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Fires can quickly start if your extension or block heater cords are broken or cracked.
Manitoba Public Insurance warns cords that are cracked or have exposed wires should be replaced.
The reminder comes after several vehicle fires have recently been linked to electrical arcing.
To avoid damage, one tip MPI gives is to not drive over your cord. This can cause cracking or breaking during bitterly cold weather.
Manitoba Public Insurance encourages people to unplug their block heater by using the hard, rubber end.
By pulling on the cord, it can cause breakage and potential electrical issues.
They also recommend covering your block heater plug-in with its protective cover.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Aspen Insurance is the new naming rights sponsor for the meeting room formally known as the “Lions Den”.
Starting on Friday the room will be called “Aspen Lodge”.
Dauphin Recreation Services would like to thank Aspen Insurance for the sponsorship.
Sponsorships help keep costs like recreation fees low.
They would also like to thank the Lions club for their support over the years.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
We aren’t the only ones that freeze when it’s cold outside.
Chris Wolfenden, co-owner of Steiner’s plumbing and heating, says pipes are at risk too.
Frozen pipes will make it so you don’t have any water.
A few ways to keep that from happening are to make sure your trace heating is working if you are in a trailer, it’s possible to insulate water lines, and running water in a small steady stream will keep the internal temperature of the pipe warmer. Water also freezes quicker if it's stagnant.
When the temperature is below -30 or -40, the coldness will penetrate the walls much easier, especially in older buildings.
Wolfenden says to check daily to make sure your pipes aren’t frozen.
Whenever there’s a cold snap, colder than -20, Wolfenden says they receive calls about frozen pipes quite often.
When pipes are frozen, Steiner’s Plumbing and Heating uses heat from heat guns, torches, or trace heating to thaw out the pipes.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
If it’s too cold for you, with the wind chills we're enduring, it’s too cold for your pets.
Dr. Roxanne Neufeld shares some tips on making sure your animals are comfortable in the extreme minus weather.
“If it’s really, really cold on our feet it’s probably going to be cold on their feet as well. They still need water. They should not have to fend for themselves eating snow. They do need fresh water. Be careful about leaving them out for a long time, especially when there is a wind chill. They can get wind chill.”
If your pets want to go outside in the cold, let them. But as soon as they start dancing around because their feet are cold, Dr. Neufeld says that’s when it’s time to wrap your activities up and go back inside.
“It would be a good idea sitting in a vehicle for a long time outside because your vehicle can get a little chilly as well. Just make sure that if it’s too uncomfortable, it might be uncomfortable for them as well.”
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- Contributed by Benjamin Schwab and Darnell Duff
Update: The hearing has been cancelled for today. A new day for the hearing will be scheduled on February 12th at 10 in the morning.
A standing hearing to determine potential witnesses for the inquest into the death of an inmate at the Dauphin Correctional Centre was suppose to take place this afternoon.
The inquest was called after a medical examiner determined Freeman Zong died by suicide in 2016.
It will explore the circumstances and events leading to his death to find out what, if anything, can be done to prevent a similar death in the future.
Before the inquest begins, the judge will decide who can participate in the process and question witnesses. Individuals and groups may make an application to be granted standing and participate in the inquest.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
A new housing strategy is in the works for the City of Dauphin.
The city is exploring conducting a professional study to provide an assessment of the community’s needs.
Deputy City Manager Renee St-Goddard says they are still in the early stages.
“It’s more from an economic development standpoint. Our Economic Development Manager is having lots of inquiries from developers asking if there’s a need, looking to invest in building in Dauphin. However, we’re not able to provide them with updated information.”
The city’s last housing study was completed in 2009.
“The Economic Development Manager is going to be reaching out to a company to do this study so we can provide more updated information.”
St-Goddard says the suggestion came up at a management meeting and it would be beneficial for the community to have this information.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Update: Richard Sinclair-Courchene has been safely located.
Original story:
Powerview RCMP are on the lookout for 13-year-old Richard Sinclair-Courchene who was last seen near Bruyere Point road in Sagkeeng First Nation on Wednesday, January 23rd.
Richard is described as 5 feet tall, approximately 100 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown parka and black pants.
He may be in the area of Sagkeeng First Nation, or Winnipeg.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Powerview RCMP at 204-367-2222, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or go online to submit a tip at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Update: Jasmine Lavallee has been safely located.
The RCMP thanks the public and the media for their assistance.
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Police are asking for help in finding a 15-year-old last seen in Swan River.
Jasmine Lavallee was last seen on 4th Street in Swan River on January 15, around 10:50 pm.
Jasmine is described as 5’3” tall, approximately 110 lbs, with long brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a white coat with green sleeves, purple and white pants and tan shoes.
Jasmine may be in the area of Portage La Prairie or Long Plain First Nation.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The Dauphin Fire Department dealt with some broken pipes earlier this morning.
Around 2:30, a water line In Parkview Lodge broke and caused the fire alarm system to turn on and flood the main entrance and started to flood the main floor.
The front doors were opened to allow the water to escape. The city came to help clear the street to let the water go down the storm drains.
Water to the entire building had to be shut off to do repairs and property owners are working to return services to the tenants.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
An extreme cold warning is in effect for the Parkland as a frigid arctic airmass makes its way into Southern Manitoba today (Monday, January 28th).
Wind chills in the -40 to -50 range are expected later tonight, and could last until Thursday afternoon.
Click here for details.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The provincial government is holding the line when it comes to school funding for 2019-20.
That’s the view of Bart Michaleski who thinks the province is focused more on the education review this year.
Mounting View School Division is getting a 0.7 per cent reduction in funding which comes out to 22.1 million dollars.
“Our announcement was slightly better than it was last year because we had an enrolment increase this fall that we weren’t expecting. And any time your enrolment goes up, it does affect your formula calculations. So last year when we received our formula our enrolment had gone down slightly. That’s why we were a little more negatively affected last year.”
In the 2018-19 school year, the province had given MVSD a 0.8 per cent reduction.
“Our expectations going into the year was that the announcement would be similar. We didn’t think that the announcement would province more money than last year. As well, last year’s announcement put a cap on how much we could increase our property taxation and that same rule applies this year as well.”
Funding in Manitoba is calculated using the Funding of Schools Program formula, which guarantees divisions receive at least 98 per cent of the previous year’s total.
The province is directing divisions to cap increases to their local education property tax at two per cent for the 2019-20 school year and is asking them to continue to reduce administrative costs.
Michaleski says MVSD is in a slightly better situation this year.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
