DFD Handles Record Year Wonderfully

The Parkland's most up-to-date source of local news.

2025 was the busiest on record for the crew at the Dauphin Fire Department.

The crew responded to 264 emergency calls from January 01 to December 31. That's a total of 5,481 hours.

May was the busiest month with 36 calls to service. Multiple days had four to five incidents per day. Cam Abrey with the Department says he's proud of how his crew stepped up to the plate to serve and protect.

"I think overall, our crew handled the year very well. Back in 2011, we received 261 calls for service. We've had some relief over the past years," said Abrey. "Overall, we have a great crew that is looking after the needs of the community through the Fire Department."

The number one type of response for the department remains false alarms. That accounted for 89 calls. This is largely due to accidental occurrences, such as construction or renovation activities activating fire alarm systems.

The second highest call for assistance is motor vehicle collisions. They account for about 22% of the department's call volumes. They responded to 59 motor vehicle accidents in 2025, compared to 45 the prior year.

When you're behind the wheel, Abrey says, drive to the conditions. Don't run red lights, and never text while driving.

"And then of course with icy road conditions," commented Abrey. "The very first snowfall this fall, we had a three-vehicle incident that quickly followed a single-vehicle rollover. I don't think people were prepared for the conditions."

Responding to structure fires accounted for about eight percent of calls to service. Abrey said having functional smoke alarms in your home is key. Fire Safety should be the focus every day.

"Make sure you have working smoke alarms at least on every floor of your home," ended Abrey. "We really promote the hard-wired interconnected smoke alarms that are installed by electricians. At the very minimum, battery-operated. If you are going with battery-operated, we urge people to go with the 10-year Lithium cell because then you don't have to worry about changing them as often."

Members of the DFC dedicated 2,336 hours to weekly training sessions held weekly.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jan 6, 2026 - 12:00 pm

Trent Pachkowski started the Wednesday Night Film Club at the Dauphin Public Library in 2017.

Initially, Trent reported that more than a dozen community members would flock to the Library once a month to participate.

Trent hosts the event on the first Wednesday of every month. Since the pandemic, Trent says numbers have gone down.

But that doesn't mean he's giving up. The Film Club is back this Wednesday in Dauphin, and Trent looks forward to seeing you there.

"I'm still trying to offer it. Trying to give people another option for something to do on a Wednesday," said Pachkowski. "We'll see how it goes."

This week, Trent will be playing Lands End. You can find out the story behind professional skateboarder Barney Page as he pushes the length of the British Isles on his skateboard in memory of his friend Ben Raemers.

It's a more than 900-mile adventure, captured in 78 brilliant minutes of video time.

"He remembers a friend who had recently passed away," continued Pachkowski. "It dives into the aspect of mental health."

The film seeks to bring up the conversation of suicide and discusses how people can turn the corner if they're struggling.

The film will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

"There's no charge, it's all free here," ended Pachkowski. "If you're free and available, come on down. Check it out with us."

Pachkowski also welcomes you to come check out their incredible selection of books, magazines, and more.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jan 6, 2026 - 5:00 am

Prairie Mountain Health says seven internationally trained doctors will be relocating to the health district this fall through the International Medical graduate program.

The doctors have each signed four-year return-of-service agreements to work within six communities in the Parkland and southwestern Manitoba.

Dr. Saleema Arif will practise in Ste. Rose, Dr. Porimol Debnath will be in Russell Dr. Ana Hernandez will provide care in Rossburn and Shoal Lake while Doctors Karen Aquino and Moazzam Raza will be based in Minnedosa,

The last two doctors - a husband and wife team - will practice in Killarney.

These communities were identified in having a shortage of doctors around November and recruitment efforts continue for other areas within PMH.

The international medical graduates program receives upwards of 1,000 applications every year and only 30 applicants are accepted throughout the province

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jan 5, 2026 - 3:00 pm

A taser was used to take 42-year-old Leroy Parenteau of Gilbert Plains into custody.

On January 1 at 4:00 p.m., Dauphin RCMP responded to a break and enter at a restaurant on Main Street in Dauphin. The suspect stole donation boxes containing cash and was later identified after officers viewed surveillance footage.

