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Manitoba Public Insurance is trying to reduce the amount of time people with vehicles damaged by a hail storm last week spend waiting for a damage estimate.

The Crown corporation is opening a dedicated hail estimating centre in Winnipeg.

MPI said it’s received more than 1,150 claims over the last week in response to the severe spring weather.

That’s in addition to 15,000 claims made last year, most of which followed a late August storm in Winnipeg.

The new temporary centre will open at MPI’s Physical Damage Centre on Plessis Road in Winnipeg.

Customers who have opened a hail claim, but haven’t yet had an estimating appointment scheduled, will be contacted directly by MPI to book an appointment via email or text message.

MPI is prioritizing those who’ve been waiting the longest.

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 23, 2024 - 1:29 pm

Dauphin's Watson Arts Centre will play host to the first of about a dozen stops on a tour by Winnipeg performer James Culleton.

The singer and artist has recorded 14 albums during his career and has been performing children's music for the past five years.

Culleton says people attending Saturday's show can expect to be participants in his performance.

"I am a visual artist, so part of my show is doing portraits of people in the crowd as I am singing.  And then there is lots of 'callback' in Super Fun' where I have a sign that encourages the crowd to yell out certain words.  And a lot of the songs are about making art and making music and encouraging others to do it."

He adds parents and children will enjoy his music.

"I like songs that are a little bit like a good Simpsons episode, where there is humour for everybody.  Parents are always chuckling, and a lot of the songs that I have written have that extra layer of funny that kids get too, maybe not today but IU think the jokes are for everyone."

The family show, titled "Super Fun" is set for 2 pm on Saturday.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, while children 3 and under are free, but will still need a ticket. 

Tickets are available Thursday and Friday from noon to 5 at the Watson Arts Centre.   

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 23, 2024 - 11:43 am

You are running out of opportunities if you are thinking about attending tomorrow night's Mazer Group PBR Dauphin event at Credit Union Place.

Lindsay Kyle with Dauphin Rec Services says their reserved seating is almost sold out.

"We have standing room tickets available online at www.tobatickets.ca, and we also have a limited number of restricted view tickets available, and you could possibly still find a single ticket in our prime seating."

"We also have two V-I-P tables left.  Each table holds 10 people.  So maybe if you have been on the fence, looked at the weather, and decided that you can make it tomorrow night, you can contact me at 204-648-5193."

The evening begins with the ReMax Parkland Realty pre-party at 5:45, with bull riding action beginning at 7:30.

The night wraps up with the Aspen Insurance Party in the Dirt following the show. 

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 23, 2024 - 10:21 am

Manitoba Fisheries have been seeing Small-mouth bass populations creep across the province more than expected.

Brody Kitch with Manitoba Fisheries is quite concerned about this, as smallmouth bass are aggressive eaters, and could threaten native populations.

"A management issue that we're dealing with right now across the province, not just in western Manitoba, is the illegal movement of smallmouth bass. we're seeing smallmouth bass pop up into lots of lakes that weren't put in by the province. They can play a pretty big impact on our native species, specifically out stocked-trout waters that we put a lot of time, money, and effort into." 

Kitch was shocked to find that small mouth bass have been spotted as far north as Thompson.

With these sitings, Manitoba would have the farthest northern populations of these fish, which is uncommon for a species originating in middle-North America.

Kitch warns that if you're for some reason transporting these fish, there could be some consequences, both on the enviroment, and your wallet.

"You might think you're doing something right, but in the big picture it's typically quite detrimental to the fisheries and it is also illegal. theres a just under $500 fine if you're caught moving fish, so keep that in mind"

There are still limits on smallmouth bass in the province, but Kitch suggested there may eventually be some measures taken to reel in these smallmouth bass populations.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 23, 2024 - 6:00 am

Northgate Trails is a highlight of the Dauphin area that's visited by people from around the world, and there's a lot of work in keeping it at this global level. 

Jean-Louis Guillas with the Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club is looking to instate "Trails Thursdays", which will be a weekly meet-up at 6pm at the trails to attend to maintenance on the trails.

