With summer around the corner, the Flin Flon Friendship Centre is into final preparations for Camp Moochikun which will begin in early July.

Events Co-ordinator Joe Anne Pelletier  says they are looking for people to apply to be Camp Co-ordinator as well as  leaders.

"  Depending on the position itself the Camp Co-ordinator will start June 17th til August the 23rd. The Camp Co-ordinator will be the one who will develop and do the implementing and evaluating for activities including directing and supervising the camp leaders. When they come in they need a class 5 drivers license, organization, leadership and supervision skills and provide a criminal record check. Any knowledge on indigenous values and beliefs would be an assett as well. We have four positions for camp leaders and they are responsible for assisting and planning the summer activities." 

The camp is free and will start on July the 8^th going til August the 22^nd. There are two different age categories including 5 to 7 and 8 to 10. Registration forms will be available to be picked up at the Friendship Centre starting June the 10^th.

After a ten year run on Flin Flon’s Main street, Freedoms Way Thrift store will be closing for good at the end of this month. The owner Dorian Kent tells us the decision is bitter sweet and knows a lot of people in the community are disappointed.

"  It has been an interesting ten and a half years running the thrift store, we have got to meet a lot of good people over the years and make some special friendships. Like a lot of places Covid really impacted us and we just couldn't keep afloat these last few years. There is a lot of sadness to see this go but also excited to see what the future brings. We tried our best to help the people of Flin Flon and the surrounding areas and it was a tough decision but it had to be made."

The last day will be on Wednesday May the 31^st and you can stop by the store Tuesday through Saturday 11 to 5. They are no longer accepting donations and there are some great deals including a small bag of items for $5..00, medium bag for $10.00 and a large bag for  $30.00.

There is a fundraiser taking place this weekend for the new  Flin Flon Aqua Centre. Escape Rooms At The Staff House is back and takes place today through Sunday.

The committee’s Karen McKinnon says this event has been successful in the past. " A couple of people on the events committe came up with the idea and they have been held before in the community but haven't been held for a long time. We had one back in March and it was a major success, so people who didn't want to get in wanted to try this again. Kelsey Anderson from the City has been busy setting this up in the Staff House,  which is a perfect spot and she is even using the basement this time. You get clues and your team has so much time to escape out of the room and it is a fun thing."

You can message Flin Flon Recreation on facebook or e-mail kandersen @flinflon.ca. The Aqua Centre Committee will also be hosting a bake sale just before the Flin Flon Arts Council’s spring concert this Sunday at St. Annes. Donations are coming in and you can still drop of baking with details on the Aqua Centre facebook page.

Last Friday , as a result of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking within the City of Thompson, RCMP officers with the Thompson General Investigative Section along with assistance from Thompson Detachment officers and Police Dog Services executed a search warrant at a residence located on Yale Avenue.

The search of the property led to the seizure of approximately $10,000 in cash, a small quantity of cocaine, drug packaging paraphernalia and weapons.

A 16-year-old male youth was arrested on scene and later released for a court appearance scheduled for August 23, 2024, in Thompson, where he will face charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Production of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

The Flin Flon Guidance Nursery will be celebrating their 50^th anniversary in Flin Flon later this month and Rhonda Boyd  tells us there will be a lot going on to mark the occasion.

"  It will be a Tuesday at the nursery school, we will be having cake and coffe along with our general annual meeting. Everybody is invited to come out and check out the nursery school and have cake and coffe with us. So bring the kids and we will have some activities and balloons to help celebrate."

They will also be holding  their AGM this night as well and is open to anyone who would like to attend on Tuesday May the 21^st starting at 7pm.

The Women’s  Resource Centre is hosting a special  event in honor of Red Dress Day coming up this Friday . Hanne Buettner will be the host and explains what they will be doing.

"  Just letting you know there is a painting night happening tomorrow at the Women's Resource Centre. We have 10 seats available between 5 til 7 and we are doing it in honor of Red Dress Day on May the 5th. If you would like to come out and paint a picture with us that would be great."

If you are interested and want to sign up or are looking for more information call 204-681-3105 or go the Women’s Resource Centre facebook page.

The Flin Flon Recycling Centre held their AGM and handed out some awards Tuesday night  at Council Chambers at City Hall. Administrator Deb Odegaard lets us know who they recognized this year.

"  Well the meeting went very well , we always have a powerpoint that just reviews how everything has gone in the last year. This year we honored Kara Plamondon for her work with Mother's Day with Mother Earth as a community member. Our staff person Bev Jackson has been with us for 5 years and she does a really good job so we wanted to honor her too."

