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The Manitoba government is letting the public know of new measles exposure sites in Brandon.
Anyone who attended AG Days, visited hotels, restaurants, and shops should monitor symptoms until February 13.
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat.
Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body.
Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
Anyone at these locations on the specified dates and times is asked to monitor for symptoms until the identified dates:
- Manitoba Ag Days, Keystone Centre, Brandon:
Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11.
Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12.
Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13.
- Great Western Roadhouse, inside the Canad Inns Destination Centre, 1125 18th St., Brandon.
Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11. - Manitoba Ag Days, Agriculture in the Classroom event at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Dome Building, Unit 1-A, 1200 13th St., Brandon:
Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11.
Jan. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12.
Jan. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13.
If you were at any of these locations, public health is asking to check your immunization records to make sure you're up to date with the measles vaccine.
If you develop symptoms, isolate at home and contact your health care provider and tell them of potential exposure. Measles is a highly infectious communicable disease that is spread through droplets in the air formed when coughing or sneezing.
An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. The disease tends to be more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening.
For details on who is eligible for the vaccine, click here.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
It'll be a night to remember inside Credit Union Place.
A game you won't want to miss and an experience that'll have you smiling and feeling good. The Parkland U18 Rangers host Ukrainian Night on Saturday. The Kenora Thistles come to town for the game.
Ryan Rauliuk from Ruff's Furniture is the game sponsor and is taking care of the festivities. You can get tickets for the game at Credit Union Place on Saturday, leading up to puck drop. Already more than 800 have sold.
The evening includes a live band, dance performances, and some exciting intermission games on the ice. The Cossacks will be out in full force, and proceeds from the game are staying local.
"St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dauphin will get half of the proceeds," said Rauliuk. "The other half will go to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection. I'm Christian, and I want to give back to the churches. Churches are struggling these days, and I want to be there to help them out."
There will be a post-game Zabava. Tickets for the game and Zabava are $5. Ryan, whose son Mitchell calls U18 Rangers games, is a former trainer for the team. That means Saturday's game has extra meaning.
"Moving to the Rangers as a trainer, I was working with the families," ended Rauliuk. "I wasn't only dealing with the players, but the parents as well. Putting on this event, I see the good that comes out of the parents; they're so welcoming, and they make me feel a part of the family."
On the ice, it's a key game for the team. Coming in with four straight losses, Parkland has slipped to seventh in the standings. They're two points behind Southwest for sixth and one point ahead of the eighth-place Pembina Valley Hawks.
The Rangers first play on Friday against Yellowhead.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
All the best sausages will be out in Grandview on Saturday.
The Kinsmen Club is hosting its first annual Sausagefest at the Legion at 7:00 p.m. There is no entry fee, and you're encouraged to stick around after judging for some food and beverages.
Steve Lukey is spearheading the event.
"Everyone can bring a ring or two of their homemade sausages," said Lukey. "We'll have a panel of judges. Then, after, we'll have a supper."
Whether it's beef, pork, deer, elk, moose, bear, goose, turkey, or vegetarian, now is your time to shine. If you have something you know the community will love, take a ring or two to Sausagefest 2026 and show it off.
Prizes will be given out.
While this is the first annual event, Lukey has plenty of optimism thanks to the feedback on their social media. The community appears to be buzzing.
"I think we're getting some pretty decent traction and engagement," ended Lukey. "It would be great if people would let us know if they're coming and planning on entering. That way, we'll know what to expect."
If you do plan on entering your sausage into the Grandview Kinsmen's Club sausagefest, reach out to them on Facebook.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Swan River Centennial Arena was built in 1967.
It's home to the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and local teams of all ages, from minor hockey to the Swan River Tigers high school hockey team, and everything in between.
It features four dressing rooms, a sound system, a fully-stocked canteen, and is the heartbeat of the community.
The facility hosts birthday parties, public skating, and so much more. Danielle Gordon-Broome is the recreation director for the Town of Swan River, and she spoke on what the arena means to the community.
She said it's a central hub and a gathering place.
"A place where people of all ages come out and get together," said Gordon-Broome. "Whether it's the older generation teaching the younger generation, or sitting in the stands and watching the Stampeders play. It's a central place for our community."
