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The Dauphin Fire Department was dispatched to a couple of garbage container fires this morning.

Around 5:30, fire fighters found two garbage containers on fire. One was out front of the Co-op grocery store and the other was outside of the nearby Smoke Smart store.

Both fires were extinguished quickly.

If anyone has any information about the incident, you are asked to contact the Dauphin RCMP detachment at 204-622-5050.

If you've been wondering how to get more involved in the community, but aren't sure how to get started, the Dauphin Volunteer Market at the Active Living Centre is the perfect opportunity to learn more.

Tomorrow's event is free to attend, and runs from 1 to 4 pm. the event will feature a number of local organizations that rely on volunteers to function, as well as some presentations about the importance of volunteers.

Organizer, Theresa Deyholos says she hopes the market will help connect volunteers to the organizations that need them.

"We hope that this market will bring potential volunteers who are looking to use their skills or learn new skills by filling in roles and becoming involved in their community."

There will be presentations by Volunteer Manitoba, the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy, and a local volunteer at the event.

Deyholos says that Volunteer Manitoba will be speaking about the challenges that non-profits and charities face when it comes to the recruitment, retention, and recognition of volunteers. They will be here to offer the tools necessary for organizations to successfully recruit volunteers and sustain a working volunteer force.

Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy will be talking about the healthy aspect of how volunteering can help to improve a person's mental and physical health and hear from a local volunteer who talks about his experiences with volunteering in his community.

The non-profit organizations that will be at the event include:

  • Canada's National Ukrainian Festival
  • Dauphin Active Living Centre
  • Dauphin Agricultural Heritage Club
  • Dauphin Branch of M.G.S
  • Dauphin & District Community Food Bank
  • Dauphin's Countryfest
  • Dauphin & District Handivan
  • Dauphin Fire Department
  • Fort Dauphin Museum
  • Kin Club of Dauphin
  • Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corp
  • Dauphin-Ochre Band Parents Organization
  • Dauphin Rail Museum
  • Parkland Chamber of Commerce
  • Parkland Humane Society
  • Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund
  • Regional Connections
  • Selo Ukraina
  • Trembowla Cross of Freedom
  • Volunteer Manitoba

A group with some unique insights on gang culture and addiction struggles spoke to the students of DRCSS this week.

The Four Sacred Hearts is a group focused on educating the next generation about truth and reconciliation, intergenerational trauma, and the dangers of drugs and gangs by recounting their personal experiences.

 A total of four speakers told their stories to the youths of DRCSS, but speaker Timothy Barron hopes to reach more than just the students, as all of the speaker's stories started at home.

"It would be really important if the parents come here, and the other schools we go to. We share our stories because growing up, what we see, and what we heard with our parents arguing and bringing alcohol into the homes. We became just exactly like them. The parents need to hear that we need to do things in a kind way and start supporting each other in a healthy way."

The major common theme of each of these speakers' stories is that they found the acceptance and community they needed not at home, but in the gangs in their area.

Barron also spoke on the importance of building a support structure, as it's one of the most important things a person can do to stop cyclical abuse patterns.

"My advice would be to create a support system with people that are walking that good way of life, and not with people that are sharing things from a place of hurt. Create a support system, or find a support system, Maybe you can reach out to us on social media at Four Sacred Hearts and we can help you because we have ways to help you create a support system in your community."

One of the challenges that Barron spoke on was the judgment and stigma that they face, noting that ideas of toxic masculinity and emotional suppression were common in their old circles and that their tough exteriors can make them feel unwelcome as they leave them.

"Start living from a place of kindness, love, and understanding. You can only walk in your shoes. Don't judge a book by its cover, don't judge a person by their cover. when your judging, it's not that way, it's not our way, and it's not anyone's way of life. it's not causing any good in life." 

Now they say their focus is on personal growth and self-acceptance, and that the path to the healing they share can't be found in bottled emotions. 

Dauphin was one of many stops, as this group will continue to share their inspiring stories with schools across the province.  

From left to right, Jeremy Raven, Glen Hondz, Timothy Barron, Terrance Morrin The Four Sacred Hearts, left to right, Jeremy Raven, Glen Hondz, Timothy Barron, Terrance Morrin.

Update posted at 11:53 am on April 27, 2023:

The Pas RCMP released the identity of the body found near the Saskatchewan River earlier this week as 22-year-old Jayden Mercredi.

The cause of death hasn't been determined, as the results of an autopsy are still pending. Mercredi was first reported missing on March 8, 2023.

The Pas RCMP, along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, continue to investigate.

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Original article posted at 1:39 pm on April 25, 2023:

The RCMP in The Pas, along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, are investigating after a body was found yesterday afternoon.

Police say the body was discovered near the Saskatchewan River, located off 1st Street East in The Pas. The deceased hasn't been identified at this time, but it's believed to be connected to an ongoing missing person investigation.

The cause of death hasn't been determined as police wait for the results of an autopsy.

Update posted at 11:25 am April 27, 2023:

Environment Canada has lifted the fog advisory that was in effect this morning.

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Original article posted at 7:48 am April 27, 2023:

Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for the northeast corner of the Parkland, including areas in grey below.

Fog AdvisoryFog advisory's in effect as of 7:45 am on April 27, 2023

An area of dense fog has formed over the region, with visibility reduced to zero at times.

With clear skies, light winds, and recent rainfall, conditions have become quite favourable for the development of dense fog overnight. Conditions are expected to improve during the morning.

