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The RCMP's annual Name the Puppy Contest is ending soon, with the entry period ending on March 26th.
Kim Mann, Police Dog Service Training Centre Admin Assistant, said the contest is a great example of the RCMP's paw-sitive outreach, especially in classrooms.
"A lot of teachers will use [the contest] as an educational component to learn about the RCMP as well, which hopefully as years go on, [students] would want to choose it as a career path," said Mann.
This year's rules for the contest are simple. From the RCMP's news release on the contest: contestants must be 4 to 14 years old, names must begin with the letter "B", names must have no more than 9 letters, and names must be 1 or 2 syllables.
Mann said the contest is usually pretty popular, and that it's no small job to check all of the entries.
"We had our first Name the Puppy Contest in 2001, at that time we had about 3000 mail-in entries, we now get over 10,000 entries," said Mann.
This year's contest only allows online entries. For more details about the contest and how to enter, click here to visit the RCMP's website.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
The Manitoba RCMP have arrested a 14 year old youth in Rivers, Manitoba who was planning to "harm other students at Rivers Collegiate", according to an RCMP news release.
Nova Scotia RCMP also arrested a 15 year old youth in connection. The arrests come after the RCMP was alerted to an online conversation between the youths that detailed "violent attacks" on their schools, as per the Nova Scotia RCMP.
The Manitoba youth was arrested on Monday after a traffic stop on a school bus, and the Nova Scotia youth was arrested Tuesday after RCMP executed a search warrant.
After the arrest of the Manitoba youth, related properties were searched, which led to the seizure of electronic devices and 2 firearms.
"We know details of this arrest will have an impact on the students, parents, and the entire community of Rivers. Be assured that our officers acted quickly, worked closely with our policing partners, and took immediate steps to find and arrest the youth. The priority from the outset was the safety and security of the students at Rivers Collegiate," said Superintendent Lee Fortin, West District Commander for the Manitoba RCMP.
Both youths have been charged with uttering threats, but more charges are expected as the RCMP continues to investigate.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
The province has put out a Request For Proposals to companies interested in constructing Dauphin's new Justice centre.
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe also updated CKDM News now on when construction of the new facility will begin.
"There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes when we are talking about designing and building a facility like this. But what I can say confidently to the people of Dauphin is that we are going to have construction being started by this fall."
Wiebe was also asked when we can expect to start hearing details about what will be included in the new Justice centre.
"We are going to have more to say throughout the summer. I think there is a bit of a challenge with how much we can share about a highly secure facility. It is a bit different when you are building a justice centre than you are (building) something else. "
Consultations on the makeup of the Justice facility have been ongoing for several months, and has included municipal officials from both the city and the R-M, local first nations groups, and other key stakeholders.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin RCMP are searching for 47-year-old Kelly Klyne.
He's wanted on several charges, including aggravated assault, forcible confinement, and robbery.
He's known to frequent the Dauphin and Grandview areas. He's considered dangerous.
If seen, do not approach Kelly. Call 911 or the Dauphin detachment at 622-5020.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
According to a news release from the Manitoba Government, 45 nurses are set to complete specialized critical care training, which prepares them to work in hospitals across Manitoba.
Minister Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, emphasized that new nurses won't just go to Winnipeg or other urban centres.
"[The nurses] are going to be at ICUs around the province. We'll have some in ICUs in Winnipeg, we'll have some folks in Brandon, about 6 nurses are going to be in Brandon, and we have some seats that we're going to be filling specifically for Dauphin as well," said Asagwara.
In previous years, the number of nurses completing the specialized training program was much lower, on average 25 nurses per year, meaning seats designated for more rural areas like Dauphin often went unfilled.
"Sometimes the intakes were as low as maybe 6 nurses, we're finally seeing through a lot of work with all of our partners the demand be where it needs to be, and actually be above what we need to fill the seats...now we're in a position where those dedicated seats for Brandon and for Dauphin are being filled which means there will be nurses that know going into the training that they're going to be working in Dauphin and Brandon, which is really exciting," said Asagwara.
One major contributor to the increase in the number of nurses completing specialized training is the inclusion and encouragment of LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse) in the program.
"LPNs in Manitoba have the broadest and most comprehensive scope in all of Canada, and so for us it made complete sense, and if LPNs want to take this training and work in ICUs, we should absolutely support them in doing so...everything we've been doing, it's great to see that these seats are finally being filled. It's great to see that for the next intake we already have 80 nurses who put their names forward, and even if folks aren't currently eligible, we're going to work with them, and they'll be supported so that they're prepared for the next intake," said Asagwara.
