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A review of the 2025 financial plan for the Municipality of Gilbert Plains is the focus of a public hearing in that community on Thursday night.
The meeting begins at 7 at the Richardson Pioneer Community Hall, and Gilbert Plains Municipality CAO Courtney Roehl says it is important for residents to show up and provide their input.
"Especially with the strategic plan that we just finished this past year, council is basing their priorities off of what we heard from the public. So we just want to keep the communications open and be transparent and consistent with all of our ratepayers."
Besides discussing the council's priorities for the coming year, Roehl says they will also discuss deficit recovery and provide an update on the fraud situation that occurred within the municipality.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Today begins the week long process of opening up registrations for campsites at Manitoba provincial parks and protected spaces.
A new area in the province will open up every day, with registrations being accepted from 7 am to 6 pm.
First up is bookings for cabins, yurts, and group-use areas.
Registrations for campsites at Parkland-area parks such as Rainbow Beach, Manipogo, Asessippi, and those within the Duck Mountains open on Thursday morning.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A number of local municipalities will be providing updates on what is happening within their jurisdictions during the latest Lunch and Learn event put on by the Parkland Chamber of Commerce.
The "State of the District" event will feature representatives from Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Mossey River, and the RM of Dauphin, as well as a small presentation by the City of Dauphin.
Chamber Executive Director Stephen Chychota says that, being a regional organization, it is important for the Parkland Chamber to host an event like this.
"These communities, even though there are miles between them, we are all connected in some way. The region as a whole, when a community has something going on with it, whether it is good or bad, it does play a factor on the other communities around it. The idea behind this is that we want to make sure that people are aware of opportunities."
The event begins at 11:45 Tuesday morning at the Parkland Rec Complex.
Tickets are available through the Chamber's website.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Mecca Productions in Brandon is set to roll out it's presentation of Mamma Mia starting on Thursday night, and there is a familiar face to Dauphin residents in the cast.
City Economic Development manager Martijn van Lujin, fresh off of directing Theatre Amisk's recent presentation of Nana's Naughty Knickers, will play the role of Bill in this musical.
van Lujin says he has been a part of Mecca Productions for a number of years.
"Just before COVID had actually started, when I first got wind of an adult production that took place in Brandon called Spamalot, which was a musical based on Monty Python. I had always wanted to do a musical, but I always thought that I can not sing, so maybe I should not do musicals. But it was a bucket list thing so I signed up, I auditioned, and I got a part. And the rest is history."
van Lujin admits it is a big time commitment for him and his family.
"We always joke that we are not a hockey family - we are a theatre family, but it feels the same way. We are on the road a lot with travel to Brandon sometimes 2 - 3 times a week for rehearsals. It is pretty intense, but it is a short-term thing from January to April timeline. But we love it."
The show will go from April 10th to 13th at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.
If you are interested in checking out Martijn's performance, tickets are available at the WMCA box office.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The snow is disappearing, and the bears are appearing.
Tim Sallows with Parks Canada has confirmed a few different bears have been spotted around Riding Mountain National Park over the past few weeks. While seeing bears can make for a cool moment, safety around them is paramount.
"If you come in contact with one, stay calm, watch what it's doing, and act accordingly," said Sallows. "Don't approach it; watch from a safe distance."
While it's very rare that a black bear gets close to a human, it does happen from time to time, and you mustn't act out of character.
"Make yourself look big and make some noise," continued Sallows. "Try to avoid dropping anything that you have. And if you have a backpack, it may serve as some sort of protection, so keep it with you; don't throw it to the side."
Also, keep in mind that feeding any bears you see is a big no-go. Fines can be up to $25,000 if you are caught and convicted.
"Do not feed bears, it's as simple as that, never feed them," said Sallows. "If you feed wildlife, it becomes habituated and then seeks human food, which is very dangerous for the public."
When driving through Riding Mountain National Park, if you happen to spot wildlife, Sallows said you're welcome to take photos, but don't spend long in one spot.
"Stay in your vehicles, snap a few photos, and move along as quickly as possible," ended Sallows.
