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The Carberry Community Memorial Hall played host on Tuesday night to the launch of the provincial government's public consultation process into safety improvements at the scene of last year's deadly bus crash near the community. 

Three main intersection types were shared at the event, based on recommendations from a safety review in the wake of the June 15th crash at the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans Canada Highway, which killed 17 seniors from the Dauphin area and injured eight others, after their bus collided with a semi truck. 

Those options included a widened intersection, a roundabout, or a setup often known as a restricted crossing U-turn — or RCUT — that forces drivers to make a U-turn instead of turning left.

The open house also included other intersection alternatives such as grade-separated, signalized, split or offset T- intersections.

Over 100 people attended the open house-style event, which was the first stage of a functional design process for the intersection. 

The province says there will be three rounds of public engagement, that will culminate in a recommendation for how to make the intersection safer.

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Jul 17, 2024 - 12:11 pm

A week of warmer weather made for some prominent advancements in crops, according to the weekly Manitoba crop report.

Some areas still saw isolated heavy rains, but the hot, sunny conditions helped dry most areas and promote growth.

Even then, the damage has been done, and some locations have claimed a state of "agricultural disaster".

There was a fair bit less rain in most areas, with the most precipitation seen in Interlakes Fisherton Station with 61.4mm of rain, and several areas across the province getting no rain whatsoever,

Overall, soil conditions range from wet to optimal, with the weather drying up moderately through the hot week.

Crops across the province progressed well with the hot, sunny week, with a visible amount of growth in the fields.

In Cereals, Fall Rye and Winter Wheat are at the soft to hard dough stages with the most advanced fields ripening, Grain corn ranges from V6-V10, and spring wheat ranges from Flag to soft dough Stages.

The Spring Wheat is getting fungicide applications for fusarium head blight where it can, but some crops experienced lodging from heavy rainfall. Between the lodging and wet start, 5 to 10% of the crops are being reported as poor in the Southwest, Northwest, Central, and Interlake regions.

Oil seeds are moving along well. Canola ranges from rosette to early podding stages, Sunflowers from R1 to R2, and Flax Crops range from stage 5 to 7.

Pulses and soybeans also progressing, though with some differences in soybeans. Early-seeded fields are around the r1 stage, but late fields are near the second and fourth trifoliate stages.

Field peas are in the R1 to R3 stage, and The most advanced edible beans are approaching flowering. 

Forage crops were greatly bolstered by the week's weather, with haying yields expected to be normal to above average. That being said, dry down times are a struggle, as the continued rain and high humidity are slowing it significantly.

Progress on first-cut harvest of hayfields is behind and producers are concerned about both the quantity and quality of harvested feed that will be available this winter. Producers have turned to bale wrapping to make silage bales as drying conditions have been difficult.

Livestock conditions are pretty optimal though, with dugouts and ponds full.

There has been an increase in insect pressure, as well as the potential for foot rot and pink eye. Even with these potential issues, cattle populations are doing quite well.

Taking things closer to home in the northwest regions, it was very much a week of high temperatures and scattered thunderstorms across the region.

The highest temperature recorded was at the Ethelbert station, clocking in at 34 °C.  At least there was slightly less rain, as precipitation ranged from 1 mm at Grandview and Keld to 25 mm at Swan Valley.

Several thunderstorms brought heavy rain, hail, and strong winds, and those storms resulted in crop lodging in the Roblin and Swan Valley/Benito areas.

The RM of Mossey River, as well as the RM of Dauphin, declared a state of agricultural disaster due to the effects of heavy rainfalls this year.

The earliest field peas are in the R3 stage, and the remainder of the crop is in R2. The majority of field peas look good, however there are fields affected by the excess moisture and doing poorly.

Most of the spring wheat is headed and flowering, with the most advanced crops in the grain development stage with the remainder of fields in the tillering stage. Fields affected by excess moisture are showing signs of stress and are yellowed and stunted.

Many fields have been sprayed with fungicides for fusarium head blight.

Canola crops continue to be quite varied. The earliest seeded fields are flowering, and the remainder is in the bolting and rosette stages. Spraying continues to be a challenge in some areas due to excess moisture. Some poorer fields across the region are bolting due to stress.

Soybean crops are headed into R1 and mostly looking good. The recent heat has helped and advanced the crops.

Finally, Winter wheat and Fall rye crops are in the grain development stage and looking good in most areas unharmed by excess moisture. 