"Part of our campaign, and this volunteer piece, is to educate people about the work that it takes to maintain this trail. the kind of work we have to do is completely dependent on where we have the trails. it's a beautiful area, but it's also sort of vulnerable in some portions, so it means there's special care that needs to go into it"

Trails Thursdays will bring together local nature and trail enthusiasts to help with a wide variety of tasks that these trails need to be done.

This could range from grass and brush cutting, tree clearing, scouting trails for needed maintenance, and more.

Guillas notes that some people will be hired for more specialized work to help prevent erosion and build infrastructure for the Manitoba Summer Games.

Trails like "Old Chap" are quite close to a creek that runs through the trail system, and long-term run-off threatens to degrade that trail as it exists today.

The Trails require a lot of upkeep year-round too, not just during the summer months.

Guillas noted that the first snowfall of last year was nearly impossible to pack with the mechanical trail groomers that are usually used.

A call to action for snowshoers went out and saw a great group of people come out and pack down the snow manually.

If you want to support your local Trails and keep them in pristine condition for years, come out to the trailhead every Thursday at 6 pm.

You can also contact Jean-Louis, The Trail Tutors, or the Dauphin Derailleurs on Facebook for any questions you have!

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 22, 2024 - 6:33 pm

We are just 80 days away from the Manitoba Summer Games.

Hundreds of athletes, their families, and friends will invade Dauphin and the surrounding area to be a part of the historic event.

This event will also feature dozens of Parkland athletes including the U16 Dauphin Hawks team that won a tournament in Brandon over the weekend. It's safe to say that as the countdown continues, the buzz continues to build.

"The anticipation is certainly building, we have signage going up throughout the community," said Bryan Mintenko, Games Coordinator. "It's a great time and we continue to work hard to make sure this is an event to remember."

As of right now, the organizing committee is looking for people to carry the torch as a part of the 'Torch Relay'. There are certain criteria to be considered.

CRITERIA:

1. A former 2004 Manitoba Games athlete who represented our region, from Dauphin or the surrounding area;
2. A former Manitoba Games athlete (in any year), who represented our region from Dauphin or the surrounding area; and
3. A Dauphin or surrounding area celebrity or athlete who achieved a significant level of performance.

If you would like to nominate someone from the community, you can email Bryan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The deadline for applications is May 31. 

As we continue to near the Opening Ceremonies, Mintenko says this event is all about showing off our incredible region and the beautiful facilities that will be used.

"It is incredible the amount of support and funding that we have been able to secure," said Mintenko. "This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for so many athletes and that's what makes it so special."

Volunteer:

More than 500 people have already registered to volunteer for the week-long event. With this said, Mintenko says more are still needed.

You can register to volunteer by visiting Bryan at City Hall or you can also call him at 204-250-2166 or you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

"We're still looking, we could use a few hundred more," offered Mintenko. "I'm not sure we will get to our goal of 1000, but if we can get to 800, that would be great."

Every volunteer who registers before June 1 will be put into a draw for a $1000 prize to the Elkhorn Resort and Spa, located in the beautiful Riding Mountain National Park, which is just south of Dauphin.

In some other exciting news, you can get yourself decked out thanks to the Summer Games merchandise store and you can also secure your 50/50 tickets here. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 23, 2024 - 11:03 am

An 18-year-old from Dauphin, a 16-year-old from Duck Bay, and a 15-year-old from Camperville are all facing a slew of charges.

On May 19 at about 3:15 a.m., the Winnipegosis RCMP conducted a traffic stop in Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation. During this stop, drug paraphernalia was in plain view inside the vehicle. 

When officers searched the vehicle, illicit cannabis, crack cocaine in individual baggies, a sawed-off shotgun, a handgun, ammunition, black ski masks, Canadian currency, and drug paraphernalia were all found.

As a result, Damien Moosetail, along with a 16-year-old from Duck Bay, and a 15-year-old from Camperville have been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine, Possession of Cannabis for Selling, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime, and several other firearms offences.

