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Today is World Blood Donor Day, and the importance of donating blood remains as vital as ever — especially with the COVID situation putting a strain on donations.
Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin explains there have been much fewer people donating blood over these past few months.
“The arrival of COVID-19 in Manitoba introduced a wave of uncertainty and concern. Canadian Blood Services recorded a significant drop in donations, and many mobile events were suddenly cancelled due to COVID-19.”
Roussin explains Canadian Blood Services have ratcheted up their health, safety and sanitation measures at donor centres. The patients undergoing cancer treatment, surgery, and trauma victims are all still relying on blood.
“The blood supply is just as important now, and even more important because of the decrease in donations during this time.”
Dr. Roussin asks if you’re in good health, to book an appointment with Canadian Blood Services at blood.ca.
National Blood Donor Week ran from June 8–14, 2020.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba’s education minister recently confirmed the new school year will begin on September 8th — and school divisions are now busy preparing for what that may look like.
Turtle River School Division Superintendent Bev Szymesko says the province’s decision to allow limited use of classrooms in June — for individual tutoring and assessment — was helpful in restoring a sense of normalcy.
“It got some confidence back in the building, that students can come in and do some work with their teacher — but also to feel that return into the building, to feel comfortable being back in.”
Manitoba schools will face one of three possible scenarios in September, with either (1) a full return to the classroom, (2) a partial return with some classes online, and (3) an option where nearly all classes would have to be delivered remotely.
The province conducted a survey of Manitoba families, where 75% of parents who responded said they are somewhat or very comfortable with the possibility of children going back to school in September.
Manitoba’s Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen says a final decision on which scenario will be used, will be given by August 1 based on public health directions.
The Turtle River School Division Superintendent says the scenarios involving remote delivery of classes pose a challenge, especially for students with poor home internet connectivity.
Szymesko explains at the end of this past school year, the delivery of remote learning was a challenge, with some schools reaching out to parents with individual paper packages — that is where we worked really hard to connect with our families. ”
On Wednesday, the province announced Manitoba school divisions will have almost $48 million to cover unanticipated costs of the COVID-19 situation.
School divisions have also been given until September 1 to reduce their executive and senior management complements by 15%.
Medium-sized and large school divisions with more than four executive or senior management positions were expected to reduce their numbers of positions by 15%. Smaller school divisions are being directed to reduce managerial salaries and operating costs by 15%.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba businesses that have been forced to close their doors can apply for a new financial support from the provincial government.
The Manitoba Bridge Grant will provide $5,000 upfront to businesses, not-for-profits and charities directly impacted by the province-wide Critical red restrictions that go into effect Thursday, November 12.
Small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit and charitable organizations that were directly ordered close their physical locations under Manitoba’s public-health orders will be eligible for the one immediate one-time payment.
The Manitoba Bridge Grant can be extended automatically Jan. 1, 2021, to provide an additional $5,000 to each organization should the public health orders remain in place.
The new Manitoba Bridge Grant application portal will be live Monday, Nov. 16. The deadline for applications is Dec. 15.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Rural Municipality of Mossey River is advising the residents of Winnipegosis that there will be a water advisory for the town starting Wednesday, September 22th and going until Friday, September 24th.
Public Works will be flushing water lines and they are asking the community to allow the water to run clear before consuming.
If you have any questions, you're asked to contact the Winnipegosis Village Office at 204-656-4791.
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Trial began yesterday in Brandon for a police officer accused of distributing sexually explicit photos and videos of a woman that he was having an affair with.
The officer was charged last year with two counts of publication of an intimate image without consent.
Due to a publication ban on the case, the names of the officer and woman are being withheld.
On Monday, Manitoba's provincial court heard that the images and videos stemmed from the officer's romantic relationship with the female in 2016.
The pair met through volunteer work, and their friendship quickly became a sexual relationship, which involved exchanging photos and videos through WhatsApp, a messaging platform.
The woman said she and the officer agreed to delete any photos or videos of each other after they decided to close the door on their relationship.
The woman told the court that she didn't give the officer permission to share the photos and videos with others.
Today, the trial is expected to hear from the woman who first discovered the photos on her then boyfriend's email account.
The case is expected to wrap up tomorrow.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Dauphin is one of six communities participating in the Communities in Bloom International Challenge, Small Category. The Chairperson for Dauphins CiB, Patti Eilers, says they're only able to be in the competition because everyone in the community is doing their part.
"At the end of the day, this is recognition for all the work that's been done in our community, and it's of course, our citizens they play the greatest role," said Eilers, "It's our businesses, it's our institutions, it's our schools, it's everyone who has worked towards this, to make out community a better place to live in, to play in, and to work in."
Dauphin is going up against Sussex, New Brunswick; Ingria, Italy; Glaslough, Ireland; Lewisburg, West Virginia; and Velika Polana, Slovenia. The international judges will be in Dauphin from July 27th to the 29th and will be looking at six categories.
- Community Appearance
- Environmental Action
- Heritage Conservation
- Tree Management
- Landscaped Areas
- Plant & Floral Displays
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Rumours have been swirling around for years.
The speculations can now be laid to rest regarding whether Twin Motors in Dauphin will receive a new building. Nick Jewell confirmed to 730CKDM on Monday morning that construction on the new building will commence shortly.
You've probably already noticed that the property has a chain fence around it and employees at the dealership have moved into trailers.
"It's the best location in Dauphin, our neighbours in the back were able to section off a piece of property to make it big enough for the new build," said Jewell. "This corner is such an important piece to the Dauphin area, it's the busiest intersection in Dauphin. We thought about moving, but this was just the right place."
The new build, estimated to take about 14 to 16 months to complete will feature some pretty great amenities on top of the already great service that customers have come to expect when dealing with Twin Motors.
"We're going to have a new service drive-thru, we will have an express quick lane service," said Jewell. "We're putting in heavy duty bay which means we can take care of larger trucks like ambulances and that sort of thing."
The upcoming building will boast two showrooms, each housing vehicles to complement its modern ambiance. Despite ongoing construction for the next year, Jewell assures customers that Twin Motors will continue operations. Whether you're in search of a new or used vehicle, Twin Motors will be ready to serve you.
"We will do our best to take care of everyone, we still have some pretty amazing deals going on," offered Jewell.
Until the end of April, if you purchase any new car off the lot, you will be entered into a draw to win a share of $10,000 cash. First place will receive $5000, second will receive $3000, and third place will receive $2000.
You may also be wondering if they still have any cars on the lot. The answer to that question is yes.
"They're not gone, we still have that incredible inventory of about 90 cars here in Dauphin," ended Jewell. "We were able to lease a section at the airport so that we could move our cars there. We have them all."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
One person is dead following a two-vehicle crash south of Gladstone.
Neepawa RCMP were informed of an accident between a minivan and a motorcycle at around 12:20 pm on Sunday.
According to their investigation, the southbound minivan was making a U-turn on Highway 34 when a southbound motorcycle collided with it.
The driver of the motorcycle, a 21-year-old man from Austin, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 78-year-old male driver and the 73-year-old female passenger in the minivan were not physically injured.
A Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting Neepaw RCMP with the investigation.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
