Thompson Local News Archives for 2015-07

Via Rail route between Thompson and Churchill back in service

The Via Rail route between Thompson and Churchill is back in business.

 

The route had been temporarily suspended due to flooding, leaving about 90 passengers stranded in Thompson on Wednesday and Thursday. Via Rail chartered those passengers by plane, yesterday and today.

 

A spokesperson for the company says the track has been re-opened and today’s train #691, headed to Churchill will be able to go through.

Thompson set to assume ownership and operational management of Waste Disposal Grounds tomorrow

After months of discussions and planning, the Waste Disposal Grounds are set to become Thompson’s.

 

Currently operated by the LGD of Mystery Lake, the retirement of the Resident Administrator back in January, prompted the province to initiative discussions with the city.

 

Council approved the transfer agreement back in June, and the City is set to assume ownership and operational management, tomorrow.   

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske says this is a good acquisition for Thompson, as it places the City in direct control of its own dumping fee costs, which are around $400,000 annually.

Thompson to host province's First Nations Fire Fighter Competition for the first time

Thompson is hosting the Manitoba First Nations Fire Fighter competition for the first time this weekend.

 

Fire and Emergency Service Officer for Keewatin Tribal Council, Ivan Hart, says the competition attracts firefighters from all over the province:

 

"We have teams from the Island Lake area, Garden Hill, St Theresa’s point, we have Poplar River, Lac Brochet, Cross Lake, Lake Manitoba, Sagkeeng, The Pas, Ebb and Flow. Those are the teams that are coming". 

  

The firefighters will be competing in different drills, and the championship team will go onto the national fire fighters competition in Ontario. 

Vale to start annual shutdown this weekend

Vale is getting ready for its annual shutdown.

 

Manager of Corporate Affairs and Organizational Development for Vale, Ryan Land explains what it is: 

 

"It is a planned annual period where in we seize production in order to carry out maintenance and projects that might otherwise interrupt production or increase risk. We complete work that requires outages to multiple areas at the same times, also we complete projects that improve future production or safety".

 

Land says the mines will begin to ramp down starting tomorrow followed by the mill, refinery, and smelter by August 10th. All plants will be back up and running August 31st.

 

Many Vale employees have the month off.

Salvation Army food bank helping more people

The Salvation Army is seeing an increase in families using their food bank.

 

Roy Bladen, Director of the Thompson Salvation Army says a few months ago they were helping 50 families:

 

"That was about average now were up to 57 families, we have and continue to see an increase in the number of people coming to us".

 

Bladen says thanks to a food drive local schools did, the food bank has had enough food to support these families so far. 

 

He says they will be closing in August, like they do every year,

Our Home Kikinaw hopes to finish home by October

Our Home Kikinaw has put their fundraising into high gear by setting up a go fund me page.

 

The organization, that gives homeownership to low income families, has been building a house for the last two years:

 

"We have selected a family that’s working on the house right now and we’re trying to raise funds to complete the project. We have some internal things that need to be finished and most of it is exterior work: landscaping, fencing, and parching".

 

Executive Director Chris Bignell says they’ve been facing challenges because of vandalism, but hopes with new fundraising initiatives they can move the family into the house in October.

Via Rail suspends service between Churchill and Thompson

Via Rail has suspended service between Churchill and Thompson.

 

In a travel advisory sent out last night, the train service provider informed its passengers that train services #692 and #693 between Thompson and Churchill is cancelled due to flooding.

 

Via Rail is providing alternative transportation for passengers who have reservations.

 

They have not set a date for when service will resume.

NRHA forms new Aboriginal Health and Human Resources Committee

The Northern Health Region is looking to serve the needs of the aboriginal population better.

 

Vice President of Planning and Innovation, Joy Tetlock tells us about their newly formed Aboriginal Health and Human Resources Committee:

 

"They advise the board of directors on matters affecting the health and human resources of the aboriginal population within our region. The committee’s membership is comprised both of board members and also public citizens. So the public citizens may be from the organization, or stakeholders, or even individual citizens who were identified by the board of directors".

