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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Town of Swan River has declared a Local State of Emergency due to overland flooding and a pending dam failure, the town said in a Facebook post.
The town says their Emergency Coordinator and Public Works are actively responding to the flooding, and they've requested volunteers to help with sandbagging at 10th Avenue South, 11th Avenue South, and Elm Street.
Residents are reminded to be on the lookout for other residents needing help, and to lend a hand where you can.
They will also be making an intentional cut in Highway 10, just east of town, to help reduce water levels. The decision has been approved by the Municipality of Swan Valley West and the Town of Swan River.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Dauphin's Countryfest has put out a casting call not for more performers, but for the ones that run the show behind the scenes: volunteers!
Countryfest Board Member Megan Porter went over some of the many roles that volunteers take on at the festival.
"We have opportunities for people to be bartenders, selling token booths, front gate ticket scanners, parking attendants are a few of the jobs we're looking for," said Porter.
Porter said there are a lot of different ways people can volunteer with Countryfest, whether it's as part of a larger group, or just by yourself. Lots of the things that happen behind the scenes rely on volunteers to work.
"Some people volunteer as an organization, and those organizations, if you know someone that's on it, are looking for people to help out and raise funds for their group...some people prefer to just come as a volunteer from the goodness of their heart, they want to keep the festival running, they see that this festival is a non-profit that gives back to the community," said Porter.
In a Facebook post, they've put out a call for night shift volunteers between 9:00 PM and 2:30 AM. It's one of the very few things they still need to nail down for this year's preparation.
"Definitely a particular need right now, people to help keep out bars and our token sales operating throughout those later evening hours, because there's a lot of people who are not willing to stay up late at night, they have kids at home or things like that, but they just can't do it...it just wouldn't happen without people stepping up to help, but beyond that, it's really a positive and welcoming place to be, everyone's there to have a good time," said Porter.
If you're interested in helping out one of Dauphin's centrepiece festivals, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details on how you can get involved.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Four Parkland communities are among several across the province currently under boil water advisories.
Those communities include Angusville, Langruth, Duck Bay, and Minitonas.
No reasons were given by the province for the advisories for the first three communities, but the advisory in Minitonas is related to massive overland flooding in that community after a torrential rainfall on Sunday.
The four Parkland community advisories are considered short-term.
The province says crews are working with local authorities to restore safe drinking water, assess infrastructure damage, and support affected residents.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Yesterday's Public Hearing held by the RM of Lakeshore about their need to borrow almost $2.5 million wasn't a very happy meeting. Rightfully so, the municipality's ratepayers seemed to be baffled by the council's need to borrow that much money.
To make the situation worse, the council seemed very ill-prepared for the meeting. Between tech issues and dodged questions, by the end of the meeting, it didn't seem like a lot of questions were answered to the level that ratepayers wanted.
The RM of Lakeshore's need to borrow that much money is the result of a mandate from the Province of Manitoba's Office of Northern and Municipal Relations, who had a representative in attendance to speak on why that mandate exists. In 2023, the RM of Lakeshore reported a sizeable deficit. The RM says that deficit is from years past, but the Municipal Relations Representative said he could not find any deficit from 2020, 2021, or 2022.
In 2024 alone, the RM of Lakeshore's deficit for the year was $672,144. The total deficit amount from 2024, 2023, and years prior, according to the RM of Lakeshore Council, is $2,497,543.
Despite there being a public hearing, the public was left with more questions than answers in regards to what caused the deficit. One council member said it's the result of a systematic failure stretching back 12 years. Another council member said there have been several RM CAOs come and go over the years. Another said they've had a financial audit done, and that's currently in the hands of the RCMP and the RM's insurance companies.
Why should the average RM of Lakeshore resident be concerned? The Province and Municipality will pass that money along to the ratepayer. One council member said they plan a 3% increase to the General Municipal Levy to make up for that, though they're also looking at other ways to pay that deficit, like selling off old equipment.
The Council does not have to listen to the public's comments or recommendations, and is able to pass the proposed by-law if they decide. All that's certain is not a lot of questions were answered at yesterday's Public Hearing.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
The Parkland Chamber of Commerce wrapped up its luncheon series in May with the State of the City address.
There were five events in all. In January, it was re-imagining leadership in the non-profit sector, featuring local panellists from Canada's National Ukrainian Festival, Grandview Kinsmen and the Watson Art Centre. In February, it was the cost of doing nothing with Christina Birch.
