Manitoba RCMP Continues to Ask for Tips at the One-Year Anniversary of the Tragic Deaths of Four Members of the Patel Family

On January 19, 2022, Manitoba RCMP discovered four bodies near Emerson, Manitoba, approximately 12 metres from the Canada/US border. Their deaths were determined to be due to exposure.

The four deceased were identified as Indian nationals and all from the same family. Jagdishkumar Patel, a 39-year-old male, Vaishaliben Patel, a 37-year-old female, and their two children Vihangi Patel, an 11year-old female and Dharmik Patel, a 3-year-old male.

Investigators believe the family was dropped off near the border and were attempting to enter the United States on foot with a larger group of people, when they became separated and succumbed to the elements. The bodies of Jagdishkumar, Vihangi and Dharmik were located together. The body of Vaishaliben was located a short distance away from her family.

An investigation was immediately launched and has determined that the Patel family entered Canada for the purpose of eventually entering into the United States. Further, it has been determined that the Patel’s travel from India into Canada and their attempt to gain entry into the United States was an organized and thought-out operation likely being run by a human smuggling network.

Following the airing of a Fifth Estate episode on October 21, 2022, and an RCMP news release issued on October 22, 2022, new information about their travel in Canada has been confirmed. Investigators, however, continue to have a gap between their last known location in southern Ontario on January 16th and their arrival to Emerson on the evening of January 18th.

A timeline of the Patel family known movements within Ontario:

- On January 12, 2022, at approxi- mately 2:30 pm (eastern), the Patel family arrived in Canada at Toronto Pearson International Airport. They arrived in Toronto via an international flight that left Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on January 12, 2022.

(Video of the Patel family in the Toronto airport. Link to video: youtu.be/f4ehPDQH_D0)

- The Patel family was picked up at the airport by a private vehicle. Between January 12 and January 13, the family stayed at a hotel in the Mississauga area. The Patels travelled in the Toronto area using both private vehicles and a ride sharing service.

- Between January 14 to 16, 2022, the Patel family moved between the Mississauga area and the City of Welland, Ontario.

- It is believed the family left the Mississauga area shortly before arriving in Manitoba.

- The family arrived in Emerson sometime in the late evening of January 18th to begin their attempted crossing. It is unknown if they were in Manitoba earlier than this date.

- Their bodies were located near the Canada-United States bor- der on the morning of January 19, 2022.

There remains a gap of two days between the family leaving the Mississauga area and arriving at the Emerson border. It is still unknown how they travelled from southern Ontario to Emerson.

“A year ago today, a senseless and preventable tragedy occurred. This tragedy was facilitated by individuals who had no regard for the safety and wellbeing of a young family,” said Corporal Julie Courchaine of the Manitoba RCMP. “RCMP officers have been diligently working on this investigation and continue to urge anyone with information, as small or insignificant as it may be, to please come forward.”

Investigators continue to ask the public for their assistance with the movements of the Patel family within Canada. If anyone has information on the Patel family’s stay between January 14-16 in the Mississauga area and the City of Welland, Ontario, as well as their travel from Ontario to Manitoba, please call Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services at 431-489-8551, or you can report it to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Investigators continue to ask the public for their assistance with the movements of the Patel family within Canada. If anyone has information on the Patel family’s stay between January 14-16 in the Mississauga area and the City of Welland, Ontario, as well as their travel from Ontario to Manitoba, please call Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services at 431-489-8551, or you can report it to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Dawson Trail Dispatch February 2023

Falcon Beach

Bingo – Wednesdays at 7: 30 pm, early bird games at 7 pm at the Whiteshell Community Club 20 301 Pr, Falcon Beach. Contact 204-349-2293.

Dominion City

Cheese Making Workshop – Thursday, February 9, 6 pm at the Roseau Valley School hosted by Woodmore Women’s Institute. Learn about making different types of cheeses from Jim Appleby, an artisan cheese maker. There will also be a tasting session of cheeses made by Jim. Pre-registration requested at meloskydebbie@gmail.com, with a $10 fee to be paid at the door.