 

Tetlock says the committee will offer advice to the board, as well as the CEO on initiatives and research that relates to the health status of the aboriginal population.

Gravel filled pot holes to be filled with pavement next month

Residents have been noticing that gravel, used to temporarily fill potholes, has been washing away because of the rain.

 

Many say this makes for bad driving conditions, but Mayor Dennis Fenske says crews are maintaining the holes almost weekly.

 

Fenske says the gravel is being used as a temporary fix, until the paving crew makes its stop in the City next month.

Split Lake residents continue to search for missing man

Community members from Split Lake continue to search Thompson for missing 58-year-old Raymond Flett.

 

Split Lake Chief Duke Beardy says about 30-40 people have been searching the City every day:

 

“We have about 4 team leaders that work with groups that go around on foot in these areas and we map out each day what’s covered and planning the next thing. We have a headquarters at Keewatin Tribal Council at 23 Nickel Road, here in Thompson and we really hope that the City of Thompson and residents can help us”

 

Flett is known to visit Thompson often and it’s not like him not to be seen around when visiting.

 

RCMP say they are actively following up on all tips from the public and encourage the public to call police if they have any information at 204-677-6909.

 

 

2014 Statistics Canada figures show crime went down in Thompson

Crime continues to go down in Thompson according to 2014 figures from Statistics Canada.

 

Thompson saw a 15.1% drop in overall crime severity last year. Specifically, the violent crime severity value saw a 9% drop and the non-violent crime severity value experienced a 17.3% drop.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske says by focusing on preventative measures, the City creates an environment where people feel safe and secure. He’s expecting to see a further decrease in the City’s crime ranking with the new Community Safety Officer program.

 

The City is attributing the reduction to community driven crime reduction initiatives such as coordination with the local RCMP detachment, Project Northern Doorway, and the development of affordable and supportive housing.

No Mud Bogs this year in Thompson

For the first time in 6 years, there will be no mud bogs in Thompson.

 

President of the Northern Manitoba Off-road Association, Dennis Foley, says they were unable to coordinate dates with some of their key event partners. He says it was not due to lack of support from any group, but due to short notices that were faced with finding a new location.

 

Foley says they have secured a new area at the motor cross track, which is about 15 km outside of the city.

Housing facility at 95 Cree Road saves taxpayers money

95 Cree Road has been a “damp housing” facility for about a year now.

 

Paulette Simkins Executive Director of the CMHA says the facility has saved taxpayers money:

 

"During this time period we saw a savings of $25.30 per person, per night. To house somebody at the shelter it costs $60.30 per night and to provide somebody with housing like we did here, the cost is $35.00. So you can see that savings which is tremendous, not to mention the other benefits that come along with actually being housed and having a home that you can call your own".

 

In regards to any changes moving forward, Simkins says they’re in the process of gathering information from the last year, and will use it to evolve and improve the program.

 

Operating on the “housing first” strategy, Project Northern Doorway measures success by a participant’s ability to maintain their tenancy.

The Liquor Mart is on the move

The Liquor Mart has taken steps to relocate. During the last council meeting, Mayor Dennis Fenske said Liquor Mart has selected a new location and that a design is underway.

 

Fenske said more public information will be available once plans are approved. During City Beat, he told us once information becomes public, there will be open houses and discussions held.  

 

Andrea Kowal, Director of Corporate Affairs for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries confirmed to us that they are exploring options regarding the Thompson Liquor Mart.

 

Fenske says the location of the liquor store has been a long time issue in the City, and that it’s nice to see progress being made. 

RCMP reminding residents of bike safety

Experts and novice alike need to make sure they know the rules surrounding bicycle in order to stay safe.

 

RCMP Constable Amber reminds us where cyclists can ride: "Bikes are allowed to be ridden on the roadway with motor vehicles. They also can be ridden on the sidewalk by small children and there are some bicycle paths in the City in which bicycles are also allowed".

 

Amber also says that helmets are mandatory for youth under the age of 18, and strongly recommended for adults.

