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A record 41,754 COVID-19 vaccine appointments were booked on Friday after age eligibility was lowered to 12 and older.
The Manitoba government is reminding parents to book their child's appointment under their child’s name, not their own name. If that parent had already received a first dose, the appointment would be cancelled as second-dose appointments are not currently being accepted.
Parents who used their own names to book their child’s appointment and received a cancellation email are encouraged to call or go online to book again.
People aged 12 to 15 can either attend the appointment with a parent, guardian or caregiver, or bring a signed consent form at the time of their appointment. If the youth attends without a guardian and without a signed consent form, they will go through an informed consent process with a clinical lead to assess their ability to consent on their own and proceed with the vaccine.
Young people aged 16 and 17 can sign their own consent form.
Appointments can be made by calling 1-844-626-8222, or online.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
A special air quality statement is in effect for Dauphin and much of the Parkland, including the Municipality of Ethelbert.
Several wildfires are burning northeast of Ethelbert and in Lake St Martin area causing localized areas of smoke, reducing visibilities and causing poor air quality downwind of fires.
Due to the locally smoky conditions that we can expect, individuals living in or travelling to the above-noted areas are advised to be aware of potential health concerns that can be associated with current local air conditions. In these current conditions, and even in less affected areas, some individuals may experience sore eyes, tears, coughing and a runny nose.
In areas affected by smoke from wildland fires, you're encouraged to take the following precautions:
- limit outdoor activity and/or strenuous physical activity; if breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity;
- reduce exposure to smoke by staying indoors or moving to areas with cleaner air, as conditions can vary dramatically by area;
- turn off furnaces and air-conditioning units that may draw smoke indoors; and
- keep indoor air cleaner by avoiding smoking or burning other materials
People at higher risk include older adults, infants and young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions, such as breathing difficulties or heart problems.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Mountain View School Division has been working to improve accessibility needs in their schools.
The division recently received funding from the province for additional accessibility options such as grooming rooms, elevators, and wheelchair ramps.
Bart Michaleski, MVSD Secretary-Treasurer, says construction is currently underway at Henderson Elementary School to install new grooming rooms.
“We actually received funding support for a grooming room at Henderson and another one at Mackenzie. It’s for students with special needs and that have those special washroom requirements, and grooming rooms are designed for those purposes.”
Michaleski adds that the division has started planning for all accessibility projects in the region.
Upgrades are projected to cost around $2 -$2.5 million.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Last week the Manitoba Government announced that it came to an agreement with Xplornet Communications Inc. to provide over 125,000 unserved or underserved Manitobans with high-speed internet.
This will provide broadband services to nearly 30 First Nations, and 270 rural and northern communities in Manitoba.
Member of Parliament for Dauphin, Swan River, and Neepawa, Dan Mazier says it’s great news anytime there’s an announcement about improvements to internet access in rural areas.
“I think the pandemic has really highlighted the importance of how we’re going to do business in Canada today and into the future. I think the internet is here to stay and the more we can get online and start and interacting – especially in rural Canada the better. We need infrastructure for that though.”
Mazier has been pushing for broadband funds in the Parkland in Parliament for quite some time.
“As far as the universal broadband fund, I’ve been working very closely with the Parkland group on a very important project. I’ve been pushing in Ottawa, trying to get those funds secured here in the Parkland, and actually, we’re in the process of introducing legislation that will improve the quality of internet access as well, so stay tuned for that.”
Mazier says he applauds the province for stepping up and doing this for rural Manitoba.
A full list of communities receiving services can be found here.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Mountain View School Division is advising of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Mackenzie Middle School.
The division says at least one case was at the school on May 10th and 11th when they may have been infectious.
The school is working closely with public health officials and all close contacts have been identified and are self-isolating.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
For the second year in a row, The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has canceled its 2021 Manitoba Summer Fair.
The fair, which would’ve been held in early June, has been canceled due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
Greg Crisanti, President of The Provincial Exhibition they look forward to hosting the event in person when the time is right.
Organizers say plans are underway to hold family activities later in the summer, and that details will be announced once plans are finalized.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Applications are now being accepted for the Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave Program.
The program provides eligible employers with up to $600 per employee for a maximum of five full days of COVID-19 related sick leave.
Eligible sick leave for the program includes testing, vaccinations and side effects, self-isolation due to COVID-19 symptoms or care for a loved one in any of the previously mentioned circumstances.
Economic Development and Jobs Minister Ralph Eichler says Manitobans need to feel confident that if they’re sick, they can stay home without financial repercussions.
“The Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave program provides employers with financial assistance to ensure employees are paid on their regular schedule with no wait times.”
The program is running until at least September 25th.
For more information and to apply click here.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Local residents of Roblin have reported sights of a tornado touching down outside the community.
Faye Jones with Parkland Cleaners and Restoration in Roblin says the tornado happened at around 1:45 p.m. and lasted for about ten minutes.
“I was just driving back to the shop and saw that and thought what the heck, that’s in Roblin? Our shop is on the east end of town so it was quite a ways, a couple kilometres away, but it was definitely large enough to get a good video of it.”
Jones added that it didn’t appear to have caused any damage.
The tornado has not yet been confirmed by Environment Canada.
You can find a video of the tornado here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
RCMP say a man from Dauphin has been arrested after he broke into a home armed with a knife and grabbed a woman.
Yesterday around 2:35 p.m. RCMP received a report of a man trying to stab a woman at a residence on 3rd Avenue Southeast.
Officers say they attended the scene and were advised that a male had broken into the home armed with a knife and grabbed a 21-year-old female, who was known to him, and forced her out of the residence.
Patrols were made in the area, and officers found the suspect and the victim. The suspect was arrested without incident, and the victim was unharmed.
30-year-old Daniel Allen Renner, of Dauphin, was remanded into custody on charges including Kidnapping, Breaking and Entering, Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose and Fail to Comply with a Release Order.
The investigation continues.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
RCMP say around 30 rabbits were removed from a property in Dauphin.
Police say they were called to the home on 5th Ave northeast by the owner, who said there were several people on her property attempting to remove her rabbits.
Officers arrived at the home and encountered a City of Dauphin By-Law officer and several volunteer shelter workers who said that they were on-site to remove the rabbits from the property.
Officers say the 41-year-old woman homeowner tried to intervene and prevent the removal, which led to her being arrested for obstruction.
The arrest was done to ensure the safety of all involved and that the woman was then released from custody without charge.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Rural Municipality of Lakeshore has put a burning ban in place.
The municipality says all existing burn permits have been revoked, and agricultural burning will be permitted by permit only but these permits will only be issued for one day.
Backyard fires will be allowed in enclosed pits with extreme caution.
The municipality says having a source to extinguish the fire is recommended, and if a fire from a pit gets out of control, you may be charged if the fire department is called.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
