Salvation Army representative Sherry Trudeau reports they again had a successful Christmas kettle and hamper program in the Flin Flon area. She says the kettles raised almost 22 thousand dollars and with their mail campaign their total to date December 30^th was just over 25 thousand dollars and that is an increase of almost 3 thousand dollars from last year so they say thank you very much to everyone in the Flin Flon area organizations and people who contributed to their worthy campaign.

Trudeau adds they had planned on 100 hampers this year but due to the need they ended up giving out 121 hampers.

Communities Economic Development Fund’s Look North Initiative is looking to develop a business mentorship network in our region.

A Look North Advisor with CEDF Ken Slobodian says what they’d like to do is create a network of business mentors and those are people who have been in business over the years in northern Manitoba and successfully been able to take care of themselves.  He adds being that it’s so hard to start up and open a business in northern Manitoba it would be nice if someone who was going to try knew they had the ability to talk to someone who has already been a success in northern Manitoba whether it be fisheries, small business or manufacturing the fact that somebody out there has already done it and succeeded and will volunteer their time that’s the mentor they’re looking for.

Anyone who is interested in mentoring can call Slobodian at 204-307-0570.

Manitoba RCMP have released the results of week two of their 2019 Holiday Checkstop Program.  From December 9^th to 15^th over 25 hundred vehicles were checked during 121 checkstops.  15 people were charged with a Criminal Code impaired driving offence with 12 for alcohol, 2 drugs and 1 refusal with the highest blood alcohol reading at 0.280.  184 Highway Traffic Act charges were laid and 14 written warnings issued.

Saskatchewan RCMP have released their results for National Safe Driving Week December 1^st to 7^th.  Officers checked 10,441 vehicles during the week with 2173 road safety charges laid including 1291 for speeding, 60 for cell phone use, 83 for seatbelt misuse and 44 for careless driving including driving without due care and attention, following too close and changing lanes when unsafe.

With the fluctuating temperatures the Government of Saskatchewan reminds you to make sure ice is safe and thick enough before walking and driving on it.  They note ice thickness depends on the particular water body and local conditions adding it does not freeze at a uniform thickness and ice strength can vary considerably from one area to another. 

To be sure they point out check the ice thickness before you travel on it and as a guideline you need at least 10 centimeters of ice to walk on, 20 to drive a snowmobile or ATV on, 30 to drive a car or light truck on and more than 30 centimeters to support a heavy truck adding clear hard ice is the only ice recommended for travel.

They also suggest avoiding ice that looks slushy, has thawed and frozen again, is near moving water, is layered caused by sudden temperature changes or has structures in it such as pressure ridges.

For information about ice fishing you can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/fishing to view the Saskatchewan Angler’s Guide.

With Cannabis edibles sales underway in Canada  David Kogan the founder of 420 way dot ca spoke to Arctic Radio News about how cannabis edibles should be consumed safely and responsibly.

He says with cannabis edibles it takes time for the effects to kick in and the effects can be stronger than smoking especially in larger doses.

Kogan explains if you experience negative effects from edibles don’t panic, although it’s a very uncomfortable feeling it will pass and if  you’re really unsure it may be safer to seek medical advice if you’re in doubt of you condition.

Kogan adds it’s best to consume cannabis edibles only in small amounts and if you see someone experiencing discomfort from the effects of edibles it’s important for them to stay calm and keep them safe while telling them that the discomfort is temporary.   

Its time to pack up your Christmas items.  The Flin Flon Recycling Center Administrator Deb Odegaard reminds you there are some items they can’t take.  She says they can’t recycle Styrofoam packing, they can’t recycle gift wrap or tissue paper or gift bags, ribbon, anything that is kind of foil decorated and they definitely don’t take Christmas decorations including Christmas lights so those shouldn’t be dropped off at the Recycling Centre over the holidays.

Odegaard reminds you the Recycling Center and Landfill will be closed on New Year’s Day.  If you need more information on recycling you can visit their website www.flinflonrecycling.org or call them at 204-687-6169.

As Operation Red Nose prepares for its final night New Years Eve the Rotary Club’s Committee Chair Ted Hewitt says they had a slow and a busy night last weekend getting people and their vehicles home safely.