 

Amber is also reminding motorists that it’s cycling season, and to give riders space when sharing the road with them.

Province yet to contact the City regarding new Northern economic strategy

The Manitoba government says they’re planning consultations with Northern Leaders to develop a strategy for economic development for the North, but Mayor Dennis Fenske says the City hasn’t been contacted:

 

"I understand there was an announcement yesterday in Churchill, in a northern strategy, that’s nice to hear, but we are a little disappointed in the fact that we still haven’t been contacted in regards to involvement in that".

 

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson made the announcement in Churchill this week.

 

According to a news release sent out by the province, a series of regional and community forums will be scheduled over the next several months.

 

The initiative is part of the province’s ‘Opportunities North’ program.

ATV riders a concern for resident living on Smith Crescent

A special public safety meeting is being held in August to discuss a residents concern.

 

Peter Frigo spoke at Monday’s city council meeting about the ATV riders who use his street to connect to the trails. Frigo lives on Smith Crescent and says the riders going through his neighborhood are speeding, cursing, and using his street to show off stunts.

 

Frigo wants council to take some action before the public safety meeting.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske said RCMP have been made aware about the issue, and will be look into increasing patrol in the area, before the August 6th meeting. 

Thompson Chamber looking to run a Shop Local campaign all year round

The Thompson Chamber of Commerce is looking to have a shop local campaign all year round.

 

President Keith McDonald says they asked their members what they think about the idea: "For years now that we’ve been promoting Shop Local, we’ve done that at certain times of the year especially around the Christmas season but we wanted to get the survey out there to get feedback from members to see what’s important to them because we run on a limited budget for the Thompson chamber of commerce so we wanted to see if there was interest to do it more".

 

Their June survey revealed 91% of chamber members think the Chamber should promote a Shop Local campaign.

 

McDonald says they will need to get money in order to go ahead with the year round campaign.

 

They are also taking steps to improve customer service in Thompson. They asked members whether customer service should be improved, and 89% said yes. Another 91% think customer service training should be offered to local businesses.

 

McDonald says customer service is important because the front line people working at local businesses make an impression on tourists.

UCN sees higher enrollment during first year at new building

UCN has been at their new Thompson campus for a year now. Director of Communications for the school, Jim Scott says feedback from students and staff has been positive.

 

Scott says the Thompson campus usually has around 500 students per school year, but he says that number will be higher for this past school year.

 

Scott says the new building provided more science labs, more locations for computer use, more study rooms and more class rooms. The were also able to bring in new programs: "We never really had the facility to offer a culinary arts program. Now that we have vacated Princeton Drive we have space at Princeton drive to offer, for the first time, culinary arts. And it is full, there’s a waiting list to get into that class, its already maxed out, and we have a waiting list of about 7 students right now".

 

 

Residents and police search for missing Split Lake man

Community members from Split Lake are searching for a missing person in Thompson.

 

On July 17th, Thompson RCMP received a report that 58 year old Raymond Flett was last seen traveling from Split Lake to Thompson.

He’s described as 6’0 tall, thin, wearing navy pants and a grey t-shirt. He has a tattoo of an eagle on his left hand.

 

If you have information about Flett’s whereabouts, call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909.

 

Graffiti getting covered up across the city for the 7th summer in a row

The CMHA’s graffiti cover-up program is back this year.

 

With the help of the City, CMHA has run the program since 2008 as a way to provide work experience to members of their Connections Clubhouse program, while benefiting the City.

 

Residents and business owners are able to call the CMHA and report any sightings of graffiti.

 

The program started July 6th, and will run until the end of August.

Close call for residents, after pillar comes down on parked cars

On Monday, just after noon, a truck making a delivery at Co-op Gas Bar caught a pillar on the building as he was making a turn. The pillar came down onto two parked vehicles, causing damage.

 

RCMP say no charges are being laid.

 

Manager, Wally Itson says he’s blessed that no one was hurt, and says the truck driver feels bad. It’ll be sometime before they get an estimated cost of damages.

