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Rotary Club of Dauphin is back with their annual spring Book Sale this week.
Organizer Jean-Louis Guillas says they've had a great response so far, with regards to books being donated for the sale.
He says the books will once again be very affordable for purchase this year.
"It is $2 a book, and kids books are even less than that. Everybody can come and find books, fill up your bags for summer reading, and you can even start your Christmas shopping, as some of the books are so pristine."
The sale is at the 8th Avenue Hall, from 9 until 7 this Thursday and Friday, and Saturday from 9 until 4.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The City of Dauphin's curbside yard waste collection program has begun.
It starts in the day one area on Tuesday. It's collected every two weeks, on the opposite week of your garbage and recycling pickup, right from your curb.
Just place accepted materials in your green yard waste bin and crews will do the rest.
Accepted materials include grass clippings, leaves, pine needles and cones, small branches, wood chips and sawdust, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and similar organic material.
If you don't have a green bin, head here.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A 44-year-old from Dauphin faces several charges after a run-in with authorities.
On Friday at 1:10 a.m., the Dauphin RCMP responded to a disturbance at a home in Dauphin. Tomson Rodney Flatfoot was uncooperative with the police and resisted arrest.
Once officers searched him, they found multiple wrapped packets containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, drug paraphernalia and cash.
Then on Monday morning at 12:35, Flatfoot was found breaching his conditions near the same home and was taken into custody.
He faces charges including assault and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Organizers are glowing over the success of this past weekend's Parkland Business Expo.
Event Chair Natalie Haslund says it was the best-attended event since Countryfest took over running it last year.
"But even the vendors told us that this was the best attendance that they have seen over the last few years. That was really rewarding. Our 50/50 also exceeded our expectations. We had a goal of $7,500, and we hit over $10,000. So somebody went home with $5,000, which was remarkable in itself."
Over 130 vendors took part this year, and Haslund says they are going to look at how they can further maximize their space for next year, so that they can add more vendors.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Volunteering is a cornerstone of many communities worldwide, especially here in Manitoba.
Ashley Seymour, Executive Director of Volunteer Manitoba, said it's a pattern she definitely sees across the province.
"I think Manitobans see the value in supporting their communities, and so many events that many of us rely on and enjoy are really driven by volunteers, so I think it's really important for everybody to play a role in that, in supporting your community," said Seymour.
Manitoba has some of the highest volunteering numbers in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, in 2023, 38% of Manitobans were engaged in some sort of formal volunteering, with 71% engaged in informal volunteering. Statistics Canada defines formal volunteering as performing a service without pay on behalf of a charitable or non-profit organization. Informal volunteering is defined as helping your community on your own without pay, not on behalf of any organization.
Volunteer Manitoba is an organization that helps different volunteer organizations find ways to attract more volunteers, and to promote volunteering in general across Manitoba.
"We help people recruit their volunteers, we offer tools and resources around best practices and engaging volunteers, and then we also offer training and professional development opportunities that focus on board governance and volunteer management, as well as working with schools and youth-serving agencies to really encourage youth to get involved in volunteerism," said Seymour.
Statistics Canada says in 2023, 32% of all Canadians were involved in formal volunteering, which puts Manitoba 6% above the national average. The informal volunteering average in Canada was 66%, putting Manitoba at least 5% above the national average in both categories.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
The Municipality of Russell-Binscarth has declared a state of local emergency, due to overland flooding in some areas.
However, they say there is no immediate cause for concern, and no action needs to be taken at this time, as the flooding is being restricted to certain areas and is being controlled at this time.
Drivers though are still asked to be alert for washouts and unexpected road closures.
If you happen to see an unmarked hazard, you are asked to report it to the municipality at 204-773-2253.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
As of today, the federal government's fuel excise tax has been cut, saving Canadians 10¢/litre on regular gasoline, and 4¢/litre on both diesel and aviation fuels.
According to Statistics Canada, the average gas price in March in Canada was $1.64/litre, with the Manitoba average being $1.55/litre.
The federal fuel excise tax cut is expected to cost the government $2.4 billion. Over the next month, the Manitoba government will decide if it will cut the provincial fuel tax.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak and the city council will be among more than 500 municipal leaders in Brandon next week for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities Spring Convention and Trade Show.
The two-day event runs from Tuesday to Thursday at the Keystone Centre. It's an opportunity for all municipal leaders and senior administration staff to get together to discuss issues of common concern. The convention features a dynamic program focused on professional development, municipal governance, and emerging policy priorities. There is also a trade show that features more than 130 vendors.
"The most significant part of AMM for me is to talk to the other mayors and city managers to get a sense of how they're dealing with issues and concerns affecting all of us," said Bosiak. "To try and get some ideas, best practices, and share common issues and concerns."
Bosiak says positive things come out of AMM every year. Some issues David is looking to speak about with other municipalities are homelessness, addictions, and mental health challenges that are very apparent in Dauphin.
