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A research study asking farmers and people who work in agriculture is underway in the province.
Led by Tracy Young, principal investigator at the Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health at Brandon University, the study is focused on gathering first-hand experiences from across the province.
Young says much of the existing research on rural mental health focuses on statistics or challenges, which are important, but incomplete.
"We're calling on all farmers and ag service providers across the province of Manitoba to come speak with us individually, or join a focus group to discuss some of what is going well and working out there, and why," said Young.
If you are interested in taking part, you will have an in-person interview. It's between 60 and 90 minutes at a location of your choice.
"We will travel to individuals who want to take part, or find the virtual means to connect with them through a busy time," said Young.
All interviews will be confidential. Young says there will also be focus groups created.
The goal of the study is to create tools and resources that can be shared with the agriculture community, highlighting positive examples and reminding people they are not alone.
"Through our conversation, through the networking that we're hoping this study will bring, we can hopefully get you to the other side, if you are struggling," ended Young. "That way, everyone can share in the good that still exists, I truly believe, in agriculture."
According to a recent survey, agricultural producers in Manitoba face high levels of stress. This includes 58 percent meeting criteria for anxiety disorders and 35 percent for depression.
If you're interested in taking part, call 571-8532. You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A 64-year-old man from Swan River faces several charges after he was stopped on Tuesday night.
At 11:40, the general investigation section from Swan River stopped the man after he failed to stop multiple times. It happened on First Street North in Swan River.
An officer spotted numerous prescription pill bottles in plain view inside the vehicle. He was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle resulted in officers finding more than 10 pill bottles, cash, knives, and multiple phones.
The suspect was searched and officers found more cash and another phone. He was released on an undertaking.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Bylaw officers in Dauphin seized a dog and a 33-year-old remains in custody.
On Wednesday morning at 9:10, Dauphin RCMP witnessed an assault in progress on Main Street North. The 33-year-old Dauphin man was punching and kicking the 36-year-old victim. The suspect also used his dog to help attack the victim.
The male victim was taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
As for the 33-year-old suspect, charges are pending against him.
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The Grandview Agricultural Community Centre held their End to End Gala last Saturday, as a way to say thanks to everyone that's helped raise money for the new ice plant. But even in trying to give back, the community keeps on giving. The total raised from the event is staggering.
"Just over $50,000 raised that night, and then donations have been pouring in which is wonderful, because we still have a little bit of a way to go...we had a great attendance, even though the weather kind of turned snowy and rainly, we had a wonderful turnout. We had Kaitlyn Lawes and Russ Romaniuk speaking and they were wonderful speakers, and lots of money was raised for our ice plant project, and just overall it was a beautiful atmosphere," said Alia Marcinkow with the Grandview & District Recreation Commission.
Between the food, speakers, and auctions, the GACC was a great place to be on Saturday. Marcinkow said their live auction definitely drew in a lot of people.
"We had a live auction with a [Matthew] Schaefer jersey, a Ryan Pulock jersey who is from Grandview, and actually Russ Romaniuk, one of the speakers, used to play for the Winnipeg Jets back in the day, he donated a Jets experience with tickets to be in a VIP box with him at a Jets game, so I think that was a highlight for lots of people," said Marcinkow.
Even with $50,000 raised and lots of people in attendance, Marcinkow said the GACC's next planned fundraiser could bring in just as many people. The family of New York Islanders defenceman and Grandview native Ryan Pulock have donated something special.
"They have donated and are running a raffle for an experience to New York City, it'll include flights, it'll include I think 2 Islanders games, it'll include hotel and food at the games, so it's kind of like an all around New York experience for 3 days I believe it is," said Marcinkow.
Though they don't have details on raffle prices or ticket availability just yet, Marcinkow said she hopes to have that out soon. Click here to view the Grandview & District Recreation Commission's Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
On March 23rd, Wilfred Kachurowski of Dauphin was arrested in Marshall County, Minnesota for trying to steal a gun from a gun show. He was released on bail and returned to Canada on March 28th.
After learning stolen weapons might be located at his home, both members of the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team and the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Support Team began an investigation.
On April 15th, officers executed a search warrant at his home, and found seven firearms, at least two of which were stolen from the United States. Several of the firearms were loaded, and not stored in compliance with regulations.
Kachurowsky has been charged with seven gun smuggling and firearms related offences, including weapons trafficking, importing weapons knowing they are unauthorized, and posession of a restricted firearm. He was remanded into custody.
The investigation is still ongoing.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
It's a tradition like none other.
The community of McCreary comes together this weekend for the 14th annual Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival.
"It really showcases the maple syrup producers in the McCreary area," said Pam Little, president. "It's the Manitoba maple that we're featuring, which can be tapped like the super maple in Ontario."
The two-day festival runs on Saturday and Sunday, and if you're planning to attend, Little says the most important thing you can do is head to the sugar bush walking tour.
"We've built an entire festival around that. There is a lot for everyone this weekend," continued Little.
