Countryfest Was Safer Than Expected

Countryfest has come and gone and it seems that it was safer than expected. During Countryfest weekend, the Dauphin RCMP received 117 calls for service in Dauphin — six of which were directly from the Countryfest site.

According to Cpl. Terry Harschall, out of those six calls, there were some people that had too much to drink and became aggressive, so security called the RCMP and they provided them with a place to stay for the night. Security found drugs at a couple of sites, so the RCMP ended up seizing them and arresting the individuals involved. They also received general assistance calls, including one from an individual who cut their hand while barbequing as well as another one regarding mischief to a vehicle that was parked at the site.

Cpl. Harschall said that the results of the MPI-funded traffic checks were also encouraging.

"We had three check stops during the evenings and we did not come across any impaired drivers, again a few unlicensed drivers for sure, but... we had no collisions that would be of any main concern of the area in [relation] to Countryfest," she added.

Cpl. Harschall also said that there were no assaults or violent crimes at the Countryfest site, which she thought was a pleasant surprise.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 11, 2022 - 6:00 am

Most people are still cringing when they head to the pumps to fill up their vehicles.

The fact is; however, things have trended in the right direction in the past week as gas prices remain at 1.99 c/l, down from about 2.07 c/l just more than a week ago. Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy does also provide some intriguing news.

"I do think we could go down another five to 10 cents a litre of the next week or two here," said DeHaan. "As long as there isn't any interruption to oil markets, I believe the price should continue to decrease."

When it comes to the more long-term gas forecast, Patrick said that's very hard to determine what will happen. Factors such as the war between Russia and Ukraine, the state of the economy, the job market or whether we see a major hurricane can all have a major impact on the price.

"We have seen a lot of volatility this summer which makes it very tough to predict where things will go in the longer term," ended DeHaan.

Gas prices in Ontario have been reported to be as low as 1.71 c/l. That's because they have the 'Gas Tax Holiday', something that Manitoba doesn't have.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 11, 2022 - 5:00 am

UPDATE: The severe thunderstorm watch that was in effect for many communities in the Ste. Rose - McCreary - Alonsa - Gladstone area has ended.

The previous update follows:

As of 9:27 p.m., the severe thunderstorm watch that was in effect for many communities in the Minnedosa - Riding Mountain National Park area has ended.

As of 9:18 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Minto-Odanah incl. Minnedosa and Moore Park and the R.M. of Rosedale incl. Eden and Kelwood has ended.

The tenth update follows:

At 8:57 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Rosedale incl. Eden and Kelwood.

As of 8:57 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Oakview incl. Oak River and Rapid City has ended.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The ninth update follows:

At 8:44 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Minto-Odanah incl. Minnedosa and Moore Park and the R.M. of Oakview incl. Oak River and Rapid City.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The eighth update follows:

As of 8:32 p.m., the severe thunderstorm watches that were in effect for many communities in the Dauphin - Russell - Roblin - Winnipegosis and Swan River - Duck Mountain - Porcupine Provincial Forest areas have ended.

As of 8:31 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Oakview incl. Oak River and Rapid City has ended.

The seventh update follows:

At 8:24 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Oakview incl. Oak River and Rapid City.

As of 8:24 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the Hamiota Mun. incl. McConnell and Lavinia, the Mun. of Harrison Park incl. Onanole Sandy Lake and Newdale and the R.M. of Yellowhead incl. Shoal Lake and Elphinstone has ended.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The sixth update follows:

At 8:12 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the following communities:

Hamiota Mun. incl. McConnell and Lavinia
Mun. of Harrison Park incl. Onanole Sandy Lake and Newdale
R.M. of Oakview incl. Oak River and Rapid City
R.M. of Yellowhead incl. Shoal Lake and Elphinstone

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

As of 8:07 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the Prairie View Mun. incl. Bird Tail Creek Res. has ended.

As of 7:36 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Ellice-Archie incl. St-Lazare McAuley and Manson has ended.

The fifth update follows:

As of 5:43 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River and the R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides has ended.

At 5:38 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for the Prairie View Mun. incl. Bird Tail Creek Res. and the R.M. of Ellice-Archie incl. St-Lazare McAuley and Manson.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The fourth update follows:

As of 4:28 p.m., there is a severe thunderstorm watch that is currently in effect for many communities in the Minnedosa - Riding Mountain National Park area.

The third update follows:

At 5:03 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River and the R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides.

More information on the severe thunderstorm warning mentioned above can be found on the Environment Canada website.

As of 4:16 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the Pelican Rapids and Shoal River First Nations and the R.M. of Mountain including Mafeking and Birch River has ended.