Another purpose of the meeting was to get information on how to get more people in Flin Flon and the surrounding area to start recycling more.  They are still in need for more people to join the board and if you are interested you can go to the website at flinflonrecycling.org or call 204-687-6169.

The OCN Chief and Council are looking for worthy recipients for their first ever Spirit of Excellence Awards. It recognizes those who have made significant contributions that will be seen and felt for generations to come -with the goal to inspire all to do more for the community.  The award is exclusively for members of the OCN and details on the nomination process can be found at opaskwayak.com. The awards ceremony will place at the Kikiwak in on July 17^th. 

With summer upon us Cranberry is preparing for their Artisan Markets,  where they give vendors from all over the North  the opportunity to showcase their products and services.

Barb Bragg who was at the CFAR Trade Show this weekend talked about the different events which they will be hosting throughout the summer.

"One of the things we're trying to do at the trade show here is actually get people to stop in Cranberry because it's kind of in drive-through town. So if they stop in Cranberry, they can go to the market, which is happening pretty much once a month over the summer on the grounds of the heritage

museum, which if they've never been to the museum, they need to go because it's fabulous. We have the Trout Challenge weekend, the August Long Weekend, which also makes the town burgeon up to many, many people. And yeah, it's just, we're really trying to showcase all of the stuff going on in Cranberry. Our slogan is uncover the history. Embrace the adventure because we've got it all."

Thefirst summer market is May the 25^th with others planned for July the 6^th, August the 3^rd and September the 7^th. It is $20.00 per booth and you can register at 204-680-6003.

On Thursday , shortly after 4:00 am, an unknown person dropped off a severely injured male at the Thompson General Hospital in Thompson. It is believed the victim was injured in an assault.

RCMP are looking to speak to the person who dropped off the injured male and are asking him to reach out to Thompson RCMP. It is not believed that this individual was involved in the assault, but that he came across the victim and brought him for treatment.

The male was driving a white GMC pickup truck with a box cover on it, looks to have a thin build, and was wearing a grey baseball hat with a black peak and a black jacket.

The victim remains in serious condition in hospital.

Thompson RCMP can be reached at 204-677-6911 if you are this individual or if you can help identify him, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Simonhouse Bible Camp is getting ready for another busy summer and early bird registration will expire tomorrow. Camp Director Darrell Janzen has the details.

"We got lots of kids lined up already for this summer. And you know, one of the great things is that kids can meet other kids from different towns, maybe they've played against them in sports. It's just a great way for them to connect. Of course, we've got lots of different activities out there, wall and archery, swimming, all kinds of things, drama, those kinds of activities. And as you said, the early bird ends tomorrow, which will give you a little bit of a break off the price though."

Camps will start in July and all the camp information and how to register can be seen at simonhouse.ca.

In 2010, the Red Dress Project was initiated by Metis artist Jaime (Jay-me) Black.

She created the powerful art project as a visual reminder of the staggering number of missing and murdered indigenous women across Canada.  

What started as red dresses hung up in public places in communities across Canada, has evolved to red ribbons and other red items being added to the landscape.  

While May 5th is officially Red Dress Day, Northern Health Region elders and Knowledge Keepers will hold an event next week in Flin Flon to mark the day.

Next Friday in Flin Flon,  events will be held in the PCH visitation room from 10 to 11 am.

Another event will follow from 11 am to noon in the front lobby of the Flin Flon General Hospital.

The Flin Flon Heritage Project has teamed up with the Northern Neighbours Foundation, to help finance an annual award to a local student - either from Creighton Community School or Hapnot Collegiate - with an interest in local history.

It is officially being named the Doug Evans Heritage Project Award for the Preservation of Flin Flon and District History. Evans began studying our communities past in order to learn more about his father, former Flin Flon Mayor George Wellington Evans.

Winning students have to plan to attend post-secondary school focusing on history, archaeology, anthropology, library and information science, museum studies, education or a similar field.

The fund sits at $18, 000 allow for several years’ worth of awards for students, with interest accruing on the money keeping it sustainable over time.

Connecting Northern communities, facility construction and donations to organizations was on the docket at Tuesday’s Flin Flon City Council meeting.

Crystal Kolt and Emily Roberts-Young made a presentation on the Imagine-northern project; spearheaded by the Flin Flon Arts Council. It strives to create a digital framework to connect communities together in Northern Manitoba through artistic growth and economic development. A key component is a group known as “Northern Champions” a network of arts representatives from Flin Flon, Snow Lake, Thompson, The Pas, OCN, Brochet and Churchill.

The city has entered into an agreement with RBC for short term financing to assist with cash flow towards the Aqua Centre project while its under construction.

