NewsNow
It's been a long time coming.
After months of fundraising efforts and community events, the Grandview Agricultural Community Centre, better known as the GACC, finally has their new ice plant on the grounds. Alia Marcinkow, Grandview and District Recreation Commission Chair, said it's a big win for a lot more than the rec commission.
"They just brought it in and they slide it in, and now it just is waiting to get hooked up, and hopefully we'll get it going in the next couple weeks here, since hockey season is almost upon us...I think the whole community is probably a little tired of having to raise funds to get this ice plant going, but like always, Grandview is amazing, and the people who live here are amazing, and they're seeing the project to fruition," said Marcinkow.
For as long as the Parkland can remember, the GACC has been a lot more than just an arena. This year, Grandview was Manitoba's selection in Kraft Hockeyville. In communities that are nominated for the competition, more often than not, their arena is the heart of the community. The same is definitely true for Grandview.
"Our arena is called the GACC, maybe some people don't know it stands for the Grandview Agricultural Community Centre...it pulls on the heartstrings of lots of members of our community, they've had lots of memories in there growing up, they have lots of memories there now watching grandkids, or friends, family, play hockey, so I think it is truly a community centre over just a rink," said Marcinkow.
Marcinkow said she expects the ice plant for fire up for the first time in a couple weeks.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
2026 is shaping up to be the busiest year in history for the Manitoba Farmer Wellness program.
Through the first 8 months of this year, the program received 750 inquiries from Manitoba producers, which is almost on par with the call volume they received in all of 2025.
Executive Director Gerry Friesen talks about some of the issues that have led to the upward spike in calls.
"We know that it has been a real struggle this year for grain farmers in particular, although the last little bit has been more positive as far as getting crops off. But the crops that were out there have been pounded by the rain, and there are areas that were wiped out completely. So it has been a stressful year."
Friesen says his councilors have been able to handle the increased call volume this year.
But he adds they do have additional councilors interviewed and on stand by if needed.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
This Thanksgiving long weekend, Manitoba RCMP are conducting Operation Impact, focusing on four key things to help keep Manitoba drivers safe on the roads.
Staff Sergeant Jon Greer with the Manitoba RCMP Traffic Services went over the details.
"This weekend were are focusing on Operation Impact, that is speeding, seatbelt use, distracted driving, and certainly impaired driving, those are the four major things that we'll be looking for," said S/Sgt. Greer.
Impaired driving is a big one - there's almost always a small spike in impaired driving incidents around holidays. S/Sgt. Greer said no matter how much you drink, and especially if you don't think it affects you as much as others - don't take the keys.
"One glass of wine, one beer, one ounce of alcohol, like a hard liquor, all have the same amount of alcohol in them, and even when someone feels like they may be capable of driving, safely operating a car, their blood alcohol concentration may be above the legal limit," said S/Sgt. Greer.
When you're out and about this weekend, make sure to watch your speed, buckle up - and steer clear of drinking.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
It is a question that farmers are constantly facing, especially from people living in urban areas that are not aware of daily agricultural operations.
That is - "How is my food grown"?
Despite reports from pollsters that say farmers are among the most trusted people in the world, Cam Dahl with Manitoba Pork says with the many changes in the ag industry over the years, it is more important ever for farmers to be up front and answer that question.
"We need to talk about things like nutrient management and how manure for example has gone from being a waste product to being a valuable fertilizer that is measured as it is being applied on the field, and how we have improved in animal care."
With the increased usage in social media over the past two decades. Dahl says it is important that farmers are giving those answers, rather than people getting those answers from people not tied directly to the Ag industry.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The results of Accreditation Canada's recent survey looking at Prairie Mountain Health found an overall compliance rate of 95% on criteria evaluated.
PMH received a score of 98% in normal criteria, 96% in high priority criteria, and 91% in safety practices. Cynthia Taylor, Manager of Quality, Patient Safety, and Accreditation, said accreditation surveys always give a lot of valuable information to PMH, about what they're doing well, and where they can improve.
Even though the lowest score, 91% in safety practices, looks not great compared to the others, it's still very high - good for an A+ grade.
"The biggest takeaway for Prairie Mountain Health is that we continue to perform at a very high level across the standards that are set...I think that it's important to recognize that while the safety practices category is the lowest of the three, it still reflects a really strong level of compliance," said Taylor.
Seven quality standards were evaluated during the survey process, which was completed from May 24th to 29th of this year. They include Critical Care Services, Emergency Department Services, Inpatient Services, Obstetric Services, Perioperative and Invasive Procedures (Surgery), Medical Device Repositioning, Infection Prevention and Control, and Medication Management.
The positive accreditation results don't mean PMH is satisfied - Taylor said the whole point of the accreditation system is to find where they can do better, and how they can do that. It also serves a great way to recognize the work that's already been done, not just by PMH, but by their nurses, doctors, support staff, and other involved personnel.