The second update follows:

At 3:05 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the following communities:

Mun. of Glenella-Lansdowne incl. Arden and Tenby
Mun. of McCreary incl. Norgate
Mun. of Ste. Rose incl. Laurier
Mun. of WestLake-Gladstone incl. Plumas and Langruth
R.M. of Alonsa incl. Ebb and Flow Res. and Sandy Bay Res.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The first update follows:

At 2:57 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Pelican Rapids and Shoal River First Nations and the R.M. of Mountain including Mafeking and Birch River.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The original article follows:

Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm watches for Dauphin and surrounding areas.

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

According to Environment Canada, conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

They also said that thunderstorms are beginning to develop this afternoon along a cold front stretching from southwestern Saskatchewan into central Manitoba and that some of these thunderstorms may become severe.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 10, 2022 - 2:47 pm

UPDATE: As of 10:22 p.m., the remaining severe thunderstorm watch has ended.

The previous update follows:

As of 8:28 p.m., all but one of the severe thunderstorm watches have ended.

The remaining severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the following communities:

Duck Mountain Prov. Park and Prov. Forest
Mun. of Minitonas-Bowsman incl. Renwer
Mun. of Swan Valley West incl. Benito
Pelican Rapids and Shoal River First Nations
Porcupine Prov. Forest
R.M. of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville
R.M. of Mountain including Mafeking and Birch River
Westgate Red Deer Lake and Barrows

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The fourth update follows:

At 5:34 p.m., the tornado watches covering many communities across the Parkland were replaced by severe thunderstorm watches.

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

The third update follows:

As of 4:17 p.m., the severe thunderstorm warning for the R.M. of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville has ended.

The tornado watches covering many communities across the Parkland are still in effect.

The second update follows:

At 4:07 p.m., the tornado warning for the R.M. of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville was replaced by a severe thunderstorm warning.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The first update follows:

At 3:43 p.m., Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for the R.M. of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville.

According to Environment Canada, they are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado and damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible.

In addition, there is a tornado watch that is currently in effect for the following communities:

Duck Mountain Prov. Park and Prov. Forest
Mun. of Minitonas-Bowsman incl. Renwer
Mun. of Swan Valley West incl. Benito
Pelican Rapids and Shoal River First Nations
Porcupine Prov. Forest
R.M. of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville
R.M. of Mountain including Mafeking and Birch River
Westgate Red Deer Lake and Barrows

More information on what to do in the event of a tornado can be found on the Environment Canada website.

The original article follows:

Environment Canada has issued tornado watches for Dauphin and surrounding areas.

They are currently in effect for the following communities:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
Mun. of Glenella-Lansdowne incl. Arden and Tenby
Mun. of McCreary incl. Norgate
Mun. of Ste. Rose incl. Laurier
Mun. of WestLake-Gladstone incl. Plumas and Langruth
R.M. of Alonsa incl. Ebb and Flow Res. and Sandy Bay Res.
Hamiota Mun. incl. McConnell and Lavinia
Mun. of Clanwilliam-Erickson
Mun. of Harrison Park incl. Onanole Sandy Lake and Newdale
Prairie View Mun. incl. Bird Tail Creek Res.
R.M. of Minto-Odanah incl. Minnedosa and Moore Park
R.M. of Oakview incl. Oak River and Rapid City
R.M. of Rosedale incl. Eden and Kelwood
R.M. of Yellowhead incl. Shoal Lake and Elphinstone
R.M.of Ellice-Archie incl. St-Lazare McAuley and Manson
Riding Mountain Nat. Park
Rossburn Mun. incl. Waywayseecappo Res.

According to Environment Canada, severe thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon in west-central Manitoba.

They also said that an unstable airmass is in place ahead of a frontal system, providing an environment favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may produce tornadoes and that large hail and strong wind gusts are also possible with these storms.

More information on what to do in the event of a tornado can be found on the Environment Canada website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 9, 2022 - 3:09 pm

The City of Dauphin will be holding an information session on Thursday, July 14th at 7 p.m. at City Hall for people eyeing a run for office. The R.M. of Dauphin will be holding one as well. That one will take place at the R.M. of Dauphin Office on Wednesday, July 13th at 7 p.m.

The information sessions will cover council and committee meeting schedules and time commitments, compensation, applicable legislation and the roles of the mayor (in the case of the City), councillors, and municipal staff.

According to Kirk Dawson, a senior election official for the City and the R.M. of Dauphin, the R.M. of Dauphin information session will feature a guest speaker, Joe Masi. Dawson also said that Masi has worked in the public sector for 38 years with senior positions at the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government.