Grunthal

Coffee Connections - All adults ages 55+ are welcome to join us at the New Horizon Centre for a time of visiting, while enjoying coffee, tea and refreshments. Join us and bring your friends. There is no cost. Contact Anita Funk 204371-9134.

Ile des Chenes

Snowman Festival – Saturday, February 4, 10 am – 6 pm at the TC Energy Centre. Snowshoeing and Tobogganing all day (bring your own toboggan), Canteen, Crib Tournament registration at 11:30 am cost $20/team. Bingo Kids, Carnival games, kids crafts, Cookie decorating, Story Time, bouncer, Pony Rides (cost $5), fireworks 5:45 pm, 50/50

Draw.

Yoga - Thursdays at 9 am and Wednesdays at 9:30 am. Gentle yet invigorating yoga for adults 55+. $5 per class. Contact yogaforyoumanitoba@outlook.com to register.

Lorette Victoria Lifeline Presentation – Keep on your Own Two Feet on Tuesday, February 7 at the Community Complex. Presented by Tina Plett a quick overview on how a locally serviced help button can help you keep your independence, how to make your home safe, and tips on how to prevent falls.

Tache Library - is hosting various events throughout the month of February. On Wednesday, February 8 join us for Family Library Night from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. On Wednesday, February 15, the Book Club will meet from 7 pm to 8:15 pm. Finally, Festival at the Library will be held from 11 am to 11:40 am. Everyone welcome!

Mitchell Toast & Coffee – On Tuesdays, drop-in for toast and coffee for $2 and a menu is available with prices according to what you order at the Mitchell and Area Community Centre, 130 Ash St. Contact Jane Penner 204-346-2469, jpenner@ jantre.com.

New Bothwell Winter Carnival Cribbage Tournament - Friday, February 3 at 6:45 pm. Cribbage tournament registration starts at 6:45 pm, games start at 7 pm, at the Rec Centre, 50 Park Bay. $20 per team. Cash prizes! Contact chantelle.dueck@ gmail.com.

Richer Young at Hearts Club - Saturday, February 18. Hosting their monthly dinner and dance with music by Gemstars. Doors open at 4:30 pm, Dinner at 6 pm and dancing till 11 pm. Call Ron Vincent 431-275-0874 for tickets. Cost $25 each.

Richer Recovery AA Group - Meets every Monday from 7:30 - 8:30 pm at LUD Hall. If you would like more information, call Jeff at 204-371-5518 or Albert at 204-380-3058.

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

C ommunity E v E nts

Chase the Ace - every Saturday night at the Richer Hotel. Tickets on sale from 5 pm to 7:45 pm. Organized by the Richer Community Club, see Facebook page for more info.

Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating grades 8 and 12. Limited seats please reserve. Doors Open at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club, 22 Dawson Rd. MGCC License # BI/BO4164. Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or doreen@spmf.ca.

RM of Stuartburn

Services to Seniors - Access Credit Union sponsored Free Shuttle for residents of the RM the first Friday of each month. Call to book a ride and do your banking and shopping locally or book your doctor’s appointment and we will get you to your appointment. Call 204-425-3701.

Services to Seniors Steinbach Shuttle - Subsidized cost $15/ person. Minimum of 8 participants required for the trip to take place. Departure from Shady Oaks at 9:30 am. Call 204-425-3701 to book a seat.

RM of Tache

“Wee Run” Little Ballers Basketball Activity- Saturday February 11, 10 – 11 am, for ages 2.5 to 3.5 years at the Landmark Kinsmen Centre and Saturday, February 25, 10:30 – 11:30 am for ages 3.5 to 5 and 12:30 - 1:30 pm for ages 5 to 8 at the Lorette Collegiate. Cost $5 each. To register contact alison@rmtache.ca. Limited space available. Registration closes February 3. With age appropriate direction an exhilarating 60 minutes for your child to introduce kids to the game of basketball and the fundamentals skills.

