Shannon Dueck

A school division in Manitoba is considering making changes to a field trip program that sees students travel overseas.

Alain Laberge is Superintendent of Division Scolaire Franco-Manitoban (DSFM). He explains the division has a program in place where students get the opportunity to travel abroad. Currently, they have students that are preparing for trips to Spain and France. 

A health professional in southern Manitoba says flu season has arrived.

Dr. Davinder Singh is Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health. He says based on the increases they have seen over the last month, of positive flu samples across the province, he can say with confidence that the flu season has started. Having said that, Dr. Singh says the case count is still well below the peak of last year's flu season.

The Executive Director for Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre says caring for a shot bald eagle last week was demoralizing for her staff.

Zoe Nakata says the centre at Ile des Chenes received a phone call on Friday after a woman from the Grunthal area heard a gunshot on her property. When she went to investigate, she discovered a bald eagle that had been shot. The bird was still alive, but unable to fly.

Nakata says this woman took all the proper steps by reporting the incident to conservation officers and then contacting Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre. 

A health professional in southern Manitoba says flu season has arrived.

Dr. Davinder Singh is Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health. He says based on the increases they have seen over the last month, of positive flu samples across the province, he can say with confidence that the flu season has started. Having said that, Dr. Singh says the case count is still well below the peak of last year's flu season.

A spokesperson for Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) says windy conditions last weekend certainly prevented crews from being able to tackle icy highways. 

A low-pressure system dumped snow on southern Manitoba. However, in many locations, the precipitation started as rain before turning into snow. As a result, many roadways became slick.

A spokesperson for Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) says windy conditions last weekend certainly prevented crews from being able to tackle icy highways. 

A low-pressure system dumped snow on southern Manitoba. However, in many locations, the precipitation started as rain before turning to snow. As a result, many roadways became slick.

The Lifesaving Society is warning that it is still too soon to be venturing out onto the ice in southern Manitoba. 

Dr. Christopher Love is Water Smart and Safety Management Coordinator for Lifesaving Society Manitoba. He says we have not had consistently good ice formation weather so far this season. According to Dr. Love, what is not helping the situation is that the temperature is continually climbing above the freezing mark. He notes these yo-yo temperatures are weakening the ice formation. 

Several southern Manitoba communities have welcomed Afghan refugees in recent weeks and months. 

Emery Plett is the Executive Director of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference (EMC), which has its head office in Steinbach. Plett says EMC is partnering with several organizations overseas, but primarily, they are working with the Canadian government to bring Afghan Christian refugees into our country.

The annual RCMP Holiday Checkstop Program began Friday in our province.

RCMP Sergeant Mark Hume says from December 1st through January 2nd, motorists in our province can expect to see check stops at any time and any location throughout Manitoba. He says check stops will likely be a little bit more frequent on weekends.

Hume says officers will largely be targeting impaired driving, either from alcohol or drugs. However, he notes in the process, they usually spot other traffic offences, such as suspended or prohibited drivers.

Environment Canada's Senior Climatologist is calling for a milder than normal winter for southern Manitoba. 

David Phillips says the El Nino arrived about six months earlier than what is typically the case. And, for those who prefer warmer winters, Phillips says all signs are pointing towards that.