Dawson Trail Dispatch January 2022

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

January 2022

Taché Fire Receives New Vehicle and Hands Out Service Awards Niverville to See While Responding to Emergencies Intersection Improvements

The new vehicle was purpose built and is a one of design which replaces the rescue in Taché’s Ste. Geneviève Station.

Facebook photo

The Taché Fire Department took delivery of a new vehicle and presented service recognition awards recently, but there were a few hiccups along the way.

“We had two emergency responses to mix up the evening, a car fire and a multiple vehicle MVC which took [about] 4 hours to clear up. However we adapted and made the best of the situation,” explained Municipal Fire Chief Allan Rau in a social media post.

The new vehicle was purpose built and is a one of design which replaces the rescue in Taché’s Ste. Geneviève Station.

They would like to thank Acres Emergency Vehicles and Sea Hawk for seeing their vision and working with them to design and manufacture this rescue.

“We would also like to recognize Council for the RM of Taché for approving the vehicle purchase, a valuable tool that will enhance our ability to provide emergency services to the residents of the RM of Taché,” added Rau. To cap off the evening, service recognition awards were presented to 20 of their firefighters who have reached milestones of 5, 10, 15 and 25 years of service on the Fire Department.

“These members have given up much of their time whether it is responding to emergencies at all hours of the day/night and giving up their valuable weekends to participate in training,” explained Rau.

The Manitoba government is working in collaboration with the Town of Niverville to cost-share $1.9 million in improvements to the intersection of Provincial Road (PR) 311 and Mulberry Avenue.

“Our government is committed to working with municipalities and listening to Manitobans in supporting projects that will improve road safety and provide economic benefits to communities,” said Springfield-Ritchot MLA Ron Schuler. “Niverville has one of the highest population growth rates in the province and the need for increased infrastructure will enhance quality of life and strengthen commercial and residential sectors in the area.”

Improvements include adding turning lanes and traffic signals to facilitate increasing traffic volume through the intersection. The upgrades are also expected to improve operations at the PR 311 intersection with Krahn Road. Manitoba Infrastructure provided initial funding in addition to traffic signal designs and will also contribute $625,000 towards this project.

“The announcement of these new lights at Mulberry and PR 311 is wonderful news for our community,” said Mayor Myron Dyck, Town of Niverville. “This is a high traffic area near our new rec centre and our high school, so these lights will greatly improve the safety of area drivers and pedestrians.”

Upgrades at this intersection will provide access to the southern part of the town into the golf course and a proposed new development including a new hotel. The Town of Niverville will also be given first choice to host the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games as the 2022 games scheduled for Niverville were cancelled, noted Schuler, and these capital projects will help accommodate increased tourism and benefit community residents.

January 2022

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Funk’s Toyota Steps Up with Van for Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue

By Angelique Forest A local animal rescue group was the recipient of an early Christmas gift when a car dealership turned around and donated a van to them to help them in their cause.

Funk’s Toyota of Steinbach donated the van to the Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue (SAAR) to help them with all methods of transportation whether it’s for equipment or food haul, or transporting animals to their next homes.

“The vehicle is a great asset to the animal rescue and provides transportation for the animals back-and-forth to the vet clinics,” said the rescue when asked about the ve-

hicle donation. “We are also able to pick up large amounts of food. We can now bring animals to their foster homes and adoptive homes.”

“It’s also really good advertising,” explained the group as their logo and website adorn the vehicle. “We couldn’t be more thankful to Funk’s Toyota for donating this van to us and continuing to sponsor the van for all its upkeep.”

With the holidays finishing, there are still many animals looking for their ‘furever’ homes. The shelter urges everyone to please consider reaching out to a shelter when looking for a new addition to the

The new donated van from Funk’s Toyota.

family, rather than go to a breeder or pet shop. Fosters are also needed. There’s no better time than now to help an animal find their way to a happy and healthy new home this coming New Year.

SAAR is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to finding forever homes for abandoned, homeless, and surrendered companion animals. While all of the animals in the care of SAAR are in foster homes, one day they hope to have a permanent shelter for homeless animals in the southeastern Manitoba area.

You can reach out to them at www. steinbachanimalrescue.com.

Picture courtesy of SAAR

Church Group Succeeds in First Ever “Diaper” Campaign Dear Editor, A huge thank you is extended to all of our community members that donated to our cause in assisting the endeavours of the Family Resource Centre and South East Helping Hands this past month in our first Diaper Drive.

Because of your donations we were able to supply 3,200 diapers and 130 packages of baby wipes to the Family Resource Centre.

This will greatly impact local families during this Christmas

season and year to come.

A big thank you to Dawson Trail Dispatch for all our promotional material and to Clearspring Shopping Centre and Sobeys for allowing us to collect diapers in their mall. We are looking forward to repeating this drive again next fall.

Sincerely, Dawn Nesom President of the Young Women’s organization The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Steinbach Branch

3,200 diapers and 130 packages of baby wipes were donated to the Family Resource Centre.

Submitted photo

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

January 2022

Unveiling of Red River Cart Celebrates History of Métis-Mennonite Connections

By Roger Armbruster It was a great honour to witness a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the unveiling of a newly constructed Métis Red River Cart near Niverville’s new Community Resource and Recreation Centre (CRRC) in early December. The ceremony was to honour the Métis role in the history of Niverville, and was organized by local historian Ernie Braun.

Ernie has been working with a local ad hoc committee in collaboration with Joseph Wiebe in organizing the cultural/historical space on the second floor of the CRRC that pays tribute to all those who have lived on the land before us. This museum, which was officially opened on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, allows for a prominent focus on the role that indigenous people have played in the history of this area prior to the colonization that took place after Canada became a nation-state in 1867.

Members of the ad hoc committee that organized the historical/cultural space felt there were multiple reasons to incorporate a visible symbol of the role that the Métis played in the settlement of this region up to and including the year of 1874.

Firstly, it was in 1874 that Joseph Whitehead chose the site of presentday Main Street and the Railway Tracks in Niverville as the site for a train station along the proposed Pembina Branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It so happened that this was the site where the railway would cross the Crow Wing Trail which connected Winnipeg and Emerson between 1844 and 1874 when the squeaky wheels of whole brigades of Métis Red River carts would travel this trail which came right through present-day Niverville.

It must be remembered that in 1870, the Canadian government granted 1.4 million acres of land to the Métis as one of the conditions for Manitoba to enter the Canadian federation. Much of the area north of the Roseau and east of the Red rivers was set aside as Métis scrip entitlement. This area had been popular

with them as wintering sites since the early 1820’s, and more so when the Crow Wing Trail, pioneered in the autumn of 1844 by the Métis free trader Peter Garrioch and his men, connected with existing trails north of the Canada-US border.

This Crow Wing Trail that ran through Niverville also ran through the heart of the Red River Métis National Homeland, and was heavily travelled by Métis Red River Carts between 1844 and 1874.

Secondly, during August of that same year in 1874, the Mennonites started arriving from south Russia via steamboat. Some 7,000 of them were dropped off at the Mennonite Landing near Niverville, and the most fragile, including mothers with babes in arms, were taken by the Métis in their Red River Carts from the Mennonite Landing to the site of the Immigration Sheds that the Métis had helped build for the new settlers as a staging area into the East Reserve (which is the present-day Municipality of Hanover).

All of this confirms that the Métis did play a very important part on that land that surrounds the present-day community of Niverville, the site of which was chosen right along the Crow Wing Trail at a point in history just before travel by Red River Carts

The outdoor portion of the ribbon-cutting ceremony that unveiled the new Red River cart. Members of the committee along with the Jerome’s and Mayor Myron Dyck. Left to right: Steve Neufeld, Kelly Jerome, Armand Jerome, Mayor Myron Dyck, Ernie Braun, Shirley Hoult, Roger Pictures courtesy of Roger Armbruster Armbruster and Clare Braun.

was largely replaced by travel via train. Life for the Métis was never the same after that, but yet they had a distinct culture and way of life as a people with a strong connection to the land on which we live.

Hence the significance of Ernie Braun’s project to have an authentic, full-sized replica of a Métis Red River Cart on display close to the site of the Cultural/Historical Museum in the new Community Resource and Recreation Centre in Niverville. He

Replica Red River Cart at Niverville

Outdoor Fun at the Vita and Area Winter Festival

By Angelique Forest Dependent on health regulations on January 16 and 17 the Vita and Area Winter Festival is scheduled to take place with a $5,000 purse minimum set for the dog sled races.

Mileages for the dog sled race will be 20 miles for the 10 dog, and 12.5 miles for the 6 dog team as well as skijoring/kicksledding which is a unique event that will attract many visitors to the area.

There will be more news to come. Follow Vita and Area Winter Festival on Facebook for updates. Keep an eye out for a printed program Vita and Area Winter Festival is scheduled to take closer to the event.

2019 file photo place with dog sled races.

was able to make arrangements, on behalf of the ad hoc committee that worked on the historical/cultural museum in Niverville, to hire Armand and Kelly Jerome of Jerome Cartworks, just north of Oakbank, to build a Métis Red River Cart for Niverville in honour of the Métis’ role in the history of our community.

The Jerome’s are the husband-andwife team and producers of historically accurate, fully operational Red River carts. Their craftsmanship has

attracted orders from schools and museums across the country and beyond.

One cannot really get into the history of those who lived on the land before us, whether they were First Nations, Métis or the Mennonites, without acknowledging that these were all people of faith who held to a belief in a Creator and in spiritual values that undergird but yet transcended their diverse cultural values and ways of life.

