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Ernie Sirski remembers the 1975 flood that tore through Dauphin.
He's lived in the Rural Municipality for 70 years, but he can't remember a more destructive flood than what swept through Dauphin and the Parkland region last week. In the RM of Dauphin, over 200 roads are washed out.
Ranging from minor road washing to severe, with complete or near complete failure of the roadway, and all of the ford crossings are compromised.
The best way for Ernie to describe the flood is that it's ugly.
"The fortunate part was that there were no fatalities or injuries," said Sirski. "That was the good thing about it. We're fortunate and happy with that. With that said, we will be repairing the damage for months."
If driving within the RM, Sirski urges you to be cautious.
"The second thing is if the road still has water over it and says it's closed, please respect that sign," added Sirski. "To my understanding, if you drive on a closed road, you've got no insurance. Keep that in mind when you're going down a closed road."
Sirski says he's witnessed tourists going down the roads to see the damage. He said that's a no-no.
"Let our crews get their work done. The more traffic on our roads, the worse it'll be, and the longer it's going to take," commented Sirski. "If you don't need to travel down that road, don't. If the road is crappy and open, maybe you don't have to haul that semiload of grain out today, maybe you can wait, and let things dry out a bit more."
The RM of Dauphin declared a local state of emergency last Wednesday. That makes the RM eligible for provincial funds for repairing infrastructure.
They've received an interim payment of $500,000 from the province, which Ernie says will go a long way.
"But the reality is it's not going to cover it. It's not going to cover the amount of damage that has been done," said Sirski. "We're going to continue to pursue the federal and provincial governments for some more financial contribution to the situation we have here."
Ernie also praises community members for stepping up and Public Works. Staff have been working 14 to 16-hour days and will continue doing so while the recovery process continues.
"I cautioned them to make sure they get some rest because the last thing I want is them getting hurt," ended Sirski. "They have done a phenomenal job. We've brought in exterior contractors to help us with this, or else we will never get it done on our own."
The RM will continue to provide updates.
Additionally, the Disaster Financial Assistance program helps Manitobans recover by providing financial assistance for uninsurable losses. You can view details of the program and apply here.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Both Manitoba and Saskatchewan have activated their Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection Rapid Response Plans after Zebra Mussel veligers were found in Lake of the Prairies.
Elliott Brown, Assistant Deupty Minister of Water Stewardship with Manitoba Environment and Climate Change, said they're not sure exactly where these Zebra Mussels came from, but both Manitoba and Saskatchewan are now relying on their clean, drain, dry procedures more than ever.
"Zebra Mussles, like most aquatic invasive species, are spread by people moving their watercraft and equipment from invaded waters where AIS are present to non-invaded waters, that's why it's so important that people follow the requirement to clean, drain, and dry their watercraft and equipment. We don't know specifically what boat they arrived on or anything like that, but that's the most likely path, and there's no natural path for them to move downstream into Lake of the Prairies...we know it's a busy lake, it's a very popular fishing destination, so we need all water users at Lake of the Prairies and on the Assiniboine to follow those requirements, and also to decontaminate, and that's a requirement in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba now for Lake of the Prairies, and it's the same for any other Zebra Mussel invaded waterbody," said Brown.
As part of Manitoba's rapid response plan, more inspection and decontamination stations are popping up all across the area, and along any major routes to Lake of the Prairies. Brown said inspection stations and decontamination stations are some of the best ways to ensure infected watercraft don't make it to other bodies of water.
"In Manitoba, we already have inspection stations operating on major routes in the region, near Minnedosa and near Dauphin, and our colleagues in Saskatchewan have stations operating on the main routes around Lake of the Prairies already...within the lake it's very difficult to stop Zebra Mussels from spreading downstream when you're in a river system like the Assiniboine once they're established, and they will move downstream naturally with the waterflow, and that was the case in Lake Winnipeg to the Nelson as an example," said Brown.
