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Amber Fisher was back in court this week.
The former CAO of Gilbert Plains Municipality is accused of defrauding the municipality of over half a million dollars during her time with the organization.
Her matters have been adjourned until July 8th.
And, a man accused of lighting an Ethelbert house on fire, while a mother and her children were inside at the time, also made another court appearance.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Marook, The Police Service Dog, has done it again.
On June 20, just after midnight, RCMP received reports of several men exiting a stolen vehicle and running into the woods, heading towards the lake in the RM of Alonsa. The vehicle had been stolen on June 13 and had been noticed driving erratically in and around the Ebb and Flow First Nation earlier that evening.
Marook was able to track down two suspects in the wooded area. Mathew Kakewash, 31, and Shawn Francoeur, 26, were arrested without incident.
About eight hours later, the third suspect was spotted walking along Kinosota Road. 28-year-old Brady McKay was located and arrested. Once taken into custody, he began uttering threats towards the officers and caused damage inside the police vehicle.
The trio faces several charges, including Uttering Threats, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Flight from Police, and Operating a Conveyance in a Dangerous Manner.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The wait is finally over.
Dauphin's Countryfest opens with the CKDM Rockin' Thursday Night Kickoff Party. Kates Outlaw hits the Co-op Hilltop Stage from 7:30 to 8:30. That sets the stage for Hailey's as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Then, to cap off what will be an epic Thursday night, Dallas Smith and the rest of Default rock the stage from 10:30 to midnight.
"We're really excited about that, they should put on an incredible show," said Duane McMaster, president. "All three bands are going to have our hilltop rocking."
The gates open at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Then on Friday, the annual festival kicks into high gear. Desiree Dorion opens the Main Stage at 4:30. She's followed by Kalsey Kulyk at 6, Drake Milligan at 7:30, and Jackson Dean from 9 to 10.
Josh Ross, who took home the Juno Award for Country Album of the Year in Vancouver on March 30, ends the night with a show from 10:30 to close.
"That amphitheatre is an incredible place to see an entertainer. We're located right on the edge of Riding Mountain National Park, it's a great site," ended McMaster. "We've managed to get some really incredible entertainment to come out to little ole Dauphin here."
Saturday's Main Stage entertainment includes Teagan Littlechief, Kates Outlaw, The Road Hammers, Meghan Patrick, and Jordan Davis. John Michael Montgomery wraps up the Main Stage on Sunday evening. You can get a full list of performers here.
Tickets for the festival are still available.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The town of Binscarth is preparing for an incredible party to celebrate Canada Day.
From 8 to 10, there will be a pancake breakfast at the Binscarth Memorial Hall, and there will be opening ceremonies at 9. Then at 10:30, there is a parade, and that paves the way for a day full of activities and fun.
Robin Robinson says the Binscarth & District Gordon Orr Memorial Museum will open right after the parade, and that's always a hit. It's at 162 2nd Ave.
"There is a large selection of artifacts. We have the oldest Bison skull in all of North America in our building," said Robinson. "People donate, and we display it. It has everything from sports to kitchen stuff, a military section, and so much more. It's quite massive."
The breakfast will be $12. When it comes to lunch, the proceeds will go towards sustaining the museum. It will be $5 for a sandwich or a piece of pie. Lemonade, iced tea, and water will be free. In the past, Robinson says about $2,000 has been raised through the lunch.
Robinson says it's a short season at the museum, but a lively one. It's a special place and one of the heartbeats of the community. It was incorporated in 1992.
"We're only open maybe two months, but we have an amazing summer student here," commented Robinson. "We do tours. We've had four school tours this week. We bring in about 500 people per year, which is great for the size of our community, and how long the museum is open."
There's an outdoor market from 1 to 4 at the Binscarth Museum green space, and kids' games at 2.
The supper will be at the Park & Pool. They'll be serving pulled pork and all the fixings. That's from 5 to 7, and that's when the festivities head to the ball diamonds for entertainment and the Lions Club serves up hot dogs and cake.
Then you can stick around for the fireworks. It's going to be a great Canada Day in Binscarth.
"We are expecting likely 1,000 people throughout the day," ended Robinson. "The meals will be very well attended."
