Instructor

The 13U Parkland Vipers are finding success on the hardcourt.

The Vipers won an exhibition tournament, Apr. 5, in Russell.

In their first match, the Vipers defeated the Brandon Bandits, 25-10 and 25-10, then beat Club West, 25-14 and 25-9.

Parkland then defeated the host Russell team, 25-17 and 25-11 to clinch first place in the round-robin, setting up a rematch with Russell in the final, which the Vipers won, 25-11 and 25-13.

The Vipers were in Portage, this past weekend, to take part in a 14U tournament, opening with a 25-21 and 25-16 win over Skyline of Winnipeg.

After a 16-25 and 18-25 loss to Winnipeg’s Impact U14 Purple, Parkland beat the Impact 13U team, 25-5 and 25-11.

In the semifinals, the Vipers got their revenge on Impact 14U Purple, with a 21-25, 25-17 and 15-9 win to advance to the final, where they lost to Impact 14U Black, 19-25 and 18-25 to finish second.

The 14U Parkland Vipers attended the WinMan tournament this past weekend.

The Vipers took the WinMan Storm to three sets, losing, 15-25, 25-18 and 12-15, before rebounding to beat Offspeed Red, 25-20 and 25-15.

A straight-set victory over Seven Oaks Surge put the Vipers in second place in their pool, setting up a match with Phoenix to open the playoffs.

After dropping the first set, the Vipers battled back to win in three sets to advance to the quarterfinals.

Parkland lost in straight sets to Power in that quarterfinal match, setting up a final match with Skyline.

Despite playing well, the Vipers ran out of gas, losing in three sets to finish sixth out of 16 teams.

Parkland communities are on heightened alert after the province updated it spring flooding outlooks indicated an increased risk of overland flooding in the area.

Flood risk remains moderate to low elsewhere in the province.

The elevated risk is due to significantly above normal snowpack, a delayed spring melt and an increased likelihood of rapid runoff combined with spring precipitation.

Temperatures are expected to remain near zero through mid April, delaying the start of snowmelt and increasing the potential for a rapid, concentrated spring runoff period once melting begins.

In the Parkland, there is an elevated risk of overland flooding as temperatures are expected to rise above 10C in the coming days. Overland flooding can occur when rising temperatures trigger rapid snowmelt while ditches, culverts and drainage channels remain partially frozen or obstructed.

Spring flood risk remains high for the Interlake’s Fisher River basin, with elevated flood potential throughout the basin. Depending on weather conditions, peak flows are expected to reach levels similar to those observed during the 2014 spring flood, but if the melt happens faster, flows could approach levels seen during the 2022 flood, which were about two feet higher than 2014.

Based on the elevated flood risk, the province has arranged for tens of thousands of sandbags to be delivered to Peguis First Nation and surrounding communities.

In addition, provincial volunteers have been mobilized and are working with the community to begin preparations to protect homes at risk.

The province has provided regular updates to potentially impacted communities and remains committed to providing ongoing support to affected communities.

A Skownan man remains in custody after crashing a stolen taxi into the Dauphin RCMP Detachment.

In the early morning hours of Apr 4, police responded to a report of a stolen taxi cab.

Officers learned the suspect had gotten into the cab and was driven to a city hotel, then refused to pay his fare. The cab driver then got out of the cab and asked the suspect to exit the vehicle. Instead, the suspect jumped into the cab’s front seat and drove away.

The vehicle was located by patrolling officers at 5:30 a.m., with the driver refusing to pull over and speeding away.

At 5:40 a.m., officers saw the taxi stopped in the Dauphin RCMP detachment’s parking lot. As officers approached, the cab sped away again, only to return a short time later.

The taxi was then boxed in by officers and the suspect was safely taken into custody.

During the incident, the cab collided with the detachment’s wheelchair ramp, causing significant damage to both the ramp and vehicle.

Dalton Roussin, 32, has been charged with theft of a vehicle, flight from peace officer and two counts of mischief over $5,000.

For more, read this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

The last of the acts are signed and the countdown to Dauphin’s Countryfest 2026 is on.

Canada’s longest running country music festival takes place, June 25 to 28, at Selo Ukraina south of Dauphin.

Headlining the 2026 festival are multi-platinum country stars Jelly Roll, Tyler Hubbard, and Nate Smith, each bringing their high-energy performances to the Play Now Main Stage.