McCreary is known as the Maple Syrup Capital of Manitoba. This weekend, it'll be on full display. Saturday morning fires up with a pancake breakfast from 8:00 to 11:00 at the Legion Hall on 1st Avenue. There is a market from 10:00 to 3:00 at the Community Centre and children and youth activities from 11:30 to 3:00 at the Senior Drop-In Centre.
There will be horse and wagon rides from 10:30 to 2:45 on Saturday, and local performers will take centre stage from 11:30 until 4:15 downtown. Little says this year's event will be another economic boost, as it has been for the past 13 years.
"You know, people stay overnight, which helps," said Little. "People eat in the community. Different organizations help us. Businesses are busier, it's great for the entire community."
The two-day event requires more than 100 volunteers. From start to finish, it's community spirit at its finest.
There will be another pancake breakfast on Sunday morning at the Legion Hall, and there is geocaching at the drop-in centre from 10:30 to 12:30. There's a beading workshop from 10:00 to 2:00 on Sunday and an old-time dance from 12:00 to 4:00.
A highlight of the weekend is the maple dessert contest starting at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon at the Community Centre. The Maeghan Bramley Memorial Steppers hit the centre at the community centre at 1:30 on Sunday afternoon.
If you've never been before, make a stop in McCreary this weekend for a sweet treat. And rain or shine, the festivities roll on.
"Yes, we hope for good weather," ended Little. "Even if it's cool, we'll still be going. We have a ton of blankets and everything people need."
The Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival is back in McCreary, and it's set to be a tasty weekend. An individual pass is just $5 per day. A family pass is $25.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The City of Dauphin has started street sweeping on priority routes in the city to help reduce dust and debris.
In a news release, the city said Main Street is scheduled for early morning sweeping, starting at 5 AM Wednesday morning, weather permitting.
The city asks residents to avoid parking on Main Street overnight on Tuesday to allow crews to complete their work quickly and safely.
Residential areas will be swept once boulevards have dried enough to allow for full sweeping operations.
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The Manitoba government has released their third Spring Flood Bulletin for the year, warning that runoff is expected to start this week in many high-risk parts of Manitoba.
The bulletin says the Parkland is expected to have a high risk of overland flooding, due to rapid snowmelt and warming tempartures. There is also risk of ice jam flooding in the Interlake.
Other areas of concern include the Icelandic and Fisher River basins, the later expected to see between 15 and 25 millimetres of rain-snow mix precipitation. The government says they've provided Peguis First Nation, which could see the most flooding they've had in a decade, with 11,000 super sandbags, and Fisher River Cree Nation with 36,000 sandbags and more than 1,000 super sandbags.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre says a "potentially significant precipitation system" is expected to hit central and northern Manitoba with 20 to 60 millimetres of rain and snow. They say The Pas is expected to be one of the most heavily impacted areas, possibly seeing 40 centimetres of snow accumulation between Thursday and Saturday.
The province encourages Manitobas to continue to monitor flood bulletins and local networks to stay informed, especially people living near rivers, streams, and low-lying areas.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Parks Canada has started a prescribed fire in Riding Mountain National Park.
The fire is in the Lake Audy area of the park. Prescribed fires are intentionally set to limit the spread of aspen and shrubs, remove white spruce encroaching into grassland areas, and rejuvinate forest stands, according to the Parks Canada news release.
This specific fire is designed to improve the forage for grazing wildlife like bison, elk, and deer, and to reduce the risk of a high intensity wildfire within the park in the future.
Parks Canada says smoke and flames may be visible from a long distance, and smoke may drift outside of the park.
The park will remain open to visitors during the fire, but some areas could be closed to ensure visitor safety. Potential closures include the bison enclosure and facilities, Lake Audy Road and Lake Audy Dam Road, and several trails in the area of the fire.
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For the first time in four years, extra-big waves are being felt at the Kin Aquatic Centre inside the Parkland Rec Complex.
Shut down since 2022, the wave machine is back. That means the next time you hit the water, you could be in for a wavy treat.
Wes Carnegie with Dauphin Rec is thrilled that the waves are back.
"Yeah, absolutely. It's a feature that not many pools in Manitoba have; we're one of a few," said Carnegie. "The kids just love it when it's turned on. It gives them some extra excitement."
The machine itself costs roughly $34,000. On top of that, the price was increased due to electrical costs.
Carnegie says it was heartbreaking when the machine went down four years ago. Thanks to the Manitoba Summer Games Legacy Fund and the Dauphin and District Community Foundation, the waves are back.
Both groups provided funds to replace the machine. Without that help, Carnegie says this likely wouldn't have been possible.
"When they came in and offered to help us out, that was great," ended Carnegie. "I want to give a shoutout to my lead man, Jason Shullman. He did a great job. He was the mastermind putting it back in; it was a lot of work. As well as our other incredible workers."
To find out when you can hit the water at the Kin Aquatic Centre, head here.
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