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Last week, a 32-year-old man from Ohio was charged after a 10-year-old girl from Manitoba was lured into sending sexually explicit images and videos.
The man was posing as a boy in his early teens. The contact began on a popular social media platform before it shifted to text messages. While the RCMP don't know how long the two had been communicating, the man groomed the girl and convinced her to send the messages and videos.
Cortney Arden Wise III is charged with sexual exploitation of children, receiving images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and possession of child pornography.
CKDM News chatted with Gord Olson, Sgt, who worked 15 years with the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit from 2010 to 2025. It's a specialized, integrated team tasked with investigating crimes involving the online sexual exploitation of children.
He said parents need to be more aware of what their children are doing online. It's important to have those tough conversations with their kids and try to figure out who they're speaking with.
"The kids themselves have to be on top of that as well. Be mindful of what's going on," said Olson. "If it's too good to be true, it probably is. In that case, they probably shouldn't be involved with that. Whether it's engaging with someone online or being offered something."
So what is too good to be true? While it can be difficult for a young person to decipher what's too good to be true and what isn't, there are signs.
"I'll give you this if you do this for me. Any of those kinds of deals should be looked at as not good," said Olson. "That's when it is time to end the conversation and tell a parent."
While Olson says a parent doesn't always need to be told, he says it's never a bad thing for children to be extra cautious.
Police-reported online sexual exploitation incidents rose by a staggering 374% between 2014 and 2024. Between 2020 and 2025, reports of online luring, which is communicating with a child for a sexual purpose, increased 344%.
Social media and gaming platforms are the primary venues for grooming. It's estimated that 86% of online sexual victimization occurs via private messaging or video calls.
While these cases are on the rise in Manitoba, it's a global problem. Earlier this year, a 15-year-old boy was charged with several offences related to extortion and posting child sexual abuse imagery in a case involving a teenage girl in Belgium.
"Unfortunately, the bad actors out there, the predators that know kids are online using any platform and know they can make that contact," continued Olson.
Earlier this year, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that the province would ban youth from using social media and AI chatbots. The proposed law will be the first of its kind in Canada. Kinew did not say what age the province is considering for the ban, how it will be enforced, or provide a timeline.
Also, earlier this year, Australia became the first country in the world to ban children under the age of 16 from using major social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
While Kinew provided little detail as to what the ban would look like in Manitoba, Olson says it's a major step in the right direction.
"You know, I love that decision," ended Olson. "I am really interested and looking forward to seeing what the province does to police that and try to mitigate anyone under the age of 16 being able to access this type of social media."
NewsNow will continue to follow Kinew's previous announcement and provide updates when they become available.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
It's that time of year again - the City is planning its annual planting of trees at Vermillion Sportsplex.
The work will begin this Wednesday at 9 am, and continue daily until the work is done.
Anyone interested in lending a hand is encouraged to show up at Vermillion Sportsplex beginning on Wednesday.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Mounties are asking the public to be on the lookout for a 34-year-old inmate who allegedly escaped from a jail in Yorkton.
According to police, Duncan Highway was last seen outside the Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday.
Police said Highway, who was described as six-foot-one, weighing 178 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair, is now facing a charge of being unlawfully at large.
Anyone who encounters Highway was asked not to approach him, and to report the sighting to police or Crime Stoppers.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Co-op Food Store
- Open 9 am to 6 pm
Co-op Main Street Gas Bar
- Open 6:30 am - 9:30 pm
Co-op Mountain Road Gas Bar
- S Open 6:30 am - 9:30 pm
Dauphin Liquor Mart
- 11 am - 6 pm
Fusion Credit Union
- Closed
Dauphin Marketplace Mall (select stores)
- Open until 6:00 pm
Walmart
- Open 9 am - 6 pm
Safeway
- Open until 6 pm
No Frills
- Open 9 am - 9 pm
All City of Dauphin-owned facilities (includingg City Hall, city shop and Waste Disposal Site)
- Closed
Dauphin Rec Services
- Closed
Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy
- Open 12 pm - 2 pm
Dean Cooley GM
- Closed
Dauphin Friendship Centre
- Closed
Watson Arts Centre
- Closed
Dauphin Public Library
- Closed
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
At the Parkland Business Expo in April, the Dauphin Citizens on Patrol began handing out stickers for your car window. The sticker says all valuables removed. It's in conjuction with the Dauphin RCMP.