Minister Asagwara said the government is definitely aware that rural Manitoba is in need of nurses and health care professionals, and that they don't intend to slow down their plans to address those issues.
"Some of the communities hardest hit by health care cuts for almost 8 years were rural and northern communities. Not only were health services cut, health care workers were entirely ignored or neglected in these communities, and we're still seeing the massive impacts of that today...we're expanding our LPN training capacity across rural Manitoba, we are working very hard to make sure that we're taking a 'grow your own' approach in making health care training more accessible to those living in rural and northern communities. We're seeing the benefits of that, but I can't emphasize enough there's still much more work for us to do, we cannot take our foot off the gas," said Asagwara.
In the province's news release, they say more than 600 internationally educated nurses have engaged with Manitoba's Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
The Parkland Chamber of Commerce Business awards will be presented during a gala event tomorrow (Wednesday) night at Countryfest Community Cinema.
Executive Director Kamryn Winters says it is going to be a special night.
"The lobby area will be blocked off for networking. We are going to have drinks and appetizers. Irving's is doing the appetizers this year so you know they are going to be unreal. The concession at the cinema will also be open, in case anybody wants to purchase anything from the cinema or wants to support the cinema in any way. We highly encourage you to do that as well.. The awards ceremony will take place in the theatre."
The awards recognize outstanding businesses, individuals, and non-profits in both Dauphin and surrounding Parkland communities.
It begins at 6:30 tomorrow night, and tickets can be purchased through the Chamber website.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
RCMP have taken a 46-year-old man into custody following a firearms-related complaint Tuesday morning in Gilbert Plains.
Mounties were notified of the complaint on Minto Avenue East at around 11 am, and immediately notified both nearby schools, which were placed in hold and secure situations.
Several nearby businesses, including the Municipal Office, post Office, Library, and Service for Seniors, were also closed as precautions.
A male suspect was taken into custody at around 12:35 pm, and the hold and secure at both schools was ended a short time later.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
It was more than just a game.
The Parkland U18 Rangers donned their pink jerseys for their annual Hockey Fights Cancer game on October 31. They beat the Southwest Cougars, 5-4. Proceeds from the game are donated to cancer care wards in the Parkland.
This year, the Rangers provided the cancer units in Dauphin and Swan River with $2,000 each.
Jason Gibbs is the team's general manager.
"Having an organization that we're able to put on a game for is a great feeling," said Gibbs. "It's a great feeling to give back to a disease that touches so many people."
The sponsor for the game is Bill and Lynda Nicholson with Embroidery by Design. The game has been an annual occurrence for almost a decade and has raised thousands for cancer care.
It's estimated that about 2,800 Manitobans died from cancer in 2025. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Manitoba. Nearly one-in-two Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. One in four is expected to die from it.
Cancer is responsible for roughly 30 per cent of all deaths in Canada.
Gibbs says their annual Hockey Fights Cancer game is one that's always circled on the calendar.
"It's an easy one for us to jump on board with," ended Gibbs. "The parents and fans follow along as well."
The Rangers made the playoffs this season for the first time in four years.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Dauphin RCMP are hoping someone can provide information on suspects in a weekend break and enter.
They say the incident is believed to have happened at around 7:15 Sunday morning.
Individuals broke into the home on MacLeod Avenue West and stole over $2,000 in items, including a Nintendo Switch and two guitars.
Anyone with info can call the Dauphin detachment at 204-622-5050 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Fieldstone Ventures will be hosting 2 employment services workshops on Thursday; in Lundar from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Pauline Johnson Library, and in Eriksdale from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Eriksdale Library.
Becky O'Sullivan, Employment Assistance Services Representative, said the services they'll talk about are essential for anyone in the workforce.
"We would cover resume writing, cover letters, interview prep, we help with job search, and also education and upgrading pathways," said O'Sullivan.
The program receives funding from both the provincial and federal government, which O'Sullivan said is a very helpful bonus.
"You don't have to pay out of pocket to have these services provided for you," said O'Sullivan.
Fieldstone Ventures hosts events like this frequently, and offer services at their offices as well.
"We have our main offices in Ashern, we also have a satellite office in Arborg and Gimli that we provide services out there weekly," said O'Sullivan.
According to the Government of Canada, an updated modern resume is the key to a successful job search. For more information about Fieldstone Ventures and their employment services, click here to visit their Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Sammy's Farm Supply is hosting a special gathering next Tuesday night for anyone considering raising chickens.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
