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It could be an entirely new reality for Manitoba's elementary and high schools in the fall — if schools are able to open at all.
That was the message today from Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) president Alan Campbell.
Campbell says there’s still a great deal of uncertainty around COVID-19, and what the situation may look like in September.
Mountain View School Division (MVSD) superintendent Dan Ward says there’s hope and optimism that classes will resume in the Fall — but says it’s very difficult to plan ahead right now.
“It might be later in the summer before we actually know what the province will decree in terms of return to classes — and what the restrictions will be.”
The issue of rural internet connectivity has been in the spotlight even more since the suspension of classes. The MVSD superintendent acknowledges many students live in rural areas where connectivity is an issue.
To address the problem, the Division has explored making Wi-Fi hotspots available, where families can get internet access from outside the school building. Ward says some high school students can also apply to loan a device if required.
The MVSD is still going to provide paper materials to students when needed.
“It’s not a perfect approach, but it is working for the vast majority of families.”
Going forward, Ward encourages students and families can go to the MVSD website for updates.
The MVSD will also continue sending out information directly to families.
“If there are any questions, can call the division office, we’re still open. Schools are still open to take calls and provide information.”
The phone number for the MVSD is (204) 638-3001.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Manitoba government has made the decision to extend the province-wide state of emergency to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Effective 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, the state of emergency will be extended for a period of 30 days.
A state of emergency endows the government with powers to take quick action to limit the spread of the virus.
The state of emergency was initially declared by public health officials on March 20th, and extended again on April 20th.
For more information on The Emergency Measures Act and a state of emergency, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
For the third day in a row, Manitoba public health officials have identified no new cases of COVID-19 in the province.
The total number of confirmed and probable cases remains at 289.
Just three people are currently hospitalized, with one individual in intensive care. There are 28 active cases and 254 individuals considered recovered.
The number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at seven.
Heading into the May Long Weekend, public health officials are reminding Manitobans there continues to be significant work needed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Public health is also advising people stay close to home. This includes limiting travel, even within Manitoba and neighbouring jurisdictions.
For the latest guidelines from Manitoba Parks for anyone going camping this weekend, learn more here.
COVID testing sites in Dauphin, Brandon, and Swan River have adjusted hours of operation this weekend. For more information, click here.
A comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found here.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
At around 1:00 p.m. on Friday, emergency crews were called to the scene of a multi-vehicle accident at the intersection of Main & Whitmore.
A truck ran into the back of a car that slid across the intersection.
The initial report is that a woman was injured, but the extent of those injuries is unknown at this time.
Emergency crews have cleared the scene, and the area has reopened to regular traffic.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
This long weekend could be a great time to have a backyard fire and roast some marshmallows or have some hot dogs.
Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey says backyard fire pits are allowed, but there are guidelines.
“Regarding the size of them, the fact that you have to have a screen over top, and that you’re only allowed to burn dry, seasoned firewood. The purpose being, that wood produces much less smoke. We understand that everyone wants to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors that we have here in our area.”
Abrey has some safety tips and more guidelines to keep in mind when having a backyard fire.
“It does have to be enclosed, you can’t just make a fire on the ground, so you have to have an approved fire pit, little fire bowls, chimineas, the bricks that are available from different retailers as well, and of course a screen over top to dampen the sparks from flying. Don’t let your fires get too big and the flames should not be any higher than a foot above the top of the grill. It can never be left unattended, so you have to have a means of extinguishment available as well whether that’s a pail of water, a garden hose, or a pail of sand, something to put it out. So at the end of the night you don’t just let the fire burn out, you extinguish it completely.”
Abrey also notes the wind can be unpredictable and could carry sparks to a neighbour’s yard.
The fire pit can’t be any closer than 10 feet to any kind of fence or structure.
The Dauphin Fire Department has received a number of complaints related to backyard fires.
Abrey says typically every spring and fall, they receive an increase in complaints about smoke in the neighbourhood.
