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The provincial government followed up with a statement earlier this week, publishing their plan to ban cell phones in classrooms.
this ban will have some grade differences, with grades k-8 banned from using phones all day, and grades 9-12 banned from use in class, but not during lunch and other breaks.
These guidelines will also include exceptions to support students with medical and diverse learning needs and cellphone use for educational purposes in grades 9 to 12 when directed by classroom teachers.
Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare issued this statement today, noting "These provincial guidelines will give teachers the tools they need to keep students focused and ensure class time is spent on learning"
Schools and school divisions will implement these updated policies as students head back to school in September.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A man arrested in connection with an April assault and firearm complaint on the Ebb & Flow First Nation has appeared in court again.
38-year-old Travis Malcolm will return to Dauphin court on August 22.
And another court appearance has been made by a man, arrested in connection with a April 2023 fatal single-vehicle rollover near Duck Bay.
A five-year-old boy, who was not properly restrained, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
38-year-old Katlin Lamirande of the Pine Creek First Nation is charged with Careless Driving Causing Death and will appear in Dauphin Court again on September 10.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
With phase one of the Manitoba Summer Games now in the books, organizers are ecstatic with how the event is going so far.
Games co-chair Carla Wolfenden says they have been getting a ton of positive feedback on the work being done by their volunteers and division chairs.
"Things do come up when you have been planning things on paper for so long. Things all look great and then you put them into implementation and there is always things that need to be adjusted. But we are very happy that everyone has been able to adjust on the fly. And it has all been just minor things. I have to say event the weather has cooperated so it has been a great phase one."
Wolfenden says they are very appreciative of the great job being done by all of their volunteers.
"Honestly, Clayton (Swanton) and I have just been floating around and pitching in where needed. Everyone has been so well prepared, and we have the right people in the right spots. Everyone has been going above and beyond and there are some areas where they have been working some long hours. Not just our committee chairs but also general volunteers. The kitchen staff have been showing up for their 4 am shifts, and with different shifts some of them do not get out of there until 11:30 at night. So it has been just phenomenal."
Prior to hosting this year, Dauphin last hosted the Manitoba Games in 2004.
Wolfenden feels that experience has been important this year, as a large amount of their team have experience with what to expect.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A program is set to return through the provincial government to track criminals released on bail.
This Electronic monitoring program will use a Global Positioning System to supervise people released on bail to help reduce repeat offenses.
Notably, this program returns 7 years after being scrapped by the previous government.
Aside from GPS tracking, the tracking device uses voice, audio, and vibration commands, allowing for real-time communication with offenders and, if necessary, loud alerts when someone goes into an area they are prohibited from entering.
The GPS technology and the software system allow for detailed monitoring of an individual’s court-ordered conditions, which could include orders to stay away from particular locations such as retail stores. This provides another tool in the Manitoba government’s ongoing efforts to combat retail crime and keep communities safe, the minister noted.
The Manitoba government has allocated $2.9 million over two years for the program. If successful, the province has the option to continue the program.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Tony's Auto Electric and JDS Laundromat are holding their 7th annual memorial ride this weekend.
The ride begins at 11 am Saturday from Tony's Auto Electric on 1st Avenue SW, with the ride making its way through Minnedosa and Shoal Lake before returning to Dauphin.
Organizer Tony Shewchuk says motorcycles are not the only vehicles that can take part in this ride.
"Vehicles or families that want to come out in their pickup for just an outing. We made this ride because my sister had cancer seven years ago. And we have been carrying this over for different people that have passed away over the years. This year it is for a friend of mine Kelly Kostiew, and I am making the ride for him."
The event also includes a 50/50 draw, and Shewchuk says proceeds from the draw will be given to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
"At first we were using it for the scanner. But then they asked us if they can put it towards chairs and whatever else they needed it for. So now we write a cheque out to them and they do what they want to do with it. We have probably raised around $15,000 since we have been doing this for the hospital."
Tickets are $10 each and you do not have to be participating in the ride in order to purchase a ticket.
They are available by calling 204-638-5372 or 204-672-0118.
The draw will be made Saturday during their stop in Shoal Lake.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 28-year-old man from Sandy Bay First Nation will be back in court tomorrow (Thursday) in relation to an incident earlier this month of shots reportedly being fired in Ebb & Flow.
Ste. Rose Mounties say 28-year-old Billy Roulette allegedly pointed a shotgun at people and held a female captive against her will for five days.
Roulette was in Dauphin court on Monday and was remanded back into custody until his next appearance.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Travelers driving through Riding Mountain National Park will likely have noticed a speed limit change on a portion of Highway 10.
The stretch between kilometre markers 5 and 12 - which includes the portion of the highway that goes past the boat launch and the Clear Lake Golf Course, has seen the speed limit dropped to 60 km an hour as of August 1st.