Canada Post to implement community mailboxes in Thompson in 2016

Canada Post has informed municipal officials in Thompson that the City is next in line to convert to community mailboxes.

 

John Caines with Canada Post says the 3,394 affected addresses will no longer be receiving door-to-door delivery in 2016. He says no Canada Post employees will be affected by the switch.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske says that although the City is disappointed with the decision but they will work with Canada Post moving forward.

 

Residents should expect to receive an information package from Canada Post in the next couple of days.

Northern Health Region sets strategic directions with new 5 year strategic plan

The Northern Health Region has released their 5 year strategic plan.

 

VP of Planning and Innovation for the NHRA, Joy Tetlock, says one of their strategic directions is to deliver accessible, quality health services: "It's really around improving access and trying to bring services closer to home, so were not having to leave the region in order to access services. We're looking at doing that in quite a few different ways, whether we're bringing specialists into the region to provide service, whether we're looking at developing a new program or services that we can have within the region". 

   

The other strategic directions are to improve population health, to be a sustainable and innovative organization, and to be an employer of choice.

 

The NHR also identifies several capital projects in the strategic plan, that they hope to tackle in the coming years. This includes upgrades to the Thompson General Hospital Diagnostics.

 

According to their new 5 year strategic plan, the NRHA has the oldest acute care facilities in the province.

Two arrested after search warrant in Eastwood area

A search warrant executed over the weekend has resulted in the seizure of drugs and cash.

 

On Saturday, RCMP executed a controlled drugs and substances act search warrant on an apartment in the Eastwood area.

 

The search revealed a small quantity of crack cocaine as well as cash. 29 year old Justin Ducharme and 26 year old Christopher Robinson were charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

 

They appeared in court yesterday.

10th annual Million Dollar Hole in One starts today

The Rotary Club of Thompson and 102.9 CHTM have brought back Million Dollar Hole in One.

 

Starting today until Saturday, residents are encouraged to stop by Centennial Park and attempt to get a hole-in one. The 10 golfers closest to the hole each day, will get a prize, and have a chance to win top prizes during Saturday’s semifinalist finals.

 

Every year, money from the event helps a local group with fundraising. This year, the money will be going towards the Lions Seniors Housing Project.

Library launches summer programming this week

It’s all about dinosaurs this week at the Thompson Public Library.

 

Library Assistant, Amanda Sanders says they’re launching their summer programming this week: "Summer reading program is going to be the 21st to the 25th so that’s Tuesday to Saturday, and we're going to do it every day that week at 3 o’clock and we have a dinosaur theme".

 

Sanders says each day focuses on a different type of dinosaur.  In addition to reading a book, they’ll also be doing a craft or activity each day.

UCN keping direction in mind, with new 5 year strategic plan

UCN has launched their new 5 year strategic plan.

 

Director of Communications Jim Scott says the plan will help guide the school in the right direction: "So we had 7 goals that we worked on between 2010-2015 and now we got them more enclosed and into 4 different strategic directions. It’s interesting because it was UCN's councilor of elders that really came up with the whole idea of the 4 strategic directions".

 

The 4 directions are northern and aboriginal culture, innovative and responsive educations, trades and industrial skills, and student centered. 

City sending out property tax notices in the coming weeks

Residents will be getting something unpleasant in the mail.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske says the City will be sending out 2015 property tax notices: "Everybody’s favorite topic: property taxes. Notices will be going out in the next couple of weeks in regards to property taxes, they are due September 30th".

 

According to the City’s website, failure to receive a tax notice or an assessment notice is not grounds for not paying by the due date.

 

The City lists a number of ways that payment can be made on their website. Unpaid balances after the due date incur an interest of 1.25% monthly. 

Free park entry at Paint Lake this weekend for Canada Parks Day

Canadians will be celebrating the national and provincial parks the country has to offer.

 

This weekend marks the 26th annual Canada Parks Day. To mark the date at Paint Lake Provincial Park, there will be free park entry all weekend long, and prize giveaways like mugs, fish hooks, and shirts.

