NewsNow
Manitoba's Outstanding Young Farmer for 2026 will be recognized during a competition and subsequent awards banquet tomorrow (Saturday) at Elkhorn Resort in Riding Mountain National Park.
Anita Penner with the Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmer Program says they look for a number of qualities in their nominees.
"We look for people that have taken an initiative, that celebrate innovation, they practice sustainability, and make outstanding contributions to the agriculture sector."
Three couples will compete for the award this year - Brett and Chantel McRae of Brandon, Braden and Misty Drul of Oakburn, and Joe and Jen Friesen of Grunthal.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation is set to host a presentation titled "Structure Without Stress" on Sunday, focused around strategies for dealing with stress and burnout.
Martina Villa, Behaviour Consultant Master of Arts, said burnout is a lot more common than you'd think.
"It's like that point where your mind and body are just tired from constantly trying to push forward, and you're going through the motions but the energy isn't there anymore...everything these days moves really quickly in life, people are juggling work, family, responsibility, notifications on your phone, and constant information that we're getting, and there's very little space to pause and be grounded, and just take that time for yourself," said Villa.
She said one of the best ways for people to learn how to deal with stress and burnout and find what strategies work for them is to simply talk about it with others who feel it too.
"When people start noticing those patterns they tend to gain more choice and more autonomy over their life, and they start to recognize when stress is building up and what situations tend to trigger it, and what small shifts might help them regulate their nervous system," said Villa.
Stacy Purdey, DNRC Youth Coordinator, said she had been planning talks like this for a while, and Martina's knowledge on the topic will be a big asset.
"Last year I connected with Martina and I said to myself, here's a chance to use her expertise to share why this is happening, how this is happening, and what we can do about it with the whole community...my hope from the entire presentation and from the series is that people gain the tips and tools that they need to feel empowered and more in control of the chaos that is life," said Purdey.
The presentation is set for Sunday at 2:30, but this isn't the only one. The DNRC plans to host a series of presentations on similar topics, all related to stress and burnout. For more information about the presentation series, click here to view the DNRC Facebook page.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Erickson RCMP Officers seized 12 firearms and rougly 2000 rounds of ammunition after executing a search warrant on March 7th.
In a news release, the RCMP said the warrant was issued after investigators determined the resident was in possession of firearms, despite being legally prohibited from doing so.
The 55 year old Erickson male faces charges including unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm contrary to an order, and unsafe storage of firearms, though more charges are anticipated as the RCMP continue to investigate.
The suspect was released on an undertaking, and has a court appearance scheduled for May.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
If you are looking to get out and enjoy the outdoors this weekend, then Riding Mountain National Park is somewhere that you should check out.
Clear Lake County is hosting their annual Fire and Frost festival this weekend.
It begins tonight (Friday) with a kick off party at 7 at the Klar So Winter Pavillion.
There is also a dinner and live music tonight at the Onanole Rec Centre, and more live music at the Lakehouse.
Saturday includes an artisan market at the visitor centre, more live music at the Lakehouse, and a full day of activities at the winter pavillion.
Highlights include a fashion show, a shed derby competition, maple taffy rolling, snow carving demonstration and a fire dancing show.
Sunday wraps up the festival with short films at the visitor centre, a nature walk that starts at the visitor centre, and snow carving at the winter pavillion.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
There's a new feel at the Roblin Centennial Arena, and the community is buzzing about it.
Many years in the making, dreams of renovating the facility are now a reality. Delayed by a few months, the renovations at the rink are complete.
The renovations include an elevator so those who require it can get upstairs or downstairs. They also added two new dressing rooms with a washroom and shower facilities attached to the rooms.
The entrance way has also been enhanced with wider and safer stairs.
Bobbi Stroud is the recreation manager for the Municipality of Roblin.
"We are very happy about it. We have heard nothing but positive comments from people," said Stroud. "There were so many different routes that we could have taken, and you're always worried that people will say you should have done it that way or another way. I think we did it the right way."
The cost for the renovation was roughly $300,000. The new elevator will allow access to the dressing rooms downstairs and the upper lobby.
The Roblin & District Community Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant towards the cost of the elevator. There is signage showing their great contribution.
The arena hosted the U11 provincial championships earlier this month. The host Stars won the tournament in front of their family and friends.
While the elevator wasn't yet operational at that point, Stroud says fans in attendance were raving about the renovations.
"People from Pinawa and Rock Lake were saying how great the facility was," continued Stroud. "We feel great hearing those things. We are so excited. It's really put a whole new look to the arena and made it better for everyone."
To celebrate the renovations, the Roblin Recreation Department are hosting an elevator launch party on Sunday from 10:00 to 1:00. It'll be a come-and-go event with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cookies being served.
The canteen will also serve soup and sandwiches for a small cost.
The renovations will allow people who previously couldn't have a chance to enjoy all the action.
"We have one kid that plays rec hockey, and his mom broke her leg, had major issues, and wasn't able to come to the rink all season," ended Stroud. "She got to come watch his last game of the year because we had the elevator up and running."
There will also be public skating.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Fusion Credit Union has been named a Manitoba Top Employer for the 7th year in a row, as a result of their commitments to their staff and the betterment of the communities they serve.
Stacy Gill, Director of Human Resources, said the recognition shows they're doing something right.
