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The provincial government has announced an end to the seven-year freeze on increases to the municipal operating basket funding.
The government will be increasing the funding by 28% provincially, with an additional $47 million dollars. Other than Winnipeg, which saw an increase of 14%, municipalities across the province will see a minimum increase to their funding of 24%.
With massive increases in costs over the last seven years, while the freeze has been in effect, Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak says the increase is a relief.
"Inflation really hit us hard last year, and we had to dip into some reserves to offset increases in some of the costs. This will certainly help this year, to help us balance some things because we're still looking at some significant inflationary costs related to our core services and programs."
While the exact number hasn't been released, Bosiak says the funding will go a long way.
"It gives the council a little bit of a relief. You know this is 170 or 180 thousand dollars that we don't have to go to our local taxpayers for this year. So it's great news. Would've loved to see this in years previous, but now is as good a time as any."
The provincial municipal grant has now grown to $217 million from $170 million.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The federal government says in a news release that it has signed an agreement in principle with Manitoba to invest more than $6.7 billion in the province's health-care system over 10 years.
That includes more than $1.2 billion for a new bilateral agreement focusing on shared health-care priorities for Manitobans. The priorities mentioned are:
- access to high-quality family health services when they need them, including in rural and remote areas, and for underserved communities;
- a resilient and supported health workforce that provides them high-quality, effective, and safe health care services;
- access to timely, equitable, and quality mental health, substance use and addictions services; and
- access to their own electronic health information that is shared between the health professionals they consult.
The agreement also includes $72 million in an immediate, one-time top up to the Canada Health Transfer paid to Manitoba to address urgent needs, especially in pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms and for long surgical wait times.
The agreements in principle are a first step to completing the $196-billion, 10-year health-care funding proposal that the federal government made on Tuesday, February 7th.
To get the money, the provinces must come up with specific plans showing how they would spend it and how they would prove to Canadians that their health-care systems are getting better.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Today marks one year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian community in the area's hosting a Candlelight Vigil to show support. The Vigil starts at 6:30 and will be in front of Dauphin City Hall, near the Ukrainian Statues.
Stephen Jaddock is helping organize the vigil, and he says they wanted to give people an opportunity to show their support.
"We want to be able to rally and show support, so we didn't want to have this date come and go without having an opportunity to participate in Dauphin, and give the Parkland area a voice in the terrible atrocities that are happening in Ukraine, because of the aggression of Russia."
Jaddock says they know it's going to be cold out tomorrow, so he's reminding people to dress for the weather if they're coming to show their support.
"Dress for the weather, it's going to warm up a little bit. It might be like a balmy minus 17 or something like that, but come prepared."
There's going to be a short program of prayer, dignitary speeches, and songs.
"Bring your Ukrainian Flags, wear Ukrainian Colours, and also for this one, the candlelit vigil, we're asking you to bring a lit candle or a battery-operated candle, just to be able to, in solidarity and in solemnity, remember this terrible anniversary."
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
An annual fundraising campaign takes to the streets once again in Dauphin.
The Coldest Night Of The Year is an event that aims to raise money for the hurting, the hungry, and the homeless. This is the first time since 2020 that this event has been hosted in person.
The event begins today, February 25th, at 4 pm at the Dauphin Friendship Centre. At 5 pm, the walk will start, with both two and five-km options for participants. Shortly after at 6 pm, a light meal will be provided for participants.
Funds raised by this event will support the Dauphin Friendship Centre's Food For Thought, a program that helps feed less fortunate students.
The Friendship Centre has already raised more than its $20,000 goal but is continuing to accept Donations until March 31st.
For more information on the event and donations, go to cyon.org
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A man is in custody thanks to the good work of Police Service Dog Marook.
At 3:12 a.m. this Saturday, February 18th, the Dauphin RCMP got a report of a 911 hang-up, and the person didn't answer when the dispatcher called back.
Officers immediately went to the address and found that an assault had taken place. The suspect, a 32-year-old man who already had a warrant out for his arrest had fled the scene.