Joining the headliners on the main stage will be the Hunter Brothers, Owen Riegling, Jade Turner and the Sean Taylor Band on Friday.

Sturday will feature Cameron Whitcomb, Hailey Benedict, Noeline Hofmann and Alli Walker, while Sunday will see Brett Kissel, Thelma and James, Blackhawk and The Martin Boys.

With a mix of international headliners, celebrated Canadian talent, and rising local artists, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience for music fans across the country.

“Each year our goal is to build a lineup that truly captures the spirit of Countryfest, bringing together world-class talent, Canadian artists, and the rising stars in our own backyard,” said Colette Hykawy, Programming Committee lead.

“We’re excited to welcome fans back to the hill for four days of great music and fun activities.”

The festival will get underway, June 25, with a Rockin’ Thursday Kickoff Party, featuring Canadian rocker JJ Wilde, a Kitchener, Ont., born artist, who will set the tone for an electrifying weekend, alongside Manitoba performers Leddwyn and The Haileys.

Additional highlights on the hilltop stages include acclaimed Canadian artists Charlie Major and Aaron Pritchett, along with a drink-raising, head-banging performance from Eddy and the Dirty Boys, a rising Canadian rock band compiled of members from both The Glorious Sons and Boston Levi.

Toque will return to the hilltop stage to bring their high-energy classic rock performance.

The remainder of the weekend features home-grown talent, and out of province rising stars, such as Josh Stumpf, Club Wagon Creek, Ryan Keown, Austin Ryder, Morgan Grace, Kates Outlaw, Sarah Vanderzon, JR Charron, Kris Anders and the Flatlanders, Irvin Miller, Petric, Brandi Vezina, Cassandra Star and Mitchell Makoons and Desiree Orvis.

Dauphin’s Countryfest has now entered Tier 3 pricing with weekend passes available at $369 plus fees and taxes.

Tickets and camping can be purchased online at Countryfest.ca or by calling toll-free to 1-800-361-7300.

He only spent one season in Dauphin with the Kings, but Nicholas Zaharias made the most of it.

The Crystal Lake, Il., native recently committed to the Trine University Thunder of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.

Zaharias was third in scoring with the Kings this season, bending the twine 14 times, while adding 31 assists for 45 points in 57 games.

While Zaharias enjoys some peace of mind after landing his scholarship, other players with similar goals will descend upon the City of Sunshine, this weekend, hoping to impress the Dauphin coaching and scouting staffs as the Kings host their annual spring prospects camp.

More than 80 players born between 2008 and 2011 are expected to hit the ice at Credit Union Place to put their skills to the test during camp, which Kings director of business operations Christian Laughland said on the team’s website is a big economic boost for the city.

“It’s always great to host a number of players and parents and have them see, not only what the hockey club is about, but our community as a whole,” he said.

“There’s lots to see and do in Dauphin and this is a great opportunity for players to see what they could be getting into if they became a Dauphin King.”

A Dauphin man remains in custody after being found in possession of weapons and drug paraphernalia, last week

On Mar. 28, at 9:30 p.m., RCMP patrolling Main Street South saw a man outside a convenience store who was breaching the conditions of his release order.

An RCMP officer from the West District General Investigation Section arrested the man, who initially resisted, and safely took him into custody.

A subsequent search of the bag the suspect was carrying uncovered multiple weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun, a knife, ammunition and a road flare. Drug paraphernalia was also found inside the bag.

Daniel Gingera, 42, from Dauphin has been charged with 14 offences, including resisting a peace officer, four counts of failing to comply with a release order, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, three counts of weapons possession contrary to an order, unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited firearm.

To find out more, read this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier has introduced legislation which would ban supervised drug consumption and injection sites from operating within 500 metres of schools, daycares and playgrounds.

In introducing the bill, the Official Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Health calculated that more than 80 per cent of federally-approved sites are currently operating within that zone.

“Allowing drug consumption sites next to children is dangerous and unacceptable,” Mazier said.

“No parent should have to worry about their child stepping on a used needle in the playground or walking through a cloud of fentanyl smoke on the way to school.”

Supervised consumption sites are facilities where individuals can use illegal drugs because the federal Minister of Health has granted a legal exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

According to Health Canada, fentanyl is the most commonly used drug at federally approved consumption sites, accounting for nearly half of all visits, followed by methamphetamine.

Mazier referred to these sites as “drug magnets,” citing hundreds of reports to Health Canada with concerns relating to drug dealing, property damage, aggression, and the littering of drug paraphernalia.

