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The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program will be able to sustain and expand its professional counselling services thanks to a funding commitment from the provincial and federal governments.
The two-year, $300,000 commitment comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
In making the joint announcement, Manitoba Agriculture minister and Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn said the continued funding will allow the program to expand services, maintain timely access to counselling and support those in underserved areas such as farm employees and agricultural service providers.
The MFWP was created in response to the increasingly complex challenges farmers face
The program is designed specifically for the agriculture community and provides counselling services delivered by professionals with agricultural literacy, who understand the unique stressors farmers, farm families and agricultural employees face.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has steadily expanded, with participation and counselling sessions increasing.
It continues to promote mental wellness and coping strategies through workshops, presentations and multimedia resources, reaching farmers, families and workers across Manitoba.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Play, Pie, Pint.
The community of Dauphin wanted it, and you're about to get it. Held for the first time last year, Play, Pie, Pint includes three short plays, a pint of beer from Obsolete Brewing Company, and a meat pie from Western Bakery in Dauphin.
This year it runs on February 22 and March 8 at Obsolete in Dauphin.
It begins at 4:00 each day, and as Jean-Louis Guillas says, it's back by popular demand after a great turnout last year.
"We soldout both afternoons. We sold almost 100 tickets to each show," said Guillas. "We are expecting the same for this year. People really seem to like the idea."
On February 22, Martijn van Lujin opens up the show with "The Pot Hole We Hold On To". Sophie Guillas has "40 Below," and Murray D Evans has "Tales from the Heart".
On March 8, Christine Harapiak presents "Counting On You", Jean-Louis has "Village Shuffle", and Christine has "The List".
"Everybody who's on the bill this year has a local connection. They live here, used to, or have played here," said Jean-Louis. "It shows you that if you have the skills and want to develop them,, you can tell a story that's inspired by growing up here, and living here."
February 22
The Pot Hole We Hold On To (Martijn van Lujin) A Civic Issue. A community problem. A very bad idea.
40 Below (Sophie Guillas) New Year's Eve in Winnipeg, and drama plays out on city transit.
Tales from the Heart (Murray D Evans) Drug-induced follies straight from the heart patient recovery ward.
March 8
Counting On You (Christine Harapiak) Who exactly can one count on these days?
Village Shuffle (Jean-Louis Guillas) The train is coming. What will this mean for the residents of Gartmore in the summer of 1896?
The List (Christine Harapiak) We need 75 names for the list. That should be easy enough.
Tickets for each show are just $25. They're available at the Watson Art Centre, and only cash is accepted.
Proceeds support Dauphin Culture Days.
"It's a great chance to hear new stories, and some enthusiastic actors," ended Guillas. "You get to support some developing plays that you may see acted out later on. Come out, hang with your friends, have a beer, and be entertained."
Play, Pie, Pint. returns to Obsolete Brewing Company in Dauphin on February 22 and March 8.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Riding Mountain National Park has once again introduced their Winter Pavilion, spicing up their seasonal attractions.
It's the largest snow-supported structure in Western Canada. If you're out for a skate or a hot chocolate, you'll find the pavilion nearby with great art carved into its side.
RMNP offers plenty to see and do throughout the winter months.
"We have a lot going on in terms of activities, like I said, there's skiing, there's skating, even just coming into a restaurant, getting a meal or getting a hot chocolate. So there's still lots to take in and enjoy, you know, all the beauty the park has to offer."
To learn more about what RMNP has to offer, you can visit their website at Riding Mountain National Park
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- Contributed by LJ Burke
The Parkland region is currently under an orange warning.
A colder and windier air mass is entering Manitoba into the overnight hours on Wednesday and lasting at least three days. If you're outside at all over the next few days, cover up. Frostbite can develop in minutes on exposed skin.
If you are driving, keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets, water, and jumper cables.
Local blowing snow is expected on Wednesday evening with the wind chill dropping to minus 46 overnight. On Thursday, there is a 30 percent chance of flurries early in the morning with a high of minus 28. The wind chill is expected to be minus 46 in the morning and minus 41 in the afternoon.
On Friday, the expected high is minus 25 without the wind chill. The expected high on Saturday is minus 27 and minus 23 on Sunday. Also be careful when letting your animals outside to go to the washroom. If its too cold for us, its too cold for them.