Sprague

Sprague Service to Seniors Seeking Volunteers - Seeking individuals to assist and to provide a few services to seniors within our community such as snow removal, transportation for a fee, volunteers in the congregate Meals Programs as well as home cleaning services to seniors for a fee. A criminal record check is required for cleaning services and transportation. Email lgdseniors@gmail.com with your rates and for information, or call 204-437-2604.

St. Adolphe

Carnival Weekend – Thursday, February 2 – Sunday, February 5 at the community centre, arena, curling club. Thursday SnowMaze (5-9 pm), Friday Kids dance (pre K – grade 4 6:30 – 8 pm) and grade 5 – 9 (8:30 – 10 pm).

Saturday Hawk Day hockey games, Kids Carnival, Dodge ball, Crib Tournament, Adult Social (8 pm – 1 am) dress from your favourite movie $10/person. Sunday, February 5 Family Bingo (4:40 pm), Curling Funspiel (10 am – 3 pm) $10 per team.

80s Retro Theme Open Bonspiel – Starts Saturday, February 18 - 20 at the Curling Club. Men’s, Women’s, Mixed teams welcome. Bar and Kitchen will be open. Blind Calcutta, Prize for best dressed team. Saturday Night Entertainment included. Entry Fee $180/Team (Cash Prizes). Register at curlstadolphe.com, curlstadolphe@gmail.com or 204-792-1404.

St. Pierre-Jolys

Winter Family Fun Day Fundraiser – Saturday, February 18 at the Rec Centre. Pancake breakfast, skating, kid’s activities, crib tournaments, broomball tournament, bouncy castles. Winter Social at 8 pm featuring the Ricky Smits. To register contact 204-294-8015.

3234 Manitoba Horse Cadets – Thursdays, 6:30 – 9 pm at the Community Hall from September to June. Cost is Free. Meet new friends, fun, adventures, leadership, citizenship, community service, drill band, orienteering, and more. Contact Captain Phil Atkinson 3234Army@cadets.gc.ca or phillip.atkinson@cadets.gc.ca. Website 3234manitobahorse.ca.

Ste. Anne

Vote Kraft Hockeyville Contest – Show us what the Town of Ste. Anne means to you and your community. Let’s give our arena a chance to score big in the Kraft Hockeyville 2023 Grand Prize to host an NHL hockey game and win a $250,000 for arena upgrades. All three runner ups will receive $25,000 of arena upgrades. Vote now at hockeyville. kraftcanada.ca/#/community/townofsteanne.

SACC Mixed Drop-in Curling Night – Saturday, February 11, 7 pm registration, first draw starts at 7:30 pm (2 draws of 4 ends each at the curling club. Experience the game of curling in a friendly, social, and non-competitive atmosphere. No experience needed - we can show you how to play! All you need are a clean pair of shoes. Sign-up as an individual, couple or team (4 players). Teams will be formed as needed. Minimum age for players – 12 years old. $10 per player (cash only). Contact Robert Régnier at robert_regnier@hotmail.com or 204-422-8838.

Crib Night – Sunday, February 19, 6:30 pm at Club Jovial. Membership not required.

Cost $8 (includes 50/50). For Information Call Denise 204422-5763

Ste Genevieve Community Ski and Snowshoe Event – Monday, February 20, 11 am – 1 pm at Monominto Trails. Bring your own mug or cup. We’ll be serving hot chocolate and water to every participant.

St. Patrick’s Social & Dance – Saturday, March 11, 8 pm – 1 am at the Community Centre. Wear your green accessories. There will be a Silent Auction, light lunch and much more. Cost 18 years and over $15 each.

Mini Library - Every second Tuesday of each month, Taché library holds a “mini-library” at the Community Centre from 6:30 -7:30 pm. Come check out some books, exchange and request items from the library.

Steinbach

Assassinating Thomson - presented by Manitoba Theatre Centre on Tuesday, February 28, 7:30 pm at the SRSS Theatre. A one-man play written and performed by Bruce Horak, a well-established theatre and visual artist who lost 90% of his vision after a childhood battle with cancer. The play is named for an unsolved mystery in Canadian art history – the mysterious drowning in 1917 of Group of Seven precursor and iconic painter Tom Thomson. Cost 28 adult, $12 student. Contact Tara Schellenberg 204-346-1077 or tara@steinbacharts.ca.