All three remain in custody. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 22, 2024 - 1:23 pm

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce is preparing for their final lunch and learn event of the season, which will take place next Tuesday at the Watson Arts Centre.

Executive Director Stephen Chychota thinks it will be a topic of keen interest to everyone in the business sector.

 "Everyone has payment processing, they have a cyber presence, they have digital items like their phones. So there is a slant to it that we are going to be talking about online security and the risks of that and the frauds that can potentially come."

Richard Bankert will discuss these topics, while representatives from the Digital Manitoba Initiative will also be making a presentation during this event. 

"To give us a rundown on what Manitoba businesses have they been doing over the past few years to adapt more technology into their businesses.  Where are they putting those investments and taking on new technologies or made those steps and progress.  It is kind of in that lens that technology does not drive your business, that you have to use the technology in a way that makes your business thrive." 

 You can register for this event by this Friday through the Parkland Chamber's website. 

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: May 22, 2024 - 12:55 pm

CAA's 13th annual Manitoba Worst Roads Campaign has wrapped up for another year.

CAA's Ewald Friesen was excited to announce the title of Manitoba's Worst Road.

"We have to announce that dubious distinction this year goes out to 18th Street out in Brandon. #1 Worst Road."

Here's the full list of the top 10 worst roads:

1. 18th Street, Brandon
2. Leila Avenue, Winnipeg
3. PR 307, Whiteshell
4. Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg
5. PTH 26, Saint François Xavier
6. Empress Street, Winnipeg
7. Pandora Avenue, Winnipeg
8. Saskatchewan Avenue, Winnipeg
9. Grant Avenue and Munroe Avenue, Winnipeg
10. Inkster Boulevard and Richmond Avenue, Winnipeg

There were a couple of roadways in the  parkland areas that appeared on the list, namely Main street in Russel and Provincial Road 274 in Gilbert Plains.

Friesen hopes the level of involvement sparks some action from the provincial government.

"This year, we had 71 different municipalities participate in the campaign, and together they nominated 486 different potential worst roads. So that tells us there's no shortage of frustration out there."

It's not all bad news, as Friesen said some names have disappeared from the list.

"there are some success stories. for instance, highway 75 out in Morris, the province announced a $61 million investment to repair the road. year over year, St.James in here in Winnipeg, it was in our top 10 list, we dont hear about it any more."

 The next step for CAA is to take this information to the provincial Government to let them know which roads need the most work, and what work is the most important to the citizens of Manitoba.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: May 22, 2024 - 11:44 am

Corporal Richard Janzen's stepfather was killed by a drunk driver.

You too may have had someone seriously injured or killed by someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Every day, on average, four Canadians are killed and 175 more are injured in impairment-related crashes.

It is estimated that between 1,250 and 1,500 people are killed each year by drivers who are under the influence. For Corporal Janzen, losing his stepfather was a nightmare. 

"We have taxis, you have friends, and you have family," said Janzen, who is a Traffic Services Officer with the Manitoba RCMP. "There are so many options. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is not okay."

Alcohol isn't the only thing; however. Many people these days are driving under the influence of Cannabis. Earlier this month, a 27-year-old female from Dauphin had her license suspended after being charged for Driving on the Opposite Side of the Roadway. She had tested positive for Cannabis. 

"As soon as we have a reasonable suspicion that someone is under the influence of a drug, we have a drug screening tool that we use," said Janzen. "It will test for the legal limit of Cannabis and other drugs. There is also a physical coordination test."

Janzen wants to re-iterate that the RCMP is on patrols 24/7 and if you are driving while under the influence, severe penalties can come.

These can include financial penalties but more importantly, you can severely injure yourself or someone else and in some cases, someone could be killed.

"We are out non-stop, especially with Mandatory Alcohol Screeing, officers are doing these at every stop," ended Janzen. "You would be surprised with how many impaired drivers we are getting from partying the night before."

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 22, 2024 - 11:00 am