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Laundry, building maintenance, and staff responsible for taking care of long-term care patients with both Prairie Mountain Health and Interlake-Eastern Health Region could both be going on strike if they can not reach a new deal with their respective health authorities.
Unionized staff in both regions voted overwhelmingly this week to reject the latest contract offers made by their employers, as well as supporting a strike mandate to back their demands.
MGEU president Kyle Ross said the support workers have some of the lowest pay in Canada and the union, adding that the starting wage for many of these jobs is currently $17.07 an hour.
The union is asking both health authorities to return to the bargaining table, adding they are asking for more competitive pay to help attract more staff.
Their most recent contract expired on March 31st of this year.
A strike date has not been set but planning for strike action will start right away.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
An air quality advisory is in effect for the Dauphin region.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.
During heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health, as the fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk.
You are encouraged to Listen to your body and if you experience symptoms, reduce or stop outdoor activities.
Symptoms can include milder and more common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as serious but less common symptoms such as chest pains or severe cough.
For now, the smoke will not impact the schedule of events for today at the Manitoba Summer Games.
Games officials and representatives from Sport Manitoba met early this morning and decided to continue with the schedule of events as planned for today.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
After a sizeable uptake, more funding will be going towards Manitoba's Security Rebate Program.
The government is increasing the Security Rebate Program by $1.5 million to help more Manitobans save money on cameras, security systems, and other equipment.
This program was initially launched in June of this year, with a $500,000 budget, and this new funding will bring the total support to 2 million.
Premier Wab Kinew and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe made this announcement yesterday, with The Premier stating "great response from Manitoba families and businesses over the summer" leading to this massive increase in funding.
There is still time to see if you are elligible to apply for this rebate,
You can do so by checking out www.manitoba.ca/justice/securityrebate.html
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The ROGerKimLee Music Festival takes place this weekend, bringing many musicians to Eriksdale.
Derrick McCandless is an organizer for this event, who is happy to bring this festival that honors friends lost.
"This is the 4th official year. the first year was just a party for 4 of our friends who passed away, Roger Young, Kim Russel, and Lee Oreniuk."
McCandless feels proud to be able to keep the names of his dear friends alive through this festival, noting that they'd often joke around the campfire about being famous enough to have their names on posters, signs, radios, and festivals in the future.
This event will bring in musicians from across North America for performances, workshops, and more, to celebrate music and the music lovers that inspired this event.
The weekend in Eriksdale will feature music, markets, show and shine, food, kids' games, and so much more.
Sunday will also feature a breakfast, and a gospel performance from a group all the way from New Orleans.
It's sure to be a memorable and immersive live music experience within this intimate west interlake prairie community.
If you're looking for tickets, and the line-ups for every night, visit rogerkimleemusicfest.com.
It is here! Check out the festival program for the 4th Annual ROGerKimLee Music Festival this August 16, 17, & 18, 2024...
Posted by ROGerKimLee Music Festival on Thursday, August 8, 2024
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The provincial government followed up with a statement earlier this week, publishing their plan to ban cell phones in classrooms.
this ban will have some grade differences, with grades k-8 banned from using phones all day, and grades 9-12 banned from use in class, but not during lunch and other breaks.
These guidelines will also include exceptions to support students with medical and diverse learning needs and cellphone use for educational purposes in grades 9 to 12 when directed by classroom teachers.
Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare issued this statement today, noting "These provincial guidelines will give teachers the tools they need to keep students focused and ensure class time is spent on learning"
Schools and school divisions will implement these updated policies as students head back to school in September.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A man arrested in connection with an April assault and firearm complaint on the Ebb & Flow First Nation has appeared in court again.
38-year-old Travis Malcolm will return to Dauphin court on August 22.
And another court appearance has been made by a man, arrested in connection with a April 2023 fatal single-vehicle rollover near Duck Bay.
