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The Parkland's most up-to-date source of local news.

Farm Outlook 2026 is being deemed a huge success by the Dauphin Ag Society.

The one day ag conference took place on Tuesday, and co-chair Chad Sahulka says they had a great attendance, and an outstanding field of presenters. 

"Honestly, I think everyone did a great job of presenting.  I do not think we had anything that was not relevant in today's industry.  Everything was great, our speakers kept everyone engaged throughout the entire day."

The event also included the presentation of the Ron Brook Memorial award.

This year's recipients were Ben and Linda Fox, for their involvement with 4-H and other youth ag programs in the region.  

Through the Dauphin Hospital Foundation, the Dauphin Regional Health Centre's Cancer Care Unit received a $30,000 donation to help cancer patients feel more comfortable receiving care. 

In a news release, Prairie Mountain Health said often patients need to sit for extended periods to receive intravenous fluids and/or blood products. Having a warm seat helps ease that chill and discomfort. In addition, the chairs offer a swing away arm that allows staff the ability to transfer patients to a stretcher if needed in an emergency. 

Kathy Ward, DRHC Chemotherapy Health Services Manager, said donations like this means a lot to staff and patients alike. 

"When we receive donations from families and individuals who have received care at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, it's an indication that they are appreciative of the care we are able to deliver much closer to home...when we're able to purchase equipment and supplies that help to support our patients in their clinical environment, and particularly those in the cancer care world as they're going through their journey, it's extremely invaluable support to those patients and to the frontline staff," said Ward. 

Though the new chairs are smaller than existing ones at the DRHC's Cancer Care Unit, Ward said having the new chairs helps give more options to help keep all kinds of cancer care patients comfortable. 

"Overarchingly the mood has been positive, the staff are always grateful any time we receive new equipment or supplies, and our patients who are on the receiving end of that are also very grateful to receive them," said Ward. 

Ward said the Dauphin Regional Health Centre's Cancer Care Unit sees 90 to 100 new patients each year, with varying treatment regimens. She said the new chairs will definitely see use helping patients feel more comfortable. 

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce held their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, covering how last year went for the chamber, and providing an update of their plans for 2026. 

Kamryn Winters is the Chamber's new Executive Director. She says though she's the new kid on the block, her experiences with the Chamber in the past will help make the Chamber better in her new role. 

"My past experiences with the Chamber would have been being a member of the Chamber through Countryfest, so obviously attending the street fair, and excited to be more involved in the street fair, especially because event planning is my background just being with Countryfest in general," said Winters. 

Winters isn't the only new board member this year. She says the unique makeup of the new board is definitely an asset. 

"The nice thing about the Chamber board is everybody has connections to different organizations and businesses within the Chamber, so having a board of directors that has all that networking power and knowledge is so important for the Parkland Chamber to even move forward with event planning and making sure that you're not double booking events at the same time, and everybody's helping each other out," said Winters. 

Even though the year went well and the AGM is over, there's no time to rest. The Chamber is hosting their Chamber Celebration Night on March 18th, where they celebrate various Chamber members with recognition and different awards. 

"It's going to be a really good night, and it's important to recognize all the nominees whether they end up leaving with an award or not, there's a lot of really good startup businesses that some people might not know are even a business, so it's really exciting to come out and see what the Parkland has to offer," said Winters. 

In her written Executive Director's Report, she said next year's focus will be on strengthening member value, expanding relevant programming, and continuing to position the Parkland Chamber of Commerce as a trusted connector, supporter, and advocate for business in the region. 

For more details about the Parkland Chamber of Commerce and their Chamber Celebration Night, click here to visit their website. 

10 years ago this week, Lorlene Bone of the Sapoteweyak Cree Nation was reported missing.

She last spoke to her mother on February 29, 2016, and was reported missing to Swan River RCMP on March 9, 2016. She would now be 41 years old.

The Manitoba RCMP continue to receive tips about her disappearance. Investigators are following up on any new leads in the hope of resolving the decade-long mystery.

“Numerous searches have taken place over the past 10 years and we’ve followed up on many tips, but we continue to look for the one piece of information that get us the answers we’re looking for, and find Lorlene,” said RCMP Sgt. Marnie Carvelli. “We continue to urge anyone with information, no matter how small the detail, to contact our detachment.”

If you have any information that could be of assistance to investigators, call the Swan River RCMP at 734-4686. You can also submit a tip online. 

Starting in August, provincially regulated workplaces in Manitoba will be required to provide free menstrual products to their employees. 

In a news release on Monday, Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino said the changes are about fairness and dignity at work, and periods are a normal part of life and workplaces should reflect that reality by making sure workers have what they need. 

The changes come from the results of a 5 year review by the Workplace Safety and Health Review Committee. The government estimated the cost for businesses to implement the changes at $10 to $25 per employee, with an added installation cost of dispensers and other equipment of up to $300. 

Though Manitoba is the first province to implement this change, federally regulated workplaces have been provding employees with menstrual products since 2023. 

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce held their Milestone Awards and Annual General Meeting today, honouring several long-time parkland businesses for their dedication to both the Chamber and to the Parkland. 

Several businesses this year were honoured for 60 years of membership with the Parkland Chamber of Commerce. Those businesses are: 

  • Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services 
  • CIBC 
  • 730 CKDM 
  • Embroidery by Design & Promotions 
  • McMunn & Yates 
  • MNP 
  • PepsiCo Beverages Ltd 
  • Royal Canadian Legion Dauphin Branch #20 
  • Scotiabank 

Tere Stykalo of MNP said he's glad to be part of an organization with such deep roots in the Parkland area; one that's name commands trust and respect. 

