DAUPHIN

Banking, weeds and walkways. Councillors have approved a contract for the city to move its banking services to Scotiabank after a review of five qualified responses to a request for proposals issued in May.

The agreement will be in place for a minimum of five years and will see city manager Sharla Griffiths, deputy city manager Lisa Gaudet, finance director Scott Carr, Mayor David Bosiak, Deputy Mayor Christian Laughland and Coun. Kathy Bellemare as authorized signing officers.

Council was also informed there were two City of Dauphin building permits issued in July for work valued at $26,000. That brings the 2024 total at month’s end to 35 permits with a combined value of $2,073,561. Although there were none issued in July, 2024 has also seen 10 Department of Labour permits issued for work valued at $10,419,633.

Council also raised the rent for the Dauphin and District Handi-Van Association Inc. Councillors authorized a three-year extension to a CNR Place lease agreement Handi-Van, which rents 396 square feet of space in Unit B on the main floor of the facility. The new agreement will be in force until July 31, 2027 and will see the monthly rent increase from $650 per month to $700 per month.

» Dauphin Herald

ROBLIN

Construction to expand the Community Cancer Program space at the Russell Health Centre has now been completed, and the significant milestone was recognized on Aug. 21 with a grand opening.

“After almost 10 years of fundraising for a new cancer care unit at the Russell Health Centre, we are delighted that this long-awaited project is now a reality,” said Gloria Tibbatts, Expanding Community Cancer Care co-chair. “Our dream has been fulfilled, and the benefits will serve many. We would like to thank the people from around our region who have supported us. The power of community and of our donors is what made this possible, and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

The $2.5 million building expansion, which went into use in mid-July, improves patient experience and access to cancer treatment services for Russell and the surrounding region. The building addition is roughly four times the size of the former space located within the hospital and offers larger patient care areas and improved workspace for staff.

» The Roblin Review

SWAN VALLEY

Kristin Linnick has broken the mold at the Swan Valley Fire Department by recently becoming its only current female firefighter, although she isn’t the first to join the Swan Valley fire crew.

“The department has had female firefighters from 2011 until 2022,” said Fire Chief Darren Fedorchuk. “The last female firefighter in the department relocated in 2022, and is now in the Selkirk Fire Department.”

When she was a child, Linnick was drawn to the world of emergency services and firefighting by watching her father who had joined the fire department in their small town.

“I grew up watching him as a role model and knowing that someday I wanted to become a firefighter just like him,” Linnick said.

“Back then, if we were home alone with him when a call came in, we used to respond with him, sometimes still barefoot in our pyjamas. Because when that pager went off, he just had to drop what he was doing and go. A member would stay behind to dispatch at the hall so there were usually several kids in the meeting room waiting while their dads went out to help someone in need.”

Linnick has found being a firefighter rewarding and is learning to balance her work and home life.

“You never really know what you are going to encounter when a call comes in, or even when the call might come in,” said Linnick. “So far I find the most challenging to be preparing for what you are about to encounter along with juggling the need to respond with the other family and work-related commitments that I have.”

Linnick encourages other women who are interested in joining the local fire department to come out and take a chance on it. They just might find this a very fulfilling and rewarding way to serve the community.

» Swan Valley Star and Times

BOISSEVAIN

The first day of school takes place for most students next week and, yes, the back-to-school buzz is in the air! Boissevain School principal Landon White said it’s an exciting time for kids, teachers, staff, and parents too, as summer holidays end and a new school year begins.

“There’s something to be said about a routine, but there is just something about, ‘What is the next school year going to bring? What are we going to learn? What are we all going to do? How can we challenge ourselves further? And how can we grow?” White said.

One of the students’ first big events of the new year is the Terry Fox Run, which raises funds for cancer research. White said the school’s September schedule is full so they have moved the annual walk/run to Oct. 3.

“This is always a good way to, not necessarily kick off the year, but it’s something to look forward to and a fun thing to do for a very good cause early in the school year,” White said.

»Discover Westman

KILLARNEY

It was the rodeo experience of a lifetime, including a national TV appearance for a local star rodeo rider. Rayna Munroe, who just graduated from Killarney School, recently attended the week-long National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyo., and came away with more than just memories of a truly amazing trip.

“I’m pretty happy with it,” said Munroe.“Meeting new people from all over the world and challenging myself to do my best.”

Muroe has been goat-tying for about three years, and has competed in Canada in high school rodeo. But this was her biggest event so far. Only the top athletes in each province go to the rodeo. Munroe also received a US$500 scholarship for post-secondary education.

Her mother, Carol Bond, accompanied her on the big trip, which was a 15-hour drive to Rock Springs, as they travelled with rodeo friends from Souris. Of course, Munroe’s quarter horse Zip was on the trip too. On arrival, they joined more than 1,800 competitors.

Munroe also competed in a triathlon, which included break away roping a calf out of the box, running the barrel pattern, then jumping off her horse to capture a goat and tie it up. She completed it in 34 seconds; a respectable time among the 50 competitors. Her two runs in goat tying itself placed her 97th out of 180 high school goat-tying competitors from around the world.

» Killarney Guide

ERICKSON

The Rural Municpality of Yellowhead came out on top in total kilograms of recycling collected in 2023 versus the previous year. In 2022, 39,248 kilograms were reported, which jumped substantially to 71,755.

Fellow municipalities in the region that saw an increase include Ellice-Archie, Hamiota, Riding Mountain West and Russel-Binscarth. Clanwilliam-Erickson, Harrison Park, and the Town of Monnedosa all saw a decline in totals.

Clanwilliam-Erickson collected 8,216 kilograms down by a good 2,000 kilograms with the figure of 10,798 reported in 2022; Harrison Park dropped from 23,938 to 18,686 in 2023; and the Town of Minnedosa solely collected 199,600 kilograms, considerably less than the 211,870 it collected a year prior.

» Erickson South Mountain Press