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Tax season is right around the corner, and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is back.
The program is a free service to help low-income individuals with simple tax situations.
The program is currently looking for volunteers in Dauphin, Neepawa, Rossburn, Russell, and Ste. Rose.
Volunteers must have basic tax knowledge and be in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency, have a few free hours a week during March and April, and be willing to complete a criminal record check.
Jeff Sexton says volunteers are generally over 18 and want to help those who need it.
"It's a great feeling to give back to the community," said Sexton, who is a co-lead for the program. "It gives you a chance to use your knowledge or acquired skills to help people who are in need and can't afford to pay to get their taxes done."
You must have access to a secure computer and the internet.
When it comes to time committment, Sexton says you can pick up a return at a local office and complete it at your home.
"It varies on the amount of time that it takes an individual to get the returns done," ended Sexton. "We ask volunteers to pick up, complete, and bring back to the office six returns."
If you're interested in volunteering, call 578-4806. Or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
This week will be the sweetest and tastiest of the month.
Tim Horton's Holiday Smile Cookie campaign runs from Monday to Sunday. 100% of the proceeds from this campaign will go to the Dauphin Food Bank and the Tim Horton's Foundation.
If you're in Dauphin and would like to pre-order smile cookies, head here. Each cookie is $2.00, and pre-ordered cookies must be purchased by the dozen.
Robin Gambler is with the Dauphin & District Food Bank.
She's grateful that her organization will be receiving a portion of the proceeds.
Last year in Dauphin, $57,802 was raised. That was the third highest in all of Canada.
"It's amazing. We will get a nice portion of the proceeds," said Gambler. "It will help us greatly as we get prepared for the holiday season here at the Food Bank."
Recently, Dauphin Ford filled up a truck in their showroom and donated the non-perishable items to the Food Bank.
The Dauphin First United Church recently made a very generous donation.
If you have the means to donate, Robin says you can take small donations to her at the Dauphin Friendship Centre.
For larger donations, give her a call at 647-6828, and she can meet you at the Food Bank.
Gambler says donations continue to funnel in, and she wants to thank the community for your great support.
"You know what, it's amazing. I am very proud to be in Dauphin and to see what everyone does for us," continued Gambler. "It's amazing to see what is coming in. Henderson School is doing a cereal drive for us ahead of Christmas, which is incredible."
800 people are served a month. That's 9,600 people every year. The Dauphin & District Food Bank has been in the community for decades, serving those in need.
Gambler also says those who utilize the Food Bank are always grateful.
"They are, they really are. We give people hampers with all the food groups in it," ended Gambler. "They are thankful."
So if you are ever in a time of need, the Dauphin & District Food Bank will be there for you.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
It is widely regarded as the biggest and best cattle show in North America.
The 2025 edition of Canadian Western Agribition begins November 24th in Regina, and will draw livestock producers from all across the country, including here in the Parkland.
Agribition C-E-O Shawn Kindopp says twelve different breeds of cattle will hold shows during this year's event.
"Agribition Beef Supreme is something that we are quite renowned for. We have a lot of different feeder shows that feed into Agribition. So if you do have the honour of being crowned the Agribition Supreme champion, it is definitely a special close to the week."
Kindopp is also very proud of the educational component of Agribition, as over 10,000 school-aged students are expected to attend the education pavillion during the six days.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Two recent cases were back before the courts this week.
A 53-year-old Binscarth woman charged with manslaughter following the November 3rd death of another woman in that community was in Brandon court.
Sheila Mills remains in custody until her next scheduled appearance on December 2nd.
And Jordy Robertson appeared in Dauphin court, with his matters adjourned until December 9th.
The 27-year-old from the RM of Gilbert Plains was arrested on outstanding warrants in late October following a chase that took police from several local detachments through woods and water.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
RCMP in Fisher Branch are investigating a recent death in that community as a homicide
At around 1:30 pm on November 9th, they received a report of a 59-yeaar-old man being unresponsive in his home.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and Major Crimes have taken on the lead in the investigation.
Police believe this is an isolated incident and that there is no risk to the public.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The city of Dauphin will be presenting a resolution at the Association of Manitoiba Municipalities convention later this month.
Deputy City Manager Lisa Gaudet says the resolution asks AMM members to support a request by the city for the province to follow through on a promise to conduct a comprehensive review of Manitoba's Mental Health Act.
"The resolution calls for the province to review and modernize the Mental health act, with input from municipalities and front line partners. It also asks the province to fund and implement mobile crisis teams and mental health transport options, to reduce the burden on police who wait in hospital when those safety risks exist. And to use virtual psychiatric assessments to avoid unnecessary transfers, and to also expand crisis stabilization units and rural mental health care."