"Certainly, Joe will be talking about municipalities across the province... He saw first-hand some of the characteristics of good municipal councils and what to avoid," he added.

Those interested in the City of Dauphin's information session are being asked to call City Hall at 204-622-3200 by Tuesday, July 12th at 4:30 p.m. to register.

For the R.M. of Dauphin's session, those interested have until Monday, July 11th at 4:30 p.m. to register and are being asked to call the R.M. Office at 204-638-4531.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 9, 2022 - 6:00 am

Canada's National Ukrainian Festival is back from Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31.

The event south of Dauphin celebrates Ukrainian culture and is always a marquee event. A jam-packed list of performers will be front and centre for the three-day event. With it being just three weeks away, event organizers are now looking for volunteers at the gate.

There are some perks to volunteering this year.

"If you volunteer one shift which is four hours, you'll get a day pass," said Kayla Gillis, President. "If you volunteer for two shifts which is eight hours you'll get a weekend pass and if you volunteer 12 hours, you'll get a weekend pass and we will also throw in a lower camping site."

Gillis says with everything that is happening in the world right now, they are going to celebrate the Ukrainian culture like never before. If you want to attend the festival, head to Canada's National Ukrainian Festival. If you'd like to volunteer, call the festival office at 204-622-4600

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 9, 2022 - 6:00 am

Prairie Mountain Health has announced that the emergency department at the Winnipegosis & District Health Centre is closed. That means that there are no emergency department services available at the site.

During the suspension of services, those requiring emergency medical attention are being encouraged to call the Winnipegosis & District Health Centre at 204-656-4881 to determine the nearest open emergency department.

In the event of a life-threatening or serious health emergency, you should still call 9-1-1.

Those with non-emergency health questions can speak with a nurse by calling Health Links-Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 8, 2022 - 3:36 pm

UPDATE: In a tweet, Interac says that INTERAC Debit and INTERAC e-Transfer services are now fully available as Rogers restored connectivity earlier today.

People with questions about a specific INTERAC e-Transfer or INTERAC Debit transaction are being asked to contact their financial institution directly.

The original article follows:

Rogers is currently experiencing a widespread network outage, leaving many customers and businesses with no mobile or internet services.

As a result, local businesses are experiencing issues with their point-of-sale systems and are unable to accept debit cards.

Businesses will still accept cash and credit cards as usual.

According to a tweet posted by Interac, the outage is impacting INTERAC Debit and INTERAC e-Transfer and INTERAC Debit is currently unavailable online and at checkout.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 8, 2022 - 1:16 pm

Due to the closure of the emergency room, the Grandview Medical Clinic will be offering urgent care services on weekends.

The clinic will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will operate on a walk-in basis.

For more information, call the Grandview Medical Clinic at 204-546-2774. You can also call or text Dr. Elliott after hours if you have any questions or concerns at 204-648-3028.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 8, 2022 - 11:13 am

The boil water advisory that has been in place in McCreary since June 30th has been lifted.

According to Drinking Water Officer Kale Black, the McCreary water system has met all conditions for rescinding the boil water advisory and that bacteriological testing results meet regulatory standards. McCreary residents can now use their water as they normally would.

The advisory was put in place as a precautionary measure due to a water main break.

If you have any questions, you can contact Christine Gerardy at 204-570-1405.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Jul 8, 2022 - 9:57 am

Kevin Boese says they've had years to prepare and finally, the Gilbert Plains-Grandview Ag Society will host its fair and rodeo this weekend in Gilbert Plains.

The event -- which was last run in 2019 -- is a staple in the community and it all begins with the parade Friday afternoon at 3. Friday's schedule also includes the petting zoo from 4 to 9 and the beer gardens will be open from 4 to 1 a.m., with entertainment featuring Dave Greene and karaoke.

Kevin says this event has been a long time coming.

"Everyone is so excited, we have the tents up and everything is ready to roll," said Boese. "The parade is an incredible way to start the fair and we can't wait to get things going."

Chariots and chuckwagons take centre stage at 3 on Saturday and the rodeo begins at 7 p.m. There are over 200 competitors in the rodeo this year so it's going to be packed and is sure to be the hit of the weekend.

"We're using the Heartland Rodeo Association so it'll be great," said Boese.

Kevin said his favourite event is bull riding which takes place Sunday afternoon. Adult admission is $10 Friday, $15 Saturday and $10 on Sunday. You can save some money by buying a weekend pass for just $25. 6 to 17-year-olds are $7 Friday, $7 Saturday and $7 Sunday. Kids five and under are free.