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The Perseids meteor shower is currently taking place and will reach its peak this week.
Scott Young, the planetarium astronomer at the Manitoba Museum, says that you should get out of the city and away from city lights and look up at the night sky to see it.
Unfortunately, there will be a full moon this year, which could make it harder to see. Therefore, Young recommends that you turn your back to the moon to get a better view.
"For us in Manitoba, the peak will be either Friday morning or Saturday morning and there's a little toss-up of when it will be," he adds.
According to Scott Young, a meteor shower is a night where we see more meteors than normal.
"A meteor is often called a falling star or a shooting star, but it's basically a little piece of cosmic space dust that is crashing into the Earth at cosmic speeds and burning up in a flash of light, so when you see a shooting star, you're basically seeing a little piece of dust burn up," he adds.
Young also says that even though that happens throughout the course of the year, there are a few times each year when we go through a big clump of dust, like a big dust bunny in space.
"On those nights, we see a whole bunch more meteors because there's a lot of more dust burning up in the atmosphere, so that's what's happening," he adds.
Scott Young's family is originally from Rorketon in the R.M. of Lakeshore and he has done a lot of observing in the Parkland region.
"I know the skies out there and they are beautiful... If I had the ability to drive out there for the weekend, that's where I'd be actually to observe the meteor shower," he adds.
Young also says that he will try to live-stream it to the Manitoba Museum Facebook page on Saturday.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
It isn't something you necessarily see, but it plays a key role in Dauphin and chances are you have heard people talk about it over the past twelve years or so.
The city's lagoon and wastewater treatment facility will be getting long-awaited upgrades thanks to significant funding recently announced by the Manitoba and federal governments to the tune of $9,100,000.
For Dauphin it could mean attracting new business, but the city's Economic Development Manager, Martijn Van Lujin, says lagoon upgrades are part of a bigger picture.
"It's not just about attracting new businesses which is extremely important, but it's also about creating the right elements in place to be able to do that. That's by creating well-being, healthy communities, safety, there's a lot of things that play a role in why a business wants to come here. What we do with our waste is part of that as well."
Van Lujin also says the lagoon will not be expanded in size but thanks to new technology, wastewater will be able to get processed a lot faster. "That will guarantee that we can use our lagoon for a very long time to come."
Dauphin has seen a lot of new development in recent years including Vermillion Growers, the Dauphin Business Park, and some work being done in the south end of the city. Soon, there will be room for more.
"It's all about getting ready... and I think it's good if we proactively project what we might see in the future, then we get ready for that. That readiness factor in economic development is extremely important - when I talk to a developer I want to be able to say that we have the capacity to work with wastewater, instead of saying 'oh we might be able to help'. Now we can say we do."
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
An investigation is underway by the RCMP after about 2000 bales were fully engulfed in flames this morning.
Just after midnight, the Gilbert Plains Fire Department responded to the blaze, just west of Gilbert Plains on Highway 5. The fire is thought to have started Wednesday night between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and early Thursday morning.
The cause of the fire is suspicious in nature. If anyone has any information, you're asked to call the Dauphin RCMP at 622-5020.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
It was rock at its finest and it marked a return that so many people were waiting for. Rockin' the Fields of Minnedosa has come and gone after the festival made a return following a two-year hiatus.
Thousands of rock fans packed Minnedosa for the festival which included the likes of Our Lady Peace, Nazareth and Honeymoon Suite, just to name a few. The three-day festival came to a close on Sunday, July 31 and people are still buzzing about the great time they had.
Kamryn Winters said it was a great return.
"It went very well this year, it was amazing to see everyone come out after two years without a festival," said Winters. "We couldn't have asked for more, it was a great weekend."
Kamryn said planning is well underway for next year's festival and that a lineup will be released in the fall. When asked what her favourite part about the festival was, she said it was seeing so many wonderful faces.
"This year was probably the biggest the festival has had in a long time when it comes to attendance," ended Winters. "People were so happy to see some of their friends that they haven't in a long time, everyone was in such a good mood. There was genuine excitement and the connection after two years was amazing."
730 CKDM's Sam Brownell, James Blake, Al Gaines, and Angus Hout also spent a day taking in the event.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Earlier this week saw the Manitoba Conservative Caucus Retreat visit the Onanole area for the annual event. The interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, The Honourable Candice Bergen, had great things to say about the choice of location.
‘Well, it is one of the most beautiful areas in Manitoba. We all say this is a little treasure that I think if all of Canada knew about, they would be here in droves," said Bergen. "It’s just obviously a beautiful area, a wonderful place to be in the summer. But an important area. There’s a lot that’s going on in, the National Park here is important in terms of the work it does: conservation, strong environment work."
During the retreat, Bergen had this to say when asked what had been the most talked about topic.
"We’ve been doing a lot of talking about inflation and the effect that it’s having. Certainly, the price of gas, the price of food, the cost of things going up. Even has an impact when we’re talking about providing support to people who are vulnerable or in need of help," offered Bergen. "The people who need help in our province and in these communities is really going up. Whether it’s food banks or other kinds of support it’s going up and it’s putting a strain on everybody."
She also added that the government’s 30% fertilizer reduction target was the subject of meetings and discussion.
