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Following a year of drought-like conditions in 2024, farmers in the RM of Dauphin saw much more favourable growing conditions this past year.

Reeve Ernie Sirski says even with crop prices being significantly lower this year, it was a huge positive that all farmers in the RM at least had something to sell this year.

"In 2025, we managed to get the entire crop seeded. I think almost every farmer in the RM was able to do that. In 2024, we had 15 percent of the acreage in the RM go unseeded, which was a huge financial impact on our farmers."

Among the other highlights for 2025 were the long-awaited reaching of a new Recreation funding agreement with the City of Dauphin, as well as the introduction of Grady Stephenson as the new CAO for the RM, replacing Nicole Chychota.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 22, 2025 - 5:00 pm

2025 was a year of change for the council of Gilbert Plains Municipality.

Two separate by-elections were held this year to replace councillors that resigned prior to their full term being completed in 2026.

But Reeve Jim Manchur has no concerns over having to have had multiple by-elections in one year.

"For various reasons, they decided to not carry on with council. And we are certainly looking forward to the new people that stepped up, and are happy that they were able to do that. We are looking forward to the elections that are coming up in the fall of 2026, which will be another opportunity for more people to take on the challenge of being on council."

Kristen Rubeniuk won the by-election held this past spring. while Richard Kruk earned a seat at the council table by winning another by-election in the fall.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 22, 2025 - 3:00 pm

A traffic stop of a known driver without a license turned into a much larger incident for the Dauphin RCMP on Friday.

Around 4:20 pm, Mounties pulled over a vehicle on 6th Avenue SW, knowing that the driver did not possess a license, and was ordered not to be in Dauphin.

A search of the driver found drug paraphernalia, which led to a further search of the vehicle.

That turned up 22 grams of meth as well as other drugs, drug paraphernalia and some Canadian cash.

31-year-old Shannon Gauthier of Camperville and her passenger, 44-year-old Sean Bouchie of Dauphin, each face three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and one count each of possession of proceeds of crime.

Gauthier also faces several driving prohibition and failing to comply charges.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 22, 2025 - 12:30 pm

A boil water advisory was issued over the weekend for Inglis and Assessippi Ski Hill.

A distribution pump failure on Saturday led to a loss in water pressure.

Although the issue has been fixed, the advisory remains in place until further testing of the water can be completed.

All water being used for cooking, consumption, brushing teeth, or meal preparation - including baby formula - should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before use.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 22, 2025 - 10:30 am

The city has announced changes for this week for waste collection due to Christmas being on Thursday.

Day one waste collection will take place today instead of the normal Tuesday pickup.

Day two will move up to Tuesday while Day three will be on Wednesday.

There will be no collection on either Christmas day or Boxing day which means the Day four waste collection area will be serviced next Monday December 29th.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 22, 2025 - 8:33 am

Assiniboine College recently celebrated the grand opening of the Auriat Family Broadcast Studio in Brandon.

The newly named broadcast studio serves as the central hub for radio training at the college, providing an environment where students gain hands-on experience in radio, including routine hosting duties on the college-community station.

Assiniboine College President Mark Frison says "The Auriat family have been long-standing supporters of education in our community, and Kerry has long been a prominent local figure in media and civic engagement."

The studio originally opened in 2022 and is geared toward preparing students to enter Manitoba's growing creative industries.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 21, 2025 - 1:00 pm

Basic auto insurance premiums will be going up in Manitoba for the 2026-27 year, but ot as high as Manitoba Public Insurance was hoping they would rise.

The Manitoba Public Utilities Board has rejected an application by the crown corporation for an increase of 2.07 per cent, and instead has ordered a 1.77 per cent overall increase in basic auto premiums.

The change will take effect as of April 1st, 2026, and represents a $21.89 overall increase - averaged out at about $1.82 per month - for the average private passenger vehicle policy holder.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 20, 2025 - 6:00 pm

A 34-year-old Winnipeg man has made another court appearance in relation to an attempted vehicle theft, that led to a stabbing incident near Bellsite.

Clinton Duck was arrested back in June of this year, and is now is due back in Swan River Provincial Court on January 7.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old man from Neepawa will spend the next two years in custody after being found guilty of luring and sexually touching an underage co-worker.

His name can not be released due to a publication ban.

During sentencing, the judge said that the man psychologically manipulated the girl, and gained her trust through Facebook Messenger.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 20, 2025 - 11:00 am

A new fire truck will be making its way to Gilbert Plains within the next few years, thanks to a funding announcement made by the province earlier this week.

They are providing $450,000 in GRO funding to Gilbert Plains Municipality.

Reeve Jim Manchur says the money will be used towards upgrading their pumper truck and purchasing a side-by-side with a trailer for the fire department.

"I think we have three years to make the purchase. But the guys have already started to do some shopping and pricing, so it is going to take some time. But we are looking forward to what they will make the decision on in the future."

Manchur says they have been looking to upgrade their pumper truck for a few years, adding that this will be an important piece of new equipment for the community.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 19, 2025 - 4:12 pm

Parkland residents are likely feeling a bit of deja vu today, as this newest dumping of snow is once again playing havoc with local highways.

According to 511 Manitoba, all highways into and out of Dauphin are now closed.

That includes Highway 5 from the Saskatchewan border through to Carberry, Highway 20 from Ochre River to Caamperville, and Highway 10 from Rivers, through Riding Mountain National Park, and north of Dauphin up to Pine River.

Other notable closures include Highway 83 from San Clara to St Lazare, Highway 68 from Ste Rose to The Narrpws, Highway 50 from McCreary to Alonsa, Highway 45 from the Saskatchewan border to Erickson, and Highway 16 from the Saskatchewan border to past Gladstone.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Dec 19, 2025 - 1:05 pm

The Dauphin RIDE program is back this weekend.

The program will run from 9:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. It's the season to celebrate, but it's never the time to get behind the wheel impaired.

Sarah Shuttleworth says the crew is ready to go.

"We're feeling pretty good. We've been very fortunate because many people have reached out to volunteer," said Shuttleworth. "We're really looking forward to seeing some new faces and getting the ball rolling."

Reducing Impaired Driving Everywhere. It's not just a slogan for the Dauphin RIDE program; it's everything. Sarah's grandfather and some of his friends founded the program in 1992. They wanted something in the community that individuals could rely on during the holiday season.

Statistics show that people drink more during the holiday season, and when you do, the RIDE program will be here.

"It's kind of become a family thing since then. My mom took over and now I'm at the age where I'm sort of taking over," continued Shuttleworth. "We've seen over the years that the community really utilizes the program, it's very much needed. We want to keep it going as long as we can. It's a great community-focused program. We want to make sure everyone gets home safely."

How does it work? That's easy. If you're out somewhere with your vehicle and have had some drinks, you can call the RIDE program. They will pick you and your vehicle and take you back home. The number is 638-5707.

If you don't have your vehicle with you, you can't use the RIDE program. You, instead, should call a taxi or arrange for someone to pick you up.

While the program primarily services those in Dauphin, it has ventured outside the city in the past.

"We've gone to Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Winnipegosis, and Ste. Rose," added Shuttleworth. "It honestly depends how busy we are that night and how many volunteers we have. We try to make sure that anyone who calls, we can accomodate them in some way."

There is no charge to use the Dauphin RIDE program. However, tips are welcome. A tip is far less than what you will pay if you decide to drive impaired and get caught.

"Because we are a non-profit program, all the tips go towards the program," ended Shuttleworth. "We use that money to help cover volunteers gas and other fees. We like to feed our volunteers, so money goes to that as well."

The RIDE program also operates on Saturday and New Year's Eve. The number is 638-5707.