A few years ago, issues with the facility started to surface. The original idea was to retrofit the arena to modernize it. While this process started, there was a change in the council. New members had the vision of a new arena.
The direction changed, and buzz in the community began to build.
"Obviously, the prospect of getting an upgraded facility is a big thing for anyone who uses the current arena," added Gordon-Broome. "Being a Centennial Arena, it's been around for a long time. The prospect of something bright, shiny, and new is always an exciting thing."
The Town then applied for a grant through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program. On Wednesday, a heartbreaking result came to life. The Town of Swan River learned they were not selected for funding.
"It's obviously disappointing and isn't the outcome we were hoping for," ended Gordon-Broome. "At this point, we're going to gather again and discuss what the future of either a new facility or the current facility will look like."
This is a developing story that we'll continue to cover.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Dauphin & District Food Bank is as busy as ever, and they're about to get a boost.
Walmart in Dauphin is taking part in the "Walmart Canada Fight Hunger. Spark Change." campaign.
Walmart partners with Food Banks Canada to raise funds and collect food for local food banks.
The campaign runs from February 5 to March 4. Robin Gambler with the Food Bank is very appreciative.
"That is amazing. Dauphin is amazing, all these companies are doing food drives for us," said Gambler. "It's fantastic. It's going to get us a ton of stuff that we can give back to the community."
Until March 4, you can give back by donating at checkout. You can also drop off non-perishable food items at the store.
All the proceeds go directly to the Dauphin & District Food Bank.
Each intake at the Food Bank is about 100 applications. Gambler says each week, including children, they provide hampers for anywhere between 150 and 350 people.
"There is a huge need with the high costs of everything. We are getting new clients every intake," added Gambler. "It makes us feel good that we can give folks a box of food. Even though it's only a three-day supply, it's better than nothing."
The next intake is February 12. If you require a hamper, head to Parkland Crossing just before 5:00 on February 12.
You must bring your Manitoba Health Card. If you have further questions, you can call 638-7853.
Gambler is always pleased when she sees a family walking out with a hamper and a smile on their face.
"They are very happy. They appreciate everything that we can give them," ended Gamber. "When they come to our computers and need something like personal hygiene, toothpaste, or something like that, we usually have it. They really love that we can do that for them."
So if you have the means to chip in, head to Walmart in Dauphin and support the "Walmart Canada Fight Hunger. Spark Change." campaign, supporting the Dauphin & District Food Bank.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Manitoba RCMP are currently on the lookout for 31-year-old Jesse Flett.
He's wanted for cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking, following a search of a Peguis First Nation residence.
Flett is described as 5'10" and 200 lbs, with red hair.
RCMP are wanting anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Fisher Branch RCMP at 204-372-8484, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8577, or submit an anonymous tip at manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by LJ Burke
The Dauphin RCMP responded to a three-vehicle collision on River Avenue East and Mountain Road on Thursday morning.
Just before 8:25, an SUV turning from River Avenue onto Mountain Road hit a truck. The SUV then spun and hit a third vehicle stopped at the intersection.
No injuries were reported.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The temperature in Riding Mountain National Park is about to heat up this weekend.
In more ways than one. We can expect a high of minus 14 on Friday. Then on Saturday and Sunday, highs of minus 4 and plus three are forecasted. The weather will be gorgeous.
On top of that, Friends of RMNP is hosting its 21st annual Winter Adventure Weekend from Friday to Sunday. George Hartlen is the CEO of Friends of RMNP.
"After the week and a half of deep freeze temperatures, these rebounding temperatures are creating lots of excitement for getting people outdoors," said Hartlen. "We've had lots of interest in different activities. People are just excited to get outside to enjoy the weather."
The festivities open on Friday with the Onanole and Area hockey tournament at the Onanole Rec Centre starting at 6:30. There is live music at the Lakehouse at 7:00, then again at 8:30 at the Elkhorn Resort Buffalo Bar. The hockey tournament and both concerts are free.
"We'll be doing things like a hot dog BBQ fundraiser on Saturday," added Hartlen. "We've got winter scavenger hunts. There will be a group snowshoe and snow carving. There will be live music in the Klar-So snow pavilion."
