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Getting behind the wheel after getting intoxicated is something no one should do, but a CAA survey reveals many people ignore that fact.
This Saturday is the 20th of April, widely recognized by cannabis enthusiasts as "420", a celebratory day, and CAA ran a survey asking individuals about their habits of consuming cannabis (specifically edibles) and getting behind the wheel.
Ewald Friesen From CAA ran some of the numbers on this, which have changed substantially since legalization.
"This is important because we have a general rise in the amount of new people using cannabis. We also have a 36% increase in people who already do use cannabis using it a little bit more frequently due to its availability. Now, why that's important to road safety is because of these new users, edibles are often the preferred choice... we wanted to know if people are using this safely, and if they're using it behind the wheel"
According to the survey findings, at least 34% of people have tried cannabis for the first time in the wake of legalization.
The survey narrowed it down a bit more to people who identify as "cannabis-impaired drivers" and 27% of them said they consumed edibles before getting behind the wheel.
"The big issue here is that when it comes to edibles there's a lot of unknowns. It depends on your body type, and how you metabolize it, it can depend on how high your tolerance is. So what happens is folks will pop and edible, and they'll wait a couple of hours because they're concerned about safety, and then we'll get behind the wheel and then snap it kicks in."
The paradox of this survey was the statistics around the public perception of this problem.
89% percent of respondents said driving high is a serious issue, but despite this fact, 67% of them also said they do it anyway.
Another thing that many of the survey takers were unaware of was the penalties. Driving high will net the same consequences as driving drunk.
That can range from suspensions, demerits, and in the case of an accident, criminal charges.
We all share the road, and everyone wants a good time. But make sure to make a plan, have a safe ride, and never drive under any influence.
To see more of CAA's findings on these topics, Be sure to visit caa.ca.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
ne Parkland municipality is among 10 across the province that will be receiving funding to help improve emergency preparedness in the future.
Mossey River Municipality is getting $13,108 towards the purchase of VHF Radios.
Over $240 thousand dollars is being made available through the Mitigation and Preparedness Program through the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization.
Municipalities affected by spring flooding in 2023 were eligible to apply for this round of MPP funding.
Since it ws launched in 2020, $3.7 million in MPP support has been provided to 120 projects across the province.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
McCreary is hosting the sweetest event of the season, as this weekend is the Manitoba Maple Syrup festival!
The festival features sugar bush tours, teaching people about maple syrup production, and according to Pam Little, The festival's President, so much more!
"In town, we have taffy on snow, no maple taffy which is a big hit. That's put on by one of our producers, Claude Desrosiers. we have a maple syrup pancake breakfast, which is a fundraiser for our Marlin's baseball, we have a makers market on saturday hosted by Burrows Trail Arts Council, and we have some children and youth activities hosted by Prairie Mountain Health and Dead Ox Trailblazers"
You can also expect to see a wide variety of live music and a delicious maple dessert competition, which will be served to the public after judging at the Maple Tea.
Little notes that its a great bargain for a weekend too.
"The $5 pass, it's for the full 2 days. if just want to come to the market, it's $3, if you just want to come to the old-time dance its $10. But I mean it's a steal of a deal at $5 for the whole festival"
So if you're looking to sweeten up your weekend plans, you won't want to miss the Annual Maple Syrup Festival!
Tell your friends about the bus coming down the mountain.
Posted by McCreary's Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival on Tuesday, April 9, 2024
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
"Adventure From Here On Out" has been the slogan for Tourism Dauphin for a while now, and that mindset has not gone unnoticed.
Wednesday night, Dauphin's Economic development manager Martijn Van Luijn was proud to accept the award for Marketing Campaign of the Year from Travel Manitoba
"It really says a lot about who we are. First of all, there's a lot to do here. The word 'Adventure' can mean a lot of different things. Whether it's culture, or sport, or festivals, or outdoors, whatever it may be. And 'From Here On Out' means we don't define ourselves by borders. There's so many things to do in our region, so why would we exclusively talk about dauphin? we promote everything!"
Martijn humbly accepted this prize on behalf of the city, offering recognition to the team behind this project at city hall, and across the entire community.
"Campaigns like this are never done alone. we have a committee, representatives from the community, and industry. This is a joint effort and I'd really like to thank everyone that's been a part of it. It's been Awesome."
With a wildly busy summer ahead, there is sure to be much adventure in Dauphin, and across the Parkland.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The Municipality of Roblin is inviting the business community to join them for a collaborative discussion regarding potential labour issues.
The meeting is set for next Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Roblin Community Centre.
A number of topics are expected to be discussed, including construction and housing-related issues, as well as a regional push to bring more workers to the Roblin area.
Business owners, investors, and builders are encouraged to take part in the meeting.
You are asked to pre-register by emailing nThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 204-937-8333.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A big push will be on this weekend to sign up volunteers for the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games.