Another sunny and hot forecast is in the works for this week, with temperatures near 30 °C. It should be another excellent week for growth, and hopefully, the wetter fields become accessible for the work they need to be done.

That's our look at the crop report this week. Until next week, here's wishing all Manitoba's producers a safe and productive season!

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: Jul 17, 2024 - 10:48 am

the Rotary Club of Dauphin has been serving their community for a full century as of this year, and they're holding a party to mark this milestone.

Jean-Louis Guillas, a prominent member of the club, says this party will feature drinks, dinner, and details of the long and storied history of the Club

"In the 1930's they did things such as, you could go to the movie theatre for free but you had to bring an item of clothing because there were shortages. There were vegetable drives, again, to redistribute to people who were in need and families in need. For a long time, Dauphin Rotary operated a summer camp out at Silver Sands beach along Lake Dauphin that ran for several decades and Rotary-sponsored swimming lessons." 

Guillas noted that a very special guest will be in attendance from afar, though, she has some local roots.

"Our international president is coming to this party. it's a rare, rare, rare treat to host the international president, and we'll have her for the whole weekend because she has a connection to the Parkland. Her mother was born in Ethelbert, Manitoba. Stephanie Urchick is the president for this year of the international. She lives in Pennsylvania, but her mother was born right here in Ethelbert.

 If you're looking to give back to Dauphin or Support the people who do, get a ticket and attend the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Dauphin, on August 5th.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: Jul 16, 2024 - 6:11 pm

A former Parkland resident who served time behind bars for ramming his truck into the gates of Rideau Hall has been granted statutory release.

CBC and GCTV News reports Corey Hurren - formerly of Bowsman - was granted the conditional release by the Parole Board of Canada last week. 

As part of his release, Hurren must continue to seek psychological counselling, take prescribed medications, seek full employment, and report his financial information to a parole officer.

Hurren had been on day parole since November of 2022. 

He was sentenced to six years in prison in 2021 - minus a year served - after crashing his truck through the gates of Rideau Hall in July 2020. 

According to court documents, Hurren was attempting to arrest Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who lives at Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall.

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Jul 16, 2024 - 3:00 pm

A cup of coffee or an iced coffee tomorrow will go a long way towards brightening a child's summer.

Wednesday is Tim Horton's Camp Day, with 100 per cent of proceeds from all coffee and iced coffee sales going towards sending youth to Tim Horton's camps. 

Other activities at the Dauphin location includes raffles, window washing in the drive-thru, and bracelet and Camp day clothing sales, with all proceeds from these events also going to the fundraiser. 

Local franchisee Greg Crisanti says Camp Day certainly touches home to him.

"As owners, we get to see and hear the stories from the children that have graduated from camp.  When they are in our program, they are in it for 5 years and get to go to camp for 5 years.  And hearing the stories from those children that have graduated, have grown up, finished college or university, and have become doctors and such, it really hits close to home to know that you have made a difference.  So camp day is very special for us."

Crisanti adds they are happy to know that at least two kids from the Parkland region will be attending Tim Horton's camps.

"And that was really special for us.  With the amount that we raised locally, that there will be two children from the Parkland area heading to A'berta to camp."

Fundraising efforts began over the weekend with a Yard sale at the Dauphin restaurant, and Crisanti says Dauphin is currently third in all of Manitoba for money raised so far for this Camp Day campaign. 

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Contributed by Jeff Henson

Published: Jul 16, 2024 - 1:26 pm

Construction rolls on, and the city has released a statement that your route may change a bit today.

Beginning today, Main Street South, between Triangle Road and Riverside Road will be closed to all traffic as work is set to begin on the main lanes of PTH 5A/Main Street South.

Expect to take detours, which will be routed along the new service roads.

On these freshly paved service roads, you'll be about to get to every single business along Main Street South.

Keep an eye on signage and flag people, and get ready for another shift in your daily routes.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: Jul 16, 2024 - 6:00 am

It's a busy week for Ag Fairs, as the "Milk Run" of fairs is taking place.

"They call it a milk run because quite a few of the light horse and horse people, they try and do a few of the fairs, 3 or 4 of them.

That's Strathclair's Ag society president Richard Aiken, who's excited for this action to swing through his area.

He also mentions that Strathclair has no shortage of events to accompany these shows.

Starting with a pancake breakfast and a parade, the day will also include laser tag, a beef show, light and heavy horse shows, Gymkhana, and a whole lot more.