He says this is something that all smaller and larger municipalities are dealing with the same issues.
"Our approach has always been to work with our community partners," added Bosiak. "Whether that's the Northwest Metis Council, is to work with Prairie Mountain Health, and all of the government agencies, especially the department of homelessness and housing. We know that as the weather warms up, people tend to be out and about more. We have a concern with some funding shortfalls."
The Waskaa’igan Neegan Safe & Warm Space in Dauphin recently lost some funding. As a result, the Warm Space is no longer operating 24 hours, seven days a week. The Space is now open from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday to Friday. It will remain open 24 hours every weekend, closing on Mondays at 8:00 a.m.
In a post, the Federation said they understand this change may create challenges for the individuals who use the facility regularly.
"Not having a place for some of these folks to go during the day becomes an issue," added Bosiak. "If they're not at the Safe Warm Space, they're elsewhere in the community. A lot of that is certainly appropriate, but some of it may not be. That's what we're dealing with right now. We're working as hard as possible on coming up with solutions right now."
While Bosiak and his council will bring up their issues next week, there is plenty to be optimistic about in the community and plenty of reason to smile.
Bosiak says the City's partnership with the Rural Municipality of Dauphin is in a great space. Last year, they came together to create a recreation agreement, which Bosiak is thrilled about.
The Nortgate Trails Group received $1.5 million in funding.
"To work on the partnership with Riding Mountain National Park on the redevelopment of the Crawford Creek trail system, which sort of bumps up our trail network to over 75 kilometres," continued Bosiak. "That's massive from a community and economic development standpoint."
The City and RM look forward to working as 50/50 partners on the Justice Centre coming to Dauphin, which will be a tremendous addition for the community.
Bosiak says the spinoffs to that will be generational for the community.
"So the return of the workers, their spouses, that will repopulate some of those jobs that left when the jail closed," said Bosiak. "The return of kids to the school system. You know, we're going to have an overwhelming amount of construction labour occurring over the next two to three years. So we're looking forward to having our hotels and restaurants full of workers."
On top of those positives, it's always great to shine the light on the great work being done putting together Canada's National Ukrainian Festival and Dauphin's Countryfest. CNUF celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, and it was a fantastic success.
The lineup this year is electric for Countryfest. It includes Jelly Roll, Nate Smith, Tyler Hubbard, Cameron Whitcomb, Owen Riegling, and the Hunter Brothers, to name a few. VIP weekend passes have long been sold out, as have three campgrounds.
General admission weekend passes are still up for grabs, but are selling quicker than ever.
"It looks like it's going to be a tremendous year for them. That's so important," commented Bosiak. "We all know the impact that Countryfest has made in the community. You can look around and see all the things that are so important, and they played a big part in developing. To have them get back in that kind of position is good for us."
While Bosiak will not seek re-election as the City of Dauphin's Mayor, he said it's been a pleasure working with positive people. While there have been challenges around the council table, they always have serious and thoughtful conversations.
Over the past three and a half years, the council has had unanimous decisions on all major issues.
"And that doesn't mean everyone is just falling in line, it means we put the time and effort on the front end to discuss and figure out what's important," offered Bosiak. "Then we can sort of convince the others that this is the right thing to do now."
Bosiak has looked at other municipalities in Manitoba and the country and has noticed dysfunction in many communities due to very serious disagreements or issues.
"And we haven't had that," ended Bosiak. "I am very proud of playing a little role in the situation we're in right now."
We will be in touch with David following next week's AMM.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Swan River RCMP have made an arrest in an alleged shoplifting case.
Around 7 pm last Tuesday, Mounties were informed that someone had stolen several items from a grocery store in the community.
After getting a description of the suspect, police conducted patrols of the area, and spotted a woman that matched the description.
She was placed under arrest by officers, who also recovered around a dozen items that had been stolen from the store.
The 35-year-old woman faces one count of theft under five grand.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Yellowhead RCMP have arrested 42-year-old Scott Purdy of Shoal Lake.
Purdy was wanted on two warrants that were issued earlier this week for assault. Purdy was seen in an SUV that had been reported earlier this week.
That vehicle was located parked outside a home in the RM of Yellowhead on April 15. Officers executed a warrant to enter the home that evening, and Scott was taken into custody and transported to the detachment.
He's been charged with possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000. He's also charged with assault and fleeing from the police in previous incidents.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The City of Dauphin has announced that its curbside yard waste collection program begins on Tuesday.
It will start in the day-one area during the week opposite when your garbage and recycling are picked up. Place accepted materials in your green yard waste bin.
Accepted materials include grass clippings, leaves, pine needles and cones, small branches, wood chips and sawdust, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and similar organic material.
If you don't have a green bin, head here.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff















