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This week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) wants to stress the importance of staying safe during a lightning storm.
ECCC Meteorologist Brian Proctor says that lightning is a real problem in Canada and that there's a lot of lightning activity across much of the country through much of the summer season.
Living in Manitoba, we're in one of the more active lightning areas of the country... so it's really important that people be aware of the potential for lightning and how to behave when lightning actually does start to occur.
According to Proctor, if you get caught in a thunderstorm and lightning is striking nearby, you should seek shelter immediately — like inside a house, a bar or an all-metal automobile — well away from any metal that could conduct lightning strikes down into the area. He also cautions against using a landline phone.
If no shelter is available, you should stay away from tall objects — hydro poles, trees, wired fences, and things of that nature — and make yourself as low as possible, Proctor adds.
Consult the Canadian Lightning Danger Map to find out the areas at greatest risk of being struck by lightning in the next 10 minutes.
For additional precautions you can take during a lightning storm, visit the Environment and Climate Change Canada website.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
The Dauphin Fair is Returning to the fairgrounds in less than two weeks! It's the first fair since 2019 and Ag Society President Terron Stykalo says they're ready to be back.
I think after a couple of years everything is going to feel brand new so that's exciting for us. I think the car show is going to be something fun, the demo derby is always a big hit, you know we've got a couple of outdoor entertainers coming with the magic bean show and the tractor pull and stuff like that.
Stykalo said that thanks to their great volunteers, planning for the fair has been going smoothly.
We're so lucky with the volunteers that we have, people have been around for so long and involved with our Ag Society and they're kind of able to guide us, our younger volunteers, and show us what we're supposed to be doing.
The fair runs from July 1st to 3rd and will be kicked off by the Dauphin 4H Beef and Lamb Show and Sale on Thursday, June 30th. Tickets for the fair can be purchased at the gate, and it's just $35 dollars for a weekend pass.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
It's National Indigenous Peoples' Day and it's set to be a busy day around the Parkland with plenty of celebrations across the region.
In Winnipegosis, Little Muddy Waters Metis Local in partnership with the Northwest Metis Council and Heritage Canada will host their celebration starting at 3 p.m. There will be entertainment on main street, with square dancing, jigging, and live music from the Eldon Campbell Band, Butch Fleury, and Colton Mcleod. There will also be a community feast of stew, and bannock.
Over in Wasagaming, Treaty 2 Territory will host their celebrations at the Sharing Lodge from 1 to 6 p.m. It will be a full day of storytelling and showcasing their culture with Pow Wow Dancing, Fiddling & Jigging. There is also a free BBQ and giveaways.
There is also a celebration in Roblin from 6 to 9 p.m. It'll include live entertainment and demonstrations with free bannock and stew being provided. If it rains, the event will be moved inside the arena in Roblin and everyone is welcome.
Tammy Chief with the Northwest Metis Council says this day is an important one.
"This is a very significant day for us, it's a day to honour the indigenous culture, languages and heritage," said Chief. "It's also about learning more about everyone and taking a step towards reconciliation."
A day of celebration was held this past Saturday at the Metis Community Centre in Dauphin and it included local MP Dan Mazier.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Live music up on 'The Hill' is what so many people have been waiting for and in just less than two weeks, it's back.
Countryfest returns for the first time in two years from July 1 to 3 just south of Dauphin. An all-Canadian lineup includes the likes of Paul Brandt, Johnny Reid, and Dallas Smith, just to name a few.
Tickets are still on sale for the event and if you're looking to help out for the three-day festival, you can do so. Organizers are currently looking for volunteers to work at the gate and also event staff. Each shift is five hours and the gates open at 8:30 and the last shift ends at 11 p.m.
"All volunteers get a wristband that gets them up top to the hilltop stage so you can take in some of the smaller acts," said Clayton. "Each volunteer also gets a wristband for free transportation to and from the venue."
If you are interested in volunteering, you can call the Countryfest office for more information at 622-3700.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
During a traffic stop on Vermillion Place on June 14th, the Dauphin RCMP seized 157 grams of methamphetamine, 5 grams of cocaine, cash, and other drug-related paraphernalia.
When officers approached the vehicle, they discovered that 40-year-old Trevor Sutherland, who had two outstanding Warrants of Arrest for trafficking methamphetamine and other firearms-related offenses, was in the passenger's seat.
