If you are looking for some advice on healthy eating habits, you can always Dial a Dietician.

Bruce Krentz with the Northern Health Region explains.

“Dial-a-Dietitian is free, it’s a bilingual phone service for all Manitobans. There is a registered dietitian on the other side of the line that can help you make informed decisions to improve your nutritional health. It’s 1-877-830-2892.”

Krentz says the Dial-a-Dietician service is available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

For other medical advice, you can try Q Docs, which is a free virtual healthcare service where you can see a doctor right from the comfort of your own home.

Go to Qdoc.ca for more information or call 1-833-736-2362.

The ice goes in to the C.A. Nesbitt Arena starting tomorrow through to August 13th.  

In the meantime, the walking track in the C.A. Nesbitt Arena will be unavailable for use.

Mayor Colleen Smook lists the alternative locations for walking here.

“The Bill Comaskey Wellness Centre walking track will be available, the only thing that we ask is that you use indoor shoes and don’t come in with your outdoor shoes. For outside when it’s still nice, there is a track and field area east of the TRCC.”

Currently, the Gordon Beard Arena is being used as the Rec Room.  
                                       
It’s open Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at a cost of 5-dollars per person.
       
Available games and activities include jumbo connect 4 and Jenga, mini-putt, ping pong, air hockey, arcade games and much more.
                           
The Rec Room is open to all ages, but children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult.

Preventable injuries are resulting in around 48 deaths in Canada daily.

They include things like motor vehicle accidents, drowning, falls, burns, suffocating or choking.

Bruce Krentz with the Northern Regional Health Authority has some advice for parents when it comes to water safety.

“Be within arms reach absolutely of young children. Always supervise children and young people when they are swimming and even if people know how to swim, wear a life jacket when you are boating or even when you are on the beach or the dock. Don’t let your kids use floatation devices like water wings or inflatable rings as a substitute for life jackets.”

A recent report said such injuries also cost the Canadian healthcare system almost  30-billion dollars in one year.

The vast majority of that, or $20.4 billion, are incurred by hospitals for such things as medical supplies, diagnostic imaging, drugs, ambulance transportation, physician  fees and rehabilitation costs.

On Tuesday evening,  RCMP responded to a stabbing on Thompson Drive.

Several youths were at that location playing basketball when a fight occurred. One boy stabbed two others and bear sprayed a group of them before fleeing the scene on foot.

Officers located the suspect a short distance away and he was arrested without incident. He was found to be in possession of a knife and bear spray.

Two boys, aged 14 and 16, from Thompson, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The suspect has been charged with numerous offences and was remanded into custody.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

As of August 1st, impaired drivers involved in a collision will be denied third-party liability coverage.

According to MPI and the Province of Manitoba, this means those drivers will be responsible for the cost of any damage they cause.

MPI will cover the damages caused as per usual and then seek repayment from the impaired driver.

Statistics show impaired driving is a factor in one in four road fatalities each year in Manitoba and is a contributing factor in approximately 26 deaths each year, on average.

So far in 2023, seven people have been killed in collisions involving impaired driving on Manitoba roads.

The Manitoba government is providing $50,000 to purchase smoke alarms for five First Nations in northern Manitoba.

The fire safety project is distributing approximately 22-hundred smoke alarms to Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Red Sucker Lake, Wasagamack and Cross Lake.

The project is being offered in partnership with Perimeter Aviation, which will store, pack and ship the alarms, and Bison Fire Protection, which will provide fire safety education using a trainer and simulator.

Statistics show death due to fire is 10 times higher in Indigenous communities compared to other Canadian communities, but the risk of dying in a reported home fire is reduced by 50 per cent in homes with working smoke alarms.

Progress on paving city streets and pouring concrete for sidewalks in the Deerwood and Juniper Areas continues.  

On Friday, at a special meeting, Thompson city council also approved additional paving.

Council voted unanimously in favour of spending up to 60-thousand dollars from the Gas Tax Reserve to pay for the paving of a 60-metre stretch of Oak Street from freshly paved Juniper Drive to Thompson Drive.

Lyle Safronetz, Director of Development and Technical Services for the City of Thompson said that section is a key access point to the Juniper area and while paving in the area was already occurring, it made sense to do that stretch at the same.  
 