March featured the annual general meeting and milestone awards. April was the state of the district, followed by May's state of the city.
Kamryn Winters has now released a survey to get your thoughts on how things have gone.
"We want to make sure those continue. It's nice to hear feedback if there's something we're missing," said Winters. "If there's something that doesn't really jive well anymore. Just little things we could improve on."
There hasn't been a ton of feedback as of yet. Something they're looking into doing is a 'series package'. The Watson Art Centre currently offers a package for its concert series.
With five events making up the chamber's luncheon series, Winters says that's something that could be in the cards.
"Like, this is a really good idea. We have a ton of people that come to the luncheons every single time," added Winters. "Maybe businesses could get a discount if they buy a season pass, and it's a ticket to every luncheon throughout the year. They could give it to the staff if some people can't make it. Do something like that."
That survey is waiting for you here. If you have additional questions, feel free to email the Parkland Chamber of Commerce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Some parts of the Parkland got lucky over the weekend, seeing minimal rainfall and little to no hail. Minitonas was not one of them.
According to Environment Canada Meteorologist Matt Loney, Minitonas saw 2 full months worth of rainfall over a couple hour span.
"Minitonas had a massive flooding event, we had 147.9mm [of rain] measured at the provincial station, and that amounts to about 6 inches of rain in a very very short time, so that's essentially June and July's rainfall totals falling all at once...it just goes to show you that it's a very significant event, I would say it's probably at least a 1 in 50 year event," said Loney.
Storms as heavy as this weekend across Saskatchewan and Manitoba are not at all common. Loney said there were quite a few factors that all combined to make these storms as strong as they were, including some warm air influence from a place you wouldn't really expect.
"The fact that this storm was slow moving, or forming on itself, that's one big factor for the amount of rain that was able to fall in such a short time...we did have an active jet stream bringing up a flood of warm, moist air from the southwest, which was actually able to tap a little bit of the Gulf of Mexico, some of the moisture down there, so that moisture is being entrained into the system," said Loney.
That warm air from down south, combined with a cold front from the west, caused a lot of the winds and dark skies over the weekend, and everyone knows what can happen when hot and cold air mix in just the right way. There were several tornado watches and warnings across the Prairies over the weekend.
Looking at the week ahead, Loney said Environment Canada isn't calling for any more severe storms just yet. Looking back at the weekend, he stressed the fact that this storm was a once in a while event.
"I think we're going to stabilize quite a bit more as this week goes on, we've got a decent day on tap once this cloud cover completely clears out...this event in particular was striking, and the fact that it was quite unusual to get that much rain in such a short time," said Loney.
Click here to see Environment Canada's forecast for the rest of this week.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
The Parkland Chamber of Commerce's annual Street Fair & Dance is fast approaching, and it's already shaping up to be another fun day in Dauphin.
Kamryn Winters, Executive Director of the Parkland Chamber of Commerce, said their planning is going well, but they're still looking for vendors and performers, with an emphasis on "Parkland".
"For me, what I'm looking for is kind of a variety of performers from different areas of the Parkland. Definitely not going to look to have a bunch of performers from Dauphin, I want to make sure we're featuring artists from all across the Parkland, and artists of various forms of art, like we would love to have some dancers during the changeovers of the stage...we're going to be looking everywhere across the Parkland for sure this year, and making sure we feature everyone," said Winters.
The deadline for performer and vendor applications is Monday, June 15th. Though they've already got a lot of performers and vendors signed up, Winters said they hope to completely fill the fair this year, especially with dancers in every corner.
"We'll keep it open all week, we definitely already have a lot of applications in already for performers, I would encourage more dancers to apply if interested...I think the biggest thing we're looking for is variety, so I encourage everybody to fill out a performer application if interested," said Winters.
The Street Fair & Dance takes place on July 30th in Dauphin. As we get closer, keep an eye on 730 CKDM NewsNow for more details about the event.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
It's the Ryan Pulock sweepstakes.
It's a trip that many can only dream about. For those who purchased a ticket, that dream may become a reality. 1,000 tickets were up for grabs. Less than 48 hours later, they were all gone. It's the ultimate New York Islanders experience.