The cards are now available at City Hall and the Dauphin RCMP Detachment.
"It's a tip card on what you can do to try and minimize the risk of becoming a victim of someone going through your vehicle," said Richard Ives with Dauphin Citizens on Patrol.
Earlier this month, the City of Dauphin brought back its 9:00 p.m. routine. The routine runs until June 1 and its goal is to help reduce theft and property crime in the community.
They say it takes 21 days to build a habit. It's now your turn to make a new habit of helping to keep our community a safer place. Ives believes the 9:00 p.m. routine is fabulous.
"The inconvenience of having your vehicle broken into, you've lost your purse, computer, and other personal belongings. Trying to replace those valuables, I'm sure, is very stressful on a person," added Ives. "If you can do a little bit and prevent one occurrence, I think that saves time and money down the road."
Ives says the crew at Dauphin Citizens on Patrol patrols around the community more during the summer months. They go out from morning until night and everything in between.
"We try and do our part to be the extra eyes and ears for the community," continued Ives.
COPP in Dauphin currently has upwards of 12 volunteers. Volunteer hours and kilometres travelled outnumber those from last year.
"And again, just being visible in our community, I'm sure, is helping to prevent some occurrences in the City of Dauphin," he added.
COPP is always looking for new volunteers. There is a training component involved before you hit the streets. If you're interested, reach out to them on Facebook.
"Again, we're only asking for about four hours per month from our volunteers," ended Ives. "Of course, we would take more. There is no set schedule for when you can go. We leave it up to our volunteers to go out and patrol when it fits their schedule."
Dauphin Citizens on Patrol is making a positive impact on our community, and you can be a part of it.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A Swan River woman faces charges after reports of shoplifting from a grocery store in that community over consecutive days.
RCMP in Swan River were notified Wednesday night that a suspect had come into the store on back-to-back day, placed several items inside of her jacket on both occasions, and then walked out without paying.
Around $70 of candy and snacks were taken on Tuesday, with a further $20 of goods lifted on Wednesday.
Police identified a 22-year-old woman and arrested her without incident on Thursday, charging her with two counts of theft under $5,000.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Assiniboine College will offer a new primary care paramedic course, starting in 2027, here in Dauphin.
The first cohort will have 16 spots and be offered at Assiniboine’s Parkland campus in Dauphin next January
Parkland Campus Director Carol Stewart says they are extremely grateful to be the first location for this program.
"I think that it reflects, first of all, that there is a significant need for paramedics in this area. And the college prides itself on being responsive, and acting on those calls for action. So we are certainly ready and excited here."
Stewart says response to the program has already been overwhelming.
"We currently have an interest list of more than 100 people, which really demonstrates the demand for this type of training, particularly in our region. When applications do open, we will be sure to contact every single person on that list to give them all of the details."
A second cohort with the same number of seats will start at a different location in Western Manitoba later next year.
The provincial government is providing funding to the college for the program.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Day passes for Canada's National Ukrainian Festival are now on sale.
Cory Lafontaine, 3rd Vice President for Canada's National Ukrainian Festival, said though the festival experience is one you can't miss, day passes provide some flexibility for people who can't be there all of the days.
"We understand that there are some people who can't make it up all weekend and perhaps they're only around for 1 day, so that's why we released the day passes...if you can't make it up for the whole weekend, maybe you can only make it up for one of the days, you can certainly take advantage of those day passes," said Shuttleworth-Lafontaine.
