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Swan River RCMP received a report of a home invasion at a residence located on 5^th Avenue South, in Swan River, last Sunday at around 5:05 a.m.

When officers got there, they spoke with the two victims, a 21-year-old male and a 17-year-old female, who told them that they were forced into the living room by a male, armed with a bat, and a female.

The suspects, both wearing all-black clothing, then stole a number of items from the residence and fled the scene.

No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the Swan River RCMP at 204-734-4686, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Aug 10, 2022 - 12:10 pm

The Northwest Métis Council sent a delegation to Edmonton to attend the Pope's visit a couple of weeks ago.

Vice-President Frances Chartrand was a member of that delegation and she says that her visit with the Pope was inspirational.

"His sincerity showed through when he was reading the apology and recognizing the wrongs of the church and making people accountable... He was very empathetic in recognizing everything that Indigenous peoples went through regarding the abuse that happened in the church," she adds.

Chartrand also says that he's willing to move forward and lead the way to make sure that there is programming and services and that he wants to have an open dialogue with all Indigenous people.

Furthermore, Frances Chartrand says that she's hopeful for the future.

"I'm from a small Métis community and some of the central focus of programming and support came from the churches and the schools... so I think if we look at it with a holistic approach and we work with the church and... all the players involved... we could build our small Métis communities right across the Red River Métis nation," she adds.

According to Frances Chartrand, she never had any concerns or got any complaints about them going to meet with the Pope, the elders were enthusiastic and they were so proud to be a part of it.

"When we dropped our elders off... in Dauphin at the Best Western and their loved ones picked them up, they were crying and they were so thankful that they went on the pilgrimage and the journey to meet the Pope and the Pope prayed for everyone in the audience," she adds.

Frances Chartrand feels that since the church completely supports what the Pope said, the reconciliation efforts will still continue even if the Pope retires.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Aug 10, 2022 - 6:00 am

Grandview was one of the hottest places to be in the Parkland over the weekend as their held their Homecoming and mud bogs. A crowd that was much bigger than expected packed the town to catch up with old friends, mingle with current friends and everything in between.

Pierce Cairns was a part of the organizing committee and he says just to be back was the most exciting part.

"Just seeing the event happen, it seems like it took forever to plan," said Cairns. "To see everyone out laughing and having a lot of fun, what a special weekend it was."

The weekend wrapped up with a fireworks display that people continue to rave about. With a larger budget, Cairns says they were able to pull out all of the stops and it was a show that many won't forget.

"It was probably the greatest fireworks display that I have ever seen," said Cairns. "That was an absolutely spectacular thing for people to come home to, we've been building up to it for a few years now."

Also taking place was the Amazing Race Grandview which was a big hit. The mud bogs will return next year with the next homecoming set for 2025. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Aug 10, 2022 - 5:00 am

The Dauphin Fire Dept. was dispatched to assist the Ochre River Fire Dept. with a water rescue on Dauphin Lake this afternoon.

Shortly after 3 p.m., two people were sent into the water after their boat overturned.

According to the Dauphin Fire Dept., they were both successfully rescued and returned to land unharmed.

They would like to thank anyone who assisted in bringing them to safety.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Aug 9, 2022 - 11:20 pm

Bob Podolski is already running about two weeks behind normal and now he's hoping for a miracle.

Podolski Honey Farms began extracting honey from its apiary earlier this month; however, they have found very little in the hives. In a normal year, about 750-850,000 pounds of honey is extracted. This year, they won't be anywhere close to that.

"If we get one-quarter of our normal crop, it will almost be considered a miracle," said Podolski. "It has been a struggle. What could have gone wrong has gone wrong, it's been poor. What do you do, just take it as it comes."

Podolski isn't the only beekeeper struggling; it's been widely documented that bee colonies across the country have been ravaged. Podolski said a solution would be getting bees from the United States; however, it isn't as easy as that. Under current regulations only certified queen bees can be imported from the U.S.

When talking about the stock from the United States, Podolski doesn't understand the current regulations

"They're clean and good stock and it's cleaner than the stock that we're bringing in from Australia," offered Podolski. "There might be programs but you know how it goes, it takes time to see the funds."

Bob has said that if they don't receive a replacement stock from the continental U.S. he doesn't see a future for his sons who are in line to take over. Podolski has been in the business for 47 years.

"It's the harsh reality, unfortunately," said Podolski. "If we don't get the stock, why would we want to bring old bees from across the globe here? I think to myself, who is more productive... a 20-year-old man or a 75-year-old man? The U.S. stock is much cleaner and there have been tests to prove it."

According to an associate professor of entomology at the University of Manitoba, bee losses are in the 40 percent range for parts of the country; however, Manitoba is much higher at about 57 percent. Another reason for the loss of so many bees is the varroa mite, an invasive parasite. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Aug 9, 2022 - 1:00 pm

The Dauphin RCMP have released photos of a suspect in the series of recent arsons in the city. The photos and full press release are below:

On August 1, 2022, at approximately 11:45 pm, Dauphin RCMP responded to an alarm call at a business located on 3^rd Avenue NE in Dauphin. Upon arrival, officers observed smoke coming from the building which they were able to quickly extinguish before it could spread.