“The Liberals have been approving drug consumption sites next to children without checking who is next door,” Mazier said.

“When I asked the Health Minister at committee how many approved sites are located next to schools and daycares, she could not answer because her own department does not collect that information.” he added.

At a press conference on Parliament Hill following the bill’s introduction in the House of Commons, Mazier pointed to specific cases to illustrate the impact these sites are having on families and communities.

He highlighted the example of Sandy Hill Child Care, a daycare in Ottawa that was forced to shut down in 2023 after a supervised consumption site opened blocks away. The daycare documented a significant increase in open drug use and aggression. Before the closure, the daycare had to hire a private security guard to accompany children for outdoor activities.

Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Dauphin MLA and MAnitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn,  recently delivered a  Member’s Statement in the Legislature recognizing the  achievements of Winnipegosis resident Alex Lytwyn.

Lytwyn lives with cerebral palsy and, using a powerchair, he has built a life shaped not by limitations, but by determination, creativity, and a strong commitment to advocacy.

Lytwyn was joined in the Legislature by his supporters, including his mother Sherry Lytwyn, Karen Huhtala, a dedicated health care professional, Lindsey Cooke, CEO of Manitoba Possible,  and Mark Gabrielle a close friend and relative, making the recognition especially meaningful.

Kostyshyn’s Member Statement read:

“Honourable Speaker, I rise to recognize Alex Lytwyn of Winnipegosis, Manitoba, an inspiring rural disability advocate, writer, and entrepreneur who continues to break barriers and challenge assumptions about what is possible.

Alex lives with cerebral palsy and uses a powerchair, but he has never allowed that to define his limits. He has built a life grounded in determination, creativity, and advocacy.

Alex is an accomplished writer who has completed two books awaiting publication and works as a freelance contributor.

His first-person perspective pieces have appeared on CBC Manitoba.

He has earned certificates in Business Administration and Applied Counselling, reflecting his commitment to personal growth and life-long learning.

Through his love of hockey, Alex served for three seasons as video coach for the Parkland Rangers U18 AAA team.

His involvement sends a powerful message that people of all abilities can contribute to the game and be an important part of the team.  

Alex has proudly served as an ambassador for Manitoba Possible and now sits on its board.

With their support, he has taken part in remarkable experiences, such as rappelling 272 feet down the Manitoba Hydro building in support of Manitoba Possible and Easter Seals Canada.

Alex is the founder of Willpower Media, a platform dedicated to sharing stories and encouraging people to push beyond perceived limits.

Through his advocacy, media work, and social media show “Can I Come In”, Alex inspires others to believe in their own possibilities.

I would like to recognize Karen, a valued friend and health care professional who has supported Alex and his initiatives for many years, as well as Alex’s family, for their ongoing support.

Alex reminds us that with determination and support, barriers can be broken and new paths created for others to follow.

Please join me in recognizing an inspiring young Manitoban who demonstrates that determination, independence, and opportunity can create new possibilities.”

Following the reading, Kostyshyn presented Lytwyn with a framed copy of the Member’s Statement.

The body of a woman reported missing last week has been located.

On Mar. 18, at 10:15 p.m., Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP received a report of a missing 21-year-old woman from O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation.

She had been last seen on Mar. 16 at a residence in the community.

Officers from the Ste. Rose du Lac Detachment, along with a First Nation Safety Officer and community members, conducted numerous checks in the community, including a search of nearby trails, for any information that may lead to her wherabouts.

Early the next morning police were informed her body had been found near Provincial Road 481.

The cause of death remains under investigation awaiting the results of an autopsy.

Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP, along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, continue to investigate.

• • •

Dauphin RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating  Kelly Klyne, 47, who is wanted on a number of charges dating back to December 2025, including aggravated assault, forcible confinement and robbery.

Klyne is known to frequent the Dauphin and Grandview areas and is considered dangerous.

If seen, do not approach, call 911 or the Dauphin RCMP detachment at 204-622-5020.

• • •

On Mar. 17, at approximately 11 a.m., Dauphin RCMP responded to a firearms complaint on Minto Avenue East in Gilbert Plains.

Out of an abundance of caution, police advised the nearby school to lock down, while they dealt with the situation.

Nearby offices were also temporarily closed.

A 46-year-old man was taken into custody at approximately 12:35 p.m., and the lock down was declared over shortly thereafter.

Police continue to investigate.