Officers searched a backpack that belonged to Sutherland which contained the seized items. He was then arrested and remanded into custody on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
Sutherland is also facing previous charges from investigations where methamphetamine was seized following two separate search warrants. An investigation is underway.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Government of Canada has issued a recall for certain Abbott brand powdered baby formula products. The products were originally recalled on February 17th for possible microbial contamination, but due to an error, some units were sold online.
The recall involves four Similac products, including the iron-fortified powder, hypoallergenic infant formula, and iron-fortified and calcium-enriched powder. A list of the recalled products, along with what to do if you believe some were consumed can be found here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
With above-average precipitation this spring, mosquitoes are going to be a major issue this summer. Entomologist Taz Stuart says there are some ways to make sure they aren't too bad around your property.
"Remove any standing water, dump it, spill it, drain it, treat it." Says Stuart, "If you've got any gutters make sure they're clean so there's flow there, bird baths, toys, pools, anything that can literally hold water for seven days, can produce mosquitoes."
If you can't remove standing water for any reason, there are larvicides that can be used to make sure mosquitoes don't reproduce in it. Even though there will be more mosquitoes this year than in the past few, it doesn't mean they'll be spreading more diseases.
It's been a cool spring, it's not very conducive for Culex tarsalis, the primary vector for West Nile Virus here in Manitoba, and it all depends, if it gets hot and dry, she's gonna love it, but numbers are low, I wouldn't be concerned but there's never no risk.
Stuart said to make sure you always protect yourself, wear insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, and avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Driving through Riding Mountain National Park can be an absolute treat. From the rolling hills to the trees and everything in between, it can make a great escape.
Many times when driving through the park, you will notice wildlife, and in many cases, people stop to take photos because who doesn't love to see wildlife from afar. And while snapping some photos of any wildlife you see in the park is okay, getting out of your vehicle to do so is not.
RMNP has activated their 'Restricted Activity - Wildlife viewing practices'. This includes;
- No person shall willfully approach, remain, view, or engage in any activity within
- 50 meters of any bear or moose, except when completely inside a legally positioned motor vehicle,
- Any distance that displaces or interferes with the free, unimpeded movement of wildlife,
- Any distance that creates or contributes to a potentially hazardous condition or situation
- No person shall remain within prescribed distances during inadvertent, accidental, or surprise encounters with wildlife
These were put in place to reduce the likelihood of motor vehicle collisions, ensure visitor safety during wildlife viewing, and protect the wildlife from disturbance and stress.
Another no-no while driving through the park is feeding any of the wildlife. Feeding wildlife can make the animals become more dependent on human food and that can increase the likelihood of wildlife approaching you which could have a very bad ending.
"We don't want wildlife looking for human food, that can end very poorly," said Tim Sallows, resource conservation officer. "Their natural food is dandelions in this summer of the year in the ditches, they don't need human food."
If you are caught breaking any of the rules stated above, you could be fined up to $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
UPDATE: As of 1:06 a.m., the severe thunderstorm warning has ended.
The previous update follows:
At 12:27 a.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the following communities:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
More information can be found on their website.
The original article follows:
Enviornment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Dauphin and surrounding areas.
It is in effect for the following communities:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
According to Environment Canada, conditions are favourable for the development of very dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing destructive wind gusts and destructive hail. They also say that the threat of severe weather should end overnight.
More information can be found on the Environment Canada website.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
UPDATE: The tornado watch has ended.
The original article follows:
Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch for Dauphin and surrounding areas.
It is in effect for the following communities:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
According to Environment Canada, severe thunderstorms are forecast to form in an unstable airmass centred over the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border this afternoon, some of which have the potential to produce tornadoes. They also say that strong gusty winds, heavy rain, and large hail will also accompany any severe thunderstorms that form.
More information on what to do in the event of a tornado can be found on the Environment Canada website.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Efficiency Manitoba wants to help you save money on your energy bill by offering a new financial incentive for anyone who upgrades their heating system — which can also be capable of cooling — to a more energy-efficient alternative.
The Air Source Heat Pump Program will give you a financial incentive of up to $1.65 per square foot of heated space to eligible homeowners and small business owners who replace their existing heating system with an air source heat pump or cold climate air source heat pump. This would result in an incentive of up to $2,640 for a 1,600-square-foot space.
Air source heat pumps are capable of heating and cooling indoor spaces.
More information on the new program can be found here.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