Coming off their 60th festival last year, Lafontaine said though it's hard to follow up a year that big, they've done a pretty good job. There's talent from all over Canada at the festival this year, and there will definitely be something for everyone.
"We had so many people who came to the festival last year that hadn't been to the festival in a number of years, and they just appreciated the fact that there's a lot more added attractions than what they're used to...we've got some wonderful bands that are certainly going to attract a lot of patrons to the festival, we've got some really good bands joining us from basically all across the country," said Shuttleworth-Lafontaine.
Day passes are available for $70 for a Friday pass, and Saturday and Sunday passes are $95. Click here to get your tickets.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
RCMP have laid more charges against a Rivers teen accused of plotting an attack at his school.
The 14-year-old boy is now charged with conspiracy to commit murder, counselling the offence of murder and two counts of uttering threats.
He was initially arrested on March 16th and charged with uttering threats, after Interpol and the FBI alerted RCMP to a conversation between two teens, who were allegedly planning simultaneous attacks on their respective schools in Rivers and Bridgewater, N.S.
Mounties said the conversation began in late February, and the Rivers youth was “actively discussing and planning to harm other students” at Rivers Collegiate.
RCMP seized the boy’s phone and electronic devices, and a subsequent search of two properties connected to the youth resulted in police seizing more electronic devices and other items, including two firearms that a relative owned.
RCMP re-arrested the teen at the Manitoba Youth Centre on Wednesday.
The teen is scheduled to appear in Brandon provincial court on June 4.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The weather may not be that favourable for it, but it is the May long weekend, which also marks the official return of motorized boats to Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park.
On Thursday, Parks Canada released the rules for motorized boat use on the lake this summer.
It follows a crackdown on motorboats on the lake where invasive, destructive zebra mussels were discovered in 2023, prompting a ban on personal boats in 2024 and 2025.
The rules prohibit motorized boats on Clear Lake on Mondays and Tuesdays, or overnight from 8:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
The exception is the Martese tour boat.
It was the only motorboat allowed on the lake in 2024, but was also banned in 2025.
Until June 7, motorized or trailered watercraft that have not entered the water this year can be inspected and registered for an annual permit and can immediately launch on Clear Lake.
However, after June 8, all motorized and trailered watercraft must complete a 45-day quarantine before they can launch there.
The decision to allow motorboats and put new management measures in place followed several months of public engagement sessions, consultation with Indigenous groups, environmental monitoring and a review of literature.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Parkland Humane Society is getting ready for its annual yard sale.
It will take place next Friday and Saturday. They're looking for donations ahead of the event. You can donate many things, except for a few items.
Jennifer Langlois is the office manager and fundraising coordinator.
"We're not accepting books, pillows, bedding, clothing, or shoes," said Langlois. "Any kind of baby car seats or cribs, and plastic flowers, that's what we're not looking for. Other than that, anything is on the table."
Hot commodities at past yard sales the shelter has hosted have been decorations and furniture. If you can donate, drop them off at the shelter from 1:00 to 4:00 tomorrow and then beginning next Tuesday until next weekend.
"If they're unable to make those hours, phone the shelter, and we can arrange a special time for you to bring your donations in," added Langlois.
Elsewhere at the shelter, times are busy. They're looking for volunteers. Many time slots are available. The great thing about volunteering at the shelter is that you can choose your time slot and volunteer as much or as little as you would like.
"The best part is loving and cuddling all of the animals and playing with them," ended Langlois. "Then there's other stuff you would do just like at home. You would sweep, wash windows, clean the litter box, and that sort of thing. There is laundry to do and dishes to wash. Things like you do at home to take care of your pet."
If you are interested in volunteering, head to the shelter between 1:00 and 4:00, Tuesday to Saturday. You'll get signed up, do a training shift, and then you're off to the races. You can also donate items for the furry friends at the shelter.
They're currently looking for collars and KONG toys for dogs, along with hard and soft dog food. For the cats, they're looking for wet and hard food, along with cat treats and toys.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
