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Yesterday a consultation to discuss the overhaul of the current Child and Family Services was held in Dauphin.

Minister of Families, Scott Fielding, met with Dauphin’s Metis Child and Family Services.

Judy Mayer, Manitoba Metis Federation Minister of Families, notes what they want to see happen:

“From the Metis perspective, we are always about family, keeping our kids in care, within their families for that support. We realize that our families are struggling, so we’re going to go back to our traditional ways of making sure that they are in the community or at least connected to a family member, if it’s not possible for the child to be in the community.  And the Minister is supportive of that; he understands that it’s the way to do it.”

Minister Fielding talks about what needs to happen when families can’t be reunited:

“If reunification of families is not possible because of safety reasons, and sometimes that does happen for CFS, providing some kind of permanent, lifelong connections for someone in the system is really important. I’ve heard some stories from youth that have had some experiences where them and friends of theirs that were in the CFS system had gone from many different foster homes and you didn’t have that attachment that was there; so we really need to make some changes and I’ve heard that very clearly and that is why our government is taking this head on.”

Changes to the CFS model are hoped to be in place by the fall.

The Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce has plans to better represent the whole Parkland.

At the organization’s Year in Review meeting, the board agreed to look into changing their name.

Stephen Chychota, the executive director of the chamber, says this was one of the biggest topics discussed at the meeting.

 “We’re really playing a proactive approach here as best we can and catering to the actual area that we are here to serve. So looking into the change of becoming the Parkland Chamber of Commerce. So if all the boxes are checked off we could be changed by this time next year.”

The board passed a motion that said, if deemed fiscally responsible, they would begin changing the name in the next 12 months.

The Polar Plunge is set for tomorrow.

Participants raise money to jump into freezing cold water at Credit Union Place for Special Olympics Manitoba.

Michelle Meadows, Head Chair of Dauphin Polar Plunge explains the interest they’ve received so far.

“We’re hoping for around 20 people plunging on Saturday. We have two official teams and miscellaneous people (also) jumping. It’s pretty good for Dauphin as Portage had 23 or 25 jumpers. For our first time and being away from the perimeter, it will be a pretty good turnout.”

The Plunge’s registration starts at noon and participants begin jumping at 2:00 in the afternoon.

The founders of Ritz Machine Works received the Business Persons of the Year Award.

 The honour was presented by the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce last night at their appreciation award.

Tom Zaporzan, Co-owner of Ritz Machine Works, says receiving the award last night was extra special.

 “It’s pretty cool that we made our first part today [in the new U.S. plant] and won Business Person of the Year.”

The chamber also recognized Clayton Swanton and the Dauphin Rotary Club with appreciation awards.

Registration for Farm Outlook taking place in Roblin, closes tomorrow.

Ag producers are encouraged to attend the full day seminar taking place on Wednesday.

Sales Agronomist Jaclyn Hojnocki  talks about what information is covered during the event.

 “It is going to be some industry speakers on market analysis, we’ll have some growth specialists, an ESN representative, and the Manitoba pathologist on cereal diseases.”

To register for Farm Outlook in Roblin call 937-6553.

A school in Rossburn was put in lockdown yesterday afternoon.

RCMP were made aware of a social media post showing a student in possession of a handgun.

The suspect was identified and arrested near the school and no one was injured.

Randy Oudie, 19-years-old of Dauphin, was found with a CO2 powered replica pistol with ammunition.

He is charged with Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purposes and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

Oudie has been remanded into custody and the investigation continues.

The Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce hosted their appreciation awards night last night.

Rick Ilnisky and Tom Zaporzan, of Ritz Machine Works, received the Business Persons of the Year Award.

Two other awards were also given out.

They went to Clayton Swanton and the Dauphin Rotary Club.

The merger vote was approved last night in Ste. Rose.

98% of members in attendance were in favour of Prairie Mountain Credit Union merging with Sunrise Credit Union.

The amalgamation takes place on April 1.

Habitat for Humanity is holding their fundraising event on Wednesday.

The event will feature a special fundraising announcement, along with other presentations regarding Habitat for Humanity.

Wayne Olsen, part of the Fundraising Committee, explains what Habitat does for the community.

“It brings another family into the community. Building a home and bringing people together to build a home, it builds friendships. Working together is always good for our community and we can’t do much individually, but coming together we can do a lot. Habitat brings the community together.”

The event starts at 7 at the Old Firehall and to RSVP, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Athletes in the Parkland are supported by fundraisers such as the Polar Plunge.

Taking place this Saturday, the Polar Plunge is raising money for Special Olympics Manitoba

Darren Anderson, Manager of law enforcement torch run and partnerships with Special Olympics Manitoba, says these activities support the dozens of athletes here at home.  

“Provincially we have over 17 hundred athletes. In the Parkland region alone we have 54. In Dauphin, we have 15-25 and that’s just on the floor hockey program.  Around the region, we have bowling in Winnipegosis, Russell, and Swan River. Snowshoeing in Russell and Swimming in Swan River.”

You can still donate to the Polar Plunge by going here.

Joan Clarkson was honoured by Assiniboine Community College.

Clarkson received the R.A.V.E. Award from the school yesterday, and she explains who gave her the best support in receiving the award.

“It’s Assiniboine Community College, it’s the organization that I work for but it’s been a supportive, great employer. They do treat you well; I wouldn’t have stayed at a job for 21 years unless I had a good employer. ACC has been a wonderful employer. Also my colleagues, but it’s also my students. Everyone thinks you teach, or that the students learn from you. After 21 years at the college, I learn more from my students than anything else.”

The accolade is awarded to the employee that goes above and beyond their Duties in Recognizing Actions, Values and Ethics.