Marook wall called in and after tracking for about 2 kilometers within the city of Dauphin, the suspect was found hiding under a porch. He was treated at the scene for minor injuries and remanded into custody.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Dauphin Fire Department responded to a fire in a home on 6th Avenue Southwest in Dauphin shortly before 6 o'clock this morning.
All occupants had safely evacuated the home and met with firefighters to tell them the fire was in the kitchen. Crews entered the home and were able to control the fire quickly. The home suffered substantial smoke damage and there are no estimates of damages at this time.
The cause of the fire is accidental in nature.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
A free program to help low-income individuals with filing their taxes is running again this year.
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is a free service provided in Manitoba by Prairie Mountain Health. This Program aims to offer free help to people to get all the benefits from their tax returns that they can.
Lead of the Program Brett Turner noted that this initiative has a huge impact across the province.
In Western Manitoba last year, with just our programs, we made a difference of about $7 million in additional revenue into the community by helping people get their tax returns done and it was an average of about, I think $3000 per individual. We did something like 2800 returns.
To qualify for this program, you must fall under either a single person making less than $35,000 or two persons with income less than $45,000, with additional dependents adding $2,500 each.
To apply, PHM drop-off sites are available in Brandon and several other communities across Manitoba.
For finding the closest drop-off to you or any other detail on this service, visit www.prairiemountainhealth.ca/cvitp.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A body was found by firefighters after an early morning house fire on the 100 block of Frederick street.
At approximately 6:40 am on February 21, 2023, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services received the report of the fire. Upon arrival, Emergency Services quickly doused the flames and searched the house.
At approximately 7:15 am, the body of the lone occupant was found beneath the ashes.
Brandon's Major Crime Section and The Office of the Fire Commissioner are still investigating the cause of the fire.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Two men were arrested last night after driving a stolen vehicle onto a property, hitting and killing the homeowner's dog, before getting stuck.
Around 11 p.m. last night, Spruce Plains RCMP got a report of suspicious people on a property on Road 64 West, in the RM of Westlake-Gladstone.
One of the men had gone up to the home asking for help getting their vehicle unstuck. The homeowner was suspicious so he called the police and when they checked the licence plate, they discovered the vehicle was stolen.
Officers responded and found one suspect still inside the vehicle, while the other was found hiding in an outbuilding on the property.
A 28-year-old from Sandy Bay First Nation has been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Failing to Comply, and Obstructing a Peace Officer, While a 34-year-old from the First Nation has been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
If you want some homemade perogies, that also support those on the front lines in Ukraine, a local group has you covered.
The group, which included a number of newcomers that came to Dauphin as a part of the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund, is making homemade perogies and the proceeds will be going towards feeding those fighting in Ukraine.
Annette Clement is one of the organizers, and she says the original idea stems from a news story that she saw.
"I saw something similar happen in Edmonton, and I forwarded it to a couple of groups that I'm affiliated with in Dauphin. Alexandra came back to me and said maybe we should try and do a fundraiser in Dauphin, to help support the frontline Ukrainian soldiers."
The group will be working this weekend to try and make all of the perogies that have been ordered, and Clement says that even if you don't want to order any, there are other ways you can help out.
"You could also donate ingredients to help us make perogies, or you could volunteer your time. We are getting together this Saturday and Sunday, which is February 25th and 26th, at the Friendship Centre, from 10 in the morning, until 3 p.m."
There are three different types of perogies, potato and cheese, cabbage, and berry available. All three types will also be available in a gluten-free option. The classic potato and cheese, and cabbage perogies will be $25 for five dozen, while the berry and gluten-free options will be $30 dollars for five dozen.
If you want to preorder perogies, or are looking for more information on the fundraiser, you can contact Alexandra Berdnik at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 431-738--8996 or text 431-877-3723.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
There's an extreme cold warning across all of Manitoba, including the Parkland region. Wind chills as low as -45 are expected tonight, and the extreme cold is expected to be sticking around until the weekend.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk, but young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter are at a higher risk.
watch for cold-related symptoms, like shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, and colour change in fingers and toes. Remember, if it's too cold for you to stay outside, it's also too cold for your pets.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell