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The Dauphin & District Handivan is hosting a raffle over the next few weeks. Lots of tickets are still available, for three prize packages. 

The first prize, the Gift of Flight, is a roundtrip flight for two to any regularly scheduled and marketed WestJet destination. The second prize, the Ultimate Golf Pack, includes eighteen holes of golf at both the Gilbert Plains Country Club and Lake Dauphin Golf Course, a one night stay in a deluxe suite at Elkhorn Resort, 18 holes of golf at Clear Lake Golf Course, and a $100 gift certificate and merch from Caddie's Golf Simulator and Lounge. The third prize, the Stay-cation, includes a one night stay at Dauphin's Best Western Plus, two spa pedicures and a gift bag from Olakino Spa, a $100 gift card from Corrina's Restaurant, and $50 gift cards from both Mr. Mikes and the Countryfest Community Cinema. 

Funds raised from the raffle will go to the purchase of a new Handivan, to help meet the organization's needs. The draw date is August 20th. Tickets can be purchased at Unit B at the Dauphin Train Station. For more details, call their office at 204-638-8884. 

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Contributed by Ian Gillingham

Published: Aug 2, 2026 - 10:00 am

Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) is required for individuals wanting to obtain a Class 1 license for trucks. Previously, farmers would have been eligible for funding to help upskill their employees under the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant. 

Colin Hornby, General Manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said that program has since been changed into something else, but there are still funding options for farmers. 

"The program that funded MELT, which is Mandatory Entry Level Training farmers use for getting Class 1 training, Class 1 licenses, was previously under the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant, however that program was discontinued and changed into something called the Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tarrif Response Program," said Hornby. 

According to the Province, the new program is designed to support workers, businesses, and communities directly and indirectly impacted by tariffs, including steel, softwood lumber, and other sectors. Hornby said the new program had some vague wording when it came to MELT funding in relation to agriculture, so after working with the Province, they've sorted out their concerns. 

"We went and communicated with the Province over a few weeks to try to get clarity, and I think they made some tweaks, and they made sure that the language is changed so that it was clear, because initially it didn't appear that MELT was eligible under the new funding programs, but we were able to get them to change some of the wording and clarify," said Hornby. 

There's also another program that can help give farmers funding to upskill their employees: the Building Up Manitoba Program, or BUMP. This program is designed for small and medium sized employers. 

Hornby said both of the programs are usually popular, and recommends anyone interested to apply sooner rather than later. 

"It's an important program that has a lot of uptake, and this money disappears pretty quickly when people apply, because it's not just for ag, it's sort of economy wide," said Hornby. 

The Province says the Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tarrif Response Program was developed with partnership from the Government of Canada, through a three year, $18.2 million investment. 

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Contributed by Ian Gillingham

Published: Aug 1, 2026 - 4:00 pm

Friday morning just before 10:30 AM, the Dauphin Fire Department was dispatched to reports of smoke at a home on 3rd Avenue SW. After arriving on scene, RCMP forced the front door open to allow the Fire Department to enter the home. 

The home, which was under renovation, had a fire on the main floor. Crews accessed the second floor through a window, because the main stairs had been removed for the renovations. After extinguishing the fire and ensuring no fire extension was possible, crews ventilated the building. 

After investigation, the Dauphin Fire Department determined the fire to be accidental. For renovations, the owner of the home used an oil based stain on wood for flooring and trim. The rages used were discarded into a plastic pail after use. They spontaneously combusted, and spread fire to other nearby construction materials. 

The Dauphin Fire Department says when oil based stains dry, they create heat. if the rags that were used are crumpled up, the heat gets trapped, and can build until the rags ignite. 

The Dauphin Fire Department wants to remind residents that oily rags should always be treated with care. You should never toss them into a pile on the flood, throw them in a trash can, put them in a plastic bag, or leave them in your pocket. Always dispose of oily rags properly, or use water based stains. 

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Contributed by Ian Gillingham

Published: Aug 1, 2026 - 10:00 am

The State of Local Emergency in Dauphin, put in place on July 1 in response to the significant flooding, is no longer in effect.