If travelling, be prepared for areas of near-zero visibility. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.

Tonight, April 27th, the Gilbert Plains Municipality will be hosting a hearing to discuss its budget for this fiscal year. 

The Richardson Pioneer Gilbert Plains Community Hall at 102 Main st south will hold this event at 7 pm.

The purpose of the event is to provide an opportunity for the public to review and offer questions and commentary on the year's financial plan.

Copies of the financial plan are available on the municipality website, gilbertplains.com

Questions and remarks outside of the hearing can be directed to the Interim Chief Administrative Officer or through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For further information, contact Interim Chief Admin Officer Kerry Lawless at 204-548-2326

A bill introduced by Dauphin - Swan River - Neepawa MP Dan Mazier has made more progress, and will now be moving to the Senate.

Bill C-288 was unanimously passed by the House of Commons today.

Mazier says the bill would amend the Telecommunications Act and require Canadian internet companies to provide Canadians with accurate and transparent information regarding the internet services they pay for.

"Just imagine going to a gas station and buying up to 75 dollars worth of fuel, only to realize that you only got ten dollars worth of fuel, but you're going to still pay 75 dollars to the gas company."

Mazier says the practice is only allowed within the telecoms industry in Canada, and Bill C-288 would put a stop to that.

He says this is a huge step in the process, and he's happy the bill garnered so much support from all parties. 

"Everybody in the House of Commons supported it, so thank you very much to everybody that's helped me through to this process."

He says while the support has been there, the work isn't done yet.

"So now it goes through to the Senate for the same type of process through committees, so that's our next step."

Mazier says that because they had such strong support in the House of Commons, he hopes the Senate will keep it a priority.

"It presents a strong case to the Senate to keep this a priority. So hopefully we can get it passed and royal assent before we head into the summer break."

Outside of the House members, the bill has also received support from some industry groups. OpenMedia, which is a consumer advocacy organization, says that customers have a right to know what actual speeds they're getting before they buy.

The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television, says that given the amount of internet service quality complaints they see, making accurate data available to consumers is definitely a step forward.

The Gypsumville RCMP made a traffic stop as part of an ongoing investigation, and it led to the arrest of a wanted individual.

Officers conducted the stop on Main Market Road in Pinaymootang First Nation on Sunday. A 29-year-old female who was in the vehicle was wanted by police and arrested without incident.

Police found 11 grams of meth, cocaine, weapons, and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The female is facing several drug and weapons charges, and the investigation continues.

Beginning at 7 am tomorrow morning, areas of Mountain Road will be closed.

The stretch of Mountain Road between the entrance & exit to the DRCSS parking lot will be undergoing repairs due to a water main break.

The parking lot at DRCSS will still be accessible, but be prepared to detour and avoid the area if possible.

As seeding approaches, Statistics Canada has released its principal field crop Areas for 2023.

Wheat, canola, corn for grain, barley, and soybeans are all expected to have increased areas this year, with wheat leading the way as far as increases go.

Farmers are anticipating 27 million acres of wheat across the country this year, which is up 6.2% from last year. If this comes true, the national wheat area would be at its highest point in more than two decades.

Manitoba Farmers are anticipating 3.2 million acres of wheat this year, up 3.3%. Saskatchewan farmers anticipate a 7.3% increase, to a total of 14.2 million acres this year, while Alberta farmers are planning 8 million acres, up 4.2% from last year.

Soybean acres are expected to take a large jump as well, going up to 5.5 million acres, which is an increase of 4.5%. This increase is expected to be largely led by Manitoba, which is anticipating a 37.3% increase to 1.6 million acres.

The canola area nationally is expected to be up slightly, coming in at 21.6 million acres, which would be a 0.9% increase.

Nationwide, barley acreage is expected to edge up 0.6% to 7.1 million acres in 2023. Oat area on the other hand is expected to take a substantial dip nationally, falling 22.4% to 3.1 million acres.

Farmers expect to plant 3.7 million acres of corn for grain, up 2.8% from one year earlier. Lentil and dry pea areas are both expected to drop this year. Canadian farmers anticipate the lentil area to be down 8% to 4 million acres, and the dry pea area to drop 4.6% to 3.2 million acres.

Around 40% of all cultivated farmland in Canada is rented, but how do you know if renting or buying is the most cost-effective choice?

Farm Credit Canada(FCC) recently released a report called Understanding Canadian farmland rental rates: FCC analysis, which helps break down the rent-to-price ratio.

FCC Chief Economist, JP Gervais, says there is a lot of different info that goes into the report, but the purpose of the report itself is quite simple.

"The purpose of this was to look at, if you compare land rental rates, compared to land values, is one going up faster than the other."

In Manitoba, the rent-to-price ratio dropped from 2.5% to 2.4% last year, while other Prairie provinces say an increase in that same ratio, but what does that mean for Manitobans?

"In some sense, to have a ratio that's been declining in Manitoba means that you're a little bit better off if you're looking at renting land, but the difference is not that significant," says Gervais, "You just have to crunch the numbers to understand, what are the best options for me."

He says there are so many different variables that need to go into that decision, and it'll be different for everyone.

"I wish I could just lay out a simple formula, but the reality is you just have to sit down with somebody, a farm management expert, a financial advisor, to just really make sure that you crunch all the numbers and come up with the best strategy for your farm."

Ultimately, Gervais says this report is a good tool for farmers to use when making these decisions.