Shoal Lake will be the next stop on Wednesday, with Hamiota on Thursday and Harding to follow.

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Contributed by Michael Brossart

Published: Jul 15, 2024 - 5:29 pm

Winnipegosis Minor Baseball is now a member of Baseball Manitoba.

The diamond; however, in Winnipegosis is not up to safety standards so upgrades are needed. Those upgrades were put on the back burner, but now, they're heading to the front burner. Thanks to Red River Mutual, Winnipegosis Minor Baseball has received $18,000 which will go directly towards the upgrades.

The funds will be used to replace the dugouts and backstops, to go along with redoing the infield on both diamonds in the community. These upgrades will not increase registration fees for players which is key, as many players already rely on subsidies to play.

Tammy Sliworsky is a board member and coach within Winnipegosis Minor Ball and she's thrilled.

"We are very happy to have received that funding from Red River Mutual," said Sliworsky. "This will continue to build excitement around baseball in town."

Sliworsky is also hoping that the upgrades will drum up more interest.

"This will help keep the excitement and conversation about baseball in town going," said Sliworsky.  

As this season has now come to an end for Winnipegosis Minor Baseball, they are looking back on a great summer. 41 players registered to play with the oldest team being U11. As noted above, Winnipegosis Minor Ball also joined Baseball Manitoba and Parkland Minor Baseball.

"That's 41 families that are committing to get their kids to practice and games," ended Sliworsky. "It was a very positive experience not only for the kids, but the coaches, and parents as well."

It's safe to say that Walleye baseball is stronger than ever and upgrades are now on the way to spruce things up. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jul 15, 2024 - 10:32 am

Over 450 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents every single year.

In Manitoba alone, on average, there are 22 fatal drownings every year. From 2015 to 2019, 110 people in Manitoba lost their lives due to drowning and 75 percent of fatalities were males. 10 percent of fatalities were also those aged between 0 and four. Of those between 0 and four years old, 100 percent of the fatalities were because their supervisor was absent or distracted.

These statistics were brought to light by the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba as it's National Drowning Prevention Week. While spending time in the water is an extremely enjoyable thing to do during the summer months, it's critical to take extra care.

"We always say swim with a buddy, make sure someone is always with you or you're around people," says Dr. Christopher Love, Water Smart^® & Safety Management Coordinator. "We recommend, if you have the choice, go somewhere where there is supervision because that adds a layer of protection."

While the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba is still awaiting numbers from the past few years, Love added the number one factor they see in drowning fatalities is intoxication, whether that be alcohol or other drugs.  

"This goes without saying, but you must stay sober while on the water," commented Love "It's the best practice and it could end up saving your life."

In Manitoba, alcohol consumption is a factor in 35% of boating-related fatalities, higher than in other provinces. The consequences in Manitoba for impaired boating and impaired driving are identical. Leave the booze at home; it can lead to disastrous consequences on the water.

It's also highly recommended that you and any kids wear a life jacket. Not wearing a life jacket was a factor in 53% of boating deaths in Manitoba. Life jackets must fit properly and be in good working conditions. Buckles and zippers should be functioning and intact. Everyone should wear lifejackets while boating and anyone who cannot swim – especially young children – should wear a lifejacket while swimming. 

If, by chance, you are going on the water alone, you should let a friend know exactly where you are going and how long you may be.

"It's very important to ensure as many layers of protection as possible when you're doing any water-based activity," he ended. "Plan ahead, it's the proper thing to do. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jul 15, 2024 - 6:08 am

Canada's National Ukrainian Festival (CNUF) is right around the corner.

The annual festival will again occur south of Dauphin during the August Long weekend.

Regarding preparing for the 2024 festival, Kayla Gillis says things are going very well.

"We are set to go, all entertainment is booked," offered Gillis. "Ticket sales are going fantastic. We're ready to go, it's going to be another incredible festival."

Taking place August 2 to 4, the three-day event is extremely affordable with a weekend pass costing just $150, which gets you into every grandstand show all weekend. You can also get a Friday pass for just $60, while day passes for Saturday and Sunday are $70 apiece.

You can get your tickets by heading to CNUF. That is also where camping passes are available. Lower camping spots for the weekend are just $75 while an upper camping spot is $100.

"It is one big family at CNUF, you need to come and be a part of it," she ended. "Regardless of what your background is, it is phenomenal how everyone comes out to support and have a great time. If you have never been before, make it a part of your summer plans this year." 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jul 15, 2024 - 6:06 am