Candace Derksen

A grassroots group is looking for a few extra sets of eyes and ears to help launch a crime prevention effort in the Town of Carman and the R.M. of Dufferin.
    
Monica Halbesma, Carman-Dufferin Fire Department's public education safety coordinator, says they've been approved to start a Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP).

"Unfortunately, our community has been experiencing some vandalism and car thefts," she explained.

Adolfo Cuetara's excitement is palpable as he describes a new effort the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) is undertaking this year. 

In 2023, Thornhill area farmer, David Lumgair, donated an 18-acre parcel of land to the museum, and Cuetara says staff have been hard at work cleaning it up and marking what they thing will be good spots to start digging.

"God is good," said Janet Hildebrand as she and her family survey the damage left by a tornado that whipped through the Darlingford area Wednesday evening.

"This morning, everything feels a little bit surreal and boxed in, because all of the big trees are down around the house," she explained. 

Hildebrand lives about 9 miles west of Morden, near Darlingford. She had just sat down to dinner with her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter when Alert Ready sounded, issuing a Tornado Warning. 

RCMP would like to remind all off-road vehicle owners of what is allowed and what is not, regarding their machines. 

Dennis Redikop is a Community Constable. He says when it comes to laws regarding off-road vehicles, the rules also pertain to all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, utility task vehicles and side by sides. 

Redikop says all off-road vehicles must be registered and insured, which can be done at any Autopac agent or Manitoba Public Insurance service centre. 

Carman Wellness Connections will have the resources it needs to support the community for years to come, thanks to the $300,000 multi-year investment announced by the Province yesterday. 

The grassroots group was singled out by Premier Wab Kinew for its volunteers who helped the community heal after a local mom, her three kids and niece were murdered in February. 

Mayor Brent Owen noted, this investment will help keep families together, and children safe. 

Premier Wab Kinew and his delegation have wrapped up a 3-day trade mission to Washington, DC. 

The delegation included minister Lisa Naylor, former ambassador Gary Doer and members of the Premier's Business and Jobs Council, who represent a wide range of sectors in the province. Jamie Moses, Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources was also on the trip. 

$13.5 million has been paid out to members through Access Credit Union's Member Rewards program this year. 
    
Board Chair, Curt Letkeman, offered the update at this week's annual general meeting. Access Credit Union includes branches in Grunthal, Vita and Dominion City.

It appears that Southern Manitoba farmers are going to get an early start to spring seeding.

Warren McCutcheon farms near Homewood. He got things going on Monday.

The Manitoba Government is kick-starting the province's Rural Doctor Recruitment Fund. It's all part of the NDP's healthcare investments highlighted in its inaugural budget on Tuesday.

"I was at Boundary Trails within the past couple of weeks and (I'm) excited to see that expansion continuing. We're committed to that, along with others at Bethesda and Portage and Brandon and Neepawa. So, we know that there's going to be a huge need, as these new facilities come online, to have the staff," explained Premier Wab Kinew on Friday's edition of the Premier's Report.

There will be a new model in place for how public education is funded in Manitoba by the next tax season. Premier Wab Kinew confirmed the news in an interview on Friday.

The news comes on the heels of the NDP government lifting the two per cent education property tax cap that had previously been issued to the province's school divisions. Kinew says affordability is his top priority.