Gaudet says there needs to be a health-based response to mental health cases, not a law-based one.
She adds the more support this resolution gets from municipalities, the more impact it will have on the province.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Keystone Centre has announced a partnership with the Brandon and Area Community Foundation to create the Keystone Centre Foundation.
It was established to support the ongoing operation, improvement, and accessibility of the non-profit facility. The fund will invest tax-deductible donations over time, and the Keystone Centre may use the annual interest or a portion of the capital investment as needed in the future for specific projects, helping to preserve the community facility for future generations.
In addition to the launch of the Foundation, Keystone Centre CEO & general manager Connie Lawrence announced two signature events designed to raise awareness of the new fund, and provide opportunities to educate on the history, present, and future of the Keystone Centre.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin Friendship Centre is once again ready to step forward and help families in need during the holiday season.
They will be accepting applications for their Christmas hamper program on Tuesday from 9 until 1, and Wednesday from 9 until 6 in the back hall of the Friendship Centre.
This is the only time that they will be accepting applications for their Christmas hampers, which are for families with children in Dauphin, Sifton, and Ochre River.
Those applying are reminded to bring their current Manitoba Health card well as another piece of ID to verify your address.
Anyone with questions can contact the Friendship Centre at 204-638-5707.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Canada's national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children received an average of six sextortion reports per day in 2024.
Typically, boys are extorted for money while girls are extorted for more images. It's reported that 83% of sextortion victims have been male. Another report says 63% of sextortion incidents happened on Instagram or Snapchat.
What is sextortion? It's blackmail. It's when someone online threatens to send a sexual image or video of you to other people if you don't pay them or provide more sexual content.
Youth are often tricked into believing they are talking to another youth. While sextortion can affect anyone, S/Sgt Scott Linklater with the Dauphin RCMP, says they are seeing it's affecting more male youth between the ages of 14 and 24.
Linklater confirms there have been cases as of late in the Parkland region.
"Any incident is very traumatic to a victim. We want to get the information out there and advise everyone to be aware of what can happen online," said Linklater. "Not everyone you meet online is who they say they are. Whatever you share online may not stay private."
Sextorters often offer a gift or money to a youth who sends sexual content. They can threaten to share videos or images with a school or many schools.
If you believe someone is trying to take advantage of you, Linklater says in many cases, they could be.
"Just trust your instincts. If there's something a little bit off about their profile, or pressuring you to share intimate images or videos, be wary of that," ended Linklater.
If someone is threatening to share your nude image or video, immediately stop talking to them.
Screenshot all of the messages you have with the sextorter and share the information with your parents or police.
Delete and block the sextorter and reach out for help and support.
Linklater recommends that parents speak with their children about the dangers of being online.
If you have or are a current victim of sextortion, report it.
Additionally, contact your local RCMP detachment. You can also visit Help Now.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Grand Opening for the renovated Dauphin courthouse has been postponed.
Originally scheduled for Friday at 2:00 p.m., the wait to check it out continues.
In an emailed statement, Charlotte Price with Manitoba Justice says while they're disappointed to delay, they want to ensure the event reflects the price and significance this space holds for Dauphin and the surrounding area.
"The courthouse is an important part of the community, and we were excited to celebrate this milestone with you, said Price.
The renovations, which began in 2022, cost more than fifteen million dollars. They feature improved accessibility both inside and outside, improved video conferencing, and enhanced courthouse security.
A new date is expected in the coming weeks.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The third session of the 43rd Manitoba legislature is expected to open at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 with the reading of the speech from the throne by Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville.
The lieutenant-governor leave Government House at 1 p.m. and proceed past the south grounds of the Legislative Building where members of 26th Field Artillery Regiment from both Brandon and Portage la Prairie will fire a 15-gun artillery salute.
Upon her arrival at the building, the lieutenant-governor will inspect a 25-person Guard of Honour comprised of all three elements of the Canadian Armed Forces from 17 Wing.
The Royal Canadian Air Force Band will be on parade to provide the musical pageantry for the ceremony.
Following the inspection and the playing of the viceregal salute, the official party will proceed to the lieutenant-governor's reception room before entering the legislative chamber for the reading of the speech from the throne. At the conclusion of the speech, SoulBear will close the ceremonies in the chamber with the singing of O Canada and God Save the King .
The speech outlines the government's main priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Manitobans can watch the throne speech presentation live on Nov. 18 at https://news.gov.mb.ca.
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- Contributed by Mark Jones
