• Sharon Kravetsky, QC;
• Roberta Campbell, QC; and
• Harold (Sonny) Cochrane, QC.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The annual State Of The City address was presented Tuesday afternoon on the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.
Executive Director Stephen Chychota highlighted some plans to help local businesses, alongside Manitoba Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chuck Davidson.
Dauphin Mayor Allen Dowhan focused on two main challenges facing the city — the closure of the Dauphin Correctional Centre (DCC), and the economic impact of COVID-19.
"It’s a big challenge and I know the citizens of Dauphin are up to it.”
The Dauphin Mayor says the city wants to give back to the community.
“That’s why we worked towards a zero tax increase with no cuts in services, and maintained our commitment to infrastructure.”
Mayor Dowhan also imparted some words of encouragement to people in the City of Sunshine:
“We have to move forward. You hear the term ‘new normal’ all the time. Things aren’t going to be the way they were; we have to adjust to the new normal in our community and welcome change. That change is going to come quicker than it has before. We have to provide our hometown spirit to rebuild our community, with the hope of maintaining our population and possibly growing it. It’s a big challenge and I know the citizens of Dauphin are up to it.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