He explains the past weekend they had a slow Friday but a good Saturday night to provide over 50 rides.  The volunteers were from the Steelworkers Union plus a group associated with the Creighton School Football Club and others throughout the community.  He notes next weekend there will be no Red Nose service but Red Nose will be active on New Year’s Eve.

Hewitt adds they are still desperately in need of volunteers for New Year’s Eve which is a very busy night. If you can help out application forms are available locally at the Credit Union or online at www.operationrednose.com and need to be dropped off at the RCMP detachment with two pieces of ID.  For information you can call Ted at 204-687-7450.

In her annual Christmas message Manitoba Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon says this time of year always brings out the best in Manitobans of all ages and faiths as we all bask in the warm community spirit for which our province has so long been admired.  She notes as we look forward to Manitoba 150 festivities we are reminded of how fortunate we are to live in a province that offers such an outstanding quality of life where citizens look out for each other and are always happy to lend a hand to those in need.  Filmon concludes may the wonder of this special time light your hearts and your homes and further strengthen the bonds we share as citizens of this great province.

Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty in his Christmas message says he and Donna received a warm welcome in many communities…….                                                                          

“We’ve taken part in many events, and at each one, we’ve been very impressed by the generosity of Saskatchewan people.  Our province relies on volunteers, and I want to thank everyone who donates their time to improve their community. 

I also want to acknowledge the men and women who serve in our military, and as police officers and first responders.  We rely on you, and we are grateful for your service. 

I’m often asked about Reconciliation.  I’m encouraged by how many people truly want to see change.  I continue to believe that relationships are the key.  My thanks to everyone who is reaching out to others, and trying to see things from a new perspective.  We are only at the beginning of this journey, but I am hopeful.”

Mirasty sends greetings and looks forward to meeting more remarkable people in the coming year.

In his annual Christmas message Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewan is a hopeful place…..

“Christmas is an exciting time of the year. It is a time to celebrate, a time to enjoy the company of family and friends. 

It is a season of generosity, a time of giving and a time to give thanks. And there is so much to be thankful for, here in Saskatchewan. 

I am grateful for the people that I have met during my time as Premier: inspiring people, compassionate people, strong people. 

The Christmas story reminds us to look around, and to lend a helping hand where we can, to give a little extra to those in need, to comfort those who are lonely or discouraged. 

And to do this, not just on one day, but on each and every day, all year long.”      

Moe concludes by wishing everyone the best of the holiday season from his family and his colleagues in the government of Saskatchewan.

The Flin Flon Health Auxiliary continues to raise money to support the Flin Flon General Hospital and Personal Care Home.  The Auxiliary’s Amy Ruckle explains the money is used to buy special mattresses for the hospital, heart monitors, wheel chairs, recliners for palliative care, TVs for dialysis and chemo treatments and for the Personal Care Home they give money for activities and for furniture as well as other projects that they have.

Ruckle adds to raise money they hold monthly 50-50 draws with a larger draw at the end of the year which resulted in a prize over one thousand dollars in last week’s draw, they recently held their Christmas shoppers tea, operate the chip and drink machines at the hospital and sell knitting and flowers from a cabinet at the hospital.

Rockcliff Metal Corporation has announced it has completed all work required to earn a 51 percent ownership interest in the Talbot property near Snow Lake pursuant to its option agreement with Hudbay.  Rockcliff has incurred the 6.12 million dollars in expenditures required to earn its 51 percent interest in the property.  They have delivered written notice advising Hudbay of the achievement of this milestone.  They report Hudbay has a 24 month back in right to acquire an additional 2 percent ownership interest raising their ownership stake to 51 percent resulting in Hudbay becoming the operator of the property taking it into production with Rockcliff retaining a 35 percent interest through life of mine.  If Hudbay does not exercise its back in right Rockcliff as operator could take the property into production and earn a minimum 65 percent interest in the property.

Manitoba Hydro reports they saw a five percent jump in the number of fraud related complaints it received this year over last year. They note it’s a sign more customers are getting bogus emails and texts attempting to scam them out of their money and that could increase during the Christmas season.  87 percent of the scams reported were emails or text with phone and at the door sales making up the rest.

Hydro’s Security Supervisor Chris Malcolm says with scammers becoming more sophisticated it’s harder for customers to tell the difference between scams and legitimate messages.  He says if you get any communication either by email, text or phone claiming to be Manitoba Hydro demanding immediate payment through an unfamiliar method do not respond, hang up or delete the message.