Throughout the morning, officers responded to three additional fire calls. At 1:10 am, a vehicle was reported on fire on 3^rd Avenue SE, a 6:05 am, another vehicle fire in the 500 block of Main Street and at 8:15 am, an attempted arson took place at a business located on 3^rd Avenue NW. No injuries were reported.

Surveillance footage obtained captured images of a suspect being sought by the Dauphin RCMP.

Anyone with information in regards to the identity of this individual or in relation to these fires is asked to contact the Dauphin RCMP at 204-622-5050 or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

Dauphin RCMP continue to investigate.

Suspect photo #1 (from Dauphin RCMP)

Suspect photo #2 (from Dauphin RCMP)

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Contributed by Alec Woolston

Published: Aug 9, 2022 - 11:13 am

The Manitoba government recently announced grants totalling $627,070 devoted to heritage projects in the province.

In the Parkland, the Watson Arts Centre, the South Bay School near Winnipegosis, and the Union Bank building in Hamiota were included in the grants.

The Watson Arts Centre will get $25,000 for window repairs and upgrades. The South Bay School is to receive $3,530 for exterior painting and the Union Bank building is getting $3,715 for window restoration and masonry repairs.

The Heritage Resources Conservation Grant provides funding to support projects that show a commitment to the conservation and long-term sustainability of legally protected heritage sites. 

Owners or long-term lessees of heritage sites as well as municipal governments, professional associations or non-profit organizations that manage heritage sites can apply for funding for eligible projects related to research, conservation planning, capital projects, endowments and long-term maintenance or education and training. 

Applications are assessed based on the following: 
- importance of the project to the overall heritage conservation goals; 
- quality of the proposed work; 
- ability of the applicant to complete the project; 
- financial need of the applicant; and 
- community benefit of the project. 

For more information on the Heritage Resources Conservation Grant, click here. The list of grant recipients can be found here.

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Contributed by Alec Woolston

Published: Aug 9, 2022 - 11:05 am

A Neepawa RCMP officer was involved in a collision with an SUV while they were on patrol near Minnedosa last Saturday.

At around 9:15 a.m., the police vehicle was travelling westbound on Highway 16 and began to slow down as it was approaching the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 10 when it was struck by the SUV.

The RCMP's initial investigation determined that the SUV was travelling northbound on Highway 10 and then took the yield east onto Highway 16. As the driver performed the manoeuvre, they took the turn too fast and crossed the dividing line, thus striking the police vehicle.

The 16-year-old female driver from Brandon and the RCMP officer both ended up with non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospital.

Both of them have since been released and an investigation is underway with the assistance of an RCMP forensic collision reconstructionist and the RCMP Criminal Collision Investigative Team.

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Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

Published: Aug 9, 2022 - 6:00 am

Love is love. That was the message that was in full display on Saturday in Winnipegosis.

For the first time, members of the community hosted a Pride event as the town gathered to celebrate its LGBTQ community. 

Starting the day with hot dog carts, face painting and tattoos, a parade took centre stage with floats later in the afternoon. Then at night, the Mossey River Inn hosted a dinner with 101 tickets being sold and 97 people showing up for the dinner. Following that, a drag show concluded the evening, one that will go down as one to remember.

Many of the people that attended the event were from Winnipegosis; however, many came in from Dauphin even Brandon. Jordan Hucaluk, vice president of the planning committee, says he's grateful that people from other communities across Manitoba showed interest. 

"It was absolutely amazing, I couldn't ask for anything more," said Hucaluk. "There were so many new faces and that was great to see. It was such a special day and I'm so glad that we decided to make it happen."

Preparations for the day began about six months ago and the executive committee included Cyndie Blythe who moved to the area alongside her wife Alison Carleton five years ago from the United States.

Jordan himself came out as openly gay not long ago after holding it a secret for more than 22 years. He says no one should have to hold that in.

"I was scared for 22 years but the day that I came out, it was like a gravel truck was driven off my chest, I could breathe better," said Hucaluk. "You may think you're alone but that is not the case, we are here and you're loved and will be supported."

Jordan has even said if you are struggling, you can get in touch with him on Facebook. Hucaluk also confirmed that another Pride event will be held next year and he can't wait to begin planning.

"We will be back to share the love, that's a guarantee," ended Hucaluk. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Aug 9, 2022 - 5:06 am

The Pine Creek First Nation has asked the RCMP to investigate after 14 anomalies were discovered a metre below the earth.

The site of the former residential school site was searched last month by AltoMaxx, a British Columbia-based company. Results were received by the First Nation on August 2.

Six other anomalies were found by AltoMaxx prior and were shared with the community in June, bringing the total to 20 anomalies. Now the 20 anomalies aren't guaranteed to be those of unmarked graves, that's why Nepinak is wanting a more thorough search.

Anomalies in the soil are said to be between three-to-four feet in length. They are; however, consistent with other ground searches of unmarked burials in Canada and elsewhere. 

AltoMaxx has since returned to the site to do a broader search and further reports are expected in the coming weeks.

We've reached out to Chief Nepinak for comment, this is a developing story. 

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Aug 9, 2022 - 5:02 am