Colder, snowier weather prompts reminder for motorists to be prepared
With the threat of less-than-ideal driving conditions this week, a meteorologist is warning all motorists to be extra careful when venturing out onto roadways.
Natalie Hasell with Environment Canada says if you are headed out onto the road, you should make sure your vehicle is in good working order. This includes ensuring your fluids are topped up and you have plenty of gas.
Springfield crash victim still in hospital 38 days later, police looking for eyewitnesses
Oakbank RCMP continue to investigate a crash that happened in early December on the Trans Canada Highway in the Rural Municipality of Springfield.
On December 4th at 6:35 am, officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash. The collision happened at the intersection of Settlers Road, which is about one mile east of Deacon's Corner.
According to police, that crash changed the life of a 54-year-old male driver who suffered significant life-altering injuries. The victim has now been in hospital for 38 days.
RCMP say holiday checkstop stats show too many people disregarding message
RCMP in our province released statistics on Wednesday from its Holiday Checkstop Program.
From December 1st to January 1st, there were 5,223 vehicles checked by RCMP. This resulted in 853 Provincial Offences Act notices being issued.
In addition, there were 3,436 mandatory alcohol screenings administered.
According to RCMP, police issued 46 Criminal Code alcohol-impaired charges, four Criminal Code failure or refusal to comply impaired charges, and two Criminal Code drug-impaired charges.
New daycares, office expansion and ODR replacement highlight 2023 in Ritchot
The Mayor for Ritchot says growth and activity is happening in all corners of the municipality. And Chris Ewen says that translates into a huge win for their residents.
In looking back on the last 12 months, Ewen says two of the biggest projects that happened in Ritchot, were the daycares that moved into both Ile des Chenes and St. Adolphe.
According to Ewen, the daycare in Ile des Chenes is up and running with children already enjoying their new space. He notes the daycare in St. Adolphe will probably open within the next few weeks.
HyLife CEO announces retirement
The President and Chief Executive Officer for HyLife has announced his retirement.
Grant Lazaruk will be stepping down as of February 29, 2024. Lazaruk has been with the company since 1997.
"We have a solid leadership team at HyLife," says Lazaruk. "I feel the timing is right for me to transition and focus more on community-minded initiatives, such as the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach."
Lazaruk says he wants to continue giving back where he can and to support his neighbours and the place he calls home.
Caution to sledders as Red River levels rise
A word of caution to all snowmobile riders thinking of heading out onto the Red River.
According to Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure's Hydrologic Forecast Centre, the Red River has risen significantly in southern Manitoba as the result of considerable precipitation south of the border over Christmas.
The Forecast Centre says the southern portion of the Red River basin in the United States received up to 80 millimetres of precipitation as rain and snow between December 24th and 27th. This has increased water levels north of the border.
It was a December nearly for the weather record books
Residents of the Pembina Valley felt it, and now a local meteorologist is confirming it. This past December was one of the warmest on record, and the second warmest in certain areas, but by just a hair.
According to Weatherlogics the average temperature last month in Gretna was -4.7 Celsius, just short of the record of -4.6 C set in 1997. In Morden, the average temperature in December was -4.1 C, also just shy of the record -4.0 C set in 1939.
What were the top weather stories for 2023?
Record wildfires producing record plumes of smoke. David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, says those were the two biggest weather stories in our country in 2023.
In fact, Phillips says in 28 years of producing his annual list of Top 10 weather stories, he has never had a more obvious #1 and #2 story.
Number one on that list is The Year for Record Wildfires. Phillips says fires in Canada this year burned five per cent of precious boreal forest. He adds many provinces set new records for the size of these infernos.
Provencher MP says welcoming two special guests to Canada was a highlight of 2023
The Member of Parliament for Provencher says two special visits highlighted 2023 for him.
Ted Falk says it is always memorable when a Head of State comes to visit Parliament. He notes in 2023 they had two such visitors. He notes American President Joe Biden as well as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy both graced Parliamentarians with their presence.
"We were honoured to have both of them here to speak to us," says Falk. "Certainly, they both had different messages, but we consider both of them to be our friends and allies and we want to support them where we can."
What were the top weather stories for 2023?
Record wildfires producing record plumes of smoke. David Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada, says those were the two biggest weather stories in our country in 2023.
In fact, Phillips says in 28 years of producing his annual list of Top 10 weather stories, he has never had a more obvious #1 and #2 story.
Number one on that list is The Year for Record Wildfires. Phillips says fires in Canada this year burned five per cent of precious boreal forest. He adds many provinces set new records for the size of these infernos.