It's almost impossible to stop the spread of Zebra Mussels within Lake of the Prairies, so both Manitoba and Saskatchewan are mostly focusing on preventing the spread to other bodies of water. Over the next number of years, several noticeable changes can be expacted at Lake of the Prairies.
"Our focus is on containing the spread of Zebra Mussels from Lake of the Prairies to other water bodies. The immediate impact people should see is that yes, we will be active , we will be putting up signs to remind people of the need and requirement for clean, drain and dry...we will start to see shells washing up on shores, we will start to see water infrastructure, like intake pipes, dam infrastrucutre, et cetera becoming encrusted, there's additional costs for municipalities and other water users to deal with that fouling, we start to see additional expenses for local governments, for the provincial government, and for individual water users," said Brown.
Click here to view Manitoba's news release on the detection of Zebra Mussels in Lake of the Prairies for more details.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Riding Mountain M-P Dan Mazier has a new role within Pierre Polievre's federal Conservative shadow cabinet.
Mazier has been appointed Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Government Transformation, Public Services, and Procurement.
"It is (responsible) for everything that the government buys, all o the business transactions that go through the federal government, any kind of bidding processes, anything to do with government operations. That includes the post office, the review of 24 Sussex Drive, National Capital Commission of course. It is very much focused on government spending."
Mazier previously served in the role as Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Health.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Homecoming is something Gilbert Plains residents haven't had since 2016, so there's no way they were going to let mother nature delay it even more. One of the Parkland's cornerstone events, Homecoming sees a lot of street vendors, food trucks, and community, at the same time as the Grandview Ag Society Fair & Rodeo, to make the week that much better.
Bryanne Bates, Marketing Coordinator for Gilbert Plains Homecoming, said attendees can still expect a packed schedule this year.
"Homecoming is something that happens not every year, so far it's kind of been a every ten year thing, the last time we placed Homecoming events in Gilbert Plains was 2016, so it's been ten years since our last event like this...Friday we're still going to have the Ag Society Parade and our main street dance, where [attendees] can hear both live and played music, as well as a chainsaw carving auction," said Bates.
Some of this year's events include pancake breakfasts Thursday through Saturday, Thursday's Street Market at the Community Hall from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the Grandview Ag Society Parade at 3:00 PM on Friday, and Saturday's Classic Car Show at the Elementary School Ground from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Click here to view a full updated schedule for Homecoming.
Despite lots of setbacks and complications due to flooding and heavy rainfall recently, and a State of Local Emergency being declared in Gilbert Plains, the event is still expected to take place. Bates said she feels that's just what the community needs right now.
"We have to take very little off of our schedule due to the recent flooding, so that's really exciting that we were still able to put on a lot of the big events...we thought Gilbert Plains maybe needed a day or two to come together and maybe stop thinking about the flooding, and just come together as a community and work together, and maybe just bring some hope back," said Bates.
Gilbert Plains Homecoming is set for Wednesday, July 8th through Sunday, July 12th, featuring a lot of events, in all corners of the town.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Several local organizations benefited from the Grandview and District Community Foundation's spring grants.
Through the Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund, the ice plant project at the GACC and curling rink received $22,264.10. Thomas Sill was a chartered accountant with several offices in Manitoba. The Foundation began in 1987 when he passed away, and became one of Manitoba’s largest private charitable organizations.
When it closed in 2023, the assets of the Thomas Sill Foundation were provided to the Winnipeg Foundation to create funds that would carry on Sill’s legacy of giving.
Each community foundation in Manitoba receives a grant every year to carry on Sill’s good work.
Chicks with Sticks, which is a women's hockey team featuring players from Gilbert Plains and Grandview, received $1,917.20.
In total, the foundation gave out more than $40,000.
"Well, it's pretty amazing actually. Everything stays locally, so we continue to see growth within our community," said Renee Minshull. "Organizations build on things they already have or need."
In its fourth year, the foundation hosts a community BBQ at Wilson Park. It's always very well attended. This year, an incredible $6,438.95 was raised.