Enjoy your ride and remember, stay safe.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Dauphin RCMP are looking for a 24-year-old man who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.
24-year-old Chaston Moosetail is wanted for numerous offences, including Assault with a Weapon. He's 6'2" with brown eyes, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
If you see Chaston, call the RCMP at 622-5020 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
You are running out of time to make your way down to Brandon for this year's Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.
The week-long celebration wraps up Saturday at the Keystone Centre.
Dauphin MLA and Manitoba Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn is among the many people that have checked out this year's fair, which he says is an important part of the province's agriculture industry,
"At the end of the day it is an opportunity to have the individuals, both young and old, who recognize the importance of agriculture and the animals and changing opportunities that we see. And definitely the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair does a great job of showcasing the opportunities of education for our young individuals and seniors as well."
Kostyshyn calls the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair the "University of Education" for individuals who do not have an understanding of the agriculture sector.
More info on the Royal can be found online at www.provincialexhibition.com.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Watson Arts Centre will play host to a concert featuring two Manitoba-based youth bands.
McCreary's Ranke and Stteinbach's Paradise on Fire will take to the stage in the old fire hall portion of the Watson, beginning at 8 pm Saturday.
Sho Sho Shuttleworth encourages the public to come out and support these two young bands.
"It is so important to get our youth active again, especially in the Arts community. What better way than supporting some young bands and checking them out."
Tickets for the all-ages show are $15 each and will be available at the door.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 52-year-old Dauphin man faces several charges after RCMP executed a second search warrant in the past four months at a business on Main Street in the city.
Among the items seized during the latest warrant on Thursday were :
- 4 Bottles of liquor (Selling liquor without permit)
- 33 Pouches / 138.6 Grams unstamped tobacco pouches
- 179 Pouches / 2,178 Grams Unstamped Flavoured Nicotine Pouches
- 289 Unstamped Cigarettes
- 30 Canada Stamped Cigars (Being sold as singles, which is illegal)
- 2,900 Canada Stamped Cigarettes
- 106 Unstamped Vaping Devices
- 432 Canada Stamped Vaping Devices
- 47 Bottles / 2970 ML Canada Stamped Vaping Liquid
On December 12, 2024, police executed their first search warrant at this establishment and seized the following:
- 994 Unstamped Cigarettes
- 2 Grams unstamped tobacco
- 4050 Canada Stamped Cigars (Being sold as singles which is illegal)
- 5025 Canada Stamped Cigarettes
- 251 Unstamped Vaping Devices
Among the charges laid against Rashid Noor were offences under the Excise Act and the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act.
He was released under a promise to appear in court at a later date.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
If you've spent time in Brandon, you'll know firsthand how many people flock to the Park Community Centre.
Right in the heart of Brandon, the Community Centre is a meeting hub for so many, and it's set for a brand new facelift. As announced by the Manitoba government on Thursday, $6 million is being invested to support the revitalization of the Community Centre and non-profit child-care facility.
Jeff Fawcett is the mayor of Brandon and is thrilled that the government stepped up.
"It is great news, it was a promise that the provincial government made during their campaign," said Fawcett. "They now provided an update on how they will live up to that promise."
The Park Community Centre will host a variety of activities, including live music on a new stage, yoga classes, and gatherings for local community groups. There will also be record sales, creating a lively yet welcoming atmosphere.
A cornerstone of the community for almost 80 years, there will also be 62 new child-care spaces in the centre that will support families in Brandon.
"That's very important," added Fawcett. "Like all of our communities, you could put daycares in every corner and still not have enough. Any daycare additions are very important."
The current building will be demolished before the construction of the new building begins. Fawcett expects that process to start next fall, and he knows there will be many eyes on the progress for as long as it takes.
"It's in our core downtown, so that makes a difference; a lot is going on in downtown Brandon," ended Fawcett. "Initially, the plan was to revitalize the green space. There was a community outcry that had us look at rebuilding. To the province's credit, they've got themselves involved and took it to the next level."
Fawcett was unsure of how long it will take to complete the build but added that it will be worth the wait.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