A five-year-old boy, who was not properly restrained, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
38-year-old Katlin Lamirande of the Pine Creek First Nation is charged with Careless Driving Causing Death and will appear in Dauphin Court again on September 10.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
With phase one of the Manitoba Summer Games now in the books, organizers are ecstatic with how the event is going so far.
Games co-chair Carla Wolfenden says they have been getting a ton of positive feedback on the work being done by their volunteers and division chairs.
"Things do come up when you have been planning things on paper for so long. Things all look great and then you put them into implementation and there is always things that need to be adjusted. But we are very happy that everyone has been able to adjust on the fly. And it has all been just minor things. I have to say event the weather has cooperated so it has been a great phase one."
Wolfenden says they are very appreciative of the great job being done by all of their volunteers.
"Honestly, Clayton (Swanton) and I have just been floating around and pitching in where needed. Everyone has been so well prepared, and we have the right people in the right spots. Everyone has been going above and beyond and there are some areas where they have been working some long hours. Not just our committee chairs but also general volunteers. The kitchen staff have been showing up for their 4 am shifts, and with different shifts some of them do not get out of there until 11:30 at night. So it has been just phenomenal."
Prior to hosting this year, Dauphin last hosted the Manitoba Games in 2004.
Wolfenden feels that experience has been important this year, as a large amount of their team have experience with what to expect.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A program is set to return through the provincial government to track criminals released on bail.
This Electronic monitoring program will use a Global Positioning System to supervise people released on bail to help reduce repeat offenses.
Notably, this program returns 7 years after being scrapped by the previous government.
Aside from GPS tracking, the tracking device uses voice, audio, and vibration commands, allowing for real-time communication with offenders and, if necessary, loud alerts when someone goes into an area they are prohibited from entering.
The GPS technology and the software system allow for detailed monitoring of an individual’s court-ordered conditions, which could include orders to stay away from particular locations such as retail stores. This provides another tool in the Manitoba government’s ongoing efforts to combat retail crime and keep communities safe, the minister noted.
The Manitoba government has allocated $2.9 million over two years for the program. If successful, the province has the option to continue the program.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Tony's Auto Electric and JDS Laundromat are holding their 7th annual memorial ride this weekend.
The ride begins at 11 am Saturday from Tony's Auto Electric on 1st Avenue SW, with the ride making its way through Minnedosa and Shoal Lake before returning to Dauphin.
Organizer Tony Shewchuk says motorcycles are not the only vehicles that can take part in this ride.
"Vehicles or families that want to come out in their pickup for just an outing. We made this ride because my sister had cancer seven years ago. And we have been carrying this over for different people that have passed away over the years. This year it is for a friend of mine Kelly Kostiew, and I am making the ride for him."
The event also includes a 50/50 draw, and Shewchuk says proceeds from the draw will be given to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
"At first we were using it for the scanner. But then they asked us if they can put it towards chairs and whatever else they needed it for. So now we write a cheque out to them and they do what they want to do with it. We have probably raised around $15,000 since we have been doing this for the hospital."
Tickets are $10 each and you do not have to be participating in the ride in order to purchase a ticket.
They are available by calling 204-638-5372 or 204-672-0118.
The draw will be made Saturday during their stop in Shoal Lake.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 28-year-old man from Sandy Bay First Nation will be back in court tomorrow (Thursday) in relation to an incident earlier this month of shots reportedly being fired in Ebb & Flow.
Ste. Rose Mounties say 28-year-old Billy Roulette allegedly pointed a shotgun at people and held a female captive against her will for five days.
Roulette was in Dauphin court on Monday and was remanded back into custody until his next appearance.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Travelers driving through Riding Mountain National Park will likely have noticed a speed limit change on a portion of Highway 10.
The stretch between kilometre markers 5 and 12 - which includes the portion of the highway that goes past the boat launch and the Clear Lake Golf Course, has seen the speed limit dropped to 60 km an hour as of August 1st.
An article in the Brandon Sun says it is a temporary change, and were put into place to protect drivers and wildlife from collisions.
It adds the speed reduction will be readjusted once there is no longer an elevated risk to wildlife along the highway.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