Workers at the Flin Flon Recycling Centre and the Landfill will be taking some time off over the holidays.  Administrator Deb Odegaard explains the Centre will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and the hours will be earlier on Boxing Day when they’ll close at 2 as well as on Christmas Eve and the Landfill will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and will be closing early on Christmas Eve otherwise it will be regular hours.  She adds there will be no Red Bag pickup on Christmas Day and the following week they’ll do a Red Bag pickup on Thursday morning January 2^nd and users can put their bags out on Thursday morning and this is a onetime only Thursday otherwise it will be Wednesday following that.

  For more information on recycling or the Landfill you can visit their website www.flinflonrecycling.org or call 204-687-6169.

Residents of Denare Beach took part in the Village of Lights by putting up Christmas lights.  Recreation Director Mel Durette says the judges toured the lights and displays and selected the winners on Tuesday night.  She reports first place with a hundred dollars gift card to Canadian Tire went to 328 Welsh Crescent, second place is a 75 dollar gift card to Rockyview to 409 Eighth Avenue and third place is a 50 dollar gift card to Rockyview and that is 2148 First Street.

Denare Beach is also holding a family Christmas party Saturday at the Denareplex from 1 to 4 with crafts, games and Santa.

As you look forward to Christmas travel it’s important to always be prepared in case you find yourself in unexpected situations on the road.  The CAA’s Kaitlynn Furse says it’s important to have an emergency kit in your vehicle especially during the winter months.  She explains we never know when we might be in a situation when we’re on the side of the road, in an unexpected breakdown or a collision and having the tools to keep yourself safe for a period of time while you’re waiting for help is the key.  She says we’ve had some pretty extreme weather already in the province this year and there’s been some scenarios where people have been in their cars for much longer than they’d expect and so we really need to make sure that people can take care of themselves while they’re waiting for help should they be snowed in in a situation where they can’t be accessed.

Furse adds an emergency kit should include jumper cables, a small shovel, scraper and snow brush, a blanket and warm clothing, water and food that won’t spoil as well as a first aid kit, seatbelt cutter and whistle to attract attention.

Fire broke out at Gary Bloomfield’s Resort and Gas Bar on the Hanson Lake Road around 4 o’clock this morning.  The Resort is around the 200 kilometer mark on the Hanson Lake Road near Deschambault. Pictures indicate damage could be extensive although the amount of damage cannot be confirmed as the fire is still under investigation.

The Northern Health Region has completed its Community Health Assessment.  Region CEO Helga Bryant says it gives them a look into the health of people in our Region and they are encouraged by improvements they see in overall health compared to the 2014 report.  She adds we are a large region with varied geography and vast diversity in our residents and the report affords them a view into those differences allowing them to plan and deliver services as equitably as possible.

A release states the Northern Health Region 2019 Community Health Assessment illustrates some high-level findings which will form the basis for the next Strategic Health Plan.

The report notes a significant decrease in the adolescent birthrate in the region adding the Health Region has worked on programs to support healthy pregnancies including support in the pre natal period by public health nurses and an increase in substance use disorder noting much work has been done in the past several years into improving care for those diagnosed with the disorder.

The full report is available on the Northern Health Region website.

The Flin Flon Public Library has several events as we prepare for the Christmas season.  Acting Administrator Cindy McLean invites you to come in. She says they have a coloring contest going on until the 31^st, they also have their Library Christmas reading program so they have the children’s gingerbread scavenger hunt where the children come in find the gingerbreads that are hidden throughout the Library, check out five books and they get a book bag and a treat and on the 20^th they’re going to be having an open house serving hot chocolate and cookies from 1 to 4 for the public to come in and meet the new Library staff as well as check out the beautiful new flooring they’ve had installed.

The Library’s new Administrator is Elizabeth Andres with Lisa Goodfellow the new Assistant Administrator.

Rockcliff Metals has completed its phase three drill program at their Bur property near Snow Lake.  They note the Bur property hosts the historic Bur zinc copper deposit and the purpose of this drill program was to locate additional mineralized areas proximate to this deposit.