 

The date is held on the third weekend of July every year, as a way to celebrate all the parks the country has to offer. 

Safe Work Manitoba reminding workers to take precautions when outside

Hot summer months can have a toll on those working outside.

 

Dwight Doell, Director of Safe Work Manitoba says it’s important for workers to take precautions: "We have hazards that we have to look out for and so in summer one of the hazards is if the temperature and humidity get high there are some very bad things that can happen in terms of heat illness or heat exhaustion and they’re largely preventable".

 

Doell says workers can protect themselves by wearing lightweight clothing, taking rest breaks and drinking cool beverages.

RCMP reminding ATV enthusiasts to be safe

RCMP are reminding riders that the freedom of riding an ATV comes with rules.

 

They say many collisions involving ATV’s are preventable. Some rules they are asking people to keep in mind include wearing an approved helmet, only operating an ATV when sober and alert, and that people under the age of 14 need to be accompanied by someone over the age of 18.

 

Every year, RCMP attend collisions, some of which are fatal, that could have been avoided if people were responsible and followed the rules.

Public Health Agency of Canada reminding Canadians to protect themselves from West Nile

With mosquito season in full swing, the fears of West Nile can rise.

 

Senior Scientist with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Dr. Peter Buck, says the risk of contracting the disease is fairly low: "Times of the year, during mosquito season for instance given that mosquitoes transmit it, the risk is greater. The chances of being bit by an infected mosquito are still small and the risk is going to be a little less in cooler areas and a little higher in warmer areas. Warmer areas are going to have a longer mosquito season, colder areas are going to have a shorter mosquito season".

 

Despite the low risk, Buck says it doesn’t hurt to take steps to avoid disease. He recommends using repellant with DEET, wearing light clothing, and getting rid of any standing water around your home.

Lightning started 13 forest fires earlier this week

Fires continue to crop up in the province.

 

Manitoba Conservation says lighting started a total of 13 new wildfires earlier this week. The areas experiencing the bulk of these new wildfires are Snow Lake, Cranberry Portage, and Sherridon.

 

Wildfire crews are also doing suppression work to protect timber from larger wildfires in the Davidson Lake and Moose lake areas.

 

The fires don’t seem to be stopping any time soon as lightning is expected to produce new wildfires until we see some heavy rainfall.

Province funding 9 summer camps, including one in Thompson

Thompson isn’t the only City that has a trades and technologies camp offered to high school students this summer.

 

Jobs and Economy Minister Kevin Chief says the province is funding 9 trades and technologies camps throughout the province: "In the next ten years there’s going to be a demand for 12,000 jobs in the construction field alone, so we have a stronger economy and that leads to a demand for high skilled jobs. So we wanna make sure, we know we can meet that demand because we have a very young and fast growing demographic, we have a very young indigenous population, we have new Canadians".

 

Chief said these camps will spark the interest of young Manitobans in a career in the skilled trades. Last year was a pilot project for the program.

Lifesaving Society of Manitoba reminding families to be safe around water this summer

With families out enjoying the waters Northern Manitoba has to offer, the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba is making sure family outings end on a good note.

 

CEO, Carl Shier says knowing how to swim is just one of many ways to do so: "Don’t swim alone. Swim with a buddy, swim with someone you know. Don’t over extend your abilities, tragically even good swimmers can drown. They over extend their abilities, they look to swim out to a distant point thinking that thats attainable and exhaust themselves, so we always say be careful, be cautious, respect the water".

 

A recent report from the World Health Organization shows drowning is one of ten leading causes of death in children.

 

Shier says swimming lessons are important in preventing accidental drowning. He compares them to immunization against disease.  

Residents will see road closures and parking restrictions as a "house" is moved through the City

A house is making its way through the City later today.

 

Vale is transporting a new, electrical prefabricated house through the streets of Thompson.

 

They will be moving the e-house into Thompson on Highway 6, continuing west on Thompson Drive South. Then onto Westwood Drive South, turning onto Manasan Drive which will take them to their final destination: the river pump house yard, located in the West end of the City near the Burntwood River.

