Counting Down To Manitoba Summer Games

In just under five months, the best amateur athletes in the province will converge on Dauphin for the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games.

The event, which will take place from August 11th to 17th, will feature a total of 12 sports.

Host committee Sport chair Phil Fafard says we will see a lot of competitors converging on our area for those games.

Overall I think there are about 19 hundred athletes and coaches coming, more or less 900+ per phase. So it is quite an event to accommodate them, feed them, and make sure that they get to the right events. So it will be a busy, full week with the number of athletes that we have to look after."

A total of twelve sports will make up this year's games, and Fafard says the event will be broken up into two phases.

"It is spread out over one week, but we have phase one on the Sunday to Wednesday. And then Wednesday it is turn over day where more athletes come in for the second phase from Wednesday to Saturday."

Phase one sports include baseball, basketball, golf, rugby, soccer, swimming, and volleyball.

Soccer, rugby, and basketball will also be contested during phase two of the games, along with Athletics, cycling, sailing, softball, and triathlon.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 21, 2024 - 1:25 pm

A 26-year-old woman from the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation will be back in court next month in relation to a death last June on the reserve.

Fantasia Prince is charged with Second Degree murder in the death of a 24-year-old woman and earlier this week had her case adjourned until April 15th.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Jaime Centeno has had his court matters adjourned until April 25th.

The Neepawa man remains in custody, facing luring and child pornography-related charges following an arrest in April of 2021.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 21, 2024 - 11:53 am

A special delivery took place this past Tuesday at the Swan Valley Health Centre.

No, it had nothing to do with the arrival of a baby, but instead it was the long anticipated arrival of a CT scanner for the facility.

Renovations are continuing to the space in the hospital that will hold this equipment, which includes mechanical and electrical work that will continue through the remainder of this month.

Installation of the CT Scanner unit itself will happen in April and May, with required inspections and staffing support to follow that.

THe goal is to have the new piece of diagnostic equipment fully operational at some point this summer.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 21, 2024 - 11:51 am

It was a special evening for several Parkland area businesses as the Parkland Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards celebration on Wednesday evening.

Dauphin Music and Electronics was presented a special Legacy award in recognition of their 77 years of operation, before closing their doors late last year.

Dave Zabiaka accepted the award on behalf of his family.

"It was my dad that started the business, and then we took over it in the mid-1990s. We had our hiccups here and there but we did get along most of the time and it was fun visiting with the coming into the store."

Other winners of note from last night were Dean Cooley as business person of the year and ICL General Construction as outstanding business.

The winner of Best New Startup was Obsolete Brewing, and Owner Steve Sobering said it was a group effort.

"I want to thank the team at OBC, from our brewer to our front-of-the-house team. And also to the community as a whole. Doing business in Dauphin, you really feel the support. And I do not think that is universal everywhere else so we are very appreciative of that."

Photo Provided By The Parkland Chamber Of Commerce

The Bridge in Ochre River for Community Appreciation - Group, and Marge Beyette for Community Appreciation - Individual.

"I was very humbled by this, I did not expect it." said Beyette, who was recognized for her volunteer efforts with groups like the Dauphin Active Living Centre, Dauphin and District Handi-Van, and Dauphin Ag Society. "There is other people in this community that volunteer a lot too. And like I said earlier, it takes a village to complete a project. So kudos to everybody that comes out and volunteers. It is very important for the community."

Photo Provided By The Parkland Chamber Of Commerce

Tanner Bennet of Grow Media was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Bennet was quick to be humble, as he says it's only possible through a group effort.

"Without my team, I can not do the things that we do. Without the support of our community members, whether it is my accountant or a lawyer, or my parents or friends, all those people help to add what we are able to do. So a lot of this recognition goes to everyone else that has helped me get to where I am and helped the business get to where it has been."

The other award on the evening went to Cory Gulenchin of Hot Shot Entertainment for best Side Hustle business.