Stay safe, be cautious, and buckle in for an extremely cold next few days.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The MLA for Swan River says he saw first hand the crisis that in unraveling at the Swan Valley Health Centre due to nurse staffing shortages.
Rick Wowchuk says he spent 8 -1/2 hours in the Emergency department of the hospital last week before he was able to see a doctor.
Both the Provincial Tory caucus and the Manitoba Nurses Union have been sounding the alarm bells ever since the province announced a plan to reduce the number of nursing agencies that they deal with to fill vacancies from around 80 to just 4.
Wowchuk says the plan is ill-conceived and poorly timed.
"And we see this time and time again from this government, and then they have to back-step and come up with another plan that does not work. It is trial and error, and every time that happens, we are putting a lot of patients at risk These drastic changes should have been phased out over a much longer period of time to allow the hospitals and health districts time to react and change."
January 15th was when the reduction took effect, but Wowchuk says he has heard that the government is looking at an extension to February 1st.
Even then, he says it is still not enough time.
"I look at Swan River and they did not fill any vacancies in two years. So how can they do it in two yweeks is what I am saying to resolve this situation?"
When asked about the change in deadline date, Cabinet communications provided the following comment from the Health Minister.
She said the direction to move forward with the transition remains unchanged, with patient safety at the centre of every decision we are making. As this work continues, regions are being supported to manage patient safety in real time. That includes al lowing regions with unique challenges the flexibility to temporarily work with agencies, as needed, to ensure safe and reliable care.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The consultation process continues towards a new justice facility in Dauphin, which is expected to begin construction later this year.
Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn has been taking part in those consultations.
He says they continue to work on what all is going to be included in the facility.
"The old-style terminology of what a jail was is not what we are looking at. We are looking at means of modernizing the opportunities of this justice facility and work within those needs and the challenges that they face."
Kostyshyn noted that this week marks the sixth anniversary of the closure of the former Dauphin jail.
"We in the Parkland area realize what happened six years, and how it really left a legacy of negativity in our area, for the people that worked there, and for the economy that it brought to both the Parkland and the province."
Kostyshyn is optimistic that an announcement of the size and some of the features that will be included in the justice facility can be made in the coming weeks.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin & District Food Bank received a donation of $2,000 worth of Kraft Heinz products.
The donation was made possible with the Kraft Heinz Groceries for Good contest, which helps feed food banks across the country. Kraft Heinz pledged a meal for Food Banks Canada for each time a customer bought a participating product at Canadian grocery stores.
Robin Gambler was on hand at the Dauphin Co-op to receive the generous donation. It included Kraft Dinner, Cheez-Whiz, ranch dressing, and so much more.
"Wow, that's amazing. Kraft Dinner is a staple that we put in all hampers," said Gambler. "We don't get Cheez-Whiz in often, so that's a real treat for folks. With prices going up and how busy we are at the Food Bank, it's great that we're going to be able to give these items out."
At their last intake, the Food Bank fulfilled 140 applications. Gambler says the Food Bank is busier than ever, and she doesn't expect that to change anytime soon. This donation will take care of the Food Bank's next intake.
If you need assistance from the Dauphin & District Food Bank, next Thursday is the next intake. Head to Parkland Crossing before 5:00 p.m. and bring your Manitoba health card.
"We have someone handing them numbers, so it makes things easier; there isn't any confusion on who's next," said Gambler. "They get their stuff and on the way they go."
Gambler says they're forever thankful for the recent donation from Kraft. She also says the Food Bank always welcomes donations from the community.
"What we're really low on right now is feminine hygiene," ended Gambler. "Any canned food. There has to be something from every food group in each hamper. Any non-perishable food item, we greatly appreciate it."
The Dauphin Food Bank is here for you when you need them.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Hockey meets culture this Saturday night when the Dauphin Kings hold their annual Ukrainian Night.
Christian Laughland with the Kngs says there will be more than just a hockey game when the Kings host Niverville at Credit Union Place.
