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The Government of Canada announced earlier this month that it will support the development of multi-use trails in Neepawa with an investment of up to $550,000.
Denis Saquet, manager of operations for the Town of Neepawa, says that they're always delighted to see funding come their way.
"It's a great opportunity for us to expand our already existing trail network, so it'll give us the opportunity to expand additional trails. We're always pleased and excited to work with the federal government on these projects," he adds.
According to Saquet, Neepawa's existing trail network contains roughly five kilometres worth of trails and they're looking to expand it by another two kilometres.
Saquet says that they are currently in the process of conducting First Nation consultations as required by the federal government.
"We have some consultations going on now with the Manitoba Métis Federation... just to ensure that we've done all our due diligence with them," he adds.
Saquet went on to say that the consultations have been going well so far and that they're aiming to make the trails available during all four seasons.
"Our target is definitely more of the summer three seasons, there, but we're aiming and targeting to... get a winter season in place. Our facility site's just not as conducive or as friendly for winter use at this time just because it was a borrow pit as part of our construction site, so it's quite barren. [However], a big effort of this will be the revegetation of the site and we're hopeful and optimistic that once the revegetation occurs, we'll see more winter use," he adds.
According to a news release from the federal government, in the summer, the trails will be available for cycling and walking, and in the winter, the trails will be used for fat biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
It also says that this project will provide more options for residents of Neepawa and the surrounding area to stay active and enjoy nature year-round and that the Town of Neepawa is also contributing $137,500 towards eligible costs for the project.
Denis Saquet expects construction to begin in 2023.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Carter Taylor-Luke is running for Dauphin City Council in the municipal election on October 26th. He says he was convinced to run by his family and friends, who think he'd do a great job representing the community.
"A lot of people actually decided for me that they think it would be a good idea for me to run because they truly believe that I would be best suited for the position, so I decided to take it upon myself to try to lead others as they ask."
Taylor-Luke says that while lots of his ideas are for a bigger area than just the City of Dauphin, there are a few issues that hit close to home.
"I'll be completely honest the ideas I have are more country-wide, however, I do have to start somewhere so City Council is a good place to start. When it comes to Dauphin, crime is a huge issue. I know a lot of people are getting jumped and beaten, drugs are a massive problem, and yet we don't have an actual rehabilitation center, and that's something that we might need to look into for Dauphin."
Taylor-Luke joins a packed race for City Council, and there's still three weeks until the September 20th registration deadline.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The federal government is investing $45.3 million to continue its efforts to keep African Swine Fever(ASF) out of the Country. Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl says that while ASF Doesn't pose a risk to humans or other animals, the effects of an outbreak would be catastrophic for the industry.
"Other countries close off if you have cases of African Swine Fever and we've seen that in countries like Germany and Poland that used to be strong exporters, and don't have a market for their product anymore. So if it ever were to arrive in Canada we would instantly lose all of our export markets, and in Manitoba, 90 percent of the pork we produce is exported."
Dahl says the money will be distributed in a way that will strengthen prevention efforts already in place.
"Showing Collaboration between the industry efforts, around things like biosecurity to prevent the disease from reaching us, as well as with an organization like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. So it's a really positive announcement aimed at preventing what would be a multi-billion dollar disaster."
$23.4 million of the investment will support the sector’s already robust prevention and mitigation efforts, $19.8 million will be used to support the efforts of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and $2.1 million to enhance the work of the Canada Border Services Agency on border control activities.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Joe Houston is running in the municipal election to become a councillor on Dauphin City Council.
Houston lived in the R.M. of Dauphin for almost twenty years and decided to move to the City of Dauphin when he bought a home ten years ago.
"My grandmother raised me and I lived out there with her. I felt that it was time to get more connected with the community... I worked in Dauphin my entire life since I was sixteen [and] went to school here... I lived just out by the airport [and it felt like] I was one step away from everything, so I just wanted to be right in town," he adds.
Houston says that this will be his second time running for council and that he can bring a new view to the table that doesn't currently exist.
"Specifically, I want to talk about [the] cultivation of small [businesses] from within... If you're in the business community, people come and ask you questions... I don't know [if] we have the focus inward currently. I'd like to see more dedication to growing people's ambitions from within our own community to help fill the needs that exist within it," he adds.