The city has also entered into an agreement with RK Metal Construction for structural repairs on the Flin Flon Public Library.

Donations were made to the Flin Flon Fire Works Committee and for $1000 and the Flin Flon Trout Festival Fishing Derby for $500 And Mayor George Fontaine made an acknowledgment of Flin Flon Bomber Joey Lies who won the SJHL Community Ambassador award that comes with a $2500 prize that will be donated to Ruth Betts School.

The province is encouraging Manitobans to limit the amount of fish they consume from a lake in the northwestern part of the province.

Manitoba Environment and Climate Change said Friday that fish from Schist Lake — near Flin Flon along the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border — contain elevated amounts of selenium, an essential element that can be dangerous if too much is consumed.

The province said a safe limit is eating fish from Schist Lake no more than four times a month, and that aside from the elevated selenium levels, they’re otherwise healthy.

The selenium levels will continue to be monitored, and the province said it’s working with area industries to keep levels low.

More information will be made available if and when the selenium levels decrease.

AT THEIR MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK THE TOWN COUNCIL OF CREIGHTON PASSED A MOTION TO GIVE THE THIRD AND FINAL READING TO BYLAW 1-2024 TO AUTHORIZE TAX LEVIES AND MILL RATE FACTORS FOR THE YEAR 2024 FOR MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL PURPOSES.

THEY ALSO PASSED A MOTION TO GIVE THIRD AND FINAL READING TO BYLAW 2-2024 TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM TAX FOR THE YEAR 2024.

COUNCIL APPROVED THIS YEARS REGIONAL TOURISM BUDGET,AND ALSO APPROVED THE FIVE YEAR CAPITAL GRANT FOR 2024-2028.

COUNCIL AGREED TO SUPPORT THE STARS RESCUE SERVICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $250 DOLLARS.

UNDER THE CREIGHTON NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION COUNCIL AGREED TO INCREASE THE CREIGHTON CONNECTION TRANSIT TICKETS TO PRINCE ALBERT FROM $105 DOLLARS TO $115 DOLLARS AND 50 CENTS, AND TO SASKATOON FROM $147 DOLLARS TO $157 DOLLARS AND 50 CENTS.

COUNCIL ALSO PASSED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION TO THE CANADA COMMUNITY BUILDING FUND FOR REMAINING GAS TAX FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,287 DOLLARS AND 60 CENTS TO ASSIST IN THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN AUTOMATIC SWING  DOOR FOR THE SPORTEX MAKING EASY ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL.

AT THEIR MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK THE FFSD TRUSTEES PASSED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2025/2026 TO 2029/2030 FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED TO CAPITAL PROJECT PLANNING AND DELIVERY BY THE DEADLINE OF MAY 15th THIS YEAR.

SECRETARY TREASURER HEATHER FLEMING MENTIONED THE DIVISION IS NOT RECEIVING ANY MONEY AS THE PLAN IS JUST A WISH LIST AND IF ANY PROJECTS ARE APPROVED THE GOVERNMENT WILL LET THEM KNOW AT A LATER DATE.

THE DIVISION HAS ALSO RECEIVED $40,000 DOLLARS FROM THE NORTHERN MANITOBA SECTOR COUNCIL FOR THE SUPPLIES NEEDED TO SET UP TWO POWER MECHANIC COURSES AT HAPNOT FOR THE 2024/2025 SCHOOL YEAR.

BOARD CHAIR JACKIE HUCALUK REPORTED THAT STUDENTS ARE ALREADY PREPARING FOR NEXT FALL WITH COURSE SELECTIONS BEING MADE. CONGRATULATIONS WENT OUT TO GRADE TWELVE STUDENT KAITLYN FIEBER WHO WAS SELECTED TO PLAY IN THE GRADUATING ALL STAR BASKETBALL GAME IN WINNIPEG EARLIER THIS MONTH. LAST WEEK DURING THE SPRING STORM RUTH BETTS HELD THEIR SPRING FEAST. AFTER THE CELEBRATION STAFF TOOK FOOD TO THE FAMILIES THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT DUE TO THE CONDITIONS WHICH IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF STAFF GOING OVER AND ABOVE THEIR USUAL DUTIES.

102.9 CFAR will be presenting their Annual Trade and Leisure Show starting today at the Creighton Sportex. Sales Consultant Raphael Saray  tells us there will be a little something for everyone.

"For over four decades, CFAR is bringing in this event to kickoff spring, everything from home renos to delicious treats, health and wellness, vehicles, as seen on TV items. The big Island drive-in will be running their concession there. So it's an exciting start to the spring time that we're bringing to the Sportex."