"The purpose of accreditation is designed to identify where we can improve, they're striving to push organizations to continue to evolve and go past previous results...the findings also help us celebrate the tremendous work that our staff, physicians, leaders, and volunteers do every single day, in support of the patients, residents, clients, and families across the region," said Taylor.
Originally founded in 1958 as the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation, Accreditation Canada works with more than 900 surveyors to survey health practices in more than 15,000 locations in 40 countries, including all Canadian provinces and territories.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
From 2020 to 2025, the Manitoba Government's Sunshine List - a list of employees making more than $100,000 annually - increased from 12,320 to 34,304. That's a 178% increase over five years, a trend Canadian Taxpayers Federation Prairie Director Gage Haubrich says is concerning, to say the least.
"Every extra six figure salary that the government hands out is another salary the taxpayers have to pay for, and the government's deep in debt, and taxpayers really can't afford to keep covering the cost of this out of control government wage bill. That's the first thing, right, it's expensive, taxpayers can't afford it, especially the growth at this rate...taxpayers pay the bills for all these employees, but we see from studies that government employees who do similar work to those in the private sector are paid more, as well as those who work for the government often retire earlier, and have better job security than those who work in the private sector," said Haubrich.
The fairness aspect is a big focus for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The average Manitoba earns $63,290 annually, while taxes go towards higher paid government salaries. Plus, the CTF says the budget is a big concern - with the Province trying to balance the budget and cut spending, they're increasing government salaries by such a large jump over five years. In 2025, the Province spent $2.6 billion more on government salaries than 2020.
"The government is saying that it wants to balance the budget, but we're seeing huge deficits, we're seeing more irresponsible borrowing every year that keeps on adding to the debt, and the sunshine list is just a symptom of that overall problem...paying employees is the biggest line item in the government's budget, and you can't get to a balanced budget, you can't stop borrowing money if you don't do something to trim those huge payroll numbers, and that's not what we're seeing right now from the government," said Haubrich.
As Prairie Director, Haubrich also oversees Saskatchewan. He said Manitoba does have a point on our neighbours to the west, as the Manitoba government is a lot more transparent and simple with their data.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
If you have books that you want to donate to this year's Rotary Book Sale in Dauphin, then tomorrow is your lucky day.
Organizer Jean-Louis Guillas says the "magic bins" will be located outside the 8th avenue hall starting tomorrow, to acceept your donations.
"We are a little bit earlier than we have been in past years. Lots of people are eager. I have been getting a few messages, asking when are the bins going out? So the two bins will go out on Friday, and we will check them out several times a day because I put the bins out, and they fill up with books."
Guillas reminds those donating to make sure that your bookd sre in good, re-sellable condition.
This year's book sale goes October 22nd to 24th.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
This year's fundraising from Co-op Fuel Good Day went to the Dauphin Friendship Centre's Food for Thought program, and thanks to how the community showed up, more than $7,000 was raised for the cause.
The Food for Thought program helps feed local children at school, and is available at no cost to families. Close to 1,000 students in Dauphin are registered for the program - in a town of 8,000 residents, that goes to show how important the program is.
In their news release, Dauphin Co-op said they're proud to support the Dauphin Friendship Centre and their Food for Thought Program, and look forward to seeing their continued success in providing meals to students.
Since 2017, Co-op locations in Western Canada have raised more than $5.6 million for local initiatives through Fuel Good Day, with Dauphin Co-op itself raising more than $60,000 for the community.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Following a very successful event last year, organizers of the annual Hoof 'N' Holler in Ste. Rose have planned a similar schedule for this year.
The festival goes this weekend, and will include two days of rodeo, two dances, Saturday morning parade, and Sunday pancake breakfast.
Organizing committee member Emilie Durston says also returning this year is the annual Hoof 'N' Holler Queen competition.
"We have five girls running for us this year, and we are very happy with them. Basically, the girls choose an organization to represent, and they sell tickets leading up to the weekend, starting August long weekend until Hoof 'N' Holler weekend. They raise money for the organization that they are running for, but also for themselves, and the committee, with our main fundraiser. The girls, with their hard work, is what we credit with being able to put on our event every year."
This is the 48th edition of Hoof 'N' Holler.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Four search warrants in Swan River last week hav resulted in 10 people facing drug trafficking offences.
The searches were at two homes on Parkview Drive on October 1 and homes on 7th Avenue South and Main Street on October 2. Officers seized approximately 50 grams of cocaine, 252 prescription pills, $7,450 in cash, and drug-related paraphernalia.
Tyson Burwash of Swan River faces drug possession charges as does Travis Neely. Phillip Spence, Collin Kosolowsky, and Michael Makasoff also face drug charges. They were all remanded into custody.
Two Swan River females, aged 41 and 44, face drug charges. A 41-year-old man from the RM of Minitonas-Bowsman and a 35-year-old female from Swan River face charges.
In addition, a 35-year-old female from the Pine Creek First Nation faces drug charges.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