"It just really tells us that we are creating that workplace where people can grow, collaborate, and build meaningful careers. I'd say for us it's more about the people behind it, and the impact that they have on our members and communities," said Gill.
Other names on the list include instantly recognizable businesses at a larger scale, like Manitoba Hydro and the Canadian Canola Grower's Association. Gill said the recognition helps get the message across that local businesses have a very important place.
"Recognition like this just helps highlight that local organizations, like Fusion, can deliver that same level of excellence while staying really deeply connected to our communities," said Gill.
In a news release from Fusion Credit Union, they said "Investing in our people is one of the most beneficial commitments we can make as an organization." Gill said when it comes to employee opportunities, they benefit both sides of the working relationship.
"When employees have opportunities to learn, grow, and develop leadership skills, it really just strengthens the entire organization, and when we have a strong employee experience, we believe that it then translates into a better member experience for our members and our community...last year alone, our employees volunteered thousands of hours locally supporting events and boards and different community initiatives. We've also continued investing in leadership development and employee benefits, while returning value to our members through things like our patronage payments and community investments through our Full Circle fund," said Gill.
On the Manitoba Top Employers website, highlights of Fusion Credit Union include maternity benefits of up to 100% of salary for 6 weeks, employee charitable involvement, and job-related tuition subsidies.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
From grapes to cinnamon buns to yogurt and so much in between, the nutrition program at Henderson Elementary School in Dauphin provides its students with a boost to start their days.
It's a grab-and-go setup, and while not all students take advantage of the program, many do.
Toss in cereal and milk, fresh fruit, muffins, and once in a while, grilled cheese, which principal Chris Barkman says is a favourite amongst the students. The meal plan changes from day to day.
One thing that is guaranteed is that students have the option to grab a meal before the day begins.
Barkman says the students grab their food and eat in the gym. It's a chance for them to spend time with their friends before the school day begins.
"It starts the day on a positive note," said Barkman. "It gets their minds and bodies ready to learn. Their stomachs are full, and they can focus."
The program is available Monday through Friday. That's when two to three grade five students step up to help serve the food. The school has created a schedule that says which students come in on which day.
The students come in early at 8:15 and prepare for the rush ahead.
"They can take a leadership role because they are our oldest students. We follow the seven habits in the "Leader in Me" program here," continued Barkman. "Any opportunity that we can give students to demonstrate leadership skills, kindness, and compassion, it's a win-win.
Some people may ask why a nutritious morning meal is beneficial. It fuels the brain, reduces behavioural issues and irritability, and supports physical health.
Henderson Elementary School's nutrition program is fueling students. The grade five students play an important role by serving the food.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Mountain View School Division's proposed budget passed the vote at Monday's board meeting, increasing the 2026 budget by $2.7 million.
Lori Slepicka, Secretary Treasurer, said the majority of the increase goes to costs related to staff.
"The total funding increase in the budget is $2.7 million, and about $2.5 million of that actually goes to staffing costs. 34.7% of that $2.5 million is our harmonization cost to bring teacher salaries to the provincially negotiated salaries," said Slepicka.
Another area of interest in the budget is increased to the School Division's property taxes. Notably, a $1.5 million or 7.24% increase on their Special Levy, a one-time payment from the lot owner to help cover shared costs, and a Mill Rate increase from 13.26 to 14.14, which is 6.6%. That Mill Rate means for every $1000 of assessed value, the lot owner pays $6.36, with up to a $1500 credit.
"The 6.6% is going to be adequate because of the process that we go through when we ensure that the increase that we ask for is adequate to cover what we've accepted to be essential," said Slepicka.
Slepicka said she supports the increase to the budget because it should cover the essentials, but the Mountain View School Division would rather have more of the burden on the province.
"The increase is good because it covers what we needed it to, but is it ever enough, probably not...our preference would be that education is more adequately funded by the province as opposed to having to tax locally," said Slepicka.
The Mountain View School Divison received a provincial funding increase of just 0.7% for 2026, the lowest of all School Divisions in Manitoba.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Even though the next provincial election is not until October of 2027, it is not too early to start preparing for it.
Greg Nesbitt, the current MLA for Riding Mountain, has been acclaimed by the Manitoba P-C Party to run again in the next election.
He joins Spruce Woods' Colleen Robbins as current P-C MLA's already committed to run in the next provincial election.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin Lake Walleye Dash, which was set for this Saturday, has been cancelled.
Low ticket sales are the main cause of cancellation. Due to low ticket sales, the prize pool as a 50/50 between the Kin Club and the top 3 walleye caught would have been too low.
Nicole Gulenchin, Kin Club President, said the low prize pool meant it wouldn't be worth attending the event for anyone driving a long distance, and that they would not be able to provide a donation to the Countryfest Community Cinema.
- Details
- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
UPDATE: In an emailed statement to 730 CKDM, Manitoba Hydro said the outage will be postponed due to a community event. There is not yet a new date for the work, but the outage and work will not take place this weekend.
Manitoba Hydro is scheduling a power outage for this weekend for residents in the RM of Alonsa and on the Ebb & Flow First Nation.
The outage will begin at 9 am on Saturday and is expected to continue until about 5 that afternoon.
The outage is so that crews can cut back trees that are extending into power lines in the area.
In a Facebook post, the crown corporation says it is complex work that needs to be completed. and because of that a second power outage may be needed on Sunday if all of the work can not be completed on Saturday.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