January 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Province Supported Community Groups to Improve Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake The Manitoba government partnered with 71 community-led organizations and invested about $940,000 to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake, help reduce hesitancy, expand accessibility and encourage Manitobans to get vaccinated.

Since the grant program was first announced in the summer, 71 organizations across the province were approved for funding, up to $940,000.

It was intended to provide support to sport, religious, arts, cultural and community organizations, businesses and schools to support vaccine confidence and uptake, particularly among groups with lower immunization rates.

Funded projects included the Richer Community Club, which delivered nearly 70 doses at a pop-up clinic in August, most of which were first shots.

“We were able to partner with a local employer to host a pop-up vaccine clinic,” explained Dan Guetre with the Richer Community Club (RCC). “Not only did we focus on increasing the percentage of residents willing to get vaccinated, but we created the event around the theme of ‘Getting Back to What Matters’, a reminder of how our community likes to come together.”

According to Guetre with the RCC, the event was a success with many residents coming out and rolling up their sleeves. Many with some form of vaccine hesitancy were able to feel comfortable to ask questions and get the proper, correct and truthful advice they were seeking from a dedicated team of healthcare professionals who came out for the day.

“Personally, after this pop up vaccine clinic, I was a lot more confident in continuing to help create further community events,” added Guetre. “Although the latter events followed Provincial Health Orders, the more our community stepped up to get vaccinated, the more I was confident my community was not going to be harmed from something I was involved in.”

For a complete list of organizations and projects funded under the #ProtectMB Community Outreach and Incentive Grant, visit protectmb.ca.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Happy New Year As we enter 2022, I’d like to start the New Year with this message of hope.

Despite the difficulties, pain, and frustrations of the past two years, despite the obvious imperfections in our systems and culture, we still live in a great country.

We are still blessed to be Canadians.

Even the poorest Canadian is wealthy beyond the wildest dreams of most of the world.

We have homes, cars, abundant food, even disposable income to spend on amusements and luxuries. And, as anyone who has travelled to the developing world country can attest, upon return, there are few luxuries that compare with modern indoor plumbing.

We are a resource rich country. We have 20% of the world’s fresh water. Think about that for a minute. In a world approaching eight billion people, our little country of 38 million people has one fifth of the world’s water. We have an abundance of productive farmland and can feed ourselves and much of the world. We are rich in natural

resources. The list goes on.

We have healthcare. Is it perfect?

Of course not, but it’s some of the best in the world.

Our kids can go to school for free, and if you don’t like your school, you have the freedom to homeschool. The government will even lend you the money to go to university - an opportunity for advancement that many can only dream of.

We still live in a democracy. Sure, it may not always feel that way, and yes, the options and outcomes may often disappoint, but Canadians get to have a say in who leads us. And every few years, we get the chance to start fresh. So, to those who are unhappy with our current government—and I’m with you—this too shall pass. And to those who don’t like the options out there, in Canada, there is nothing keeping you from getting involved.

We still live in freedom. Yes, those freedoms have been impinged upon in recent years, but compared to other parts of the world; we have little to complain about. Restrictions on gathering sizes and wearing a mask in church are a pain, but that’s a small sacrifice when we consider that for millions around the globe, simply by attending public worship, they are risking their

very lives - reflecting on that, one can really appreciate how blessed we still are in Canada and be thankful for that.

It’s so easy to get focused on the negative things happening in our country that we forget how good we’ve really got it and how richly God has blessed our land.

So, as we enter the New Year, I encourage everyone to take some time to reflect, not on the year that was, but on the country that is. Not on its flaws, but on its possibilities.

When we do so, I think we’ll all have an easier time saying, Happy New Year!

For more information on this or any issue please feel free to contact my office toll free at 1-866-3331933 or at 204-326-9889. Visit me on Facebook.com/TedFalkMP. You may also write my office at 9A-90 Brandt St, Steinbach MB, R5G 0T3 or visit my website at tedfalk.ca.

The “No Brainer” of Raison d’Être Another month of COVID19 and the casualties mount with frightening speed.

I come from a generation which rolled up our sleeves to benefit all. To have to listen to an MLA and an MP who may or may not have participated in this current vaccination program that requires a higher level of participation not encourage others to step up there concern for family, friends and community is disheartening.

Even if they have a medical reason, it should not exclude some communication which helps us with the anti-vaxxers that purposely send out misleading communications and who are targeting our medical professionals and staff for standing by us, throwing ev-

erything they got helping us.

After more than a billion shots around the world it is pretty hard to not espouse the life saving qualities on this vaccine. To hang your hat on the excuse that what you put in your body is considered privileged in the face of the goal being “herd immunity” creates a problem amongst us all even for those too young to vote.

Certainly I can see some medical cases as privileged information, if it was something like circumcision but when starving and stopping this virus is the goal and our health system is universal that we all pay for and there is a proven life saving vaccine available a minimal level of charity towards your voters, your community, should be a prerequisite and an obvious no brainer.

If we cannot sell respect, caring

and teamwork to defeat a virus, how do we sell decarbonitization, cleaning up our water, or the air we breathe? I would suggest taking a second look at who we vote for. If we elect somebody who is afraid of a needle he probably cannot see a carbon problem let alone care enough about passing on a legacy that pays attention to our environment.

To everybody I would wish a Happy New Year’s end to variants. Although it should be obvious to all that this virus is better at it’s “raison d’être” than human nature.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

January 2022

Premier Ousts Schuler from Cabinet Posts

By Dan Guetre

The MLA for Springfield-Ritchot, Ron Schuler, has been removed from his cabinet duties by Premier Heather Stefanson, with fellow MLA, Reg Hewler now taking on the responsibilities of Manitoba Infrastructure and the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization adding to his current portfolio of Central Services.

Schuler has been under fire from all provincial parties, including his own, for refusing to show proof of vaccination from Covid-19.

While the premier thanked Ron Schuler, MLA for Springfield-Ritchot, for over five years of service as a cabinet minister in various portfolios, the NDP were not so kind and didn’t mince words.

“For nearly two years, Manitobans have been doing everything they can to keep themselves and their families safe, and our healthcare workers have put their lives at risk every single day to protect all of us,” said Nahanni Fontaine, NDP House Leader in a statement.

“Meanwhile the Pallister-Stefanson

government allowed an anti-vaxxer to have a seat at the Cabinet table and let him lead crucial parts of our pandemic response as the Minister Responsible for Emergency Measures.”

“The fact that Premier Stefanson is dealing with this as we break COVID records illustrates, just like Pallister, she’s focused on her party’s own internal dysfunction instead of our healthcare system,” added Fontaine. “It’s unacceptable Schuler continues to remain in the PC Caucus while COVID cases and ICU admissions climb. Manitobans deserve a government that leads by example and is united in working to make life better for everyone.”

Schuler immediately went to his Twitter feed with a one line comment, “Liberty has its price, today I paid for mine.”

Almost immediately the responses to his post came back, and for the majority, they were not kind.

Responses were very candid, labeling him as a “dangerous clown” to blaming his inaction to promoting vaccination an indirect contribution

to the death of his constituency assistant Gladys Hayward Williams who died on November 18 after battling COVID-19.

Others posted that Schuler should also resign as an MLA eluding to the fact the loss his cabinet posts are not sufficient for allegedly promoting misinformation.

The leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, Dougald Lamont, blames the provincial PC leadership for taking so long to make this decision.

“The PCs leadership must have known his opinions, and kept him in place anyway,” added Lamont.

“This is on Pallister and Stefanson too.”

“Schuler claimed he is paying a price for his ‘liberty’ for being demoted as a Minister? That’s not how you spell ‘incompetence’,” said Lamont. “He put his own crackpot views ahead of the health safety of Manitobans. He [was] responsible for Emergency Measures, for crying out loud. It’s like having a fire chief who doesn’t believe in motors and insists on having a horse-drawn fire engine.”

Ron Schuler

Submitted photo

Survey Reveals Alarming Rate of Physician Mistreatment A new survey has found that nearly six in 10 doctors have experienced incidents of mistreatment over the last month, including verbal abuse, threats, online bullying and physical assault. The escalation in mistreatment is adding to stress and burnout that was already reaching concerning levels earlier in 2021.

“We are asking all Manitobans to please be kind and respectful to physicians and other health care workers who are trying to provide care under very difficult conditions,” said Dr. Kristjan Thompson, President of Doctors Manitoba.

“COVID-19 has been hard for everyone. Whether you are frustrated with pandemic restrictions or you are facing long wait times to get a medical test or surgery, please don’t take these frustrations out on doctors. They care about your well-being and they are advocating for you each and every day.”

Doctors Manitoba conducted a survey of physicians over the last several weeks and found that 57%

experienced incidents of mistreatment over the previous month; more than half of incidents (52%) appear to be linked to the pandemic in some way; incidents are happening more frequently than a year ago, with 59% of physicians reporting increased frequency and most incidents occurred in doctors’ offices or hospitals, though there were some incidents that occurred on social media, in public places and at physicians’ homes.

Incidents of mistreatment appear to occur more frequently among physicians who are women, BIPOC, or working in family medicine. Physicians located in rural communities experienced mistreatment more frequently too.

“I’ve worked in the Southern health region for decades and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Dr. Don Klassen, a family physician working in Winkler and at Boundary Trails Health Centre. “I’ve heard from several physicians who are considering early retirement or

relocation at least in part because of the threats and verbal abuse they’ve faced. Please know that physicians are going through this pandemic with you, every step of the way, and we’ll get through this together.”

