Westman Communications Group (WCG) hosted a charity barbecue event in Dauphin on June 27, 2024. All proceeds went to the Watson Art Centre, a cause chosen by the residents of Dauphin. After a matched donation from WCG, the event raised $10,753.40. he Connecting Westman Tour is a community-driven initiative that allows WCG to serve its members and support the projects that matter most to community members. WCG served hotdogs and smokies from the Dauphin Rail Museum with donation-based pricing, which brought in $5376.70. WCG matched this, which raised the total amount to $10,753.40. hotdogs and smokies from the Dauphin Rail Museum with donation-based pricing, which brought in $5376.70. WCG matched this, which raised the total amount to $10,753.40. “Our second stop on the 2024 Connecting Westman Tour was very successful,” said WCG Marketing Manager Brandi Crowe. “Dauphin residents showed up in droves to support such an important initiative in the community, and we’re glad to provide an avenue for fundraising. Volunteers of the Watson Art Centre helped make this event a great experience, and we are thankful for their support. We are excited to keep the Connecting Westman Tour going throughout the summer, with our remaining stops in Gladstone and Boissevain.” "The team at WCG does an excellent job interacting and connecting with its members and communities,” said WCG Board Member Mike Csversko. “Whether it is the complementary Wi-Fi at Credit Union Place, providing the WCG Technology Scholarship, or providing support through the Connecting Westman Tour for the Watson Art Centre, the Parkland area is a high priority for Westman Communications Group. This commitment is not something you see from the national carriers." The Connecting Westman Tour will continue in Gladstone on July 18 and wrap up in Boissevain on August 15. For more information on the Connecting Westman Tour or to submit a community initiative for funding from the Tour, please visit the WCG website.

On July 3rd at 7:30AM a 29-year-old female with outstanding Winnipeg Police Service warrants for Failure to Attend Court and Fraud, turned herself over to Brandon Police. She was lodged for court. On July 3rd a 27-year-old male turned himself in for a Breach of a Conditional Sentence Order to the Hamiota RCMP. He was released with a court date of August 1st, 2024. Distribution of Intimate Image On July 3rd police received a call that a 16-year-old male had distributed nude photos without permission. The male youth was charged accordingly and released to his mother. Court date is set for September 10th, 2024.

The Manitoba government has launched its new rebate program to get people revved up and thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV) that will help more Manitobans lower their emissions and save money on gas, Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt and Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced today. “We know Manitobans want to do their part to help lower emissions and protect our environment, and we want to help them make the switch,” said Schmidt. “This is a win-win for our province. We’re fighting the climate crisis while also lowering costs for families right away with a rebate on EVs and helping them save money every month on their daily commute.” The new $25-million Manitoba Electric Vehicle Rebate program will offer a $4,000 incentive on new qualifying EV purchases and a $2,500 incentive on used qualifying EV purchases, including EVs purchased on or after Aug. 1, 2023, and will run until March 2026. “We are delivering on our campaign promise to help Manitoba families afford an electric vehicle,” said Sala. “This is a significant rebate up front and it will help you save money in the long term – even with the lowest gas prices in Canada.” To be eligible, vehicles must be purchased or leased from Manitoba dealerships with a maximum manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $70,000 for new vehicles or a maximum $70,000 purchase price for used vehicles, with one rebate per vehicle and per owner. New Tesla vehicles with a maximum MSRP of $70,000 purchased outside of Manitoba between Aug. 1, 2023, and May 2, 2024, also qualify. “As early adopters, we bought our first electric vehicle 12 years ago now,” said Shelley Kowalchuk, an electric vehicle owner. “It was such a positive move, we bought a second one 5 years ago and we still drive both today. Our EVs save us money and they help the environment by reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. That’s a win-win for us. Manitoba is a great province to own an EV – the cost of electricity here is cheaper than most other provinces and the vehicles are very low maintenance. For example, our first EV is 12 years old now and we only just had its first brake job this spring. We’re thrilled that the province will be offering provincial rebates. We see EVs are getting cheaper every year and this fact combined with these rebates will enable many folks to take the leap to go electric, and that’s great.” The ministers also noted Manitoba Hydro offers Manitobans a financing program to install Level 2 electric vehicle chargers at their homes. “The members of Global Automakers of Canada wish to acknowledge and support the progressive efforts by the Manitoba government to make the transition to electric vehicles more affordable for Manitobans through the introduction of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Rebate program,” said David Adams, president and CEO, Global Automakers of Canada. Both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are eligible for the incentive. Used EVs must be less than four years old and incentives for leased vehicles will be proportionate to the length of the lease, with a full incentive for a four-year lease. Manitobans who already bought an EV between Aug. 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, can apply for the incentive on the Manitoba Public Insurance website starting on July 2.

On July 2nd at 3:50PM a 32-year-old female was witnessed stealing items from an establishment in the 900 block of Victoria Avenue. Police attended and located the female matching the description. While being arrested she kicked a police officer in the leg and later spit at both an officer and a Commissionaire. She was under an order not to attend the establishment from which she stole. Medical attention was not required for anyone. The female was held in custody with charges of Assaulting a Police Officer X2, Assault, Theft under $5000, and Breach of Probation. A court date of July 3rd has been set.

Knife Pulled on Employee On June 29th at 4:35pm police were called to an establishment in the 200 block of 18th Street where a male had uttered threats at an employee, pulled a knife and then left. Police located the 29-year-old male nearby and arrested him. He was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, Carrying Concealed Weapon, and Uttering Threats. He was later released with a court date of August 26th, 2024. Hit and Run On June 29th at 7:36pm police received a report of a hit and run at Lyndale and Sycamore. The suspect hit a vehicle, drove through a ditch, and left the scene. An additional call was received from another caller who followed the driver to a business in the 1600 block of 18th Street where they blocked in the impaired driver. The subject was uncooperative. A 25-year-old male was arrested and lodged until sober. A court date is set for July 4th, 2024.