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Willowbrook Eye Care, formerly Ashcroft Vision Care has been taken up by new management, but her face will be familiar to most.

Kara Vanderhayden has been working with Dr. Ashcroft since 2017 and is confident that her ownership will keep the vision of this company as healthy as it's customers.

"We're always looking for ways to improve our services, expand our services. obviously, we're going to need to recruit new doctors to fill the role that Doctor Ashcroft played for so many years. That is going to be our main focus here, to try and recruit some more doctors and we'll go from there."

Overall, Vanderhayden is happy that the changes are going smoothly.

"It's been going really well, the transition has been going well. everyone in the community has been very supportive."

Willowbrook Eye Care can still be visited at the same time, 8 to 5 Monday to Friday.

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Charges have been laid after a pair of armed robberies in Neepawa, and another one in Sprucewoods. 

RCMP says the Neepawa armed robberies both took place on the evening of February 8th, including one at a business on Main Street.

In both instances, two male suspects wearing masks and carrying knives were able to make off with undisclosed amounts of cash. 

Five days later, Mounties received a report of a break-and-enter at a business in Sprucewoods, where two masked suspects were caught on surveillance stealing over two thousand dollars of merchandise.

Search warrants were executed on homes in Neepawa and Brandon, where the stolen items were recovered.

Police eventually arrested two men, one on February 17th in the RM of Cornwallis and the other on February 20th in Brandon.

18-year-old Nicholas Genaille of Brandon and a 17-year-old male each face two counts of robbery and disguise with intent, as well as one count each of break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime. 

Genaille also faces charges of uttering threats and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Both suspects are due in Minnedosa court on March 19th. 

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The province has announced sweeping new changes to the Provincial Bail System, which it says will crack down on repeat offenders.

The five-point plan includes bolstering crown bail policies, which includes considering the impacts of bail on victims and the community, especially in cases of intimate partner violence and chronic violent offenders. 

It also includes 500 thousand dollars towards implementing an enhanced Community Monitoring and Supervision program, which will provide supervision and expanded support to chronic offenders - including mental health and substance use supports.

The province also announced that it plans to hold a public safety summit this spring as part of the plan, which will see the sharing of priorities among law enforcement and community members, while also addressing the root causes of crime.

Funding has also been earmarked to allow for the hiring of 12 new officers in Winnipeg that will focus on offenders that breach release conditions imposed by the courts, particularly when it comes to cases of intimate partner violence. 

And there is money to improve data collection and monitoring of people out on bail. 

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The Keystone Centre in Brandon has become the latest facility in Canada to recognize and pay special assistance to people with sensory needs.

KultureCity, an American non-profit group, has trained staff to recognize people who are experiencing sensory overload.

They will also provide kits that include noise-canceling headphones, a fidget tool, verbal cue cards, and a weighted lap pad. 

Before attending an event, families can download the free KultureCity App to view what sensory features are available and where they can access them.

A media release by the Keystone Centre said KultureCity’s flagship initiative, the Sensory Inclusive program, has been widely embraced by venues, stadiums, and cultural institutions around the world. 

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A Gilbert Plains man will be back in court next month following the recovery of a large amount of stolen property.

25-year-old Jordy Robertson was arrested in connection with the case and is due back in Dauphin court on April 9th.

Last October, RCMP seized approximately 375 thousand dollars worth of stolen items while executing a search warrant on a rural property near Gilbert Plains.

Among the items recovered were trucks, heavy machinery, off-road vehicles, trailers, and snowmobiles. 

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Today is Pink Shirt Day, an annual event in Canada that recognizes anti-bullying efforts.

The initiative was started back in 2007 after a student in Nova Scotia was bullied for wearing a pink polo shirt to school.

Scott McFadden, executive director of the Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba says there's always resources for people who suffer the effects of bullying.

"There are resources out there. 988 is a number i really want to highlight today. There is also the kid's help line. If kids are texting, they can text 686868, or they can call 1 800 668 6868"

Events are being held across the country, and people are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness against bullying, especially in school.

It is held annually on the last Wednesday in February.

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The city has begun the process of removing the latest round of snowfall off of Dauphin streets.

Windrows were up early Wednesday morning all along Main Street, as crews began the process on Tuesday of clearing this week's blast of winter. 

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Manitoba Finance Minister Adrien Sala says the government has approved a 710-million dollar special warrant to deal with staffing challenges in the healthcare system.

Sala says the current N-D-P government inherited the budgetary failures of the former Progressive Conservative government, adding the warrant is needed as the province deals with a 1.6-billion dollar deficit.

He says the government is trying to balance the priorities of Manitobans while being responsible with the province's finances.

with files from the Canadian Press

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A Dauphin man charged following a violent assault in 2022 will be back in court next week.

40-year-old Wayne Becks was arrested on several charges, including aggravated assault and uttering threats, following an incident in November of that year.

Yellowhead RCMP say a woman suffered severe, life-altering injuries as a result of the incident.

Becks was in Brandon Court this past Monday, where he was remanded in custody to next Tuesday in Minnedosa.

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A lot of construction is underway on the south end of the city, and one establishment is looking to wrap up its work soon.

Mr Mikes has had its doors closed for a while, after apparent issues with its heat exchange unit.

Scott Durston, manager of the local restaurant, says the part took a while to get here, which is why it's taking so long.

"We had to get it custom-made in Calgary, so that's what took the longer period of time. It shipped here Friday, and they started [the repairs] this morning."

The installation of this new part, and the subsequent clean-up, is the next step, but Durston notes that it should wrap up soon.

"We are shooting for, I believe Thursday or Friday of this week, if everything goes smoothly, that is."

The repairs were due to a CO leak detected in the restaurant, leading to the closure to ensure the safety of the customers and staff.

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A 22-year-old woman was sent to a hospital in Russell after a dog attack over the weekend on the Waywayseecappo First Nation.

Manitoba First Nation Police were called to Procure Road on the reserve at around 4 am Saturday morning after a report of a woman being attacked by a group of dogs.

The victim sustained numerous dog bites and had her clothing ripped during the attack, but was able to scream for help.

Police located three of the dogs involved in the attack the following day, seizing two of the dogs and having the third one put down.

An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Waywayseecappo detachment at 204-859-5071. 

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