Minor Accident Yesterday On HWY 1

At approx. 2:15 pm, yesterday, there was a semi-rollover on Highway 1 west near the turn-off for Portage la Prairie.

The driver of the semi, a 51-year-old male from Winnipeg, sustained some minor injuries.

He was given a ticket under the Highway Traffic Act for Careless Driving.

The westbound lanes of the highway were closed for approx. 5 hours as crews worked to remove the semi.

Details: Published: Apr 3, 2018 - 9:34 am

There is a Semi accident on Trans Canada Highway 1, by Portage La Prairie near the Flying J gas bar.

Westbound lanes blocked off, vehicles are being detoured into Portage La Prairie.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 2, 2018 - 6:20 pm

As farmers prepare for this year’s harvest, they’re starting to think of ways to make their operations more efficient.

Chief Sales and Operations Officer, Jim Wood, from Rocky Mountain Equipment talks about how new technology is helping reduce time and costs.

“I would say the producers around Manitoba are very advanced when it comes to machinery and technology. A lot of the brands are at par with what they are offering. Whether it’s Aim Control Plus on sprayers, where each sprayer nozzle acts independently. There are actually control line drills so you aren’t double seeding when you are at headlands. There’s a lot of this technology that makes the farm more efficient.”

One thing Wood says is important to remember is that technology efficiencies should give producers a better return on investment.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 3, 2018 - 7:11 am

A new credit union is formed as of today.

Catalyst and Vanguard are officially merged together.

CEO of the newly formed credit union, Ron Hedley, talks about how they are celebrating:

“Every branch except Oak River today, Oak River is closed on Mondays, but every other branch is serving cake and coffee to the members. It’s really just a way to recognize this significant date.”

Under the name Catalyst, the credit union will celebrate its final year with their AGM on April 18 at the Lion’s Den.

The board is working on the new name for the credit union and hopes to announce it next month.

Details: Published: Apr 2, 2018 - 11:32 am

The National Beef Check-off rose to $2.50 yesterday.

Melinda German, the General Manager of the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency says the increase will help fund programs like the National Beef Strategy.

“in particular we contract groups like Canada Beef, which does marketing and promotion both domestically and overseas. We also contract the Beef Cattle Research Council, which works with University and research providers across Canada to conduct research that’s applicable to producers to help them produce production efficiencies and continue to benefit from those services.”

The national check-off had been set at $1 since 2000.

With inflation, German says the purchasing power of today’s dollar is around 70 cents of what it was 17 years ago.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 2, 2018 - 6:36 am

Potholes around Dauphin are becoming a growing issue.

Although it may be a common occurrence around spring, residents will have to wait a bit longer for potholes to disappear.

Bill Brenner, Director of Public Works and Operations explains the process.

“Every spring, every community with asphalt streets, you’re going to get potholes. It’s from thawing and freeze thaw cycles. Right now we’ve had a little bit of warm weather but before we can do any real patching, it has to warm up considerably.”

Any major fixes that need to be done, will be temporarily patched until they can be finished later in the spring.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 2, 2018 - 6:13 am

If you’re interested in birding by moonlight, you should think about volunteering for the Makinak Woods Nocturnal Owl Survey.

On Wednesday volunteers will identify and record birds along hiking and driving routes from 8 to 10 in the evening.

Marika Olynyk the engagement coordinator with the Manitoba branch talks about the two ways volunteers will count owls.

“We’re going to be driving along roads and stopping every mile. And then for those who want to get a bit more active we’re also going to be doing some hikes through the Makinak woods property. The plan is to just listen to owls along the way.”

To volunteer for this survey call the Manitoba branch at 1-866-683-6934.

It’s recommended to wear warm clothing and proper shoes or boots as volunteers will walk through fields.

This event is weather dependent.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Apr 2, 2018 - 5:03 am

Preparations for the Dauphin Rotary Club’s Book Fair are underway.

Jean-Louis Guillas, Book Fair Coordinator, notes what the Rotary Club needs from the community:

“If people have good books for us that they want to donate, we’d really appreciate that, especially paperbacks which sell the most. We encourage everyone to come down and they’ll find something. Our prices are really reasonable, most books sell for two dollars or a dollar and kids’ books are even cheaper.”

You can drop off your donated books at the Dauphin Consumer's Co-op Grocery Store up until the sale, which starts on April 10^th and runs to the 14^th at the Dauphin Market Place Mall.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Mar 31, 2018 - 12:00 am

McCreary's Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival is coming up.

The Festival is a two-day event starting on April 13^th with educational workshops and activities for people of all ages.

Pam Little, President of the Festival explains the highlight of the festival.

“The horse drawn wagon rides out to the sugar bush and the sugar bush are definitely the highlight of the festival. It’s a nice way to get there, and then with the fire there, it’s a really nice atmosphere at the base of Riding Mountain National Park.”

For tickets, go to their website at www.mbmaplesyrupfest.ca.