IRAL Winter Fest – Friday – Sunday, March 3 – 5 at 115 PTH 12 North (Co-op Open Lot). Come enjoy the food, music, and dance a little as the entertainment across multiple shows gives you the experience that you’ve been wanting all winter long. Cost Adult $10, Youth $5, Children (6 & under) free. Contact Neville Hamilton 204-381-0581, iralmusicartsfest@gmail.com.

Winter in the Village – Until March 8, bring your friends and family to Mennonite Heritage Village for skating, snowshoeing, kick sledding, and so much more! Be enchanted by the village light show, skate along Main Street or on the ice rink. Explore the grounds via snowshoe or sled. End off the night with some complimentary hot chocolate. Warming hut will be open for visitors. Sunday and Monday closed, Tuesday – Thursday 9 am – 5 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 – 8 pm. Admission Adult/$6 and Senior (65+) $5, Student (13-22) $5, Child (6-13) $3, 5 & Under free.

Steinbach & Area Garden Club – Monday, February 13, 7 –9 pm at the Mennonite Heritage Village, Hwy 12. Speaker “The Coleus King” Igor Kaptan Master Gardener and Coleus Expert will do a presentation on the topic “Everything You Wanted to Know About Coleus - A Treasure for Your Shade Garden” Cuttings from his Coleus plants that he grows in his house as Door Prizes. Seed and propagated plant exchange will be happening as well.. Annual Membership- Individual $20; Family $30. Contact sagcnewsletter@gmail.com.

Ukrainian Settlement Support Donation Drop Off – Tuesdays, February 7 and March 7 from 5 - 8 pm at Southland Church. Specific areas of need for donation: furniture, mattresses and box springs, bedding, clothing for men, women and children of all ages, coats and jackets (all seasons), shoes/ boots, other household items for Ukrainian families. Drop-off at marked storage units in the parking lot; use west entrance, closest to Bush Farm Road. If you have to donate outside of the defined dates/times, please ensure to clearly label “Ukraine” on the items and they will be designated for the Ukraine relief initiative.

Astronomy & Group Walks – Fourth Tuesday of the month until March, 8 – 9:40 pm with Chris Desrochers. Meet at the L.A. Barkman Park Gazebo. Walk along Bush Farm Tail, around Abe’s Hill, and observe sights of the night sky, using telescopes at the conclusion of the walk. Dress for the weather and for walking, bring binoculars and questions.

February 28 (sights visible: Mars, Jupiter, Venus, & Half Moon) and March 28 (sights visible: Mars, Venus, & Crescent Moon).To register, email smclean@jakeepplibrary. com or mredekopp@jakeepplibrary.com. If the sky is unclear and weather is too poor, the hosts will make the decision to cancel 1-2 hours before the event and will send out an email to participants to let them know.

Assassinating Thomson Play - Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 pm, SRSS Theatre presented by Manitoba Theatre Centre. A one-man play written and performed by Bruce Horak, a well-established theatre and visual artist who lost 90% of his vision after a childhood battle with cancer. The play is named for an unsolved mystery in Canadian art history – the mysterious drowning in 1917 of Group of Seven precursor and iconic painter Tom Thomson in an Ontario Lake. Cost $28/adult and $12/student. Contact 204-346-1077, tara@steinbacharts.ca.

Chase the Ace Fundraiser - Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue – On Mondays at Smitty’s Restaurant. Come out and try to win cash. The jackpot goes up weekly until the Ace is drawn!

Royal Canadian Legion Steinbach Branch - Meets first Tuesday of the month via Zoom at 7:30 pm; Ladies Auxiliary meets first Monday of each month, 7:30 pm. Steinbach Legion, 227 Main St – Unit 5. Email steinbach190rcl@ outlook.com.