There will be a social on Saturday night starting at 9:00 at the Onanole Rec Centre. On Sunday, there's public skating at the Rec Centre, a chili and bun fundraiser, and kids' snow painting.
Hartlen says this is always a weekend that many circle on their calendars.
"This is one of the big events that happen here during the winter season," continued Hartlen. "It's a great opportunity to get outdoors and to embrace winter. There is so much planned here."
Regardless of whether you're five or 95, there's something for you. A majority of the events are free.
So whether you're taking a solo trip or heading down with the family, the Winter Adventure Weekend in Riding Mountain National Park is ready to welcome you.
"Yes, exactly. It's for little kids to seniors, and everything in between," ended Hartlen. "Get outside, have some fun, and enjoy everything that RMNP has to offer."
You can see a full weekend schedule here.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Snowtraxx Snowmobile Club has been around since 1997 and is based in Foxwarren.
The Club is a not-for-profit that grooms and maintains 385 kilometres of trails from Birtle to Russell to Rossburn, and many areas in between. The trails are groomed weekly, and there are 50 members.
"There's a core group, and then some come and go," said Alan Butler, president. "It's a pretty active group. We normally groom about four to five thousand kilometres of trails per year. That includes all the signage on those trails."
Over the weekend, 50 snowmobilers from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and one from the United States took part in the Ride around the Mountain to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Snoman. The ride started last Thursday with minus 31, with the snowmobilers split into two groups of 25.
Riders passed through 14 communities. This included Dauphin, who, as a group, spent the night before returning to their home base. Riders also visited Neepawa, Grandview, and Minnedosa.
When the crew returned to Russell on Saturday, there was a feast, and many great stories were shared.
"It was good. It averaged about 600 kilometres in total for each rider," added Butler. "Saturday was better at minus 13. There were no accidents and no problems; that's what it is all about. Everyone had a lot of fun."
The Club has four groomer operators. They're responsible for maintaining the trails. Two operators are based in Birtle and two in Rossburn. If you have a snowmobile and are interested in what the Snowtraxx Snowmobile Club offers, Alan says they always welcome new members. You can message them on Facebook.
Butler said it's a great social outlet. They manage six shelters that are spread throughout the trail system. They're stocked with wood.
"It's an opportunity for people to get on their sled and go a long way or for a short ride," commented Butler. "It's a good way to enjoy the winter and make some new friends."
From an economic point of view, the Snowtraxx Snowmobile Club is a driving force in the region for local businesses.
"It's good for the communities. Many of the small communities in the winter months are stagnant; there isn't much going on," ended Butler. "Restaurants and service stations do very well with our snowmobilers. I believe they keep some of them open during the winter months."
The Club is also giving a big shoutout to the students at Birtle Collegiate who did the artwork on the handout bags given to snowmobilers during the ride.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
It will take nine years to fully build out new wind farms that Manitoba Hydro is relying upon to increase its generating capacity, the provincial Crown corporation states in a new plan to ensure it has enough power to meet consumer needs.
But the same plan calls for gas-burning turbines in Brandon to be fully built by 2030, soon enough to allay concerns about mid-winter peak demands for power exceeding the available supply.
This week, Hydro published its new integrated resource plan, which lays out how the provincial Crown corporation plans to both save and generate more electricity over the next 10 years.
What's officially known is the plan calls for Hydro to make 1,760 more megawatts of electricity available to consumers within 10 years through a combination of energy-saving measures and new infrastructure.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The provincial government is set to host several town halls across Manitoba, giving the public a chance to provide input on the 2026 budget.
The closest one to the Parkland will take place February 13th at The Backyard on Aberdeen in Brandon.
Town halls will also be held in Winnipeg on Feb. 10, Flin Flon on Feb. 19 and Gimli on Feb. 26.
There will be two telephone town halls — one on Feb. 11 and another on Feb. 17.
Participants have to create an Engage Manitoba account to register for the meeting they plan to attend. Engage Manitoba is a public engagement platform for the provincial government.
The province has also invited Manitobans to share their priorities for this year’s budget through an online survey, which is open until Feb. 28.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