It includes round-trip economy flights for two from Winnipeg to New York. Add in three nights' accommodation, two Islanders games at UBS Arena, and two Pulock jerseys.
"Well, I guess in one word I would say wow, the response has been overwhelming," said Tannis Pulock, Ryan's mom. "I would say it's unprecedented to sell 1,000 tickets in less than 48 hours. Certainly a great feeling knowing we've just raised $20,000 for the ice plant project."
The experience also includes post-game meet and greets, $250 food and drink credit at the arena, $250 Isles' lab credit, and $500 Uber credit. Tickets were only $20.
The entire prize was donated by Ryan, who has always taken pride in giving back to his home community.
"He does care deeply about this community. He has always remained true to his roots. Grandview will always be home to him," added Pulock. "This was a way for him to give back. He and his brothers spent a lot of time on the GACC ice. This is one more donation to ensuring kids from here and around here will have that same opportunity."
After starting his professional career in the American Hockey League with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Pulock quickly rose to the NHL. He has played 636 regular-season games, all with the Islanders. He had 56 goals and 241 points.
He also has 27 points in 66 playoff games. Ryan has also represented Canada on multiple occasions, including the World Championships.
"I will say, it will never get old. Not everyone gets to live out their childhood dream like Ryan is," added Pulock. "We are so grateful that he's had that chance. When we're watching a game, there are all the emotions. Whether it's pride, nervousness, fear, excitement, frustration, elation, or heartbreak. There have been ups and downs. We have never taken it for granted."
The entire $20,000 raised through the sweepstakes is going towards the ice plant project. The new ice plant will service the GACC and the curling rink. It's expected to be operational for next season.
Grandview is well known for being a generous and supportive community. Both facilities are needed in the community.
They're both packed all winter, and Ryan's generosity goes towards them staying operational for years to come.
"They're busy, they're thriving. Skills are being developed, lessons are being learned, friendships are being formed, and memories are being built because we have these two rinks," added Pulock. "It's really exciting to see it's moving forward. I'm sure our rec staff is excited as well. They won't have to be crossing fingers and praying the old ice plant will start up again."
For Tannis, the GACC is home. Her grandfather, RJ Wilson, was one of the original pushes behind the construction of the building and managed the Comets for many years.
Much of her family played for the Comets, and Ryan played when he was 15.
She now spends hundreds of hours in the winter watching her grandchildren play at the rink.
"As far as the community goes, it isn't just a building. It's where a community comes to life, and I think most people would say the same," commented Pulock. "You don't even have to like hockey. Many other events have happened there. It's the heartbeat of the community."
Tannis thanks all of the businesses that sold tickets, including Grandview Pharmacy, Home Hardware, and Western Financial in Gilbert Plains. Many individuals also sold tickets.
Tannis purchased posters, but didn't even have time to put them up because the tickets sold so quickly.
"You know, someone is going to win a really great prize," she ended. "We're excited about raising money for the ice plant. I really want to thank everyone who supported the raffle."
The draw date is August 8 at 9:00 p.m. at Wilson Park Stage in Grandview.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Roblin 4-H Beef club holds their year-end show and sale on Monday.
Organizer Jimmy Hunter says they have 12 kids in the club, ranging in age from 6 to 18.
He adds the raising of this cattle is a year-long project for the club members.
"They pick (the cattle) out inthe fall. We encourage them to start on the cattle sooner rather than later, because it is easier to break a small calf than a larger calf in the spring. They get them in, they feed them all winter, then they start the halter breaking process, get them quiet, get them leading, and then continue working with them and grooming them."
Judging will take place during th morning and early afternoon, with the sale going tonight at 6:30.
There will also be a supper at 5 pm, which costs $30 to attend.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A State of Emergency has been declared for Minitonas, and the local municipality is asking residents to shelter in place, after torrential rainfall in the community on Sunday.
Reports say as much as 147.9 mm, or close to six inches fell in the community.
The bridge over the East Favel river in the west end of Minitonas is currently under water, as is Knox Avenue.
Power is out to the entire community, and Manitoba Hydro says they are working to restore service as soon as possible.
The school in the community is closed today, and the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman has issued a boil water advisory for the community.
Overland flooding has also been reported in and near Cowan, as other areas of the Swan Valley reported 72.2 mm of rain fall.
Meanwhile, San Clara - near Roblin - reported 119.6 mm.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