While the State of Local Emergency is no longer in effect, the impacts of the flooding continue to be felt throughout our community. The City no longer needs additional powers during the recovery phase.

They also recognize many residents and businesses remain in the recovery process, and the ongoing closure of the Dauphin Regional Health Centre continues to affect Dauphin and the surrounding region.

Affected residents and businesses are encouraged to take a look at the available recovery resources.

Resources:

Disaster Financial Assistance

Manitoba Flood Recovery Program

Community Futures Parkland Business Support Loan Program

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jul 31, 2026 - 6:00 pm

FarmSafe Manitoba, in partnership with the Manitoba Canola Growers Association, is hosting two Farmer First Aid sessions, in Steinbach on August 19th, and Brandon on August 20th. 

Colin Hornby, General Manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said the sessions are a great way for Keystone and FarmSafe Manitoba to promote safety. The event is put on with collaboration from St. John's Ambulance, Canada's largest first aid training organization. 

"We run the FarmSafe Manitoba program, and this is just an opportunity to make sure we provide values to our members, and deliver on that mandate to make sure we have safer farms across Manitoba, so we want to provide an opportunity to get Level 1 CPR certified...we work with St. John's Ambulance to make sure we design something that's agriculture focused and agriculture specific, so we get them to provide a trainer who understands farms and agriculture, and what some of the unique situations and challenges can be, because they're also going to cover some basics just around basic safety when you're on the farm, things to do, not to do, things like that," said Hornby. 

First aid on farms presents several interesting challenges. With a wide variety of equipment, and the remote location of the majority of farms, Manitoba's farmers need to be sure they're prepared for a very wide variety of first aid concerns. Hornby said because of all those concerns, it's really valuable for farmers to attend one of the Farmer First Aid sessions, because that knowledge could literally save a life. 

"I think another uniqueness is the remoteness of agriculture, the remoteness of farms, a lot of times you're either by yourself or you're with one other person, and there's not anybody near you for miles...that's really why it's super important that everybody knows what are the basics of first aid, if somebody gets hurt and they need help, and if you're the closest person, the next person's not near for quite a few miles, so we really want to make sure that farms have the opportunity to get as many people trained up on this as possible," said Hornby. 

One big draw of these sessions is that Keystone Agricultural Producers and Manitoba Canola Growers Association members will receive a full rebate, making the course essentially free. Hornby said if you're on the fence, don't be: first aid training is an incredibly valuable skill to have on Manitoba's farms. 

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Contributed by Ian Gillingham

Published: Jul 31, 2026 - 3:00 pm

The Gilbert Plains Country Club was set to host Golf Manitoba's men's mid-amateur and women's amateur championships from July 1 to 3.

Then everything changed. Many areas in the Parkland were hit by disastrous flooding, including the Country Club in Gilbert Plains late last month. The course has been closed since, and there is no word on when it will reopen for play.

The cleanup is massive. There's a long road ahead. To help alleviate some of the pressure, the Dauphin Kings provided the Country Club with their 50/50 license, and it's now live.

"I don't think it's any secret. Our insurance deductible is $100,000," said Scott McCallum, General Manager. "That's the goal we're trying to raise here."

The pot is nearing $12,000. The draw date is on Sunday, August 30. You can get tickets here. 

McCallum said he's incredibly grateful for all of the support already received. Every ticket purchased makes a difference. The Gilbert Plains Country Club is one of the premier golf courses in the province and a hotbed for golfers in the region.

"People have been so, so generous through this. Several people in the golf community have reached out," added McCallum. "The RM has been a huge help. They're issuing charitable tax receipts. People have been making donations. We know that we're loved abroad and by a lot of people around here."

While it's an extremely difficult time for so many in the region, McCallum knows they'll get through it; it will just take time. He thanks the Municipality of Gilbert Plains for being there from the start. He also thanks the Manitoba Government for some of the programs in place.

"Ron Kostyshyn has been fantastic with giving us the attention that he can and support," ended McCallum. "I know sometimes in the government, hands are tied. He definitely acknowledges how important we are to tourism in our area. And how important the Gilbert Plains Country Club is in the Parkland."