By the time the 2023 construction season ends, about six kilometres of Thompson roadway will have been paid.

In all, 20 kilometres  on 24 Thompson roads are part of a five-year road renewal project supported by the provincial and federal governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The project began in 2022 and will wrap up in 2026.

Nelson House RCMP, along with Major Crime Services, continue to investigate the homicide of Rico Linklater, who was last seen on October 21, 2021.

Officers have been working diligently on this investigation to find answers for Rico’s family. Investigators have conducted over 175 interviews, canvassed the entire community and conducted extensive searches for Rico’s remains.

This week RCMP Major Crime Services will be returning to Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation to further the investigation.

Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have information related to Rico’s disappearance.

If you have information please call the Nelson House RCMP at 204-484-2837 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The goal of a program launched in 2020 is to reduce the risk of suicide among men.

Buddy Up was developed by the Centre for Suicide Prevention in response to Canadian suicide statistics.

Akash Asif, Director for Operations and Strategy with the Centre, tells us more.

“In Canada, we know that 3 out of 4 suicides are male, specifically middle aged men die by suicide more than anyone else. That includes young people and women.”  

In 2018, of the 38-hundred suicides in the country,  almost 29-hundred were male.   Of those, men aged 45 to 65 represented 1125 deaths.

Asif says men often refrain from sharing their negative feelings because of traditional norms that make those feelings seem unmasculine.

Learn more about the Buddy Up program by going to buddyup.ca.   You can also listen to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

In the summer, we can allow our pets a little more time outside.

But that means more chances of them getting out of the yard if we get distracted.

Dr. Ingrid Sproll, a veterinarian with Winrose Animal Hospital in Winnipeg, says we can improve our chances of getting our pet back in a couple ways.

“A tattoo in the ear, that’s an option most vet clinics will do at the time of a spay or neuter and then the tattoo links back to the clinic and they can contact the owner. Another option is getting a microchip implant.”  

Sproll  advises owners to have their pets’ hair trimmed to help them stay cool, along with shaded areas and plenty of cold water to drink.

She also recommends dog owners walk their pets early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s hot outdoors.

For more on keeping your pets safe in the summer, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

On Wednesday afternoon, RCMP responded to an assault on Thompson Drive  in the city.

It was reported that a man bear sprayed a 62-year-old woman and fled.  The incident was unprovoked, and the victim did not know the suspect.

Officers began patrols and a short time later received a report of a 25-year-old man  who had been bear sprayed by the same suspect.

The victim provided information on the suspect which led officers to locate him a short distance away and place him under arrest.

Miles Samuel, 20, of Lac Brochet, has been charged with a number of offences and was remanded into custody.

Thompson’s Healing Centre has received 350-thousand dollars from the province that will enable them to provide 24-hour services through the winter.

Mayor Colleen Smook and City Manager Anthony McInnis were in Winnipeg Tuesday for the announcement of 25-million dollars in homelessness initiatives by Families Minister Rochelle Squires.

$2.6 million of that money is going to homeless shelters in Thompson, The Pas, Winnipeg, Brandon, and Swan Valley to provide the extended service hours from October 1st to March 31st.

Smook says enabling the healing centre to operate through the morning and afternoon fills a gap in services for homeless Thompsonites and helps vulnerable people feel safe.

The province is also creating a community advisory committee to support the implementation and evaluation of Manitoba’s homelessness strategy.

Early  Monday evening,  Nelson House RCMP received a report of a boating incident at the Notigi Boat Launch, just outside Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation,.

When officers arrived on scene, a 30-year-old man was injured and a 40-year-old man was deceased.

The two men from NCN were the only occupants of the boat.

Investigation determined that the 30-year-old man was driving when the boat struck debris in the water.

This caused the boat to suddenly veer off course and eject the other man. The driver was able to get him back into the boat and to shore, but he succumbed to his injuries.

No charges are being contemplated.

Whether your bicycle is your main mode of transportation or a favorite pastime, knowing the rules of the road can keep you safe.  

That’s why Manitoba Public Insurance has developed a number of free cycling education programs for cyclists of all ages.

Community Relations Specialist with MPI, Lisa Hunt, shares how young cyclists in the north can take part in one of the cycling education programs.