Joe Houston feels that he made a very good point of listening and that people should vote for him because of his experience of working in the community and opening a small business.
"I think I understand what growth looks like for Dauphin... I believe that we are on the right track, but... we need even more new ideas to push us forward and I feel I can bring those to the table with the support of the people who vote for me," he adds.
According to Houston, growth is very important to him because Dauphin's population hasn't grown by a significant amount since he's lived here.
"I spend my time here looking at all the amazing amenities and... attractions that we do have and I wonder what are the missing pieces that [would get] that next step of growth happening for us. I think we're so close and there must just be that one next step we need to take," he adds.
Anyone interested in running for municipal office has until September 20th to register.
Election Day is set for October 26th.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
A Remembrance Day-style ceremony was held at the Lt. Col W.G. (Billy) Barker VC Airport in Dauphin last Saturday.
The ceremony, which included dignitaries and members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, was hosted by Local Historian Al Gray.
Two granite monuments were erected to pay tribute to the forty-nine airmen who lost their lives while training at one of Dauphin's two former air schools as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Both monuments have the history of the training plan etched on the front, with the names of the fallen airmen listed alongside their country of origin on the rear.
Janel Mann made her way to Dauphin from Battleford, Sask. to lay a wreath in front of the monument that honoured those who died at the No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School.
"I was extremely honoured when Al asked me. I had met Al actually through some mutual-interest Facebook groups... about a year, maybe a year and a half, ago... Through that, Al and I exchanged some of this Dauphin information and memorabilia that I had... When he started putting this fundraising together, then he had asked if I would come... and he gave me the honour of actually laying a wreath in front of one of the memorials, which was a... real privilege actually... I'm very happy," Mann adds.
Mann says that she's the granddaughter of one airman and a great-niece to two other airmen.
She went on to say that her grandfather, Norman Folkersen, got his pilot wings from the No. 10 Service Flying Training School here in Dauphin.
According to Mann, Victor Folkersen, her great uncle and Norman Folkersen's older brother, was an observer navigator who got his observer wing from the No. 5 Air Observers School in Winnipeg. Throughout his training, he also did some bombing and gunnery training at the No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School in the Dauphin area.
"[Norman and Victor's] younger brother was a mid-upper gunner with a crew called the Cradle Crew. They flew Halifaxes with 408 (Goose) Squadron," she adds.
Janel Mann went on to say that her great grandfather, Axel Folkersen, used to be the bank manager at the Bank of Montreal in Dauphin from 1935 to 1945 and that he helped support the victory loan through his work.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
The Manitoba Hydrologic Forecast Centre says strong winds starting today could affect shorelines on its lakes.
The province says wind from the Northwest gusting up to 70 km/h an hour and wave action could have an effect on water levels.
According to the wind effect forecast, conditions will be "moderate" on the South shores of Dauphin Lake which means levels could rise by roughly 1 or 2 feet and wave action will be moderate. Conditions are "low" on the shores of Lake Winnipegosis near the village which means levels could go up by 1 foot and wave action will be low. Otherwise there is no data for any other shores on Lake Winnipegosis or Dauphin Lake.
Specifically, the alert map mentions that the Manipogo area is expected to get a Northwest wind blowing at an average of 36 km/h throughout the day today and is supposed to pick up to 40 km/h in the evening.
The winds are expected to continue until early tomorrow.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The Ashern Rodeo is making its return to the community this weekend. President John Bezemer says the board is excited to have people back in the stands.
"Personally I'm looking forward to seeing the crowds and all the people coming out to enjoy everything going on, it's greatly been missed by both myself and the entire board. We've been sitting idle for two and a half years now and we kinda want to get back into the grove and spirit of the weekend again."
Bezemer says there are some changes coming to this year's rodeo that people can look forward to.
"We've got a few new food vendors coming this year, and lots of things people usually expect. One big change is we managed to get our grandstands fully licensed this year so people are able to sit in the shade and enjoy a beverage of their choosing."
You can follow along with any updates or announcements at Ashern Rodeo on Facebook.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Memorial Ride returned to the streets of the Parkland on Saturday, August 13th.