In addition to a public appeal for kindness and respect, physicians are very encouraged by the passage of Bill C-3 in Ottawa last week, legislation that will protect health workers and patients from threats, violence and harassment. Doctors Manitoba joined the Canadian Medical Association in pressing for legislative action, following a growing number of incidents and protests earlier in 2021.

“The survey results from Manitoba echo the stories of harassment, intimidation and abuse we have heard from physicians across Canada,” said Dr. Katharine Smart, President of the Canadian Medical Association. “This kind of hateful behaviour is unacceptable in our health system.

The legislation passed by the federal government last week was unfortu-

nately required to ensure the safety of health workers. We greatly appreciate the support and kindness of the great majority of Canadians who understand how hard we are working to provide care to our patients.”

The new legislation amends the Criminal Code of Canada to make it illegal for people to intimidate health care workers, impede access to medical facilities, or intimidate people accessing health services,

including COVID-19 vaccinations.

The new offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“We are also calling on the provincial government and health system leaders to reinforce the need for respect and safety in medical facilities,” added Dr. Thompson.

Doctors Manitoba published a safety guide earlier this year for physicians and health care organizations.

A new survey has found that nearly six in 10 doctors have experienced incidents of mistreatment over the last month, including verbal abuse, threats, online bullying and physical assault.

Stock photo

January 2022

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Di Reggae Grill Broadens Food Horizons in Steinbach

By Angelique Forest The Steinbach community has many colourful and vibrant options when deciding on what to eat, with a large number of restaurants fluctuating with the pressures of the pandemic.

With the closing of a few in the past year, including Sal’s Kickin chicken, the door is open for new restaurants to take their place. Di Reggae Grill happens to be one of those new restaurants taking the small city by storm.

Linda Esau, a resident of Steinbach, recently tried the Caribbean treat and raved about her experience. “Their food was amazing. I had curried lamb with rice and peas.

The meat was so tender with such amazing flavour. The rice and peas were bang on. The staff were super friendly, I’m hoping they get lots of support from the community. We re-

ally need more diverse food options, I’m so tired of burgers and pizza,” she said.

Another resident, Lisa Rogal, also decided to give the new restaurant a try. Linda suffers from a gluten allergy, so trying new restaurants is not something she is very comfortable with. Her husband, Mike, went first to try it out. “He had never tried Jamaican food before, so he asked if they had a sampler platter. They didn’t, but they put one together for him. The Owner figured that was a brilliant suggestion, so they created a sampler platter and named it the Mighty Mike Sampler, after my husband!” said Rogal. The restaurant does not advertise as glutenfree, but together with the owner they worked out a list of dishes that do not contain wheat.

As for the quality, Lisa only had great things to add. “The food is

fabulously flavourful and filling and the staff are absolutely wonderful, friendly, accommodating, and just so sweet. Going to Di Reggae Grill is like a little vacation from the stress and mess of everyday life. I highly recommend them! Try the sampler named after my husband!” said Lisa.

Shauna, the manager and Bev, the head chef, were happy to describe their opening night as overwhelming success with line-up that often went out the door. It was incredibly busy and locals loved the vibe and different food.

Shauna, having been born and raised in Steinbach is offering her local perspective to the authenticity that Bev offers being from Jamaica and having her family from there.

Neville Hamilton, the owner, has been in Canada for 11 years now.

“This summer, you can look for-

ward to the aroma on the streets! We will bring the island to you, and we will have a grill where you can see it. We have live entertainment,” said Bev. Along with the relaxed and fun vibes, you can expect to see a unique bulletin when you walk in. It includes a few pictures now, but the owners are hoping to change that. “We have had people come in from Winnipeg already. We challenge all those who come to show us your Jamaica! We want you to come put up your pictures of yourself in Jamaica! We want to offer a discount to all those who come down to do that,” said Bev. She encourages all to follow the social media accounts in order to keep up with specials and news.

From Jerk everything to curried lamb and goat, this authentic taste of the Caribbean will remind you of Jamaica and vibrant island smells and

Recent picture of food served at Di Reggae Grill, Steinbach.

Submitted photo

colours. All orders are made fresh and ordering can now be made online, with delivery options available.

They are located right on 254 Main Street, Steinbach. Contact them through social media, Instagram and Facebook, and their website, direggaegrill.ca.

Urban Flavours Set to Open in Niverville

By Angelique Forest

Urban Flavours was founded by Harsimran (Sim) Sandhu, along with his partners Harvinder Dhillon and Said Mohamed.

The plans went from the expectations of a 6 month timeline that was extended to 8 and 10 months. The pandemic and supply availability, especially for construction materials, created unavoidable delays for the three partners.

Harsimran Sandhu, the spokesperson and senior entrepreneur in the trio, explained that the delays were necessary to maintain the standard of quality they have for the establishment. “It’s well worth the wait; we have very high standards and still have custom items coming in for the next few months to finish the lounge. It’s probably one of the nicest cannabis stores in the province,” said Sandhu.

Some of the biggest challenges involved in opening the store have been approvals and permits, to make sure all government mandated regulations are being followed.

“The town had a plebiscite in orBillie Fontaine has been a strong supporter of der to see if the residents would ala cannabis store opening in Niverville since low for a cannabis retailer to be in it was first legalized with many locals turn to town. From there, a few applicants her for guidance and recommendations. were denied and we saw an opporAnother big step for the Town of Niverville as it closes the chapter on whether or not a cannabis retailer would be allowed to open within the town.

Since last December, Urban Flavours was set to open in 2021 after many difficulties along the way to getting approved. It has now set the official opening on January 17.

The owners of Urban Flavours gather to celebrate the final approval on December 29.

tunity to create a unique store,” said Sandhu. “We are locals here, so maybe we have a sense of responsibility attached to that as well.”

With all the permits currently in place, the owners placed their first order to stock their shelves on Friday, December 31, the last day of the year of 2021.

Being considered “essential” by the government guarantees that the business will have the option to stay open explained Sandhu.

Sandhu, who prefers not to consume himself, believes this was one of the reasons to open the store.

“They call cannabis retailers recession-proof businesses. There are plenty of shops in Winnipeg, we wanted to be the first ones to open here as locals,” he said.

The three businessmen were all raised in Manitoba and have a combined 10 years in business, 3 of which are specific to the cannabis industry. He expects the store to flourish regardless of restrictions, but says they will not know for sure

Photo courtesy of Urban Flavours and Billie Fontaine

until they open and see the demand.

He is not the only one who is excited for the store to open. Locals have long anticipated the opening of the shop since the plebiscite confirmed the possibility of opening a store in town.

Billie Fontaine, a resident of Niverville for 8 years and member of the Citizens of a Progressive Niverville facebook group believes that many are excited to be able to shop local for all their needs, cannabis included. She says the community can expect to see her supporting the new local shop regularly.

“I’ve been a registered massage therapist for 20 years. I was 2 years into a nursing degree program when my health took a turn for the worst,” she said, explaining why wellness overall is a big part of her life.

“I learned so much about cancer, chronic pain and mental health by going through it myself. I got the 101 on a health crisis journey. My

oncologist prescribed me cannabis and also helped me get a position as an educator at a medical cannabis clinic before it was legalized recreationally. I helped with dosing schedules, methods of administration and safety,” said Fontaine.

She has been a strong supporter of a cannabis store opening in Niverville since it was first legalized. Many locals turn to Billie for guidance and recommendations for cannabis and now they will have another reliable information-based source to speak to.

The new store will be located at Unit 2, 41 Main Street, Niverville and will be open seven days a week.

The owners and current supporters encourage anyone who is curious to reach out with questions. They can be found on Instagram as urbanflavours204 and on their website, urbanflavours.ca. They can also be contacted by email at info@urbanflavours.ca. Follow them on their social media pages for news and updates.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

January 2022

Winter Activities You Don’t Want to Miss Skating Rinks Abound Throughout Southeast

The Dawson Trail Park in Richer is turning into a centre for outdoor activities due to the multiple outdoor skating facilities, toboggan hill and giant fire pit.

Facebook photos

Enjoy the Snow and Bring the Family

By Angelique Forest Never tried skiing or snowboarding? Think it’s too expensive? Not sure the entire family will like it?

The Canadian Ski Council has tips on just how you can try it, learn to love it and make it a yearly tradition.

The best policy when trying out these sports is to “know before you

go,” said Paul Pinchbeck, President of the Canadian Ski Council. “It’s best to check with your destination to make sure you know their safety protocols, vaccine mandates and masking requirements. Every single ski hill, resort and trail throughout Canada is following the local guidelines, which will differ dramatically from one province to the next.”

To find out everything you need to know for the very best experience out on the slopes, visit the Canadian Ski Council’s website goskiinggosnowboarding.ca. It’s packed with information about what to expect, trail markers, chair lift suggestions, beginner tips, all the details to make your first time at a slope a great experience.

The RM of La Broquerie skating trail is open, stretching about 1km in length and located behind the arena.

Facebook photo

The Trails are Track Set at St. Malo Cross Country Ski Club The Cross Country Ski Club in St. Malo rents skis when given the specific requirements in advance.

They want to remind all park goers that it is restricted to use for

skiers only. Snowmobiles, off-road vehicle and ATVs are not permitted at the park at any time and pedestrians are asked to refrain from walking on the trails.

