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One person is dead following a two-vehicle crash south of Gladstone.
Neepawa RCMP were informed of an accident between a minivan and a motorcycle at around 12:20 pm on Sunday.
According to their investigation, the southbound minivan was making a U-turn on Highway 34 when a southbound motorcycle collided with it.
The driver of the motorcycle, a 21-year-old man from Austin, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 78-year-old male driver and the 73-year-old female passenger in the minivan were not physically injured.
A Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting Neepaw RCMP with the investigation.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Manitoba’s education minister recently confirmed the new school year will begin on September 8th — and school divisions are now busy preparing for what that may look like.
Turtle River School Division Superintendent Bev Szymesko says the province’s decision to allow limited use of classrooms in June — for individual tutoring and assessment — was helpful in restoring a sense of normalcy.
“It got some confidence back in the building, that students can come in and do some work with their teacher — but also to feel that return into the building, to feel comfortable being back in.”
Manitoba schools will face one of three possible scenarios in September, with either (1) a full return to the classroom, (2) a partial return with some classes online, and (3) an option where nearly all classes would have to be delivered remotely.
The province conducted a survey of Manitoba families, where 75% of parents who responded said they are somewhat or very comfortable with the possibility of children going back to school in September.
Manitoba’s Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen says a final decision on which scenario will be used, will be given by August 1 based on public health directions.
The Turtle River School Division Superintendent says the scenarios involving remote delivery of classes pose a challenge, especially for students with poor home internet connectivity.
Szymesko explains at the end of this past school year, the delivery of remote learning was a challenge, with some schools reaching out to parents with individual paper packages — that is where we worked really hard to connect with our families. ”
On Wednesday, the province announced Manitoba school divisions will have almost $48 million to cover unanticipated costs of the COVID-19 situation.
School divisions have also been given until September 1 to reduce their executive and senior management complements by 15%.
Medium-sized and large school divisions with more than four executive or senior management positions were expected to reduce their numbers of positions by 15%. Smaller school divisions are being directed to reduce managerial salaries and operating costs by 15%.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Today is World Blood Donor Day, and the importance of donating blood remains as vital as ever — especially with the COVID situation putting a strain on donations.
Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin explains there have been much fewer people donating blood over these past few months.
“The arrival of COVID-19 in Manitoba introduced a wave of uncertainty and concern. Canadian Blood Services recorded a significant drop in donations, and many mobile events were suddenly cancelled due to COVID-19.”
Roussin explains Canadian Blood Services have ratcheted up their health, safety and sanitation measures at donor centres. The patients undergoing cancer treatment, surgery, and trauma victims are all still relying on blood.
“The blood supply is just as important now, and even more important because of the decrease in donations during this time.”
Dr. Roussin asks if you’re in good health, to book an appointment with Canadian Blood Services at blood.ca.
National Blood Donor Week ran from June 8–14, 2020.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