 

Residents may be affected through road closures and parking restrictions during the time of the move, which is set to happen between 6pm-10pm.

Thompson Playhouse hosting auditions for upcoming play

Residents with a theatrical side are being called on by Thompson Playhouse. 

 

President Donna Wilson says they are hosting auditions: "Thompson Playhouse is a community group. We get together, we love theatre and we perform. We’ve done dinner theatres around town for fundraisers".

 

Auditions take place tomorrow and Monday July 20th, at 6pm at the Quality Inn and Suites.

21 high school students dove into the trades and technologies field

Skills Manitoba offered a trades and technology overnight camp in Thompson, last week.

 

Alyssa Harman, Northern In-School Program Officer for Skills Manitoba, tells us about the overnight camp: "So the camp was for boys and girls ages 13 to 16, funded mainly by apprenticeship Manitoba as well as Vale as a chance to promote careers in the skilled trades and technologies and mining, in a more fun, interactive, and exciting way".

 

The kids got to go on a number of industry tours. Harman says this is the first time this camp was offered in Manitoba.

 

Participants came from all over the North including students from South Indian Lake, Shamattwa, Nelson House and The Pas.

No Communities in Bloom for the year

The City will not be participating in Communities in Bloom this year.

 

Member Lindsay Anderson says the committee is disbanded this year due to lack of volunteers.

 

Thompson has been involved in the non-profit challenge since 2010. It involves hundreds of communities around the world that are evaluated on a number of key criteria including tidiness, and floral displays.

 

Anderson says she hopes to get the program running for next year.

Capital projects on Cree Road are in full swing

We are in the midst of construction season in Thompson.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske says this will affect traffic in the area for the rest of the summer: "The access to and from Selkirk Avenue on the west side of Cree Road will be closed at Cree and Selkirk intersection due to the water main renewal project and we’ll be moving south on Cree Road all summer long, all the way to Burntwood Road and then moving into the Burntwood trailer court on Ospwagon".

 

After the water main renewals, the City will be doing road renewals in the same area.

 

Fenske is warning drivers, and pedestrians to be careful when going through.

Thompson Public Library making sure kids keep reading in the Summer

Getting kids to read during the summer might be easier with the library.

 

Amanda Sanders with the Thompson Public Library tells us about their new Summer Reading Bingo: "What I’ve done is I’ve set up bingo boards on one of the library’s windows in the children’s section. What we’ve got is a 72 square bingo board and every square has a category. What the kids need to do is read a book that fits that category".

 

The bingo started this week and will be running throughout July and August.

Spirit Way set to be a gold sponsor of the 2015 Wildlife Society Conference

Thousands of people involved in the field of wildlife will be much more familiar with Spirit Way and the quest to become the Wolf Capital of the World.

 

Volker Beckman with Spirit Way says they will be gold sponsors of the 2015 Wildlife Society Conference.

 

With the sponsorship comes advertisements before and during the conference promoting Spirit Way, and Spirit Way will get to host a facilitated session with Dr. Alistair Bath who will talk about his wolf research done in Thompson.

 

Beckman says this will be a great opportunity for Thompson and Spirit Way to gain exposure.

 

 

The conference attracts around 1500 delegates from the wildlife field.

General holiday unique to Thompson being observed today

Today is Miner’s Day in the City.

 

Traditionally known as King Miner Day, Ryan Land with Vale tells us about the history of this unique holiday: "King Miner Day originally happened to coincide with nickel days and the king miner competition a number of years ago, and nickel days used to happen in July and that is when we set the dates for what is now known as Miners Day".

 

It’s a general holiday for Vale employees, and City offices will be closed.

 

To mark the date, United Steelworkers Local 6166 is hosting the King Miner Day Family Picnic at the union office, from 11 to 2.

Recent RD Parker graduate continues to make Thompson proud

2 weeks after being recognized by the City of Thompson and the School District of Mystery Lake, Morgan Hanson-Oliviera was recognized by another group in the City.