The funds were donated to Tiny Treasures Children's Centre. The funds will help purchase infant-safe outdoor play equipment.
Minshull thanks everyone for coming out to the BBQ and being so generous.
"Every year, our community surpasses the previous year," she added. "This year was the highest amount that we collected during that BBQ."
$4,000 was given to the Grandview Swimming Pool. The funds were used to purchase Boga Boards.
The Grandview & District Resource Council received $2,632.00 to be used towards the purchase of new lifeline units.
The Grandview Hospital received $6,000, while the Grandview Personal Care Home Activity Department received $1,119.85. The funds will be used to purchase outdoor umbrellas and stands.
The Foundation looks forward to seeing the Personal Care Home's residents outside enjoying our beautiful Manitoba summers.
"That one was nice to see," ended Minshull. "Something a bit different than things inside the building that they required."
Dalayna Tomlinson was the winner of the post-secondary bursary. She received $1,000, which was then matched with $1,000 to the swimming pool in Grandview.
Since the Grandview & District Community Foundation was founded, they've provided more than $500,000 in donations to community organizations.
That's community spirit at its best. That's an organization that prides itself on giving back to organizations that keep the community thriving and a place to call home.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A 28-year-old Dauphin man faces charges after another man was hit with bear spray.
RCMP say the incident occurred last Saturday just after 6 am outside of a home on 8th avenue North East
They say the 36 year old male victim was walking home when an individual known to him rode by on a bicycle and bear sprayed him.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
The following night, Mounties located a suspect and arrested him without incident, finding a can of bear spray inhis possession while conducting a search.
Charges against Jareth Chartrand include assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and carrying a concealed weapon.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The City of Dauphin says they're receiving reports of residents getting scam calls, from people posing as insurance adjusters after recent flooding.
Never give your banking or insurance information to callers or visitors you don't know, or can't verify. If you're unsure, ask for identification, or contact the company directly via the phone number on their website.
More often than not, if something sounds too good to be true, it is. Always be cautious of people telling you to make quick decisions or ask for immediate payments. If something feels off, end the conversation, or hang up.
If you feel you've been targeted by a scam, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre can be reached at 1-888-495-8501, and the RCMP at 204-622-5050.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
A Manitoba teenager accused of conspiring online with a youth in Nova Scotia to commit simultaneous attacks at their rural schools has been denied bail.
The 14-year-old boy from Rivers appeared by video in Brandon court this past week where he was told that he would have to remain at the Manitoba Youth Centre.
The youth is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, counselling the offence of murder and uttering threats.
The boy was charged earlier this year, after police in Canada received information from Interpol and the FBI that the two teens had been talking online about their desire to attack schools in Rivers and Bridgewater, N.S.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The City of Dauphin's Waste Disposal Site remains open, with the City waiving fees for flood damaged items for Dauphin residents. To qualify, you need to provide your City of Dauphin address.
The City is also doing a pass through on Monday, July 6th to pick up flood-damaged material. They ask residents to place any flood-damaged material on your boulevard, as close to the curb as possible. If they can't get it all in one pass, they'll continue collection until it is complete.
Additionally, the City announced that residents are now able to use water again for essential hygiene needs, but still requests that residents continue to limit water use for non-essential water-intensive tasks, like laundry, dishwashers, and washing vehicles.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Manitoba Parks has provided an update for those stuck at certain campsites in Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
The update reads as follows:
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
A Crane River man faces several charges following a scary incident in that community.
RCMP in Ste Rose responded late Sunday afternoon to a report that an armed man had come to a house and threatened to harm the father of someone who lived at the home.
He fled that scene in an SUV, but was spotted entering another home in the community, carrying both a handgun and a rifle.
Several other RCMP sources were called in to assist, and the suspect eventually left the home at around 11:20 that evening and was arrested without incident.
18-year-old McGlare Campbell faces several charges of possession of a weapon, as well as one count of uttering threats.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