An article in the Brandon Sun says it is a temporary change, and were put into place to protect drivers and wildlife from collisions.
It adds the speed reduction will be readjusted once there is no longer an elevated risk to wildlife along the highway.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The pot continues to grow for the final 50/50 draw as a part of the Manitoba Summer Games, Powered by Manitoba Hydro.
As of this posting, the current jackpot is sitting at just more than $4000.00. That means if you win, you could be walking home with more than $2000.00. You can purchase one ticket for $5, 3 for $10, 10 for $20, or 50 tickets for $50.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be going towards Dauphin sports, recreation, and wellness programs. The final draw will be made on Saturday. So don't miss your chance to win a bundle of cash while supporting a great cause.
Get your tickets here.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The first harvest reports have begun rolling on the weekly Manitoba crop report.
Precipitation in some areas has certainly slowed the dry-down times, noticeably in the northwest, as we were the only location that saw rain across the entire area.
All other regions were generally dryer, with many locations staying dry the entire week.
Some of the earliest harvested crop numbers are in for fall rye and winter wheat and have begun in spring wheat, barley, and peas.
Early yield reports range from 90 to 120 bu/acre for fall rye, and 40 to 110 bu/acre for winter wheat in the central and eastern regions. These areas also have some of the higher harvest completion averages so far.
Most spring wheat has hit maturity, though some later-seeded crops sit closer to the soft dough stages.
Most corn fields range from the silking to milk growth stages, with the latest fields at tassel. harvest has also begun on barley.
In oil seeds, crops are beginning to ripen for the most part. Canola is almost entirely podded, with earliest fields evening seeing swathing and pre-harvest applications.
The earliest seeded sunflowers have completed flowering and reached R6 (seed development), with later seeded fields ranging from late R4 to R5.9, and Most flax fields range from growth stage 10 to 11.
Field peas have seen the start of pre-harvest application, and even some harvesting taking place. Soybeans still range heavily but mostly sit in the Full pod stage.
Cereal silage is about half done and yields look average to above average. Yields in the northwest region are reported to be 8 tons/acre, but high humidity and heavy morning dew are causing issues in drying.
The general lack of moisture in the province slowed pasture growth, but it has also reduced the amount of area that causing foot rot from the excess water.
Dugouts are at roughly 80% capacity, and water supplies are holding steady.
The Northwest Region seemed to break away from the provincial trend last week, as most locations were warm and dry in Manitoba.
A cooler and wet week was seen in most of the region, with warmer conditions towards the weekend. Most areas received precipitation with The Pas station receiving the least at 3 mm and Rorketon receiving the most at 43 mm.
Winter wheat and fall rye crops are moving towards grain ripening, and Spring wheat is in the dough development stage, with most of the crop in the soft and hard dough stages.
Later seeded fields continue to catch up. Some advanced fields have received pre-harvest glyphosate.
Most field peas are in the R5 to R6 stage with the remainder of the crop closely behind. Earliest fields have reached the stage of desiccation with harvest beginning on a few fields.
The majority of the canola crop has completed flowering. Some later seeded crops in the Dauphin area continue to wrap up flowering.
Soybeans are in the R3 to R5 stage and looking good. The recent heat has helped advance the crops quickly, and recent rain helped with pod fill. Crops in the Dauphin region are at younger developmental stages.
That wraps up this week's look at the Manitoba Crop Report. As we move into the harvest season, here's hoping everyone has a safe and fruitful season.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The Portage la Prairie RCMP are searching for a man wanted on multiple charges.
Jozef James Spence, 25 is described as 6 ft 2, 160 lbs with short black hair and brown eyes. he is also considered to be armed and dangerous.
Spence is wanted by the Portage RCMP on multiple offences including Breaking and Entering, Possess Weapon Contrary to Order, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Flight from Police.
If anyone has any information on his whereabouts or can assist in his apprehension, please call the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A spokesman for Premier Wab Kinew says the province will give an update on its plan for cellphone use in the classroom later this week.
Manitoba became the only western Canadian province that has not introduced plans to restrict cellphones in schools following Saskatchewan's decision last week to ban the use of the devices in the upcoming school year.
Saskatchewan's policy applies to all kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms, and followed announcements in Alberta, B.C., Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.
The bans are designed to reduce distractions and help students focus in class.
Manitoba's education department says right now it is up to individual school divisions to develop and enforce technology use policies in their schools.
But in a statement, the department said it is talking to stakeholders "to ensure that provincial curriculum and use-of-technology guidelines are updated to be responsive to current technology-use patterns."
Some school divisions have already imposed their own cellphone bans, including Manitoba's francophone schools division - which includes Laurier's Ecole Jours de Plaines - which banned cellphones last year in all of its schools.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