Tony Shewchuk says that it was very successful and that everybody enjoyed it.
"We had roughly... eighty to a hundred bikes... We went to Rossburn, where we had the draws. They treated us like royalty there, nothing but good comments," he adds.
Shewchuk also says that they were able to help local businesses in Rossburn.
"We hit these little towns that have... [hardly any businesses]... When we roll in there... [with] two hundred people and... they make meals for $10..., everybody gets... something out of it," he adds.
According to Shewchuk, they were able to raise $5,000 through their 50/50. $3,000 was donated to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC) and the remaining $2,000 was given back to riders who joined them in the form of draws.
John Dulewich, who organized the ride with Tony Shewchuck, says that plans are already underway for next year's event.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
The Parkland Campus of Assiniboine Community College (ACC) is ready for the return of classes.
Interim Director Gabe Mercier says that learning will be done in person and that there will be no COVID-19 restrictions on campus.
"I've been asked by people on social media 'Do I have to show proof of vaccination?'. No, you don't. All restrictions are lifted. The student council activities and activities within the student body will resume as normal," he adds.
According to Mercier, the year will begin with an assembly and barbecue at the front parking lot. During the assembly, professors will introduce themselves as well as their programs.
Gabe Mercier says that ACC has two new programs at the Parkland Campus this year.
"[We have a] social service worker program, which was supposed to start last year..., but because we didn't have the numbers, the social service program did not run, so we are very excited about this program... because it is very important to the Parkland. We also have the applied electrical program, which has some financial incentives for underrepresented groups," he adds.
Mercier went on to say that this year is the intake year for their two-year business administration program, where they have students specializing in accounting and human resource management, and for their early childhood education program.
He adds that the school isn't dealing with any staffing shortages and that they were able to find local professors to teach the courses that make up their new programs.
Even though there won't be any restrictions related to COVID-19, the school will still be encouraging everyone to monitor themselves for symptoms and to stay home if they are unwell. Students who do need to isolate due to COVID-19 will be able to coordinate virtual learning options with their professors. Mask-wearing will be welcomed, but it won't be mandatory.
The school recommends that students refer to their acceptance letter to confirm their program start.
Classes for most programs will begin on September 6th.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Midge Sametz, the current deputy reeve of the R.M. of Dauphin, is running in the municipal election to become a councillor on the R.M. of Dauphin Council.
According to Sametz, she has ten years of previous municipal council experience, serving on the R.M. of Lakeshore Council and on the R.M. of Dauphin Council for six years and four years, respectively.
Sametz describes herself as a strong believer in family and in community who would like to see the R.M. as a place where people like to live, raise their families and feel like they belong.
"I also believe in growth and I feel that the R.M. of Dauphin has the potential to attract business to the rural area and I would like to be a part of that success," she adds.
To get that growth to happen, Sametz says that she would find a way to reach out to investors and encourage them to bring their ideas to the area.
She feels that her experience as a councillor and as a manager in Dauphin, as well as her understanding of how to run a successful business, are reasons why someone should vote for her.
"I believe honesty, fairness and respect, so if they also believe in that, then that's why they should vote for me," Sametz adds.
Sametz went on to say that a lot of things have changed within municipal government in the past four years and that she wants to make sure that the by-laws and policies are fair for all ratepayers, regardless of whether they're a large corporate farm, a small business or an individual living in the R.M.
"I also want to make sure that the R.M. of Dauphin is a workplace that supports all their staff in a fair, honest and respectful manner," she adds.
Anyone interested in running for municipal office has until September 20th to register.
Election Day is set for October 26th.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Swan River RCMP are investigating after they received a complaint of theft from the Swan River Golf and Country Club last Monday, August 15th, at around 9:30 a.m.
According to the RCMP, the theft occurred sometime overnight with the suspects entering onto the property and stealing a John Deere Gator — which was missing a muffler — with a Buffalo Turbine Cyclone blower attached to it.
The RCMP are asking anyone who may have information regarding this theft to contact the Swan River Detachment at 204-734-4686, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
A photo of the stolen Buffalo Turbine Cyclone blower can be found below.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
