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Multiple Sclerosis affects tens of thousands of Canadians, and the MS Bike Ride is looking to raise money to change that.

Currently, the MS Bike Ride is looking for volunteers to help out on the trails next weekend September 9th.

The Ride is pretty sizeable, with two routes that stretch 70km and 110 km respectively.

Trevor Shewfelt is helping organize this event, and he notes that a few different volunteer roles need to be filled.

"The top things we're looking for is first aid volunteers. we'd love to have you have your first aid certificate, but if anything more than a scratch we can put a bandaid on, we'll just be calling 911. We also want some cheering squads that we'll move around the course to have them say 'go cyclists go' because we certainly really like that."

The ride starts at 9 a.m. at Elkhorn Riding Adventures and treks through the trails in Riding Mountain to a turn-around point at Northgate Trails. There is the option to turn around at Moon Lake for the 70 km trip.    

Shewfelt also notes that the 110km route is a bit of a grind, but jests that "If a fat old guy like me can do it, other people can too".

The ride has been happening for quite some time, and the efforts have had a very noticeable effect on the ongoing research into MS. 

Shewfelt remarked that when he started his career as a pharmacist, there were almost no readily available treatments for MS.

Thanks to funding efforts like these across the Nation, there are now 14 different treatment routes for people suffer from MS.

To volunteer your time visit  https://mscanada.ca/volunteer-opportunities, or If you are looking to donate to the MS Bike in Riding Mountain, visit the MS Bike Website to donate to a specific rider or to the cause in general.

So if your looking to get a serious leg work out for a great cuae, be sure to check out the MS Bike Ride in Riding Mountain National park!

An update on a missing person that was reported from the lake Manitoba first nation, human remains have been found that are believed to be those of the missing man, Lydon McIvor.

the Lundar RCMP are considering his death suspicious in nature.

Lundar RCMP and Major Crime Services will continue to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lundar RCMP at 204-762-5678, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

An arrest has been made after a Brandon man was stabbed to death earlier this week.

25-year-old Jarrod Paul, the main suspect in this case, was located, arrested, and charged with second-degree murder.

On August 27, police found a man on the 900 block of Pacific Ave. suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds, and rushed him to a hospital.

The victim, later identified as Robert Hall, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. 

Paul is set to be in Brandon court this afternoon, as the charges against him have yet to be proven in a court of law.

An investigation is underway after a man resisted arrest and was seriously injured on Highway 5 near Dauphin.

On August 29, a man was seen driving dangerously at high speeds when officers tried to stop him. The man did not stop initially until another police unit arrived and eventually, the man was caught.

During the man's arrest, a use of force occured. As a result, the suspect suffered three broken ribs and he was taken to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.

The Independent Investigation Unit is mandated to investigate when serious injury occurs during an arrest. 

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 the Labour Day Long Weekend quickly arrives. 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," said Dr. Christopher Love. "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 says the number one factor they see in drowning fatalities is intoxication, whether that be alcohol and or other drugs.  

"This goes without saying, but you must stay sober while on the water," said 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," ended Love. "Plan ahead, it's the proper thing to do. 

Investigations by Manitoba First Nations Police are underway after reports that a teen was sexually exploited in the Sandy Bay First Nation Community.

On August 23rd police received a report of possible sexual abuse regarding a minor, perpetrated by a construction company worker conducting business on the First Nation.

These allegations involve an individual under the age of 15.

Pennco Construction had been working on the First Nation on a water treatment plant for the community, as it has for many First Nations through both Manitoba and Ontario.

The Company named in the reports refused to comment on the allegations when confronted by news sources.

In response to these allegations, the Band Council of Sandy Bay Called for the immediate removal of the construction company from the area.

Sandy Bay Chief Trevor Prince stated “The safety and well-being of our vulnerable community members are our top priorities, and we will not tolerate any actions that jeopardize them,” also noting that. “Swift action was taken to protect our community.”.

The investigation continues.

Update at 12:50 pm:

 

The black bear that was up a tree for much of the morning has left the city without any issue.

Todd Tarrant with Dauphin Animal Control was on top of the situation, keeping the bear monitored to keep both people and the bear safe.

He notes the bear made its way out of town through the Vermillion place area and into the fields by Vermillion Growers.

Tarrant also reminds everyone that with fall approaching, bears may be seen more often as they look to store up fat for the winter.

Luckily, wild berries are in good supply this year, so Tarrant expects a very minimal presence of bears in the city as the year progresses.

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Animal control has been called in Dauphin to capture a bear.

The bear was seen in a tree outside of the apartments on 6th Avenue Northwest.

If you come across the bear, remain a good distance away. 

Taylor Schmidt began his teaching career 20 years ago as Band Director at Springfield Middle School.

It was a position that he held at the Oakbank school for six years before he returned to his hometown as he was hired for the same position at Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (DRCSS). With a passion for music, Schmidt taught hundreds of musicians over the years, all of which had amazing things to say about Taylor. 

