Countryfest impacts Dauphin in many ways

We all know that Dauphin's Countryfest has a massive impact every year on Dauphin's tourism and economy.

But Countryfest board chair Duane McMaster says the festival also had many other positive impacts on the community during its history, including assisting many local organizations and groups.

"Whether it is the snowmobile club the band parents association, or high school sports, a lot of those groups use Countryfest as a fundraiser every year. On average, we pay out over $100,000 a year into the community for events like that."

And when the festival has made money, McMaster says they have given back to community projects.

"We have money in the Countryfest Community Cinema, we have put money into Phase 2 of the Parkland Rec Complex, into the Vermillion Park trails, and the skate park. Anywhere we can, we try to support local. And that was one of the reasons why Countryfest was formed."

It's contributions like that which lead people like McMaster and other members of the Countryfest board to work so hard every year to keep this festival going.

"Our board of directors are all volunteers. Our spouses are all volunteers. And not just the board of directors - everyone who works at Countryfest are volunteers. They come out there and give of their time because they believe in the festival and that it is good for the community."

"The economic impact has been huge over the years. We just got a recent economic impact report done through Tourism Dauphin and found out that our economic impact is still $5 million a year being put into the community."

Tickets for the 2025 edition of Countryfest go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 am.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 12, 2024 - 2:00 pm

The grand prize of $100,000 will be given out on Sunday afternoon.

There will also be 10 draws for $1,000, two draws for $2,500, two draws for $5,000 and a single draw for $10,000. The massive 50/50 pot is approaching $60,000 and the Kings have stepped up their game to give away two Zero Turn Lawnmowers courtesy of Reit-Syd Equipment in Dauphin.

The home stretch is here for the Dauphin Kings Tractor Lotto. As the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year, ticket sales have been going very well. The deadline to purchase your tickets is Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

On Friday while Darnell Duff is live on location at Credit Union Place selling tickets, if you purchase a single ticket for $100, you will be put into a draw for a free three-pack courtesy of 730CKDM and Darnell Duff.

The prices for tickets are as follows:
Single Main Draw Ticket - $100
Single 50/50 Ticket - $20
5-Pack 50/50 Ticket - $50
Supplementary Draw Ticket - $20

Secure your tickets today by heading to Tractor Lotto, you can call 1-877-585-4647 or head to Reit-Syd Equipment in Dauphin. Give yourself a chance to win big thanks to the Dauphin Kings while supporting one of the most storied franchises in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

The draw will take place on Sunday afternoon at Credit Union Place.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 12, 2024 - 1:59 pm

Time is running out for you to purchase tickets for the Dauphin Kings Tractor Lotto.

Final draws will be made on Sunday during the Kings home game against Swan Valley.

As of today (Thursday), unsold tickets at locations outside of Dauphin have been pulled in.

If you want to purchase a ticket today (Thursday), you can get them at Reit-Syd Equipment in Dauphin, online at tractorlotto.com, or by calling 1-877-585-4647.

On Friday and Saturday, tickets will also be available at Credit Union Place, with CKDM's Darnell Duff on location both days from 10 - 7.

All three packs are now sold out, but single tickets are still available, along with 50/50 add-ons and supplemental draw tickets.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 12, 2024 - 12:59 pm

Statistics Canada reveals concerning numbers that Manitoba leads the way in Homicides per capita.

Manitoba had a rate of 5.09 per 100,000, which led the way for all provinces and was only behind Northwest Territories (13.34) and Yukon (8.89) for all of Canada.

Winnipeg also had one of the highest homicide rates for all census metropolitan areas.

The number of homicides across the country decreased to 74 homicides in 2023, down from 89 in 2022.

Manitoba had far fewer deaths compared to provinces like Ontario, B.C., and Alberta, but the homicide rate was much higher.

Over all, the number of homicides across the country decreased in 2023 with 778 homicides throughout Canada, which was 104 fewer than 2022.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Dec 12, 2024 - 11:07 am

The Jewel of the Parkland happened to be the coldest part of the province on Thursday morning.

According to the Weather Centre of Manitoba, it was -36°C in Roblin and that's without the windchill. The hot spot in the province, meanwhile, was Thompson at -18.7 °C.

Most of the Parkland is under an Extreme Cold Warning with temperatures expected to stay that way into Friday morning. Things do improve on Saturday with a high of -5°C in Dauphin and Roblin is showing a high of plus 1°C on Sunday.

While the cold weather sticks around, it's recommended to stay inside if you can and make sure if your furry friends need to go outside for a bathroom break, that they do not stay outside long.

Hang in there Parkland, warmer days are on the way.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Dec 12, 2024 - 10:53 am

Icy road conditions are said to have contributed to a single-vehicle collision in St. Lazare on Tuesday that claimed the life of a 72-year-old woman from Birtle.

Russell RCMP says the accident happened around 10:30 Tuesday morning on Highway 41 in the community.

They say the vehicle went off the road and was found at the bottom of a steep hill, crashed into a tree.

The driver was transported to hospital with serious injuries, where she was eventually pronounced dead.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Dec 11, 2024 - 4:38 pm

The Rotary Club of Dauphin has announced that proceeds from last month's Holiday Smile Cookie campaign with Tim Horton's have been placed in a new fund established through the Dauphin and District Community Foundation.

Club President Darren Eddie says the Rotary Centennial Fund will benefit the club and the Dauphin area both near and long term.

"Near term, the funds will probably be between five to six hundred to maybe $1,000 a year. It will be small to start so it will probably support the scholarships that we provide funding for. But long-term, if it can get growing, it can be substantial."

After receiving over 87 hundred dollars through the Smile Cookie campaign, Rotary topped up the fund to $10,000, which is the minimum that the DDCF has to have to be able to provide grants.

Eddie adds the public can also make contributions if they wish to the fund through the Community Foundation.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 11, 2024 - 3:00 pm

The "Coolest Building in Town" fundraiser for the Watson Arts Centre continues to move closer to it's goal of raising $12,000 to wrap up paying for the installation of heat pump technology, which is expected to take place next summer.

Cam Bennett with the Watson gave an update on fundraising efforts Wednesday morning on the CKDM Morning Show with Justin Allin.

"We just need a little more to cover those things that tend to show up as well as taxes. The goal is $12,000 so that we can be open 12 months of the year and bring the temperature down 12 degrees in the summer. And I can happily report that we have raised over $9,000."

Bennett explains how you can contribute,

"You can go right to our website (www.watsonartscentre.com) it is right there on the front page there is a button that will lead you to that information. You can e-transfer us. And you can also drop off cash. I had a gentleman on (Tuesday) night pull out his wallet at the concert and give me $100 cash for the initiative."

Cheques and credit card donations will also be accepted.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 11, 2024 - 2:00 pm

Construction of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic in Glenboro is getting a $100,000 boost courtesy of Sunrise Credit Union.

Once completed, the 3,250-square-foot clinic will accommodate 3-4 health practitioners and serve the municipalities of Glenboro-South Cypress, Prairie Lakes, Argyle, Victoria, and Oakland-Wawanesa.

The estimated cost of the project is $2.5 million, and the fundraising effort is currently about halfway to the goal.

Sunrise Credit Union CEO/President Tim Klassen said in a news release that they are proud to support this new project adding they want to ensure that families and neighbours have access to healthcare for future generations.

Construction is expected to start in the spring and take approximately one year to complete.