“For our northern locations right now, we are really excited to offer our bike kits. We are able to ship a kit that contains everything you need to build your own bike rodeo, to build your own course and our team is always available to provide the virtual options to do the presentations and provide children with the theory and learning to do safe cycling.”

The Bike Rodeos are aimed at children ages 6 to 10 and have been running in the province for over 50 years.  

This year alone, MPI anticipates they will provide training to an estimated 13-thousand children.  

Learn more about the cycling programs and see how you can participate by tuning in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10. 

You’re travelling this summer and your pet is coming along for the ride.  

Dr. Ingrid Sproll, a veterinarian with Winrose Animal Hospital in Winnipeg has some advice on how to prepare for a smooth trip.

“Bring what you need with you so you are going to want to bring your food, your toys, a leash or a harness and a bed with you and talk to your host in advance. If you are staying as a house guest, do they have other pets? That’s a big one since not all dogs or cats will get along with each other.”
       
If you’re planning to stay at a hotel and your dog barks a lot, you may want to consider other accommodations so as not to disturb other guests.

Also, be aware of your pet’s temperament.  Do they adjust well to new situations and how do they react if you take them to places with lots of people?   If those scenarios stress them out, they may not make good travel companions.

Catch the full interview with Dr. Sproll on Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.  

Aquatic invasive species or A-I-S are organisms not native to an area or region, have a negative impact, and usually live in or around the water.

These species, once introduced to an area, are impossible to eradicate.

Candace Parks is an Aquatic Invasive Species specialist with Natural Resources  and Northern Development.     Here she shares an example of their economic impact.

“Recently I was speaking with Manitoba Hydro, they are now spending two million dollars a year to manage the mussel invasion in their hydro facilities. The mussels are clogging up some of their water intakes and they are trying to prevent them from doing that. They are also attaching to the front of the dam.”  

Parks believes that over time, this cost will likely be passed to hydro users.

Listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon to hear more about aquatic invasive species.

Today’s businesses rely on digital technology as part of their daily operations.

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, with 1.2 million dollars in funding from the province, has developed the Digital Services Program.

Vetted and experienced digital service providers work with businesses on Business Technology Assessments, Cybersecurity Audits and Digital Legal Services.

Kay Gardiner, Progam Director with the Digital Manitoba Initiative shares how this helps businesses in the program.

“It’s an outside view looking at your systems for you, looking at your practises and then giving you recommendations.”

These recommendations can take away the uncertainty that companies have as they adapt in the increasingly digital business world.

If you feel your business could benefit from these free assessments, go to digitalmanitobainitiative.com to see if you qualify.

For more on the program, tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

All throughout Manitoba, we’re sharing the outdoors with wildlife, including black bears.

If you plan to head out into bear country, you should always be prepared and bring deterrents with you.

Those include noisemakers such as a whistle or air horn, a walking stick, and bear deterrent spray.

Janine Wilmot, a Human-Wildlife Coexistence Biologist with Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development shares how to handle a bear encounter.

“If you encounter a bear and it’s not aware of your presence, you can simply back down the trail the way you came and just avoid that encounter with the bear all together. If it’s a surprise encounter and the bear is aware of your presence, slowly back away and make sure you have your bear deterrent spray handy and ready to use. One thing you don’t want to do in an encounter with a bear is to start running because that can trigger an instinctive chase response in the bear.”  

Wilmot also recommends that dogs be kept on a leash.   In a bear encounter, unleashed dogs can often provoke attacks that transfer toward the person accompanying them.

For more on how to be Bear Aware, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Vehicle permits won’t be required at provincial parks now through Sunday.

Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt announced that the province is providing the free provincial park access to coincide with Canada’s Parks Day, which is this Saturday.

Overnight camping fees and entrance fees to national parks will still be in place.

Campers at provincial parks are reminded to check for advisories before travelling.

They are also advised to check in at the campground office to get camping permits, maintain a clean campsite,  keep pets on a leash,  and keep campfires in approved pits.

As you’re out and about this summer, you’ll likely see more dogs and their owners out as well.  

In order to minimize the chance of being on the receiving end of a dog bite, you should be aware of why a dog might bite in the first place. 

Veterinarian Dr. Ingrid Sproll has some of those reasons here.