It'll be a special day in Binscarth, and if you're looking for something to do, Robin invites you down.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Herbicide applications continue across the region as crop stages are reached.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The message was clear from those in attendance at a public meeting regarding the Dauphin and District Food Bank - money needs to be raised towards exploring the possibility of buying a building that would serve as its new home.
And the time to act is now.
There are already commitments from several churches in the community to commit around $255,000 towards a building fund for the Food Bank.
But more is needed before such a dream can possibly become a reality.
Food bank supporter Wayne Olson discusses the next steps to be taken following last night's meeting
"It is to advertise that if you want to donate to the Food Bank - to help them find a new home - that you can do that by donating to the Dauphin and District Community Food Bank Building Fund, so that we can rise money for them to buy a new building, so that can have a permanent home that will never change in Dauphin."
Ideas for fundraising activities will be worked on in the coming weeks, but anyone wanting to donate to the building fund can do so by contacting the Food Bank.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
For the third time since last December, a business on Main Street has been the subject of a police search.
The latest came on Monday evening, when Mounties seized thousands of contraband cigarettes, chewing tobacco, nicotine pouches, cigars, and vaping products that were all being sold illegally.
53-year-old Rashid Noor of Dauphin was charged with Unlawful Sale of Vaping Products and Cigars.
He is already slated to be in court on July 22nd in relation to charges from the two previous search warrants
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A child under the age of 14 sustained a minor injury while two other children were not physically hurt.
On June 20 at 10:30 p.m., Dauphin RCMP responded to an assault at a home on Edgar Avenue. The homeowner told officers that an adult female and a child had come to the home asking for help. The adult female was injured. She was assaulted at a nearby home and three children, all under the age of 14, were in the home at the time of the assault. The children were able to escape, but not before one was injured.
The suspect, known to the victim, was arrested a short time later at the residence where the assualt happened.
A 33-year-old man faces charges of Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon x2, and Assault.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Neepawa Tigers high school hockey team has had a history of giving back to the community since 1998.
In 2019, Troy Brister and Mike Adams took over the team. They had an idea of starting a game to support funds for the Cancer Ward in Neepawa. They went to the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation and they loved the idea. They helped the Tigers purchase their pink jerseys, and a parent group was formed.
In four of the six years that the Tigers have hosted a Cancer Care game, they've played Minnedosa.
"First of all, it's pretty remarkable to see the support from the community. To have between 400 and 500 people show up to the game is incredible," said Brister. "In past years, we've had people who have won the Progressive 50/50, and they donate some of their winnings back."
The Tigers are coming off a successful season. They won 23 regular-season games and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Not only have they made a great impact on the ice, but off the ice as well.
Brister says this is always a game that the players circle on their calendar.
"Right from day one, the minute the guys put the pink jerseys on, they have been proud to put them on," continued Brister. "And then to know where the money is going and every cent they've raised has stayed in Neepawa, that's a pretty big deal for them."
The numbers are now in, and wow, what an incredible job the team has done. Recently, the team's grade 12 players went to the hospital to donate the money raised through the game. Presentations were made to the Neepawa Chemo Ward and Victoria's Quilts of Canada Neepawa branch.
In the past six years, the Tigers have donated $20,300 to cancer services in the town of Neepawa.
"Very proud. It's sometimes hard to put into words," ended Brister. "To see every cent stay here in Neepawa and go to an extremely important cause, very special for us. Our team is very proud."
Brister confirms their seventh annual Cancer Game will take place next season.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A new initiative to try and get more people to visit Canadian national parks is in its early days of implementation.
The Canada Strong Pass allows all Canadians to enjoy free entry to all national parks, as well as discounts on camping and backcountry campsites.
It first launched last Friday, and Scot Shellborn, with Parks Canada at Riding Mountain National Park, says the feedback so far has been very positive.
"I spent some time at one of the entrance gates on Friday, just to get a feel. And, some already knew. They were like "I know it is free as of today," and then they had some questions like how long and some other things. And, then there were others that went to pay, and our wonderful gate crew would tell them that it is free from now until September 2nd, and they were surprised and said, "Really? Well, that is wonderful."
There is no cost for the Canada Strong pass; simply show up at any Canadian national park.
Shellborn thinks the initiative will lead to an increase in visitors this year, especially by those who have never visited a national park before.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