Officials from the August 11th to 17th event will be at the Kin Club of Dauphin Business Expo this weekend to sign up prospective volunteers.
Jason Beyette with the host committee says it is important to get their volunteer quotas filled as soon as possible.
"The month of June will be our time to schedule volunteer shifts, so that is the importance of signing up right now, so that we can have everyone registered and have the appropriate registrations completed."
Around 1,200 volunteers are needed to successfully stage the multi-sport event, which is returning to Dauphin for the first time since 2004.
According to games co-chair Clayton Swanton, having a strong base of volunteers in Dauphin would be a great legacy to leave from these games.
"Dauphin always steps up and we host really good events. But the importance for this one is to make sure that our volunteers - we do not need to know what your schedule is that week, we just need to know that you are around and that you want to help us out. That is all that we are looking for right now - just an expression of interest. Without volunteers to pull this event off that week, none of that legacy gets left behind."
Swanton says there is something for everyone as far as volunteer positions go.
He said in particular, they need to fill 90 - 4 hour shifts daily during the games at the DRCSS, where the athletes are being housed and fed.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The new CEO of Prairie Mountain Health says she is honoured to have been warmly welcomed into her new duties by staff and stakeholders across the region.
Treena Slate was hired to replace Brian Schoonbaert, who retired from the position earlier this month.
She sees recruitment and retention of health staff being both the biggest short-term and long-term issues facing PMH.
"We have a very high vacancy rate, which of course leads to excessive overtime and agency use to fill the needs to staff our programs and units. It is an issue that has been plaguing us more so since the pandemic. And I think it is incumbent on us as health leaders in the province to work to re-invigorate health care and to develop that passion that existed to work in health care."
Slate says the need for more doctors, nurses, and lab technicians has also played a big role in the closure or reduction of hours at several emergency rooms throughout the PMH coverage area.
"We always work to ensure that we are looking at things from a geographical perspective. Making sure that we have services available within a geographical area, that people have access that is required, and ensuring that they are aware of what to do if they are in need of emergency service. And just trying to shore up those resources so that we can provide as much service as possible."
Slate adds while Dauphin is well-staffed with physicians, the same can not be said for other parts of the region, where she says there are significant gaps with regards to primary care coverage.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
UPDATE: (April 18 @ 10:13 a.m.)
The RCMP has safely located Gunter.
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Spruce Plains RCMP is on the lookout for a 35-year-old from Minnedosa.
On the morning of April 16, the RCMP received a report of the missing female, 35-year-old Ashley Gunter, who was last seen three days prior at a residence located on White Swan Street in Brandon. A possible sighting was reported earlier on April 17 in the Delta Bay area in Brandon.
Ashley is described as being 5’2”, 140 pounds, with brown hair and hazel colored eyes.
The RCMP are concerned for her wellbeing and are asking anyone who may have seen her, or have information on her current whereabouts, to contact the Minnedosa RCMP at 204-867-2916 or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Secure online tips can also be made at Crime Stoppers.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
While the moisture of this week is welcomed by many people looking forward to spring, it's certainly put a damper on the RM of Gilbert Plains.
Reeve Jim Manchur mentioned some of the challenges they're facing this year on the roads.
"We had about 82 roads that experienced some kind of flood event on different levels and a little less on others we had about 82 roads that experienced some sort of washout in the past week."
Updated Road Closure Map as of April 11, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Posted by Gilbert Plains on Thursday, April 11, 2024
Flooded roads aren't the only problems the RM, as the golf course and campground areas struggle with the excess water.
"We want to get it up and running because the season will be starting soon, but there's a lot of clean up, a lot of damage to the fairways, the greens, the campground buildings, and such."
Most of the roads have re-opened, but Manchur also noted drainage issues still need to be more thoroughly addressed.
With more precipitation on the way, it could be a while before The RM is looking a little less water-logged
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Several children were likely late to school on Monday morning after they witnessed the arrest of their bus driver.
At roughly 9:30 am, Manitoba First Nations Police Services responded to Procure Road in Waywayseecappo on a report of a school bus driver found under the influence while transporting students.
When officers arrived on the scene, they acquired a breather sample that was twice the legal limit of alcohol.
Officers did note that while there were students on the bus at the time, no one was injured in this case.
The driver was arrested, but released with a pending court date.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A Mental Health First Aider clinic is set for next Monday and Tuesday in Swan River.
The event, which will take place from 8:30 to 5 both days at the Veterans Community Hall, was rescheduled after being postponed last month due to bad weather.
Participants will not only gain confridence and skills needed to help someone with an emerging mental health problem, but will also gain greater recognition of mental health problems.
The cost to participate is $125, and you can register by contacting Lana Parker at 204-638-2118 extension 1713, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