Photo Provided By The Parkland Chamber Of Commerce

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 21, 2024 - 10:10 am

An invasive species has been detected in our nearby National Park, and you still have time to weigh on how it's dealt with.

Parks Canada is extending the public comment period on a Detailed Impact Assessment for a potential eradication of zebra mussels in Clear Lake, in Riding Mountain National Park.

Riding Mountain is looking to take action against the zebra mussels that have been detected in the lake, but not before hearing what the public has to say about their methodology.

Please be aware that the deadline for Public Comment on a “Detailed Impact Assessment for a potential eradication of...
Posted by Riding Mountain National Park on Monday, March 18, 2024

A detailed assessment is to take place which factors in short-term and long-term effects on the plants and wildlife of Clear Lake, and how the invasive zebra mussels could alter the ecosystem.

Zebra Mussels can impact native species, severely affect and/or alter food webs and ecosystems, damage infrastructure, and affect visitor experience.

Parks Canada states their priority is the ecological integrity of Clear Lake and surrounding ecosystems and that any eradication effort considered would be carefully evaluated and only used if feasible.

You can learn more about how the zebra mussel issue is to be handled, and voice your opinion on the matter online through The Impact Assessment Agency Of Canada's Website.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Mar 20, 2024 - 3:52 pm

Dauphin residents could see future increases to their water and wastewater bill if an application by the city to the Public Utilities Board is approved.

The city is looking to increase water rates from the current level of $2.23 per cubic metre to $2.52 in year one, and to $2.71 by year three.

Wastewater levels would go from the current amount of 81 cents per cubic metre to 92 cents in year one, and up to 96 cents by year three.

And the quarterly service charge would also be increased, from the current rate of $40.07 to $41.43 in year one and to $44.01 by year three.

Residents with concerns or comments regarding the city's application must forward them to the Public Utilities Board before April 27th.

Water rate changes in Dauphin were last approved in 2021 and went into effect in 2023.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 20, 2024 - 1:18 pm

Fusion Credit Union has been named one of Manitoba's Top Employers for 2024, according to the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers.

This is the fifth straight year that Fusion has received this honour, which recognizes Manitoba employers who lead their industries in offering an exceptional place to work.

Employers are evaluated using numerous criteria, such as health, financial and family benefits, employee communication, training and development, and community involvement.

Last year, Fusion Credit Union employees logged around 7,000 volunteer hours in the 18 communities they serve, including Dauphin.

They also gave 250 thousand dollars back to their communities through donations and sponsorships of local events and projects, through their Community Infusion program.

Fusion CEO Darwin Johns says receiving this recognition for multiple years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of their employees, adding they are the driving force behind the company's success.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 20, 2024 - 12:52 pm

In the courts yesterday, one of the accused in a series of armed robberies earlier this month in Dauphin made an appearance.

30-year-old Desmond Parenteau of Duck Bay was remanded back into custody until April 8th.

And a 30-year-old charged after an early January incident in Dauphin was also back in court.

Shayne Lavallee faces multiple charges including assault and assaulting a peace officer, and will return to court on May 14th.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 20, 2024 - 12:48 pm

The Watson Art Center hosted a full house of businesses and organizations being recognized for their many years of collaboration with the Parkland Chamber of Commerce.

Stephen Chychota, Executive director of the chamber group was excited to host this annual event.

"This is always such a fun event because it's just all recognition and appreciation to the members"

There was no shortage of love to go around as 44 different businesses were recognized for their years of working with the chamber group.

In a bit of a coincidence, the Watson Art Center celebrated its 50th year of working with the chamber while hosting this event.

While many businesses were recognized, there was also a very important changing of the guard that was featured.

Gabe Mercier was celebrated for his many years as the Parkland Chamber President, even taking on an extra year to make sure there was a smooth transition.

Jon Yerama will be taking over as president this year.

The chamber expresses its sincere gratitude to these outstanding members for their continued commitment to the Chamber and the business community.

The full list of this year's recipients can be found below.