Taylor would go on to hold the band director position at the DRCSS for nine years before he was offered the vice-principal job at the DRCSS and after talking to his family, Taylor accepted the role. At the time, Norm Casavant was principal.

"The staff here are outstanding and we have a great student body here," said Schmidt. "It has also been great working with families and caregivers over the years, the DRCSS is a great place to be."

Now that students are preparing to return to Dauphin's lone high school for the 2023-24 academic year, there will be a new principal when they do. After a decade at the school, Casavant has since retired and in comes Schmidt. 20 years after he began teaching, Taylor has been named principle at the DRCSS. He has begun his role and he is very excited to welcome kids back to school in less than week.

"I had the opportunity to work with Norm for four years and I learned a lot from him, he really guided me and helped me," said Schmidt. "I feel like this is a good step for me, I believe that I am ready to take it on."

On top of his duties as principal, Taylor will continue to teach music ahead of school. He is also very pleased with the direction that the school is heading.

"This will be another school year that we start with no COVID restrictions," ended Schmidt. "Our building is also starting to come together and get back up and running."

The high school also understands that the return to school can be a stresser for many families with the cost of school supplies. If you or a family you know are struggling, give the school a call as they may be able to provide assistance. 

There is no shortage of things to do this Labour Day Long Weekend which marks the last weekend before students return to school.

Whether you plan on spending time with family at the lake, taking a trip, staying at home, or anything in between, it's set to be a great weekend and the forecast is nearly perfect with nothing but sun and hot temperatures.

If you are looking for a trip, you can make the short 90 minute drive to Ashern as their will host their rodeo weekend. Beginning on Friday and running until Sunday, there is something for those of all ages throughout the three-day event. 

The main attraction is the Canadian Cowboys Association rodeo, but that's not it. There will be a street dance on Friday on Main Street and come Saturday morning, everyone can get their day started with a pancake breakfast. There will also be a social on Saturday night at the rodeo grounds and come Sunday, there is 'Cowboy Church' and the rodeo begins at 1:00 p.m. 

Rachel Vander Veen is the president of the Ashern rodeo association and she wants to thank everyone that has helped put this special weekend together.

"We have a board that has put in hundreds of hours, they work tirelessly and they deserve a lot of credit," said Vander Veen. "We also have other clubs that help put on events throughout the weekend including the street dance."

So if you're looking for something to do this weekend, Ashern could be the place to be. All guests will be welcomed with open arms and there is a ton of fun to be had. 

Amidst the strike action in Manitoba Public Insurance, driver testing will be resuming.

MPI is now resuming Class 5 driver testing services in partnership with MPI-certified driver education instructors.

Driving instructors will have the discretion to perform the testing in customer vehicles or in their own safety-equipped training vehicles.

For all drivers licensed during this time, MPI’s Registrar of Motor Vehicles will have the discretion to require no-charge retesting once the labor disruption is over.

Priority will be given to individuals who have already booked appointments prior to strike action.

MPI has also resumed Knowledge testing, and customers with existing appointments will be contacted with details of how, when, and where these tests will be conducted.

With contingency plans for most driver testing services now in place, MPI remains able to deliver on its core services affecting Manitobans:

  • All general inquiries and service transactions, including driver license and insurance renewals, new insurance policies, and payments can be handled by any one of Manitoba’s 300 broker partners.
  • The MPI Contact Centre remains open for reporting new personal injury claims, collision claims involving non-drivable vehicles, and total thefts.
  • Customers reporting all other collision claims, including hail claims, can now contact an MPI-accredited repair shop directly to arrange for estimates and repairs, without calling MPI first. This includes customers who have had vehicle estimate appointments canceled due to MGEU strike action. Customers can expedite this process and save themselves time by first completing MPI’s simplified claim reporting form, which can now be found on the MPI website.
  • Customers with scheduled road tests are being contacted directly to arrange for certification or road tests with MPI-certified driver education instructors.
  • Customers with knowledge test appointments are being contacted with details on how and where those tests will now be administered.
  • Customers with vehicles towed to the Physical Damage Centre compound will continue to have access to remove personal items.
  • Other essential services, such as income replacement payments for personal injury claimants, will continue uninterrupted.

MPI notes that they are looking into meeting with the MGEU to potentially iron out the next steps toward arbitration to bring a mutual end to the current strike action.

Two men will be going to trial on January 24th of next year for their alleged roles in a pair of aggravated assaults in Dauphin's south end. 

24-year-old Samuel Flatfoot from Pine Creek First Nation and 37-year-old Ted Parenteau of Dauphin each face two counts of aggravated assault as well as one count of robbery. 

On March 13th of this year, Dauphin RCMP located a 45-year-old woman from Pine Creek First Nation, suffering from life-threatening injuries. 

A short time and a short distance later, a 66-year-old Dau0phin man was found suffering from serious injuries after he was assaulted.

A third co-accused, 49-year-old Kathleen Flatfoot of Pine Creek First Nation, also faces two counts of robbery and one count of aggravated assault.