Additional details about St. Malo Cross Country Ski Club can be found on their facebook page at www.facebook.com/ StMaloskiclub/.

Come enjoy a skate at the Centre of Canada Park! An outdoor rink has been installed for this Facebook photo winter season.

Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes The Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes encourages all to come on down for some good ol’ fashion Manitoba winter fun.

An old-school ski resort hidden in the woods of the Whiteshell Provincial Park on the shores of Falcon Lake, Manitoba. Alpine and nordic skiing, tubing, snowboarding, skating, snowshoeing, live music, great food, and so much more. You can purchase this year’s tickets online on their website at falconridgeski.com.

If you have a child in Grade 4 or 5, the Canadian Ski Council offers a Snow Pass to save on skiing or snowboarding across Canada. The Snow

Pass is a national program for kids in grades 4 and 5 (nine and 10 years of age) to ski or snowboard at over 150 hills across Canada for only $29.99 plus tax.

The goal is to get kids and their families excited about winter and engaged at an early age so they can look forward to fun activities in the winters to come. Plus, both activities are perfect for anyone wanting a safe way to stay active this coming winter.

“Skiing and snowboarding are growing in popularity,” said Pinchbeck. “With great programs, like

the Snow Pass, there are many ways that Canadians can get involved with these fun, healthy, safe winter sports. People wanting to start skiing or snowboarding should begin at our website, goskiinggosnowboarding.ca and see what’s necessary and ways to get started.”

Founded in 1977, the Canadian Ski Council is a national, not-for-profit ski and snowboard organization whose mandate is to increase participation in recreational skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in Canada.

Mush On!

RM of Ritchot Snowshoe Lending Program Starting January 5 snowshoes can be rented. Email recreation@ritchot. com or call 204-803-6115 to book. A $20 cash or cheque deposit is required for each pair of snowshoes. Pick-up

and drop-off is at the municipal office located at 352 Main Street St. Adolphe. Available sizes include large (up to 250lbs.), medium (up to 200 lbs.), small (up to 150 lbs.), kids (up to 125 lbs.)

(Fits size 1-7 men’s shoe). Pre-book snowshoes for pick up are available from Wednesday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, and returns on Monday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Harness Adventures Mushing Co. located just off the Trans Canada Hwy by Richer offers dog sled excursions and more for those looking at a unique outdoor experience. For more information go to www.harnessadventure.ca or visit them on Facebook.

Facebook photo

January 2022

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Richer’s Chase the Ace Postponed… Again The Richer Community Club has regretfully decided to postpone the popular community Chase the Ace (CTA) event once again. The tentative date for a continuation of the game is now March 26, 2022.

The CTA, which has been running since early 2016, came to a stop in March of 2020 with restrictions put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have awarded over $200,000 in cash prizes over the years and the current game we were in the middle of has accumulated over $36,000 in the Jackpot,” said Dan Guetre with the RCC. “We were really hoping that we could get the game up and running by now, not only because of the potential cash prize, but because this was a really great way for the community to get together and have some fun.”

The Jackpot money is sitting in a separate account ready for when the game can start again.

The tentative date for a continuation of the game is now March 26, 2022.

“We are ready for when the Provincial Health Orders allow us to gather is larger groups and we recognize we want and need all members of the community who want to participate, to be allowed to join in,” added Guetre. “Our volunteers who look after the CTA for the RCC are continuously in contact with the province and the Richer Inn and keeping us updated.”

Financial Support for Nutrition Program Improves

By Dan Guetre A healthy food and nutrition program present on school campuses throughout Manitoba, including 8 schools in southeast Manitoba, is getting some extra financial support from the province.

The Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba (CNCM) is a charitable organization that provides funding to Manitoba schools for breakfast, lunch or snack programs. Their registered dietitians also provide program support and nutrition education and training to participating schools. Their vision is “Every child... every day... well nourished.”

The provincial government is increasing funding to the CNCM by $200,000 in addition to current $976,000 Manitoba provides annually and hope this will help address the increased demand for healthy food programs in schools.

“This funding will help address an immediate need for nutrition support in our schools and communities, as well as work towards a brighter future for Manitoba students by ensuring students have an equal opportunity to learn in the classroom,” said Wendy Bloomfield, chair, CNCM. Bloomfield is a long-time trustee for the Seine River School division.

“Having access to nutritious food at school supports the health and well-being of students, families and communities and is essential in equipping students to thrive at school, setting them up for future opportunities to gain education, employment and vital skills for life.”

“The demand for our support continues to grow, year by year, however our funding, although generous, [had] remained the same since 2014,” added Bloomfield in her annual report. “The effect of the increased demand coupled with static funding has meant that our Board has had to make some difficult decisions, including denying funding to all new 2021-22 applicants and reducing the support for summer learning programs.”

Last year the CNCM supported 278 Meal and Snack Programs throughout Manitoba and according to figures submitted from the schools themselves, an average of 28,841 students were served daily.

The province believes the 2022 goal of 33,000 kids daily by the CNCM is now achievable.

Financial support for the nutrition programs they are able to approve is about 10% of the actual food costs for the school programs according to their annual report. Actual food costs of the programs are actually about $10 million with a waiting list of 16 additional schools and 1,600 students.

Southeast Schools involved include Arborgate School (La Broquerie), Collège Lorette Collegiate (Lorette), Dawson Trail School (Lorette), Richer School (Richer), Ross L. Gray School (Sprague), Shevchenko School (Vita) and Ste. Anne Elementary and Collegiate (Ste. Anne).

If you would like more information on CNCM please visit childnutritioncouncil.com.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

January 2022

Child Care Centre Recognized for Creative Conservation WCA Expands Coverage for Firefighters

By Angelique Forest

In the first summer after planting, pumpkins were incorporated into the rain garden to keep weeds at bay and add interest for the children.

By Angelique Forest The Vita Community Child Care Centre was the recipient of the 2021 Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District Award, recognized at the 2021 Manitoba Watersheds Conference Awards Banquet in early December. The award is given annually as a way to acknowledge sound environmental stewardship within the watershed districts. Award recipients have demonstrated outstanding leadership and contribution to the development and achievement of sustainable measures within a specific Watershed or in support of a specific Watershed District program.

Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District manager Jodi Goerzen said the rain garden the childcare centre created collects water from the playground, the roof of the building and the sump pump discharge.

“It pours it off into a garden that uses it with native plants and encourages it to filter down, rather than run off,” Goerzen explained. “They actually integrated their rain garden into their outdoor playground which is something we haven’t seen done before.”

Since the establishment of the Vita Community Child Care Centre, not only have the rain gardens thrived but they’ve also provided the children who attend the centre the opportunity to explore the natural world. Goerzen said they chose to bring it front and centre and use it as a teaching and experiential tool for

Perennials have taken over the rain garden at the Vita Community Child Care Centre.

The established rain garden has become an integral part of the front yard landscape, adding beauty and functionality to a well-loved playground.

Submitted photos

the children who are able to interact with the plants and the butterflies they attract.

There were four of these awards presented in watershed districts across the province. The other three

were McDonald Farms of the Pembina Valley Watershed District, Gordon and Val Turner of the Redboine Watershed District and The Maddess Family of the Souris River Watershed District.

Pinegrove Seniors Hold Winter Farmers’ Market in South Junction

By Angelique Forest

Saturday, January 29 from 10 am to 2 are being followed. For additional Pinegrove Seniors Centre is hold- pm in South Junction. Masks are re- info, call Jen at 204-423-2223 or ing an indoor farmers’ market on quired and all Covid-19 regulations Shawny at 204-437-2600.

The Manitoba government is amending the Workers Compensation Act (WCA) to include coverage for five additional cancers to the list of presumptive cancers, pertaining to firefighters and atrisk personnel in the Manitoba Fire Commissioner’s Office, becoming a national leader in taking this step to protect Manitobans on the front lines.

“These additions to the firefighters presumptive cancer list will make Manitoba’s legislation one of the strongest in the world and our legislation will be a template for proper WCB support for firefighters around the world being diagnosed with occupational cancers they received due to the exposures they encountered while simply doing their job,” said Alex Forrest, president, Manitoba Professional Firefighters Association. “This support for our sisters in the fire service to have equal protection as their male counterparts would not have been possible without Heather Stefanson becoming our Premier.”

The first list of presumptive cancers for firefighters was added to the act in 2002. The list was expanded in 2005, with coverage extended to part-time firefighters. The list was further expanded in 2009, and again in 2011, along with the addition of coverage for Fire Commissioner personnel. “[The] announcement marks another step forward in recognizing and mitigating the human costs of the dangerous work they do,” said Finance Minister Scott Fielding.

Being added to the 14 types of cancer already included in the act are, primary site thyroid cancer; primary site pancreatic cancer; primary ovarian cancer; primary site cervical cancer; and primary site penile cancer.

Research studies conducted by the International Association of Firefighters in 2017 reports that cancer is the disease that causes the most death among firefighters, with a 61% rate of career lineof-duty deaths among firefighters between 2002 and 2017 being caused by it.

Saving lives comes at a great personal cost for our local heroes.

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January 2022

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

St. Adolphe Offers Free Art Classes

By Angelique Forest The community of St. Adolphe are being offered 4 free art classes provided by Art City. If you want to make Art or know anyone who would like to Art City is coming to help you try your hand at ceramics, glazing, painting and screen printing.