“Some dogs are biting because they are trying to protect something, an object like a toy, a person like their owner or even their owner’s property. Other dogs may bite if they are frightened, some get over excited during playtime or even if they start to chase a person, it can activate their prey drive. Finally a dog can bite if they are hurt, injured or in pain.”

Research shows that over half-a-million dog bites occur in Canada every year.  

For more on dog bite prevention, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon. 

Peer support for families and caregivers and advocating for better services for their loved ones are the main focuses of the Family Advocacy Network of Manitoba.  

Also known as FAN, the organization began just over 5 years ago to provide a united voice for Manitobans with developmental, physical and intellectual disabilities, and autism.

As the mother of a child with cerebral palsy, Rachel Smith, the Family Networking Coordinator for FAN, identifies one shortfall in current provincial services.

“I think part of the problem with the provincial supports is that case loads are so big. Community service workers, who are the social workers that provide support to our families, they have case loads off one hundred plus individuals on them. To try and support all those families, it’s virtually impossible.”

FAN will be in Thompson on Monday to offer peer support and provide a place where caregivers can meet to share concerns and identify issues and barriers being faced in the north.

Join them at the Best Western Hotel Thompson Inn and Suites from 2 to 4 pm or 6:30 to 8:30 pm. RSVP to events@fanmb.ca.

Find out more about the Family Advocacy Network of Manitoba on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.

A 22-year-old Thompson woman is in custody, charged with Arson with Disregard for Human Life  after setting a number of fires in the City on Wednesday night.

After making threats about starting a fire while at the Thompson General Hospital, the woman left the hospital and police were called.

Not long after,  police were called to a local gas station where a woman had walked up to a gas pump and put a cigarette in the nozzle, starting a fire.   She repeated this at the other pumps but the fires were extinguished by an employee.

The pumps had been shut off earlier, which prevented the fires from growing.

The woman left and was found later sitting on top of an excavator at a construction site where she had started another fire.

Officers got her down and in custody without incident.

The investigation continues.

A favorite summer pastime is having a bonfire in the backyard.

However, not all fire pits are created equal.

Here’s Thompson Fire Chief Steve Molloy with what is and isn’t allowed.

"Honor our bi-law right now, the only acceptable burning appliances is anything that’s CFA approved so you can purchase your burning appliance through many of our local stores. Anything that would not be allowed, for example, would be taking the drum out of your washer or reusing an old 45 gallon metal drum.”

Molloy advises Thompson residents to apply for a burning permit online or by dropping by City Hall.

Failure to obtain a permit will result in a fine around $361 and the first offence for burning without a permit is $180.

For the guidelines on permits, fire pit inspections and more, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Our local RCMP detachment will celebrate RCMP 150 tomorrow with a block party.

It takes place on Selkirk Avenue in front of the detachment building from 1 to 4 pm.  In case of rain it will be moved to the TRCC.

In honor of the RCMP’s 150th anniversary, events will be held across the country, with barbecues and activities similar to what will take place here.

But there will be a change with the RCMP Musical Ride, as Constable Sandy Deibert explains.

“The Musical Ride is going to be visiting nearly every province this summer. Normally they only hit a couple of provinces and then they do some international work but this year, it is all going to be within Canada. In Manitoba here, on July 25th, they will be in Virden Manitoba and then on the 28th and 29th, they will be at Assiniboine Downs and Headingley.”

Since it’s origins in 1873, the RCMP has experienced many name changes, additions to its roles of service and the inclusion of female members back in 1974.

For more on RCMP 150, catch the interview with Deibert today at 12:40 and 5:10.

Life for Lori Beaver changed drastically on November 23rd, 2003.

That’s the day she suffered a stroke at the age of 45 while living and working in Calgary.

After 4 months of treatment at Calgary Foothills Hospital, Beaver returned to Alderville First Nation in Southern Ontario to continue her physical rehabilitation.

However, it was her mental health that was suffering, as she explains here.

“Six months after moving there, I got hit again with severe depression so I talked to the health nurse on the reserve and she suggested I get some professional help, which I did. I’m so glad I did because the psychologist I saw really helped me through those dark days and for anyone suffering from depression, I suggest professional help.”

Depression and anxiety are experienced up to 70 per cent more often by women than men after stroke.

Today, Beaver is back in Calgary volunteering as a peer support worker, sharing her story with others who have suffered a stroke.

For her story, tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.