 

The recent graduate from RD Parker, received the $1,000 Troy Anand Scholarship yesterday, during the Thompson Chamber of Commerce meeting.  

 

Hanson-Oliviera recently gained local and provincial attention after winning 1 of 20 TD Canada scholarships worth $70,000.

Concerts in the Park back this year

It’s the first week of Concerts in the Park.

 

Organizer Darlene Dick says the concerts give residents a different way to enjoy their lunch: "Just a place for people to gather, to have their lunch hour and enjoy some local entertainment. Its all sorts of music, from light rock to hard rock, there’s aboriginal dance, there’s a flutist, a fiddler, some folk music".

 

The concerts are held during the noon hour at MacLean Park every Friday, except this week, as it will be held today instead, due to King Miner Day. 

Manitobans being warned of smoky air from Saskatchewan fires

Manitobans are noticing the effects from the Saskatchewan wildfires.

 

The smoke has caused many to suffer from sore eyes, tears, coughing, and a runny nose.

 

Medical Officer of Health for the NRHA, Michael Isaac tells us what can be done: "Seek shelter indoors. For those people who have air conditioning units or furnaces that bring outside air in, they should shut that portion of their system off, and turn it to recirculate so that it’s not brining in smoky air from the outside and usually that will do the trick".

 

People at higher risk are young children, the elderly, pregnant women, or people with heart or lung conditions.

 

Isaac says those people should avoid exposure to smoke as much as possible.

 

The increase in smoke prompted the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer to issue a smoke advisory for the province.

Community groups gathering at Rotary Park today, to spread word about bike safety

Families are getting together at Rotary Park today.

 

Hello Parents Network, in partnership with Rotary Park Development are hosting a Kids Safe Event.

 

Organizer Penny Brenton has more: "Hello Parents will be there having games on site at the park. Thompson RCMP will be on hand doing Child Find Identification Kits. We will be handing out resources, such as pocket first aid kits and some really awesome light up LED safety arm bands".

 

Brenton says the theme will be bike safety.

 

The event happens all day from 11:30am-7pm.

Boreal Discovery Centre living up to it's name with summer programming

For the 3rd year in a row, The Boreal Discovery Centre is offering summer programming.

 

Chris Sawatsky, who helped organize the programming, says participants learn about the boreal forest: "Learning how to use willows, learning how to use bark, so that’s part of the plants and teaching them about plants so we go for a little walk and I point out what’s medicinal, what’s not, what’s poisonous and so on and so forth".

 

Penny Byer, who’s also involved with the centre, says although this is the 3rd year they’re offering the programming, it’s only the second year it revolves around the boreal forest.

City enforcing by-laws a little more this year

Residents have been noticing a crack down on by-law enforcement.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske says the City has been enforcing by-laws a little more this year, in specific areas: "The one for parking tickets was a specific area on Arctic Drive. There is no parking on either side of the street and that’s been in place for years. We do have summer events there and June events, particularly in minor soccer after the regular work hours, and so we were advising people of the no parking signs, we were giving warnings, and then when it persisted we began to write tickets". 

 

Fenske says there have also been issues with unkempt lawns, and reminds residents to ensure their yards are kept in reasonable shape.

Search warrant in the Eastwood area, leads to arrest of 3 men

10 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of marijuana, and cash was seized from a Thompson residence over the weekend.

 

On Saturday, Thompson RCMP executed a search warrant at an Eastwood area residence. Three men were arrested and charged with possession of the drugs for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

 

They’ve been released from custody for a Thompson court appearance on October 9th.

Aboriginal Accord released 2015 progress report

The Aboriginal Accord attracted 4 new partners this past year.

 

Thompson CMHA, the RCMP, Thompson Regional Airport Authority, and the Thompson Housing Agency all joined the 2009 document which aims to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal governments and peoples. 

 

The Accord released the information in their 2015 progress report. Other successes include the NRHA’s development of the Aboriginal Health and Human Resources committee, and the Thompson Urban Aboriginal Strategy secured funding to implement the Urban Aboriginal Engagement Advancement Strategy.