The show hours are 4 to 9 on Thursday, noon to 9 on Friday and 10 to 4 on Saturday. The show is free and open to everyone.

The 2328 Royal CDN Army Cadets will be holding their annual ceremonial review on Monday May the 13^th  at the Flin Flon Community Hall starting at 7.

Commanding Officer  Laurel Mymko  gives us the details:

"That evening, we're celebrating their accomplishments throughout the year. There is four star levels which are green, red, silver and gold. We also are giving out awards and trophies for different achievements throughout the year. The rifle team which will be getting their trophies and their D levels and their cross rifles and crowns, If they have qualified for that. During the year, we are celebrating our 75th anniversary for cadets in this year. So we're joining that with our anniversary cake and we're encouraging the parents to come and witness their and join in with their kids and their achievements."

This year cadets from Flin Flon, Cranberry , Creighton and Denare Beach will all be receiving awards and there are 26 total.

If you would like to join the cadets you can join any time you can register any time if you are between 12 and 18. You can sign up by going to www.joincadets,ca, then type in 2328, 21 field engineer and all the necessary information will pop up.

Members of Flin Flon City Council recently attended the Association Of Manitoba Municipalities meetings in Brandon . Mayor George Fontaine was there with councillors Alison Dallas Funk, Judy Eagle and Mike Slipp.

Slipp mentioned there were a lot of topics that got covered.

"  These meetings we have twice a year , this is the spring one and they are very important for a lot of reasons. We are able to connect with the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, Bernadette Smith and Ian Bushie who is the Minister of Municipal of Municipal and Northern Relations. The meetings are quick but you get your mission in. There is networking with other municipalities, we are part of the cities caucus as Flin Flon is still considered a city. We pass ideas and solutions back and forth, it is a great networking and very important conference that we go to twice a year."

Some of the other topics that were covered included infrastructure, addictions, governance, the Stars Ambulance program and 911 service. Council will be sharing other information from the meetings on up coming City Beat programs on 102.9 CFAR.

The City Of Flin Flon has submitted two applications to the Public Utilities Board for a public hearing to be held on Monday May the 27^th at the Flin Flon Community Hall.

Doors will open at 5 and the meeting will begin at 5:30. The first application will be the approval to recover a deficit which has been going on for a number of years. The second application is to increase the water rates which haven’t gone up since 2021.

Any questions concerning the City’s rates and recovery of the operating deficits can be sent directly to the city.  If you are interested you can attend the public hearing and make your views known to the board with a public presentation.

You can also send an e-mail to publicutilities@gov.mb.ca on or before May the 20^th.

The Flin Flon Aqua Centre Volunteer Committee continues to work hard on raising funds for the new building with construction starting up again this week.

Corine Kerfont  from the committee   says they will be teaming   up with some other organizations to help raise money.  "  On May the 5th, the Flin Flon Community Choir along with the Hapnot Choir and Children's Choir are doing a show. I spoke to Angela about doing something for the pool and she suggested doing an auction for people getting a chance to conduct one of our pieces. I am also looking to do a bake sale and am waiting to hear back from people. We will definatelt be doing some type of ticket option for something."

If you would like to make a donation, volunteer or need any information you can go to the City’s website at flinflon.ca and click on the Aqua Centre tab.

UCN through the Northern Mining Academy will be offering first aid courses to anyone who is interested .

Kelsey Farkus who is the acting Co-ordinator for the Northern Mining Academy explains what is going to be covered.  "  Our first aid programs include a one day and a two day, taught using face to face delivery of ST John's Ambulance corriculum. The primary focus is the CPR Level C for adults, infants and children with defibilater and emergency situations. The Intermediate First Aid is a two day course that is more in depth than the basic first aid and covers all the same things but is more in depth . This is good for anybody to take with a lot of people taking it for work , a lot of people take it just to have and it is good training that you can't go wrong with."

The courses will be taught by Kari Lentowitz and you can sign up going to the website at nmma@ucn.ca or calling the Northern Mining Academy at 204-687-7038. There will be a cost of $126.00 for Basic First Aid and $ 194.25 for Immediate First Aid.

On Tuesday , as a result of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking, Nelson House RCMP, along with assistance from the Manitoba North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), executed a search warrant at a residence located in the community of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

As a result of the search, officers seized approximately 85 grams of cocaine, 24 grams of crack cocaine, over $3,000.00 in cash and other drug-related paraphernalia.

Jeffery Lee Linklater, 45, and Megan Kobliski-Dumas, 32, both of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, were arrested on scene and charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Linklater was remanded into custody whereas Kobliski-Dumas was later released for court scheduled August 21, 2024, in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

Nelson House RCMP continue to investigate.