The class is subsidized by the Canadian Council for the Arts, meaning all you have to bring is your creative flair. It starts Thursday, January 6 at the Pioneer Hall in St. Adolphe, for participants 6 and over. There are two classes available. Starting at 4 pm a class will be held for ages 6 to 14 and the second time slot starting at 6 pm is for youth aged 15-years and adults.

Spaces are limited, register on the Google forms link provided on the Ritchot Rec facebook page, or on their website at ritchotrecreation.com.

Art City is a not-for-profit community art studio dedicated to providing people of all ages with innovative and professional art programming, free of charge. Art City’s primary goal is to provide space and tools for anyone who wishes to express themselves creatively. In 1998, Wanda Koop founded Art City, one of the first organizations of its kind in Canada with the idea that community art programming should be accessible to all.

Art City is located on Treaty 1 territory and the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Find out more about their vision, mission and additional programs by visiting their website at articityinc.com.

Expect Smaller Income Tax Refunds There are a few changes to the 2021 tax returns that will impact almost everyone. Expect your 2021 personal income tax return refund to be smaller. Or if you normally owe Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) each April 30, expect to owe a bit more.

Climate Action Incentive First, the federal government announced that the Climate Action Incentive CAI (sometimes referred to as the carbon tax rebate) will no longer be paid as a refundable tax credit (refund).

Up until last tax season, the CAI was added to your tax refund, or reduced the amount of tax you had to pay. The amount varied from $360 for an individual taxpayer to $540 for a couple and added another $90 per child under 18. And those of us in the rural received an extra 10%.

This annual CAI refundable tax credit has been around since the 2018 income tax return was filed during the Spring of 2019.

This coming tax season, when you file your 2021 tax return, this rebate will not be part of your tax refund. Your usual tax refund will be a few or several hundreds of dollars less.

The Government of Canada announced the “changing of delivery of CAI payments from a refundable credit claimed annually on personal income tax returns to quarterly payments made through the benefit system. This will deliver Canadians’ CAI pay-

ments on a more regular basis.”

If you already receive GST credits, you are familiar with getting benefits on a quarterly basis. The CAI will be similar.

The CAI payments will be paid at the beginning of each quarter (April-June, July-September, etc).

Since CRA needs to develop the new system, the April to June payment will be added to the July to September payment so taxpayers will receive two quarters early July 2022.

The Climate Action Incentive, much like the GST credit, will be paid to the spouse whose tax return is assessed first by CRA. Direct Deposit If you have not been receiving the GST credit and normally do not get refunds, you will want to make sure CRA has your banking information so the quarterly CAI payments can be made by direct deposit instead of by cheque.

CRA My Account If you do not already check your CRA account online on a regular basis, we recommend you sign up and have access. When you have online access, you can view the banking info that CRA has on file and can add or change it if you need to.

MB Education Property Tax Credit The change in the property tax credit will also reduce your refund.

Those taxpayers, who rent, will notice a change on their income taxes.

The normal $700 refundable credit based on rent paid has decreased

to $525. So, your tax refund will be smaller by $175; or you may owe more than you normally do.

Those of us with owned property noticed this when we received our property tax bills during the summer or fall of 2021: the credit was reduced from $700 to $525. But we did receive the Education Property Tax Rebate cheque for 25% of the school tax portion of our property tax bill.

So overall our net costs for our property taxes are lower than they were in previous years.

Those living in Paradise Village and other similar mobile home parks did not receive the 25% rebate cheque since they do not own the land. The landowner did receive the rebate and did attend the municipal office to ensure all mobile homeowners did receive their share of the rebate.

Those individual homeowners received a credit worth 25% of the school tax portion of the tax bill.

You may only see this when you pay next years’ 2022 property taxes.

There are other personal income tax credits that result from the Manitoba property tax bills including the Seniors School Tax Rebate and the School Tax Credit for Homeowners (55+ and family income under 23,800). At this point we do not have access to the new MB479 tax form so cannot determine how these credits may be impacted by the changes.

End of Mailing Paper NOA? CRA is considering no longer

sending by mail your annual Notice of Assessment. You may need to retrieve it from accessing your CRA My Account. Another reason to make sure you have access to CRA My Account so you can access the CRA information and review your NOA (and save or print if you need to). As of this writing, CRA has not formally announced if they will no longer mail the NOA effective this tax filing season, but it may be possible.

Tax services like Ste Anne Tax Service can always access your NOA if you have authorized us to view your CRA account. Like other tax services, we do charge an extra fee to print or send a PDF of your Notice of Assessment since you do receive it (or should be receiving it) from CRA. Vaccinated For your safety and health and for ours too, all our staff is fully vaccinated.

Anni Markmann is a Personal Income Tax Professional and Certified Financial Planner; living, working, and volunteering in our community.

Contact Ste Anne Tax Service at 204-422-6631 or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne (near Co-op) or info@ sataxes.ca.

Sing Me Back Home In The Moment

The cry of the steel guitar sliced smoothly through the air along with the kindred spirits

By Arlene of my uncle’s well Derksen worn banjo and the familiar sounds of the mandolin taking centre stage in select songs.

The rhythm of the country gospel songs brought my heart back to a simpler time when I was a young girl, taking in these familiar sounds ringing out at many a family gathering. It was a beautiful thing.

The evenings of nightly music filled the air as my grandma told me over the years…her young life had been filled with the same memories. Many years later, the younger generation brought their voices to this sound of many generations by now. Singing had always been a love that filled my heart with the happiness, so I joined in. And I loved it.

As Christmas had already made its way into our hearts, the song selec-

tions followed along as traditional country gospel versions of Joy to the world, Silent night and many other Christmas classics had been replaced by Little Church in the Wildwood, Farther Along and Amazing Grace and many more tunes from across the decades.

Every season brought a new wave of selections. The steel guitar, the mandolin and banjo would croon out their own sort of perfection by my uncles. My aunt would add to this beauty of music, with her nimble fingers doing their magic, as she seems to look everywhere else but what her fingers were doing. It was such a gift to listen to. Her beautiful, low beaming voice rang out each beautiful note, another God given gift.

There are many memories for many a decade at these family gatherings my heart can very quickly remember at will. The minute the instruments were picked up and took centre-stage, familiar voices rang out powerfully.

I was home.

My heart was home.

My relationship with God over the years became a place where when I came into

His presence and the familiarity of the music my heart would experience spending time with Him, I would be home.

The months that sometimes went by between the special, musical family gatherings, seemed too long at times for my longing heart and I longed for the familiar songs that would sing me back home to those memories over the years…It was a place I longed to be.

Our God longs to sing us back home when too much time has passed by between being home with him. He longs for the time spent with us. Its home to His heart when we come to stay awhile in His presence.

The Christmas season is upon us now again and I look forward to those evenings of music that seem to transcend time as the next generation continue the traditions and sing me back Home in my heart, just as our God longs to do for us.

His heart is always to sing me back home as He tells us in His Book. “He will regularly rejoice over you with singing.”

What a day that will be when He will beautifully, one last time…sing me back home.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

January 2022

11

St. Adolphe Man Seeking Answers to Mystery Illness

By Angelique Forest Life has been completely turned around for one St. Adolphe man as he seeks answers for a mysterious illness. The man, going by only Marcel to protect his loved ones, has become a prisoner to his home.

He had a good life, a great relationship and always worked long hard days until this year, during the pandemic.

During April of 2021, Marcel was fixing a vehicle and using an impact tool. He was having a frustrating day and using his tools without ear protection, which caused minor tinnitus to develop in his left ear. At only 45-years old, this seemed minor and he was otherwise healthy.

The ringing stayed consistent and tolerable for quite some time.

“May of 2021 came and I was excited to get vaccinated to get some kind of normal back. I was still able to work and go out back then. I’ll never forget it because I’m positive that’s what caused everything to spiral,” said Marcel.

Within a couple of days the tinnitus had worsened and caused hyperacusis, a disorder in loudness perception. His ears are now so sensitive that he is unable to work or care for himself. With his daughter’s assistance, finding the proper help still took months, and it took even longer to find doctors that took Marcel’s illness seriously.

“This is the most humbling experience of my life. I’ve never lost this much,” said Marcel. “I can’t work; I can’t go out and do things for myself. This has put a strain on everyone around me. I feel like a burden on my loved ones. It’s such a lonely life trying to navigate my way to wellness.”

Marcel said the actual cause determined by the doctors for his illness is unknown. A direct link to the vaccine can’t be made, though Marcel is adamant there were no other changes during that time in his life. Tinnitus is a known side

effect to the COVID-19 vaccine according to the British Tinnitus Association, though it is considered rare.

Marcel said that he believes being vaccinated is important, which is why he is still seeking vaccination protection against COVID-19. He is looking for alternative options, such as vegan vaccines which are in the process of approval still. “It could be much worse if I catch the virus, we don’t know. We have so many questions, and too many obstacles to overcome to be able to answer them all,” said Marcel.

Every loud noise can re-injure his ears and can physically hurt him.

He can’t cook for himself, or open take-out containers and he’s able to hear loud noises coming from down the street. He needs to wear hearing protection just to walk across certain parts of his flooring because it creaks and snaps. His eyes and memory have also been affected, and he’s unable to look at any bright lights without over stimulating his eyes. He’s able to look at a phone screen for short periods of time on the dimmest brightness setting he explained. He spends his days looking out his window and waiting for answers.

His daughter, Miranda, has become his caregiver and one of the few who can still visit safely to avoid re-injuring his ears. She is able to help make calls, appointments, deal with his affairs and finances.