Family and friends came together to celebrate the life of Red Sangster

A Celebration of Life for Red Sangster was held on Saturday.

 

Sangster passed away back in January at the age of 90. He was known as a sports icon, for developing hockey and baseball when the City was a few years old.

 

His son, Jack Sangster says a Celebration of Life was what he would have wanted: "Dad wanted a celebration of life. He wanted to have everybody come together and he said 'I want to buy everybody a beer, and have a beer gardens, have some food, have some fun, tell a few stories and have a few laughs' ".

 

A few laughs were had, as family and friends shared stories of the Thompson legend.

Wisconsin firefighters arrived in Thompson yesterday

Firefighters from Wisconsin arrived in Thompson yesterday,  to help with forest fire suppression efforts and initial attacking fires.

 

Manager of the Wild Fire Program for Manitoba Conservation Gary Freisen, says the 27 firefighters will help battle the bigger flames at Setting Lake, Davidson Lake, Katamik Lake, and Moose Lake.

 

Freisen says the forest fires are looking positive but a good rain over an extended period of time is needed to help bring fire danger levels down.

 

The firefighters are expected to be based in Thompson for 19 days. Another 42 firefighters from Quebec arrived in The Pas yesterday to help with efforts there.

 

Boys and Girls Club raising funds, to get new satelitte location up and running

The Boys and Girls Club have just about everything they need to open a satellite location in the Eastwood area, except funds.   

 

Executive Director Regina DaSilva says they’ve set up a page on a crowd sourcing website, but they’re also accepting donations in person.

 

The money will go towards programming, rent, and staff. DaSilva says thanks to generous donations from residents in the community, they already have furniture, computers, and other items for the new location.

 

She adds that they will be hosting an open forum about the new location on July 15 in the evening at their primary location. It will give people an opportunity to find out more about the new location, and ask questions.

National Fishing Week starts tomorrow

People are being encouraged to get out and fish this weekend.

 

Tomorrow until July 12, it’s National Fishing Week.

 

Multimedia Correspondent with the Canadian Sport Fishing Association, Sarah McMichael tells us more: "National fishing week is an annual celebration of a pastime that Canadians have enjoyed for generations, forever, which is recreational fishing".

 

McMichael says fishing is a great family activity, it’s exciting, and gives a great opportunity to get outdoors.

Homeless point-in-time count reveals 126 people identify themselves as homeless

More is now known about Thompson’s homeless population, thanks to a Point in Time Count.

 

The Community Advisory Board on Homelessness commissioned the count, which happened in March.

 

Chair, John Donovan says 126 people identified themselves as homeless on the day of the count: "93% of the people indicated they wanted assistance with their circumstance and it could have been with addictions, mental health issues, health issues, restoring them to their family to their home, getting a place to live. So this was not a group of people who were difficult or happy where they are. These are all folks who really want to make some changes in their lives".

 

Donovan says the count shows Thompson has one of the highest rates of homelessness in Canada, on a per capita basis.

Boreal Discovery Centre raising money to develop a Plant Identification Guide

The Boreal Discovery Centre wants to make it easier for residents to identify local plants.

 

They are looking at developing a Plant Identification Guide. The guide would have pictures or drawings as well as information about the plant, including potential uses such as medicinal or food properties.

 

They are currently raising money through a Go Fund Me page, to hire experts and obtain materials for the project. Member Penny Byer says they have also applied for a grant through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

Firefighters from Quebec and Wisonsin to arrive in Thompson today to fight forest fires

Firefighters from Quebec and Wisconsin are set to arrive in The Pas and Thompson today.

 

They’ll be helping fight wildfires burning in the area.

 

The dry, hot weather has put the forest fire risk at high. Manitoba Conservation says there are 52 active forest fires in the North. Suppression efforts are currently underway south of Kelsey Lake, Lynn Lake, Setting Lake, and Little Grand Rapids.

 

There will be 42 firefighters from Quebec and 28 from Wisconsin coming to the North.

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