Four arrested after truck stolen

Some tense moments Thursday morning after a truck was reported stolen from a rest stop near the intersection of Highways 16 and 10.

Mounties say the truck was reportedly taken at gun-point around 5:30 Am, with four suspects getting into it and heading westbound.

Reports then came in of four suspicious people being seen in Strathclair, which led to police placing the Strathclair Community School in a hold and secure operation.

Mounties eventually arrested three of the suspects but needed assistance from Marook the Police dog in securing the final suspect, who initially fled the scene on foot and was eventually found hiding in a vehicle.

Marook also recovered a pair of firearms.

All four suspects remain in custody, and anyone with info on this incident is asked to call the Spruce Plains detachment at 204-476-7340 or Manitoba CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 15, 2024 - 11:57 am

Fusion Credit Union is hosting a special event tomorrow (Saturday) at Countryfest Community Cinema.

Cinema board member Marissa Phillippe says all children with Fusion Fat Cat accounts can attend a special showing of Kung Fu Panda 4.

"They can also bring a friend, who can go for free as well. It is a bit of a pajama party, and you get tickets for the concession so that you can get some popcorn with that. Adults do have to pay for their ticket but it is a really great time out for kids. Fusion's Fat Cat will also be there to hand out candies."

Phillippe says it is a great way to promote our local theatre.

"When I think of my memories as a child and going to the cinema, it is a different world that you go to. So to have these occasions where you gather with other kids and just build memories, meet Fat Cat, watch Kung Fu Panda.... it is just magical."

Registration begins at 9:30 tomorrow morning, with the movie starting at 10 am.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 15, 2024 - 11:55 am

A Manitoba Mountie has been charged with a driving offence after an investigation into an arrest last year.

The province's police watchdog says an R-C-M-P officer saw a man driving dangerously on a motorcycle in August near Dauphin and tried to conduct a traffic stop.

The Independent Investigation Unit said at the time that the motorcycle was "contained" after more police arrived, but the man suffered three broken ribs while being arrested.

Corporal Kevin Challoner has been charged with failure to drive with due regard to safety under the Highway Traffic Act.

with files from the Canadian Press

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 15, 2024 - 11:45 am

Minitonas has had a rash of property thefts across the area, and they have been found to have a common link.

On the 12th of March, officers responded to a break-in that was reported in the Minitonas area where power tools and several other items were stolen.

When officers were at another residence arresting a suspect about a different theft, they also spotted the tools and items from the previous report.

Further investigation concluded that this suspect was also linked to several property thefts throughout the area.

The 17-year-old male was charged with two counts each of mischief and theft, and single counts of Breaking and entering and possession of property obtained by crime.

On March 13th, in a transfer from RCMP custody, the 17-year-old attempted to flee, also landing him a charge of escape from lawful custody.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Mar 15, 2024 - 10:54 am

The Dauphin Ag Society's 40th annual farm outlook looks place today, featuring a wide array of topics and speakers.

As tradition, The Ron Brook Memorial Award was presented at the luncheon, but this year had a bit of a twist.

This year's award went to commemorate the founding members of Farm Outlook, which according to Ag Society Member Jim Kaleta, started with a different name.

"It started in 1984 until now, and coincidentally, Ron Brook was on as the president of the ag society the year the Farm Out first started as 'Challenges of Production.'"

The Aspen Lodge was packed with people from various agricultural sectors for this day of fellowship and educational seminars.

Kaleta mentioned that as part of celebrating this 40th year, the Dauphin Ag Society will also be creating another scholarship.

"We decided to put a $2000 scholarship forward, and Ag Society had already been doing a $1000 scholarship a year, and it's towards somebody that going to pursue some further education in the agricultural sector."

Kaleta also noted that events like these are important to continue, saying learning is a lifelong endeavor, especially in the ever-changing world of agriculture.

After 40 years of bringing the brilliant minds of Manitoba's agricultural sector together, Dauphin's Ag Society is looking forward to many more years of success.