She has spent countless hours on the phone trying to get medical professionals to make accommodations for her Dad. “The closest location for blood work couldn’t be bothered to restrict noise levels, or even open 10 minutes early just to allow for us to be able to plan a safe way to get the tests done,” she said.

“We were able to get Steinbach to accommodate us, but the challenge is getting there and hoping nobody will honk. His MRI has been can-

celed until an anesthesiologist is available. For months, a doctor who never even met my dad tried to say he was having some kind of breakdown. Nobody really knows the gravity of the situation until they see it for themselves.”

Miranda and her dad both believe he is one of the few who have TTTS, or Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome, to which hyperacusis is a dominant symptom. Unfortunately, getting a proper diagnosis has been another big challenge.

“Getting a doctor to him or him to them is one of the biggest obstacles. He has to go into another room with all his ear protection on just for me to open the front door,” she added.

The journey has been incredibly difficult on everyone involved.

He now lives alone and hopes that the professionals will be able to provide answers or some kind of light at the end of the tunnel.

Despite the uncertainty and circumstances, Marcel has found help in some friends and family in order to get through this hard time with more good days than bad. He is incredibly thankful to those who have been understanding and who help. He remains positive that one day there will be an end to this mystery and that he will regain his life and independence.

Marcel’s friends and family ask that residents in St. Adolphe should be mindful of his condition and exercise caution with noise in the town. Heavy machinery, honking or sudden loud noises including slamming car doors, can make a good day a rather difficult one to manage.

“The community has been incredibly helpful and understanding, the ones who know,” said Marcel. “I’ve lived here my whole life; I can’t wait until I can go out and see people in the community again.”

The snow acted as a buffer for Marcel to be able to walk outside for the first time in weeks.

Picture courtesy of Miranda

Attention New Home Owners in Lorette Welcome to the growing community of Lorette! Have you purchased a home, townhome, or condo in the LUD of Lorette, in the last year? Do you have questions about your new community?

The Welcome Basket Committee of the LUD of Lorette would be happy to answer some of those questions.

We have a FREE basket of Gift Certificates, coupons, gifts, and information which have been generously provided by the businesses and organizations in the LUD of Lorette.

To arrange a short visit please e-mail lorettewelcomebasket@ gmail.com (no strings attached).

12

January 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

The Only Bridge Built for Troubled Times Have you ever tried to cross a body of water when the water is raging through? I used to live in Pickle Lake, Ontario. The highway crossed over a floodway that was a collection of huge dry boulders for most of the year.

But with the spring thaw that floodway became a raging river, threatening the lives of anyone trying to cross.

Yet when travellers came to this dangerous body of water, they never gave it a second thought. There was a metal bridge that spanned the danger and took everyone safely over.

In the 1970’s, Simon and Garfunkel sang a beautiful song “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” There are troubled waters all around us today that threaten to overwhelm us.

Everyone is looking for a bridge to take them over their troubles. The bridge Simon and Garfunkel were referring to was drugs.

Today many still resort to some chemicals (prescribed or otherwise) to help them deal with their pain (physical or emotional). The problem with using these bridges is that they don’t get you to the other side of your troubles. You may end up with more problems than you started with.

But there is a Bridge over troubled waters that has been a help, comfort and encouragement for years. This Bridge will help you cross dangerous physical, emotional and spiritual waters. When this life is over, this Bridge will take you to heaven for eternity (a place of peace and rest with no troubles).

This Bridge is a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. He died on a cross 2000 years ago to pay for all our sins and build a bridge over every troubled water we could face in life. No other bridge has the capability to help you to the other side of your troubles.

Christ said in John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father (God) but by me.” Furthermore I Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Jesus Christ is the only Bridge that will take you through your troubles and bring you to heaven. Every other bridge may seem to work for a time but will leave you helpless and without hope at the end.

Which Bridge are you trusting in today to get you over your troubled waters? Why not trust in Jesus Christ, the only true Bridge for all time and eternity!

Was That December?

Well ladies and gentlemen, we made it. We’ve all been put through the wringer and have come out on the other side of 2021. Will 2022 be more of the same? A carbon copy of last year? I don’t believe that it will nor could be if it even wanted to. I think that we’ve seen the last of 2021, except for the highlights and notes that are to be found in the history books and online.

One thing that really puzzled me was the arrival of Christmas. In our home, we typically put up the Christmas decorations around the beginning of December. The tree and the lights go up in the living room, a winter village gets set up in the dining room and an assortment of decorative items get scattered throughout the rest of the house. Very festive and wonderful.

To me, it seemed like we had just barely set up the tree before someone reminded me that Christmas day was less than a week away. What?? I’m not too sure what happened to the first part of the month but now, with Christmas day being so close there was still things that my wife and I needed to get done. My daughter, bless her heart, reminded us in no uncertain terms that the gifts that my wife and I had purchased still needed to be wrapped and placed under the tree.

While my children are not allowed to move the gifts beneath the tree, they do enjoy nosing around and trying to see which presents are theirs.

With the arrival of Christmas day being on a Saturday and my having worked the day before, the holiday almost felt surreal and, to be honest, it almost doesn’t feel like it actually happened. Maybe my years are catching up to me or maybe this was just an oddly experienced year for Christmas, either way, it was a joyous time to spend with my family and friends.

I look forward to writing to you all again through another year of challenges and triumphs, through the peaks and the valleys along this amazing roller coaster of a ride that we all call Life.

Have a great new year and stay positive!

Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.

Madeline Hildebrand in Concert - The Steinbach Arts Council is excited to announce that Madeline Hildebrand is kicking off our 2021-2022 Concert Series. After her concert was turned into a livestream performance last year, it only made sense to bring the brilliant, energetic, and extraordinary pianist back for an in-person concert once again. Tickets available to purchase online. The concert will be held at the Steinbach Mennonite Church on January 13 at 7:30 PM. For more concert details, visit steinbacharts.ca.

Frankie Hargreaves presents her Exhibit at SAC - The Quiet Folklore and the Things No One knows Exhibit will open at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre on January 7 at 7 pm.

Nature is the primary inspiration for her art as well as her life-long fascination with folklore; she often incorporates both in her artwork to tell stories that have been nearly forgotten with the passage of time. Bold and contrasting shades are a distinguishable feature of her art as well as odd but beautiful subject matter.

This exhibit will also be made available online at steinbacharts.ca/virtual-gallery.

Calling all artists SOJE 2022 Wants You! Do you like having your artwork critiqued and proudly shown to the public? The Southeast Open Judged Exhibit application will open soon. SAC’s open judged exhibit highlights the local artistic talent in our community. We invite you to take part and display your work in our annual SOJE exhibit. Artists can apply in the Juvenile and Adult Category. There will be an entry fee of $10 for adults only. Watch out for the opening of our application forms at steinbacharts.ca/soje to send your entries.

Get your early bird tickets - Celebrate the Arts Fundraising Gala - Save the date for Saturday, February 26 where we have a memorable Celebrate the Arts…Saturday Night (Almost) Live Virtual Fundraising Gala! We will bring the event right to your home with food, wine, and entertainment. Plus, an online auction, Jewelry tombola, and more. A special night celebrating the arts with your friends and family. Get your early bird tickets now at steinbacharts.ca or call Sydney at 204346-1077.

Watch the WSO Holiday Pop! Livestream Concert - Access the WSO Holiday Pop Livestream Concert for free and watch it with your friends and family from the comfort of your own home. The Manitoba Hydro Holiday Tour presents a Made-in-Manitoba Christmas, complete with song, drums, dance, aerialists, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. This special livestream performance is complimentary, courtesy of Manitoba Hydro. It is available until January 12.

Visit steinbacharts.ca to access the link.

Register NOW for Winter Classes - We’re working to make physical, mental, and creative wellness a reality in all our programming. Find a class that will challenge and keep you inspired in the cold, winter months.

We’re bringing back your favorites like Boss Dance, Backyard Theatre Company, Steinbach Youth Chorus plus new classes like Watercolor, Acrylics, Digital Photography, and French! Classes at the SAC are not only for kids; get fit with us by registering for Yoga, Pilates, or Fitness on the Ball! Registering is easy. Save your spot and register online at steinbacharts.ca or call us at 204-346-1077.

All equipment provided.

Greater things come to our community with your support - Consider us in your charitable giving this time of year. Aside from your membership, the Steinbach Arts Council relies on people like you to donate to ensure that we can thrive and provide our community with a safe, healthy, and creative place to learn.

Ways to give a gift: Online at steinbacharts. ca/donate; over the phone at 204-346-1077; in-person by cash, credit, debit, or cheque.

Send a cheque to 304 Second St, Steinbach MB R5G 0T7 made payable to Steinbach Arts Council. Gifts over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt. We appreciate all our donors who have already come on board this season.

Your generosity has allowed us to complete the beautiful renovations in our Centre, build an outdoor creative learning centre, and buy technical equipment for the benefit of our arts programming and the members in our community. Thank you so much!

Stay to Play with Seniors and Families in South Junction

By Angelique Forest Starting Friday, January 14 to March 25, from 9:30 to 11:30 am come and visit, and stay to play.

Ross L Gray School, Borderland School Division (BLSD), and Southern Health are hosting a free stay and play for children in the area. Babies and children up to 5 years old and their families/caregivers are welcome to join the seniors at the Pine Grove Seniors Centre in South Junction.

It will be held every Friday, or every other Friday depending on the number of registrants.

Children can explore and participate in various activities that will strengthen their social skills and help promote indepen-

dence. Parents will be directly involved in the activities and be exposed to techniques that will enhance their children’s skills.