“When we follow up on these calls we find that people are typically burning leaves, grass clippings, or branches because they’re trying to clean up the yard. So, we really don’t like to write fines for this stuff, we try to educate the property owners or the tenants and the green bins that are available from the City of Dauphin free of charge, that’s what those are for.”
Abrey encourages residents to use the green bins or take compost materials to the waste disposal site northwest of Dauphin instead of burning in their neighbourhoods. It can make people’s allergies act up and smoke gets into homes, especially now that it’s nice out and people open up their windows.
Abrey asks that if your neighbours complain about the smoke, to please extinguish it because you don’t know how the smoke will affect them.
If your neighbour is having a fire and there’s an issue, Abrey says the first step is to talk to them about the issue before calling the fire department.
Call amounts relating to backyard fire pits vary year by year, some years it can be around 10 calls, while others get to 30. The majority of the complaints are from people burning yard waste.
If you have any questions about the guidelines, click here.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Community testing sites in Dauphin, Swan River, and Brandon have some adjusted hours this May Long Weekend.
Dauphin Testing Site - MPI Building
The Dauphin drive-thru screening site will be open Friday, May 15th and Sunday, May 17th with hours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Dauphin screening site will be closed on Saturday, May 16th, and also on Monday, May 18th (Victoria Day).
Swan River Testing Site - MPI Building
The Swan River drive-thru screening site will be open Friday, May 15th and Sunday, May 17th with hours from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Swan River screening site will be closed on Saturday, May 16th, and also on Monday, May 18th (Victoria Day).
Brandon Testing Site - Town Centre Parkade
The Brandon testing site is open daily from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
The Brandon site will be closed on Monday, May 18th (Victoria Day).
Changes to Testing Protocol
In order to get tested, Manitobans no longer need a referral from Health Links or their health-care provider.
People with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, fatigue, headaches, nausea or loss of appetite are asked to use the online screening tool.
If you meet the criteria in the online screening tool, you can proceed directly to a testing site.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The provincial government has announced up to 40 layoffs could be coming to those that work with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).
MASC looks after farmers, they’re there if farmers are having problems with crops, predators, and they also send out the adjusters that make sure the farmers get paid the insurance they need to continue. The corporation also does agriculture research.
Michelle Gawronsky, the president of the MGEU, says the layoffs will affect farmers all across the province.
“They’re (The provincial government) in the process of having to hire adjusters because we know, for instance, one of the adjusters said to me, there’s 60 thousand acres right now that haven’t been adjusted from last year to allow those farmers to carry on this year. So that work alone needs to be done. We know they’re hiring students right now because there’s so much work, it’s springtime, it’s farming time this is our farmers’ time to be able to get their work done.”
Gawronsky worries that if there aren’t enough people available to do the MASC’s work the farmers will be negatively impacted.
“If the farmers hurt, that’s the bread and butter for Manitoba, they feed all of us. We need to respect and support our farmers as much as we can.”
The province and the MGEU haven’t had much dialogue on the situation. Gawronsky says they received a call saying there’d be layoffs, at least 12 or 13 regardless of what happens, but the workers could stop 10-38 layoffs if they agree to take unpaid days which would equate to a 15 per cent pay cut.
Gawronsky says that’s the only option they’ve been given, get laid off, or take unpaid days.
“They were given a week to make a decision and what are you going to do? Do you guys want to take layoffs and not have a job or do you want to take a 15 per cent cut in pay? That’s what they’ve been offered.”
Gawronsky doesn’t know if the layoffs are permanent either.
The MGEU has sent Minister Pedersen a letter including their main concerns by this move:
- The fact that significant layoffs or work reductions are being imposed at a time when staff continue to face demanding workloads. Demand for MASC services has not declined due to the pandemic - this is why MASC has been hiring new adjusters in communities across Manitoba;
- The fact that there is enough work for MASC to see a need to hire summer students while still pressing its permanent workforce to accept layoffs or work reductions;
- The unreasonable timelines to respond to employer demands, particularly given the challenges of consulting workers who are spread out across the province at a time when in-person local meetings are not possible; and
- The negative impact that the proposed layoffs or work reductions will have on the important services provided by MASC to Manitoba farmers at a time when they face great market uncertainty.