A day later, at 8:40 a.m., the same suspect and another man were caught stealing a package from a charitable organization on 1^st Ave NE. As officers attempted to arrest Leroy, a struggle ensued, and they used a taser. Parenteau was found to have a knife.

He faces a slew of charges, including breaking and entering, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, among others.

While officers struggled to take Leroy into custody, the other suspect fled. On January 4, the RCMP located and arrested 23-year-old Orrie Flatfoot.

He had a truck that was stolen on January 1 in Dauphin. The truck included a bank card, which Flatfoot used to make purchases. The vehicle was recovered on January 4.

Flatfoot's charges include possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, theft, forgery, and misuse of a credit card.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jan 5, 2026 - 1:32 pm

The City of Dauphin has provided an update on its snow removal operations.

They say windrowing of snow will take place today along Main Street between Whitmore and River Avenues as well as on other roads in the downtown area.

They ask motorists to try and refrain from parking on these roads while the windrowing takes place.

They add crews will also be out starting at 8 pm tonight to start removing these windrows from these street\s.

Meanwhile snow crews in the R-M of Dauphin will be working in zones 1 to 7 today.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jan 5, 2026 - 12:00 pm

Road safety for highway workers and travellers is at the forefront of the Manitoba government.

New Traffic Safety Measures were announced on January 1. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor made the announcement.

“Our government is committed to road safety for all, and this bill introduces rules for drivers around snowplows and cyclists and gives tow truck drivers the ability to create a safe zone while working in traffic,” said Naylor. “By establishing clear guidelines, this legislation aims to reduce collisions and provide the space and safety required for all who travel and work on the roads.”

The rules clearly establish what can happen when passing cyclists and winter maintenance vehicles. It also gives tow truck operators options to stay safe while working in traffic.

When approaching or passing snowplows with blue warning lights activated, drivers must stay back 30 metres on 80 km/h or slower roads, and stay back 100 metres on roads with a speed limit above 80 km/h. Drivers must not pass if the view ahead is obstructed or passing risks interfering with the vehicle or work.
It requires a safe passing distance for cyclists. Drivers must leave at least one metre of space when passing, aligning Manitoba with British Columbia, Ontario and others.
Operators may place cones and signs to alert drivers and divert traffic from work zones.

“When winter storms hit, we know how dangerous Manitoba’s highways can be, and MGEU members are on the front lines clearing the roads to keep people and goods moving,” said Kyle Ross, president, Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union. “We welcome changes that recognize the importance of this work and make these workers’ jobs safer.”

The Manitoba government developed these amendments after extensive consultations with industry representatives, law enforcement, municipalities and advocacy groups.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jan 5, 2026 - 9:44 am

2026 will bring the next round of municipal elections in Manitoba.

CKDM News Now recently asked Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak if he will be seeking re-election.

"I have made a decision but I am not going to announce it out loud yet. We have had some discussios with other members of council about what their intentions are. I am expecting further on into the spring is when everbody will be indicating what their plans are so I will try to keep it close to the vest for right now."

Meanwhile Ernie Sirski is Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Dauphin.

"Well I think it will come down to seeing if I can get enough people to sign my nomination papers. I am giving it serious consideration to run again but I will make that decision in the near future."

The Municipal Elections will take place in October.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jan 5, 2026 - 8:29 am

At least one Parkland community will have a new mayor following the municipal elections set for later this year.

Robert Brunel has announced he'll not be seeking re-election as Mayor of the Municipality of Ste. Rose.

Brunel has served three terms as Mayor and says he has many fond memories of his time in the position.

"It has been a good experience. We made some changes in the community, just some little things along the way. And, I think people appreciate the work that we do. Hopefully, we will have a good contingent of people that will run in the next election, and can move that torch further down the road."

Municipal elections are set to take place across Manitoba this coming October.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jan 4, 2026 - 11:00 am

Grandview Fire Department will be the benefactor of $15,000 from Sunrise Credit Union.

The money will be used to replace their aging Quick Response Unit.

Grandview Fire Department responds to calls within their municipality, as well as mutual aid calls throughout the Parkland, working with Prairie Mountain Health, RCMP, and STARS Air Ambulance.