This is an opportunity for parents to learn with their children, for children to interact and make new friends, and for everyone to meet other families in the community.

Anyone ages 5 and up will need a mask.

Snacks will be provided. All current public health protocols will be followed.

Register in advance as there are a limited number of spots available (3 - 4 families, 7-10 kids) per session. For more information and to register contact Carly Chubaty or Adriane Culleton at 204-437-2175 or email chubatyc@blsd.ca or culletona@ blsd.ca.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

January 2022

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Doubts: Will They Come? Yes. Current Programming: All indoor programming require preregistration (204-320-4600), Immunization Card, and masks will moving indoors.

Coffee Corner: Friday 10 am – 12 pm.

Cards/Games: Monday - Thursday, from 1 – 3 pm, pre-register, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Drumming: Tuesday 1- 1:45 pm, preregister, Member$2/Non-Member $4.

PACE: Wednesday 1- 1:45 pm, preregister, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Old Time Country Jam: Wednesday 79 pm, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Pickleball: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 am -12:30 pm register at patporteralc.com.

Beginner Pickleball: Tuesday and Thursday, from 2 - 4 pm. register at patporteralc.com.

Craft Workshops: Calling all card makers, scrap bookers and complete newbies! Join these fun and easy to follow craft classes and learn how to make different types of cards and/or scrapbook pages. Using the high-quality supplies that are provided, you can feel free to let your creativity shine! $10 per person, please call 204-3204600 to register.

Dahlia Blossom - Friday, January 14 from 1 - 3 pm, $10 per person. 5”x7” wall art with matching 4”xx4” dahlia note card.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day - Friday, January 28 from 1 – 3 pm, $10 per person. Create a paper Kissing Booth, cardstock paper candy box and a conversation valentine’s card.

Paint Workshop: Tuesday, January 18 at 1:30 pm. Come enjoy another fun workshop with Doug Enns. All material provided. Member $20, non-Member $25. call to reserve you spot.

Steinbach Rockin’ Rollers: Sundays 5 - 7 pm. No skill required! A fun new roller-skating program is now offered at the Centre. All skill levels and ages welcome, and no pre-registration required. Cost to participate is $5 ($3 for Pat Porter members).

Please bring your own roller-skates and proof of vaccination. We hope to see you there!

2022 Memberships: Now’s the time to purchase your 2022 membership! Memberships purchased between until January 15, 2022 are $25 each, and $30 thereafter. Stop by the Centre to purchase yours!

Why become a member?

- Decreased program rates - Discounts on special events - Discount on rentals of the building - Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting - Supports the Centre directly so we can continue to provide programs, activities and services to you!

Foot and Calf Massage: By appointment. We are excited to be able to offer foot and calf massages at the Centre again. Treat your feet and calves to a relaxing massage. Our massage machines emulate the same techniques used by massage professionals and are a wonderful treat to incorporate into your day. Appointments last 30 minutes and are $2 for members and $4 for non-members.

Call 204-320-4600 and treat your feet today!

Clinics: Foot care - Licensed Foot care Nurses will take care of your feet and make sure they stay healthy. Call 204-3204600 to make an appointment.

Hearing Clinic - first Wednesday of the month. Call 1-800-661-2653 to make an appointment.

Rentals: We have rooms of a variety of sizes and prices. For pricing and room availability visit our website patporteralc.com, email programs@patporteralc.com or call 204-320-4600.

Meals on Wheels: A healthy, warm and delicious meal cooked fresh daily and delivered to your door. We have two Meals on Wheels programs running out of Steinbach and Grunthal. Meals may be purchased for $7 for delivery (residents of Steinbach & Grunthal) or pickup. A meal includes soup, a main dish, sides and dessert.

Please call 204-320-4600 with any questions or to order a meal. To receive a same day meal, you must call before 9 am.

Community Resources: Transportation Program, Equipment Loan program, Friendly Visitor program, ERIK. Please call 204-320-4600 if you require access to any of these resources.

Circle of Friends Adult Day Program: Our Circle of Friends program is designed to strengthen an individual’s ability to continue to function in their homes as well as remain active in the community. The program runs twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Transportation can be arranged through Steinbach HandiVan. What are some of the things we do? We have lots of coffee and snacks; participate in light exercise and arts and crafts or games. We often have special guests who perform live music and go out for lunch in the community. For more information, please call 204-320-4600.

Volunteering: All volunteer positions require a Criminal Record Check. To find out how you can help, call 204-320-4600 or email programs@patporteralc.com.

Poachers Pay Hefty Fines Conservation officers are being kept busy in the southeast region this hunting season and recently dealt out some fines for offenses and violations.

On November 11 in the Sandilands Provincial Forest in the RM of Reynolds, conservation officers stopped a vehicle and discovered a processed untagged whitetail deer in the rear compartment. The driver had no hunting licence or game tags with him. The deer was seized and he was issued a $174 ticket for failing to carry the required licence and a second ticket of $203 for failing to attach the tag to a big game animal.

While conducting a decoy operation

in southeastern Manitoba during the deer-hunting season, conservation officers saw two hunters stop on the road and walk back to the whitetail decoy. A female hunter knelt on one knee in the middle of the road and shot twice at the decoy. Officers stopped the individuals and issued the shooter a $486 ticket for shooting from a public road within a municipality.

On November 16, conservation officers in Beausejour were told an individual near Elma was offering to shoot deer for anyone who had a deer licence.

Investigation led to a recently harvested whitetail deer that was picked up by another person at the hunter’s residence.

That person attached his deer tag to the animal before loading it into his vehicle and leaving. The deer was seized and both individuals were fined a total of $970 for using a licence issued to another person and possessing big game with a tag not used to harvest the animal. The investigation also revealed a third person had also received a deer from the individual.

That individual was fined a total of $672 for possessing a big game animal with a tag not used to harvest the animal.

Anyone with information on illegal activities is asked to call their local Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development office or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.

Hebrew 4:14-16… 14) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV) We look at our Lord’s life and death here on earth, listen to His words, and say, “Here is someone who understands what I am going through!” He has experienced all our years of heartaches and bitterness. He knows how difficult it is to burn the bridges we are called to destroy; He understands our indifference and our soul’s resistance to change. He understands the power of sensual attraction.

He has felt the arrogance of others; He has seen their smirks and amused smiles; He has experienced coldness and the inability of others to understand. He knows. He understands… We can approach Him. Doubts: will they come? Yes. Should we be alarmed, thinking that our faith has failed? We should counteract this by reminding ourselves of their source – Satan. He is a liar. What he says about God is not true. Then we can renew our minds and strengthen our hearts with the truth that God is a God who does not lie. There is nothing like Christ’s presence to dispel the fear, the panic, the terror of the unknown.

We live a most uncertain life. Any hour can bring disaster, danger, and distress from many unknown quarters.

Life is sometimes full of hazards. Not one of us can tell what a day will produce in terms of new trouble. We live in either a sense of anxiety, fear, or troublesome times. Or in a sense of quiet rest.

When I feel all is lost, suddenly there comes the awareness, the consciousness, the realization that the Holy Spirit is there. It makes all the difference. Things are not so black or nearly so terrifying. The outlook has changed and there is hope. Then we find ourselves delivered from fear. Rest returns, and we can relax. It is the special work of God’s gracious Spirit that communicates, that transmits the sense of Christ to our fearful hearts. He comes quietly to reassure us that Christ Himself is aware of our problem and deeply involved in it with us. The Bible teaches us that Christ will bring peace to a troubled heart. That means Jesus Christ delivers us from tension, rivalry, and cruel competition within our circle of friends. Should we allow the devil to suck us into this quagmire, it would not take us long to find that envy shows its ugly face. This is where the smallest things can grow into horrible hate. It is where ill-will and contempt come into being, the place where heated rivalry and deep discontent are born. It is here that dissatisfaction gradually grows into a covetous way of life where one must be forever standing up for themselves, to claim their rights, or in other words, standing up just to get ahead of the crowd.

Being close to Christ means being aware of His everpresent presence made real in our minds, emotions, and wills by the indwelling gracious Spirit. It is to be set free from fear of our peers and whatever they might think of us.

Most of us would much rather have friends we can trust than occupy the first place in society if we had attained it by fighting, quarreling, and bitter rivalry with our fellow human beings. Finally, there is the wider but equally thrilling awareness of God all around us. We who live surrounded by His presence are open individuals, subject to His scrutiny. He is mindful of every situation we contend with because we belong to Him. …To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done…

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change.

My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name. Amen” … All The Best In The Year 2022…

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January 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Steinbach RCMP Respond to Crime Spree

St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP Search for Missing Teen

RCMP FILES If you have any information in regards to any item here you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Motor Vehicle Collision Involves Ambulance At approximately 10:20 am on December 10 Steinbach RCMP responded to a 2 vehicle collision involving a SUV and an ambulance at Highway #12 and Penfeld Drive in Steinbach.

The Ambulance was travelling North bound on Highway #12 with its emergency equipment activated, when it was struck by the SUV attempting to turn south onto Highway #12 from Penfeld Drive. As a result of the collision, the ambulance jumped the meridian at the intersection knocking over the left turning lane traffic lights. The ambulance had a patient on board at the time of the collision but no one was injured. A second ambulance was called to continue the patient transfer and traffic was diverted around the intersection while police dealt with the vehicles involved.