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Mar 14, 2024 - 6:31 pm

You may be receiving one or may have already.

Several people from the Parkland have posted on Facebook about getting a text with the message stating " “A traffic radar has caught your vehicle doing 57 km/h in a 30 km/h school zone on 03/18/2024. See https://winnipeg=infraction.com for info.”

Scott Gillingham said the City of Winnipeg does not send speeding violations via text. So if you received this text, please delete it and do not click the link.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Mar 14, 2024 - 12:11 pm

Some of the top short films from the most recent Banff Mountain Film Festival will be on display in Dauphin tonight.

The Countryfest Cinema is a stop on this world tour, with the final showing of these films set for tonight (Thursday) beginning at 7 pm.

"We will screen a number of short films that were selected from the Banff Film Festival. This is an annual festival where filmmakers from all over the world create wonderful shorts about truly adventurous experiences that they put themselves through or passions. And it is crazy passions such as cave diving and wanting to do kite surfing at five-thousand metres of altitude in Peru."

Phillippe says this fun, interactive evening is a unique event.

"There is a cinema in Winnipeg that shows the Banff Film Festival, and then there is us here in Dauphin. So it is a privilege to have this come to us. And Banff has really invested in spreading these messages because some of these films also hold a greater meaning, than just the adventure. And what they do is they send prize tickets or vouchers for pirzes that you can claim on their website. So there will also be giveaways during the intermissions."

Tickets are just $30 and are available at the door.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 14, 2024 - 11:36 am

March 22nd will be the next court appearance for 28-year-old Clint Nepinak, after the Dauphin man was arrested earlier this year on drug charges and several outstanding warrants.

An RCMP officer from Ste Rose stopped to help a man change a tire at around 12:30 am on January 15th along Highway 5.

When the officer noticed no license plates on the vehicle, and the driver could not provide registration or a bill of sale, a search of the vehicle and driver was conducted.

An open bottle of liquor, various gift cards, and several bags of what was believed to be crystal meth were found in the car, while multiple cell phones, empty baggies, and a bag of what was believed to be cocaine were found on the driver.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 14, 2024 - 11:24 am

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for their annual Chamber awards, which will be handed out during their annual Chamber Celebration Night next Wednesday night at Countryfest Cinema.

A total of seven awards will be handed out on the night.

Business Person of the Year will be contested between Dean Cooley, Corrina Abrey, and Sandra Goertzen.

Outstanding Business of the Year nominees include Parkside Motors, OB Construction, La Grange, Trail Tutors, and ICL General Construction.

Nominated for Start-Up business are Obsolete Brewing, The Other Shop, Hockridge Trade School, and Hippie Mama Gifts.

Tanner Bennett of Grow Media and Cali Stewart of Bloom Goddess are up for Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Nominees for the Community Appreciation - Group award include The Bridge in Ochre River, Grandview Trail Group, and Umby Nagamon Group.

Meanwhile, JS Mechanical, Grange 41 Coffee, and Hot Shot Entertainment are up for Side Hustle Business, while Marge Beyette has been nominated for the Community Appreciation - individual award.

The celebration takes place March 20th beginning at 7 pm at Countryfest Cinema, with tickets now available through the Parkland Chamber's website.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Mar 14, 2024 - 11:22 am

Today, the Manitoba government announced some changes regarding the Highway Traffic Act, cracking down on drivers charged with driving under the influence.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced a change that would ensure that people who've been charged with impaired driving but have not complied with the ignition interlock requirement will not be able to appeal their driving suspension.

Manitoba Public Insurance states that an ignition interlock device is an in-vehicle, alcohol breath screening device that is wired into the vehicle’s ignition.

The device will prevent the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected or will sound an alarm if the vehicle is in motion.

The new Alternative Measures program would allow a person charged with impaired driving to agree with the Crown to participate in a rigorous impaired driving awareness and education program rather than being prosecuted in court.

Minister Wiebe stated clearly that this should not be considered an easy way out, as it still will require the driver to participate in the ignition interlock program.