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The Virden RCMP are searching for a suspect that's considered armed and dangerous.
At 9:15 Friday night, the Virden RCMP got a report that an injured person was being held agaisnt their will on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. Officers attended the scene and found the victim, but the suspect had fled before they arrived.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 32-year-old Seril Mazawasicuna from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. He's described as 6'1", 200 lbs, with black hair, and brown eyes.
Mazawasicuna is facing 16 charges, including Assault with a Weapon, Forcible Confinement, Pointing a Firearm, and Assault Causing Bodily Harm.
Mazawasicuna is considered to be armed and dangerous, and shouldn't be approached. He's believed to be possession of firearms and is actively evading police.
Anyone with information about the location of Seril Mazawasicuna is asked to immediately call 911, the Virden RCMP at 204-748-2135, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or a secure tip online here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
A candlelight vigil was held last night to show solidarity with Ukraine, and commemorate their year of defense against Russia.
Several dozen people came out on the frigid Friday evening to show their support. The event consisted of a prayer, song, and speeches from local dignitaries.
The list of speakers included MLA Brad Michaleski, NDP candidate Ron Kostyshyn, Mayor David Bosiak, and several representatives from local Ukrainian groups.
Don Tarrant of the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund spoke on the efforts put forth to help the newcomers in the area.
As of today, we are at 25 families that have come to dauphin and the parkland area. 43 of them are adults, and 32 children and the children are all in school, and believe it or not, they love school.
Tarrant sent a wave of gratitude to the Ukrainian Folk Art Museum, which has helped handle many of the donations.
they're receiving the funds that are being deposited. Without them, we could've never started this. They're doing this at zero cost and the project would've never got off the ground without them. we're very thankful to the Folk Art Museum.
The event was wrapped up with a performance led by the Local folk singing group.
It may have been a cold evening, but the warmth of the community with their support and unity shined brightly through the frosty night.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
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