Other golf courses in the region have also stepped up. If you're a member at the Gilbert Plains Country Club, you can play five free rounds in August at the Swan River Golf and Country Club. The Neepawa and Minnedosa Golf and Country Clubs are offering 50% off green fees.

The Dauphin Lake Golf Club is also offering 50% off green fees. Those are only applicable if you're a member at the GPCC. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jul 31, 2026 - 12:00 pm

The City of Dauphin put out a news release detailing a recent meeting with several Parkland municipal leaders, and both Federal MP Dan Mazier and Provincial MLA Ron Kostyshyn, about ongoing flood recovery efforts, the need for long term solutions, and shared challenges. 

David Bosiak, City of Dauphin Mayor, said when the City found that Dauphin is now included in the Manitoba Flood Recovery Program, along with other municipalities and cities in the Parkland, it was a step in the right direction, but when it comes to shared concerns like the Dauphin Regional Health Centre's closure, there's still a way to go. 

"The Province, when they made their announcment to include Dauphin and communities in our immediate area in their funding relief program is really good news for the folks that maybe [were] underinsured, or aren't fully able to access all of the DFA funding, so it's another layer of protection and support for folks in town...I think the hospital obiously is the greatest concern for all of us, and that the length of time that it'll be down is the issue that we're in constant communication with Prairie Mountain Health and Shared Health, so that's a big concern," said Bosiak. 

In the news release, the Parkland's municipalities outlined the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, Long-Term Flood Mitigation, and Agricultural Recovery as their top concerns. For Bosiak and the City of Dauphin, agricultural damages don't just affect farmers, they affect the City's economy. Bosiak said a very large part of Dauphin's businesses rely on farmers and agriculture producers. 

"Farmers are the biggest stimulus for Dauphin and area in terms of purchases and keeping the economy going, so when they're hurting, we're all hurting," said Bosiak. 

The Parkland's municipalities will continue to push for continued support for affected farmers and agriculture producers. Manitoba's Agriculture Minister and Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn recently made a huge step in that support, announcing expansions to Manitoba's AgriStability program, in partnership with the Federal Government. 

To give a better picture of the scale of damages the Parkland faced when it comes to municipal infrastructure, the news release says there are more than 1,584 damaged infrastructure sites across the region, with more being discovered with ongoing assessments. Bosiak said all things considered, the City got pretty lucky with relatively small damages to infrastructure that's under their jurisdiction. 

"We aren't like the Rural Municipality of Dauphin that had over 200 different washouts or concerns on their grid road system, so we were lucky, other than the hospital which isn't in our jurisdiction," said Bosiak. 

Prairie Mountain Health and Shared Health have been in constant communication with both the City and RM of Dauphin about the Dauphin Regional Health Centre. In the meantime, they have expanded the capabilities of nearby emergency rooms in Ste. Rose and Grandview. 

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Contributed by Ian Gillingham

Published: Jul 31, 2026 - 9:00 am

Prairie Mountain Health and Shared Health provided some clarity on Thursday night in a town hall meeting after last month's devastating flood shuttered the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.

Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba's Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, was among those who toured the DRHC on Thursday ahead of the virtual meeting.

She said it was genuinely jaw-dropping to see what the flood has done to a health centre beloved by the community and a central hub for care.

"We did the math on this, when you look at about 45,000 square feet of that lower level of the hospital, water got up to about five feet throughout the entirety of it," said Asagwara. "That's over six million litres of water that has been pumped out of that site. That's just a phenomenal, phenomenal effort to remove that water."

More than 90 staff are on-site daily remediating, draining water, cleaning up, assessing, and evaluating. Simply put, it's been all-hands on deck. 

Asagwara said lab services and a temporary outpatient clinic will be set up in the provincial building in Dauphin by the end of next week.

"So I'm talking about point-of-care testing, EKGs, X-rays, phlebotomy; these are going to be stood up in your community," said Asagwara. "We were given a timeline later in August, but we have pushed very hard and worked with your leaders to move that timeline up."

Asagwara admits that is a very aggressive timeline to have them set up by the end of next week.

"But we know that we need to meet the moment and move these timelines as quickly as we can," she added. "So that your providers can do what they do best, and that's take care of Manitobans. And so that residents and community members can get the care they need right at home."

Asagwara added they're working on getting a firm timeline on a mobile CT scanner. Asagwara met with doctors and nurses and gave them plenty of praise.

"These folks are not only experts in clinical care, but I have to say, they're starting to develop some expertise in disaster response," added Asagwara. "They've got some great ideas about what we can do by working together to stand up more capacity right in Dauphin."

They're currently looking at mobile CT options and modular capacity.

"We're really thinking well outside the box because an unprecedented challenge means we have to think about unprecedented solutions," continued Asagwara. "That's what we're willing to do. That's the approach our government will be taking every step of the way."

Asagwara knows there is a tremendous amount of work ahead, but it's important to note that a lot has been accomplished in a short amount of time. Treena Slate, CEO of Prairie Mountain Health, added that recovering from the extensive damage is more complicated than cleaning and drying spaces.

When it comes to the expansion of other possible services, such as maternity care and an emergency room, every option is being evaluated while restoration work continues.

In the meantime, the Ste. Rose and Grandview Emergency Departments have expanded their hours and capabilities. 

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jul 31, 2026 - 5:00 am

The Roblin Ag Society Rodeo & Fair gets underway tonight, starting off with beer gardens, food trucks, and their King Farmer event. 

Dean Chescu, Roblin Ag Society President, said the preparations for the rodeo have all gone well, and he's looking forward to the weekend. He's especially excited for tonight's King Farmer events, which are a popular attraction. 

"It's coming together, it's looking pretty good. The grounds are good, the arena's been redone, and it's all looking like it's gonna go...we start off the whole show with a king farmer on Thursday night, that's been a big hit the last 5 or 6 years here, it's a little twist to it now, it's a team effort, farm team," said Chescu. 

The Calcutta King Farmer gets started at 6:30 PM, with King Farmer events from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. But that's far from the only thing at the rodeo this weekend: another big hit is their Artisan Market, showcasing and highlighting local makers and crafters. Chescu expects a good number of tables this year. 

"It was started last year, and it went over pretty well, and we're gonna continue that again this year. [At the] city arena, and there's 20, 30 tables out there," said Chescu. 

Chescu is very thankful for the level of community involvement the rodeo gets, and all of the sponsors that help to put it on. He said without that level of support from Roblin and the area, it would be very hard to run the weekend. 

"Without the sponsors it's hard to put this on, because it's a lot of money going out, and we need a lot of money to keep it going," said Chescu. 

Some of the many other hot ticket events for the weekend include their fan favourite L'il Britches Rodeo on Saturday afternoon, and the Heartland Rodeo on both Saturday and Sunday. 

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Contributed by Ian Gillingham

Published: Jul 30, 2026 - 6:00 pm

Jodie Romanow and her family began billeting Parkland Rangers players in the 2017-18 season.

In 2020, they began billeting Dauphin Kings players. They've taken at least two players each year.

In the last couple of years, due to the billet shortage for the Kings, they've welcomed three players into their homes for the season.

"We've had some awesome guys come through our house. They become part of our family," said Romanow. "They make connections with our kids. Those connections have continued. It's just a great experience."

As the 2026-27 MJHL season nears, the Kings are looking for billet families.

It's an opportunity to provide a player a home away from home. 

"When you take these players in, you're supporting the Dauphin Kings. They're a huge part of our community," continued Romanow. "By supporting them, we ensure that the organization can continue. In the long run, it helps Dauphin's economy. It also helps these young players go further in their hockey careers."

As a billet, you provide a room for the player. You also provide meals throughout the day. Typically, players fend for themselves for breakfast and lunch. 

"Then they'll sit down for a family meal at the end of the day," ended Romanow. "In exchange, the Dauphin Kings pay a monthly stipend to billet families. Players are also expected to contribute around the house. Such as doing dishes, shovelling snow, stuff like that."

In addition, you will receive a season ticket for each player you take in. 

You can make a difference in the life of a junior hockey player. You can make a difference in the life of a Dauphin King.

If you're interested in becoming a temporary or full-time billet, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Players will arrive in Dauphin in late August. 

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jul 30, 2026 - 3:00 pm