When Parliament resumes in September, Bergen said the party is excited for the announcement of their new leader on September 10th and to hold the government accountable while offering positive solutions.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Dauphin Co-op would like to gauge the interest in the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) and seek volunteers for the program.
Safety Manager Richard Ives is leading the initiative and he believes that it's great for the community.
"I think, being a business in... Dauphin... we can help make our streets safer and inviting for all to enjoy and just to be the eyes and ears and help out the local law enforcement [by] looking for volunteers," he adds.
Ives says that the program has been going well in other communities and believes that Dauphin is a great community for volunteers.
"I've reached out to... folks who've been with the Citizens on Patrol [Program] for over thirty years and... they feel it's a great addition to any community," he adds.
Anyone interested in learning more about the program can stop by the Co-op Food Store tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Swan River RCMP received a report of a home invasion at a residence located on 5th Avenue South, in Swan River, last Sunday at around 5:05 a.m.
When officers got there, they spoke with the two victims, a 21-year-old male and a 17-year-old female, who told them that they were forced into the living room by a male, armed with a bat, and a female.
The suspects, both wearing all-black clothing, then stole a number of items from the residence and fled the scene.
No injuries were reported.
Anyone with information is being asked to call the Swan River RCMP at 204-734-4686, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
The Northwest Métis Council sent a delegation to Edmonton to attend the Pope's visit a couple of weeks ago.
Vice-President Frances Chartrand was a member of that delegation and she says that her visit with the Pope was inspirational.
"His sincerity showed through when he was reading the apology and recognizing the wrongs of the church and making people accountable... He was very empathetic in recognizing everything that Indigenous peoples went through regarding the abuse that happened in the church," she adds.
Chartrand also says that he's willing to move forward and lead the way to make sure that there is programming and services and that he wants to have an open dialogue with all Indigenous people.
Furthermore, Frances Chartrand says that she's hopeful for the future.
"I'm from a small Métis community and some of the central focus of programming and support came from the churches and the schools... so I think if we look at it with a holistic approach and we work with the church and... all the players involved... we could build our small Métis communities right across the Red River Métis nation," she adds.
According to Frances Chartrand, she never had any concerns or got any complaints about them going to meet with the Pope, the elders were enthusiastic and they were so proud to be a part of it.
"When we dropped our elders off... in Dauphin at the Best Western and their loved ones picked them up, they were crying and they were so thankful that they went on the pilgrimage and the journey to meet the Pope and the Pope prayed for everyone in the audience," she adds.
Frances Chartrand feels that since the church completely supports what the Pope said, the reconciliation efforts will still continue even if the Pope retires.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Grandview was one of the hottest places to be in the Parkland over the weekend as their held their Homecoming and mud bogs. A crowd that was much bigger than expected packed the town to catch up with old friends, mingle with current friends and everything in between.
Pierce Cairns was a part of the organizing committee and he says just to be back was the most exciting part.
"Just seeing the event happen, it seems like it took forever to plan," said Cairns. "To see everyone out laughing and having a lot of fun, what a special weekend it was."
The weekend wrapped up with a fireworks display that people continue to rave about. With a larger budget, Cairns says they were able to pull out all of the stops and it was a show that many won't forget.
"It was probably the greatest fireworks display that I have ever seen," said Cairns. "That was an absolutely spectacular thing for people to come home to, we've been building up to it for a few years now."
Also taking place was the Amazing Race Grandview which was a big hit. The mud bogs will return next year with the next homecoming set for 2025.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Dauphin Fire Dept. was dispatched to assist the Ochre River Fire Dept. with a water rescue on Dauphin Lake this afternoon.
Shortly after 3 p.m., two people were sent into the water after their boat overturned.
According to the Dauphin Fire Dept., they were both successfully rescued and returned to land unharmed.
They would like to thank anyone who assisted in bringing them to safety.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Bob Podolski is already running about two weeks behind normal and now he's hoping for a miracle.
Podolski Honey Farms began extracting honey from its apiary earlier this month; however, they have found very little in the hives. In a normal year, about 750-850,000 pounds of honey is extracted. This year, they won't be anywhere close to that.
"If we get one-quarter of our normal crop, it will almost be considered a miracle," said Podolski. "It has been a struggle. What could have gone wrong has gone wrong, it's been poor. What do you do, just take it as it comes."
Podolski isn't the only beekeeper struggling; it's been widely documented that bee colonies across the country have been ravaged. Podolski said a solution would be getting bees from the United States; however, it isn't as easy as that. Under current regulations only certified queen bees can be imported from the U.S.
When talking about the stock from the United States, Podolski doesn't understand the current regulations
"They're clean and good stock and it's cleaner than the stock that we're bringing in from Australia," offered Podolski. "There might be programs but you know how it goes, it takes time to see the funds."
Bob has said that if they don't receive a replacement stock from the continental U.S. he doesn't see a future for his sons who are in line to take over. Podolski has been in the business for 47 years.
"It's the harsh reality, unfortunately," said Podolski. "If we don't get the stock, why would we want to bring old bees from across the globe here? I think to myself, who is more productive... a 20-year-old man or a 75-year-old man? The U.S. stock is much cleaner and there have been tests to prove it."
According to an associate professor of entomology at the University of Manitoba, bee losses are in the 40 percent range for parts of the country; however, Manitoba is much higher at about 57 percent. Another reason for the loss of so many bees is the varroa mite, an invasive parasite.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