"The doors are going to open at 5:30. I know that Ukrainian platters are going to be available at the downstairs concession. We want to thank Shauna and Hat-Trick concessions for doing that. There will be a band at the top of the stairs. There will be tons of vendors on location as well. Tickets have been going very well, and I just want to reiterate that this a great partnership between the Kings and Canada's National Ukrainian Festival."
The Kings will also be wearing special jerseys that evening which will be auctioned off, with the proceeds being split between the Kings and Canada's National Ukrainian Festival.
Tickets are $5 each and are available at the CNUF office in the Dauphin Marketplace Mall.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The ice plant project is well underway.
Recently, the Grandview Ice Plant project received a grant of $1,262,314 through the Manitoba government's GRO program.
In another major boost, the project has now received a $100,000 donation from The Richardson Foundation. Jeff, Shannon, Eric, and Leigha from Richardson Pioneer recently stopped by the GACC to present the cheque.
Lyle Morran is the mayor of Grandview.
"That's fantastic. That really jumps our fundraising up quite well," said Morran. "It's great to hear and see."
Once complete, the new plant will service both the GACC and the curling rink in Grandview. The Grandview Senior Drop-In Centre donated $6,800 to the project. The Grandview Curling Club also donated $25,000 to the project.
Grand Plains Minor Hockey donated $15,000.
Morran says the group organizing the fundraising has done an incredible job.
"We've had several great donations. Personal and from businesses," added Morran. "It's great how the community has stepped up to help make this happen."
The current ice plant was installed in 1975, and it's on borrowed time. The new energy-efficient ice plant is projected to reduce the Hydro cost by at least 30 per cent.
To those who live in the community and come inside to visit, the GACC and Curling rink share a special place in so many people's hearts.
"Most people realize that recreation is so important for everyone, for everyone from youth to seniors," ended Morran. "If we didn't do something like this, we wouldn't have a skating or curling rink. It's a necessity. We are really happy with how people have stepped up to help."
Morran says they hope to have the new plant operational as soon as possible. Tenders have gone out.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Gypsumville RCMP are searching for a man that's wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.
Brendan Mercredi faces charges of Assault by the Gypsumville RCMP.
He's also wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching his conditions following his release from jail.
He's described as 6'0", 187 pounds, with black hair, and brown eyes.
If you see Brendan, do not approach him, call 9-1-1.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The 2026 edition of the Journey for Sight is underway.
Dean Lounsbury and a great crew of Parkland snowmobiliers, raising money for a great cause, left Dauphin on Tuesday morning.
"We're all pumped. Knowing it's the 40 year anniversary and my 26th, we're all ready to go," said Lounsbury. "There has been a lot of work to get organized. We're loaded, and on the way."
Lounsbury and the crew were at the Dauphin Co-op on Tuesday, dressed extra warm. Temperatures are expected in the high minus 30s over the next few days. Lounsbury says they're ready to brace the elements.
"You know what, we've done it before. There are some new riders, and they're in for a treat," added Lounsbury. "It's unfortunate what has happened up north with the fires. We'll have to do some re-routing and see where things take us. We're in good shape and ready to go."
On Tuesday, the crew left Dauphin and trailered the sleds to Flin Flon. They will stop in Swan River for lunch. On Wednesday, they have a meal in Cranberry Portage and end the day in The Pas. The following day, the ride continues to Swan River.
From there, some riders will go down Highway 83 towards Roblin while the rest will come back Dauphin's way. The ride concludes on January 24 at the Brandon Airport at 3:30 p.m. Members from the Brandon and Wheat City Lions Club will be on hand to provide dinner. There will also be guest speakers.
As the crew departed Dauphin, they received a $1,000 donation from Dauphin Co-op.
"It feels wonderful. It's a big expense, especially this year with how many folks we have," continued Lounsbury. "We always worry about hotel rooms and fuel. This year, we're going to be in good shape, and we thank Dauphin Co-op for the generous donation."
Dean also pays his respects to the residents of Dauphin and the surrounding area.
"For the last number of years, since I have been involved, the people of Dauphin have always come to the table and been good to us," ended Lounsbury. "Dauphin businesses and people have always been very good to us."
Every dollar raised helps people in need. From children gaining clear vision through KidSight screenings, to families supported through hearing programs, to those regaining independence and dignity.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
