Santa Claus coming to Grandview

Grandview is the latest Parkland community to hold its Santa Claus Parade of Lights.

Ryan Balak with the Grandview Kinsmen Club says this year's parade is set for Saturday night.

"The parade starts at 6 o'clock on Saturday and we ask all floats to be at the Grandview Kinsmen Hall by 5:30 that evening for judging. The parade route will go past Grandview Manor, down Railway Avenue and up Main Street, and then will go through the Care Home and Hospital for those folks there."

Balak adds the parade has been a tradition in that community for several years.

"Usually it has been pretty good, especially since COVID, we had a great big parade where nobody could go out of their house. So we took it all around Grandview. There are a lot of entries, a lot of fun, and a lot of people out there and it is always a great time."

New this year, the top three floats will have cash awards donated in their name to a charity of their choice.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 13, 2023 - 12:13 pm

A San River man arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle in The Pas will be back in court next week.

Late on the evening of November 22nd, RCMP in The Pas said they got a report of a truck being stolen.

Police were able to track down the truck thanks to a GPS unit in the vehicle, and arrested the driver.

When the suspect was being placed in the cells, he allegedly assaulted a Mountie.

24-year-old Allan Knight if Swan RIver remains in custody on a number of charges, and will return to court on Monday.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 13, 2023 - 11:44 am

A Neepawa man will return to court in the new year related to luring and child pornography charges.

26-year-old Jaime Centeno was arrested in April of 2021 after an extensive investigation by Manitoba RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit.

Police say a suspect was posing as a teenage male on Snapchat and was requesting sexual photos from girls under the age of 18, along with meeting some in person.

At the time of his arrest, police say Centeno was breaching court ordered conditions from previous charges in 2018.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 13, 2023 - 11:42 am

Christmas is a time where people come together with family and friends and share in the spirit of giving, but not everyone has money for gifts.

Parkland Crossing is looking to make sure that every child has something to unwrap this christmas with their annual Christmas Toy Giveaway.

throughout this week, Parkland Crossing is asking for gently used and clean toys to be dropped of at their location, so they can get them to the families that couldn't afford them this year.

Donating toys isn't the only way to help, as parkland crossing is always looking for people to volunteer their time as well.

If you want to learn more about this program, or how you can help out, call Parkland Crossing at 204 638 3333.

You can also visit the clothing room and speak with Amy Prokopowich, the coordinator of this charity.

Silver collection or food donation for the foodbank. Accepting good used toys from now till Dec 14th
Posted by Amy Prokopowich on Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Dec 12, 2023 - 3:45 pm

The first set of acts for the 2024 edition of Rockin the Fields of Minnedosa was announced this morning.

"On Friday night, we have Prism coming back, Molly Hatchett, and Kim Mitchell. Saturday we kick things off with Econoline Crush on the main stage, along with JJ Wilde and Theory of a Deadman," announced Rob Waloschuk. "Not to be outdone, Sunday will have Toque, who is going to hit both the main stage this year as well as the Hilltop stage, along with more acts to follow, as well as Colin James and Amanda Marshall, who will headline Sunday night together."

Walsochuk adds tickets will go on sale very soon. So in just a few days, you will be able to buy your camping and weekend passes to Rockin the Fields of Minnedosa. And just in time for Christmas gift giving."

Tickets can be purchased as of Friday online at rockinthefields.ca.

The 20th-anniversary edition of the festival is set for August 2nd to 4th.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 12, 2023 - 1:18 pm

The Dauphin Community Band and Jazz Band are hoping to help put local residents in the Christmas spirit.

The two bands are hosting their annual Christmas concert tonight at the Watson Arts Centre.

It begins at 7 pm with a silver collection being taken at the door.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 12, 2023 - 10:53 am

The average price for a litre of regular gasoline in Manitoba took another significant drop over the past week.

According to the website gasbuddy.com, the average price in the province fell another 5.2 cents over the past seven days to sit at 138.66 cents a litre.

That is 13.3 cents cheaper than the average price one month ago, and 13.1 cents cheaper than on this day one year ago.

The dip in the price at the pump was also reflected in Dauphin, as prices dropped below the 140 cent mark, ranging from 139.6 to 139.9 cents.

As for other communities in the Parkland, it ranges from 131.9 in Roblin, 138.9 in Swan River and Grandview, and 145.9 in Gilbert Plains.

The national average price was also lower over the past seven days, dropping 3.2 cents a litre to 142.47 cents a litre.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 12, 2023 - 10:48 am

We've entered the final week of CKDM's "Put Your Money Where Your House Is" campaign, and the draw to win $730 is set for Thursday.

There's plenty of amazing local business you could support with these winnings, and Chamberbucks.ca is the place to see the full list!

Let's talk about Chamber Bucks, a popular gift for the holiday season. Our Chamber Bucks are now digital and can be...
Posted by Parkland Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Stephen Chychota with the Parkland Chamber of Commerce highlights one of the biggest benefits of shopping locally: the people.

"having the ability to walk into a business, see some of the staff, take a look at what they offer, can really shift your perspective."

Having the local people helping you out is always great, and Chychota says they likely have some great reccomendations too.

"The people behind the counters know the treasured items which you might not expect in somes stores. it just takes a little effort. walk in some doors and you might be pleasently surprised."

Where ever you're spending your money in the parkland, know that the money you spend locally stays local, and keeps supporting the unique businesses that the parkland has to offer!

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Dec 11, 2023 - 4:38 pm

The shelves of the Dauphin Food Bank are well stocked once again thanks to the generousity of local residents.

Over 43-hundred pounds of non-perishable food was donated during the 4th annual Pack the Pumper-Cram the Cruiser Food Bank drive that wrapped up last week.

A further $2,865 in cash was also donated, which will allow the Food Bank to purchase perishable items for their Christmas hampers.

Sho-sho Shuttleworth-Lafontaine with the Dauphin Food Bank was blown away by the numbers.

"People do not realize that when they gather together in a group and do something as an organization like that, how much of an impact it will make on not just the community of Dauphin, but we also serve a district around Dauphin to the other communities. This is going to be making an amazing Christmas for some families that would not have as good of a Christmas otherwise."

Shuttlewort-Lafontaine is confident that the donations will allow them to do up hundreds of hampers this Christmas.

"A hamper can be anywhere from a single person to a family of four or six. And then the larger families we have to give extra hampers too. But there is just so much there, it is just amazing."

She is also very appreciative of the donations made by local residents.

"We are so fortunate that Dauphin and the surrounding area are a very generous community. And very giving. I know that there is still families waiting to be adopted through the adopt-a-family program. But Dauphin is very generous and we are very fortunate to be from this community."

Shuttleworth-Lafontaine says they are always looking for volunteers at the Food Bank, adding that you can call the Food Bank if you are available to give a few hours of your time.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 11, 2023 - 12:51 pm

Santa Claus will be paying an early visit to Ochre River this Wednesday to help with a good cause.

St Nick will be accompanying firefighters in Ochre River that evening as they tour the community and neighbouring beach areas, collecting donations for a local food bank.

The annual Santa Cruise and Food Bank drive will begin at 6 pm Wednesday.

If you live in the area and are not going to be home Wednesday night, you can still drop off donations for the Food Drive at the RM of Lakeshore office in Ochre River.