The MGEU is calling on Minister Pedersen to reverse the requirement for the MASC to reduce workforce expenses by 20 per cent.
No response has been received.
Gawronsky says the goal is to make sure our farmers are supported and these people have jobs.
“Let’s sit down and talk about this and figure out how we best move forward, that we can ensure that Manitoban farmers are going to be kept alive and well and are going to be supported here. If there’s a need for 12 (layoffs), then why are we doing 40? And if we’re doing 40 then why are we hiring students? Is this about money or is this about the services and is this about keeping our economy strong and keeping Manitobans working? Those are what we’d like some answers to.”
Gawronsky is asking Manitoba farmers to contact their MLA to try and get answers. Gawronsky would love to hear from anybody who gets an answer from their MLA.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The coronavirus has changed a lot of long weekend plans for people this year.
So we went out in Dauphin and asked Parklanders what their plans were for the long weekend.
Gord from Ethelbert plans to “just stay home and stay safe. Probably have a family barbeque with the wife and kids.”
Darien from Ebb and Flow will “probably drive around, maybe go sightseeing.”
This weekend, Valerie from Dauphin is “gonna try to start up my garden.”
Maggie from McCreary has a couple of ideas. “I’m going to clean up my yard and barbeque.”
Jean from McCreary will “stay home and likely work in the garden.”
Whether you’re staying home and doing some barbequing and gardening or heading out to drive around and see the sights of the Parkland, tune in to CKDM on Monday for the All Request Mayday Monday from 6 am to midnight!
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Liquor Mart
Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Monday (Victoria Day) 11:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
The Dauphin Marketplace Mall
Friday & Saturday are regular hours, 7:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday (Victoria Day) hours are 9:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m
Grocery Stores
Safeway is open on Monday (Victoria Day) from 9:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Co-op Grocery Store is closed on Monday (Victoria Day)
Post Office
The post office will be closed on Monday, May 18th for Victoria Day.
City Hall
Dauphin City Hall will be closed on Monday (Victoria Day).
Garbage & Recycle Pick-Up
Regular Garbage and Recycle collection will proceed.
The City of Dauphin’s Waste Disposal Site is also closed on Monday for Victoria Day.
The RM of Dauphin offices are going to be closed on Monday.
The Dauphin Vet Clinic
The Dauphin Vet Clinic will not be open Monday (Victoria Day) and remains temporarily closed over the weekend during the COVID situation.
The Clinic will reopen Tuesday with regular hours 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
During Victoria Day Long Weekend, you should keep in mind that visitor services and vehicle access at Riding Mountain National Park are still suspended.
All services and facilities such as washrooms, the playground, beaches, parking lots, and picnic shelters remain closed. All events, group and interpretive activities remain suspended until further notice. As well, boating and fishing are prohibited in all national park waters until further notice.
On Thursday, Canada’s Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson revealed Canada's 38 parks and 171 historic sites will soon be restarting some operations.
Beginning June 1st, some trails, day-use areas, green spaces and recreational boating will be available at national parks, historic sites and waterways, and national marine conservation areas.
Camping is still off limits until at least June 21 — at which point the government will reassess whether to move forward with reopening camping services.
Riding Mountain National Park officials say more information about the June 1st resumption plans will be announced next week.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
On Sunday, May 10, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Manitoba First Nations Police Officers responded to a residence on the Waywayseecappo First Nation after a caller reported an intoxicated male was assaulting people.
Upon their arrival, the suspect fled the scene while the victim was treated at the Russell hospital.
Officers would then receive another call that the male had returned to the residence. This time, officers were able to arrest a 26-year-old male from the Waywayseecappo First Nation.
He is now facing the following charges:
- Assault x2
- Assault with a Weapon x2
- Uttering Threats
- Failing to Comply with an Undertaking x2
- Failing to Comply with a Release Order
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