"Makes us feel really good to be part of something that's bigger than just our firm or individual people, this is a community organization that we're just proud to be part of...when you think about all of the things and all of the organizations within our community, the Chamber always stands out because it's a community voice, it's a business voice, and a place where you can trust to get information for all types of businesses," said Stykalo. 

MNP wasn't the only long time Parkland business with similar feelings towards the Chamber. Jason Yates of McMunn & Yates spoke on the chamber's unique place in the Parkland. 

"It feels great, we've had a great team over the 60 years working for McMunn & Yates and representing the company, and it's a long time but it's been a great run for us...the Chamber is always a unique organization, and it really depends on it's membership involvement to bring the success out of what the Chamber does," said Yates. 

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce has been in operation for 122 years, so 60 isn't anything to laugh at: it's an indicator of a long-term commitment to making our Parkland a better place for not only businesses, but any resident of the Parkland. 

The Grandview & District Community Foundation's Annual General Meeting takes place on Wednesday, and Chairperson Tannis Pulock says like past years, the foundation had a very strong 2025. 

"The Grandview & District Community Foundation has had an excellent year. We hit the $1.5 million mark in assets, so we have much to celebrate. I don't think anything went wrong, and I don't think that really anything could have gone better. We had a great year...we live in a very generous community, and I have to admit that the generosity never ceases to amaze us," said Pulock. 

Pulock also said the AGM will talk about the specifics of the year, and what the foundation's plans are for 2026. 

"Our AGM includes a brief history of the foundation, a look at our financial standing, a review of 2025 accomplishments, and a snapshot of our goals and plans for 2026...we did recieve money from the Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund for the first time, and we were very excited to be able to partner with Grandview Fire and Rescue to assist in the purchase of a quick response unit. In 2026 we will also get another installment of the Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund, and we look forward to coming up with a project for that," said Pulock. 

Looking ahead, Pulock said most of their plans for 2026 are simple: helping the community. 

"Our plans are to just continue the support our community needs through the granting process, and we have about $43,000 available to grant out to community organizations," said Pulock. 

The Grandview & District Community Foundation's Annual General Meeting will be held at the Grandview Museum Burrows Building at 6:00 PM on Wednesday. Anyone is welcome to attend. 

The Special Olympics Manitoba Polar Plunge fundraising series made its way through Brandon and Clear Lake this past weekend. 

On Saturday, recruits from the Brandon Police Service plunged into cold water tanks, raising over $21,000 in the process.

Yesterday (Sunday), a similar event was held in Clear Lake, and raised over 10 grand. 

A total of nine events are being planned across the province, with proceeds going to support more than 2,000 athletes with disabilities, who participate in 17 sports through Special Olympics programming.  

The Dauphin Friendship Centre is hosting Healing Drum Circles centered around grief and loss. 

Using her knowledge gained from experience, as well as courses for her Masters in Social Work for Indegenous Trauma and Resilience through the Univerisity of Toronto, MSW ITR student Cynthia Genaille says the nights will focus on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual components of grief. 

"It is our belief in Anishinabek culture that in order for holistic healing, you need to include every part of human being, which includes their spirit. Obviously the mind, obviously what's going on in their heart, how they're feeling, and then their physical health and wellness," said Genaille. 

The sessions are limited to 12 members, and have already filled up, though more may be held in the future. Genaille said smaller sessions were created strategically. 

"We have to consider the heaviness of the topic we are covering, we have to consider people being triggered, and I need to be able to make everyone is safe, and I'm doing this in a trauma informed way," said Genaille. 

Though she has an academic knowledge of the science behind grief and loss, she is also using personal experiences with healing to help others. 

"That is how I dealt with my grief and loss, was turning to my culture and learning all these things...I did a lot of ceremony, I learned from a lot of other people in the community and Elders around me," said Genaille. 

The sessions are being hosted at the Dauphin Friendship Centre over the coming weeks. Genaille said if there is enough interest, there is a possibility of hosting more sessions in the future.

Parkland Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual general meeting tomorrow.

It will begin at 11:45 at the Watson Art Centre.

Besides looking back at last year and previewing the coming year for the chamber, Executive Director Kamryn Winters says the event also includes the presentation of their milestone awards. 

"What the Milestone awards are is, it is our luncheon for one, but it is also to celebrate any Chamber members that have hit milestones.  So whether that is 5, 10 years, and I know CKDM is hitting 60 years (this year).  So you know, it is a big deal for some of these businesses.  And for the chamber as well, it is nice to have that support from businesses and non-profit organizations as well."

Winters says they will be recognizing around 40-50 businesses and non-profits with milestone awards.

We are just one day away from Farm Outlook 2026.

The annual one-day Ag Conference is set for tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Parkland Rec Complex. 

Chad Sahulka with the Dauphin Ag Society says they are excited to be bringing the event back this year. 

"We are excited to put on a show that gives us an outlook every year on what we need and want in the farming community.  The preparations are going well from our committee with the Dauphin Ag Society, and everything is going good.  We have a alot of speakers lined up  and it should be a really good day."

Topics being discussed this year include a market outlook, weeds, an update from Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, and a presentation on human resources.  

The day also includes the presentation of the Ron Brook Memorial Award.  

Admission for the day is $20,which includes lunch.

The event begins at 9 am.