RCMP Request Help in Identifying Vehicle Involved in Break In On December 23, the Steinbach RCMP received a report of a break-in to a vacant property in the RM of Ste Anne along Highway 302 North of Highway 1. The incident would have occurred between December 10 and December 23. Several trailers on the property were damaged and a number of tools were also stolen. Among the items stolen was a TV, Yamaha generator, solar panels, batteries, propane tanks, batteries and bikes.

The suspect vehicle is described as an SUV with design markings on the side.

If you have any information in regards to the above matter, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

In the afternoon of December 12, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle that occurred earlier in the morning at a residence located on 1st Street West in Steinbach. The victim reported that his grey colored 2010 Honda Civic, with Manitoba plate KPC 722, was stolen from his property.

On December 13, at approximately 10 am, Steinbach RCMP responded to a theft from Mitchell Co-op of a value exceeding $300. It was reported that a suspect, described as being in his 20’s, wearing all black, a black toque, mask and a hoodie, filled up his vehicle and left without paying for the gas and a quantity of cigarettes and other consumable items. The vehicle, driven by the suspect, was identified as the stolen vehicle from Steinbach.

On December 15, at approximately 9:40 am, St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP responded to a report of a theft of gas involving the same vehicle at a gas station located in Lorette. The suspect was seen wearing a black toque, mask and hoodie.

Shortly thereafter, at 10:20 am, St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP responded to a report of a robbery at the gas station located in Tourond on Highway 59. The same vehicle was seen driving onto the property. The suspect entered the store with a firearm and demanded cash. The suspect was wearing a mask, a blue jacket and grey sweatpants. He made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Later that afternoon, at approximately 3 pm, Oakbank RCMP responded to a robbery at a restaurant located at Deacons Corner. The suspect entered the restaurant with a firearm and demanded cash. He made off with an undisclosed amount of cash in the same vehicle.

At 4:45 pm, St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a vehicle fire located off of Highway 1 on Municipal Road 29 E in the RM of Tache.

Police believe this vehicle to be the one stolen earlier and used during these incidents reported above. The suspect remains at large.

RCMP believe the same suspect to be involved in all of these incidents and are asking anyone who may have information which could help identify him to contact the RCMP East District CREST unit at 204-482-9699 or call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

On December 3 at approximately 7:25 am, St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a missing 13-yearold male from St-Pierre-Jolys.

Bailey Poole was last seen at his residence at approximately 8 pm on December 2. He was wearing a green and grey jacket, dark shirt and pants, and a black backpack.

Poole is described as 5’10” tall, with a thin build and hazel eyes. It is believed he is in Winnipeg.

If you have information, please call St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP at 204-4337433, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thieves Steal Pickup Truck from Driveway The Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft of a truck that occurred at approximately 6:30 am on December 14. The truck was stolen off of a driveway near Imperial Crescent in Steinbach. It is described as a 1999 Dodge Ram grey in colour with a white hood bearing Manitoba License Plate KFK158. The truck was last seen driving on Mackenzie Avenue in Steinbach.

If you have any information in regards to the above matter, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Street Racers Face Heavy Penalty On Saturday December 4 at 8:50 pm Steinbach RCMP was patrolling and observed two vehicles street racing west bound on Main Street.

RCMP conducted a traffic stop on both vehicles in the 200 block of Main Street, directly across from Solomon’s Parking lot where several onlookers had gathered out at the time.

Both drivers received a $672 fine for racing, a 7-day license suspension, an MPI license review, and both vehicles were towed and impounded for 7 days.

The driver of one of the vehicles stated it was just a matter of time until he was stopped for racing. The second driver admitted that it was his first time at racing. Both drivers are only 18 years old and both stated that they regretted their action and that it was a very hard lesson.

Steinbach RCMP wants to remind drivers that street racing is a very dangerous activity and when caught is very costly.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Steinbach RCMP Respond to Serious VehiclePedestrian Collision On December 13 at 8:45 am officers from the Steinbach RCMP responded to a report of a vehiclepedestrian collision that occurred at the intersection of Highway 12 and Park Road West in Steinbach.

Officers arrived on scene and located a 64-year-old female, from Winnipeg, lying on the roadway with serious injuries.

Initial investigation has determined the victim was walking eastbound and attempting to cross Highway 12 when the concrete pump truck, also travelling eastbound on Park Road West, attempted to turn north onto Highway 12 and struck her.

The truck, being driven by a 25-year-old male from Mitchell, stopped and remained at the scene.

The victim was transported to hospital where she remains in stable condition.

The driver of the truck was arrested for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm and taken into police custody where he was later released for court scheduled March 10, 2022, in Steinbach Provincial Court.

Teen Charged After Slamming SUV into Four Pedestrians On December 17 at 10:35 pm, Steinbach RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision with 4 pedestrians in the back parking lot of the Steinbach Regional Secondary School.

Officers attended SRSS and located a 17 year-old female with serious injuries. The female was transported to Health Science Center in Winnipeg and provided further care.

Investigation determined a verbal altercation had occurred earlier in the evening at a parking lot on Main Street. The vehicles followed each other and travelled to the SRSS back parking lot.

The four occupants, aged 26, 18, 17 and 15, exited their vehicle and were walking in the parking lot when the driver of an SUV accelerated directly towards them, intentionally striking them with his vehicle.

The 26 year-old male was able to jump out of the way, and has no injuries. The 18 year-old male, also attempted to jump out of the way, but was struck. He does not have injuries. The 15 year-old female was transported to Bethesda for precautionary reasons.

A 16 year-old male driver from Landmark was arrested and charged for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm and Assault with a Weapon x4. The male appeared before a justice of the peace where he was released on conditions with a court date scheduled for February 3 in Steinbach.

The 17 year-old female remains in the hospital receiving further treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

RCMP Ask Public to Watch for Stolen Trailer The Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft of a load trailer that occurred at between 6:30 pm on December 15 and 9 am on December 16. The trailer was stolen off of a drive way on Road 41 in the 34th mile. It is described as a 2012 Black Load Trailer with Manitoba Plate 773FB. If you have any information in regards to the above matter, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

January 2022

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A Message from Richer Fire Department In light of two recent accidents involving emergency response vehicles in our neighboring community, we’d like to take this opportunity to remind drivers of the following information: An emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, will sound an alarm and use flashing lights. The alarm may be a horn, gong, bell or siren. The lights may consist of any of the following: a flashing red light, flashing red and blue lights or alternating flashing headlights.

When an emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire or police), sounding an alarm and flashing lights, is approaching from any direction you must yield right-of-way by: - immediately moving clear of an intersection if you are stopped for a red light or stop sign (If blocking the path of an emergency vehicle, you must proceed through a red light or stop sign with caution, to clear the way.

- driving as closely as possible to the right curb or edge of roadway - remaining stopped at the edge of the road until the emergency vehicles have passed We’re trying to go help your family... let us get home safely to ours.

For more information or videos: https://apps.mpi.mb.ca/comms/drivershandbook/emergency-vehicles.html

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January 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Stay on the Right Track While Snowmobiling Its winter in Manitoba and that means another season of fun for snowmobile enthusiasts. But just as you wouldn’t hit the trails without your helmet and other essential gear, you shouldn’t head out for a ride

without knowing a few guidelines to help you get home safe.

Reduce your speed around utility poles. Guy wires that anchor the poles have yellow, reflective covers to make them more visible, but

sometimes the covers become damaged or hidden by drifting snow.

Darkness, fog, or blowing snow can also make them difficult to spot.

Steer clear of downed poles and power lines. A fallen power line may

energize nearby objects. Stay at least 10 metres away from the entire area and report the damage to Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-MBHYDRO or 911.

If someone does contact a downed power line, either directly or through

their machine, do not touch them or any objects around them. Call 911.

Stay off the ice near hydroelectric dams and generating stations.

Fluctuating water levels and strong currents may result in unstable ice conditions.

Avoid sledding near substations and other hydroelectric facilities.

Unmarked terrain and trespassing on private property can contain unexpected and deadly hazards.

Plan your route before heading out. Becoming disoriented or lost is much more likely to happen at night or on a large frozen lake. Make a point of riding with individuals familiar with the area and always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back.

Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety for more information.

If it’s Icy, It Can Be Dicey for Power Lines Ice is a certainty during our Manitoba winters. Extreme and changing weather conditions including high humidity, freezing temperatures, and ice storms can cause ice to form on power lines. The weight of ice can put a lot of stress on power lines, causing them to break, wood poles and crossarms to snap, and even steel towers to crumple.

To prevent power outages and damage to equipment, Manitoba Hydro crews remove the ice as quickly as possible, either by ice melting or ice rolling. If a crew is working on iced lines in your community, please stay clear of their work area.

To help keep you and your family safe during an ice storm, follow these tips: - Call Manitoba Hydro at 1-888MBHYDRO if you see excessive ice build-up on a section of power lines.

- Stay clear of low or sagging lines.

Travelling under or near them can be dangerous.

- Immediately report downed power lines or damaged poles to Manitoba Hydro or 911. Treat downed wires as energized. Stay at least 10 metres back from a fallen wire or objects it may be touching. This includes trees, branches and other debris.

- If a power outage occurs in your community, report it using our app or website.

Follow Manitoba Hydro on Twitter or listen to your local radio station (using your battery-powered radio from your emergency kit) for regular updates on the progress of restoration efforts.

- Be prepared before an outage occurs. Assemble essential items into an emergency kit and store it within easy reach in the dark. Not sure what to include? Visit our website for the Emergency Preparedness Handbook.

Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety for more information.