Rockcliff President and CEO Alistair Ross comments their drilling has confirmed the presence of significant zinc and copper mineralization along strike and at depth beyond the historic Bur zinc copper deposit.  He adds a phase four drill program planned this winter will focus on higher grade VMS mineralized areas proximate to the Bur zinc copper deposit.

Rockcliff is earning a one hundred percent interest from Hudbay by spending three million dollars over a four year period on the Bur property. They have completed approximately 2.5 million dollars in expenditures.  This property is located 22 kilometers by road from Hudbay’s copper zinc concentrator in the Snow Lake camp.

At their meeting last night Flin Flon City Council approved the 2020 recreation fee schedule with the exception of the Whitney Forum which is reviewed separately.  There will be relatively small increases in rates for the RH Channing Auditorium, Green Room, Rotary Wheel, Ball Diamonds and the Aqua Centre with the Tourist Bureau and Camp Whitney rates not changing.  It was noted these fees are a catch up to increasing costs but are still much lower than most communities.  The rate schedule will be posted on the City’s website.

Council passed on second reading a bylaw establishing rates to be charge for water and sewer services in the city. Unmetered service will see a billing increase of 3 percent each year for 2020,21 and 22.  The rates still have to be approved by the Public Utilities Board before third and final reading.

Council agreed to provide 50 thousand dollars in the 2020 financial plan to fund the Community Improvement Plan under development by the Flin Flon Economic Development Committee to assist with the implementation of Main Street revitalization with this initial money for the project being used to assist owners investing in upgrading their businesses.

And the Public Library has a new Administrator in Elizabeth Andres and Assistant in Lisa Goodfellow.

Council wished everyone a Merry Christmas,

The annual Denare Beach Winter Festival is coming up in February.  Recreation Director Mel Durette says they are holding a fund raising bingo Friday evening.  She says it’s a merchandise bingo and it’ll be at the Denareplex at 6 o’clock and all the proceeds are going to go to getting better prizes for their Winter Festival. She notes there are tons of baskets anywhere from movie baskets to kid’s baskets, women’s baskets and household baskets.

The bingo again is at 6 Friday evening at the Denareplex. The Denare Beach Winter Festival takes place February 21^st to 23^rd.

Canadians will soon have access to a call blocking system that better protects against unsolicited and illegitimate calls.  The CRTC required telecommunication service providers to implement this system within their networks by tomorrow.

They explain with the implementation of this system calls with caller ID information that either exceeds 15 digits or does not conform to a number that can be dialed will be blocked before reaching the subscriber. 

CRTC Chair Ian Scott says with the implementation of a call blocking system Canadians will have the right tools to manage nuisance calls.  He adds at the same time they are working with the industry on other tools to better protect Canadian from nuisance calls including a process to alert them when the caller ID has been spoofed.

Operation Red Nose Completed its third weekend of getting people and their vehicles home safely in the Flin Flon area.  The Rotary Club’s Committee Chair Ted Hewitt says it again went well. He explained this past weekend they provided 55 rides which is about the same as the previous weekend.  The volunteers were from the Kinsmen and Kinettes plus the Hudbay staff.  He adds they are still seeking volunteers for Saturday December 21^st and are in desperate need of volunteers for New Year’s Eve.  Volunteers can pick up applications locally at the Credit Union or online.  Once completed the application needs to be taken to the local RCMP detachment with two pieces of ID and for additional information you can call Ted Hewitt at 204-687-7450.

Operation Red Nose continues to provide service this coming Friday and Saturday and New Years Eve.

 The City of Flin Flon has released a questionnaire seeking public input into the retirement living needs of our community over the next three to five years. This questionnaire is open to anyone who either currently lives in Flin Flon or plans on moving to the area within the next five years. Survey participants will be asked to identify the types of retirement living options they would prefer, along with any additional services they would like to see in the community upon retirement.

 Councillor Colleen McKee notes some of the retirement living models under consideration include ageing in place which is a model where participants stay in their homes and are offered light maintenance services for a fee; a life lease model which is a new build where a retiree would pay a lump sum which is then returned when the unit is vacated and a monthly amount for rent is also required; a condominium model where the unit is purchased and taxes and condo fees are paid; or a rental accommodation model with a monthly rental fee.

 A link to the questionnaire can be found on The City of Flin Flon’s website and Facebook page or attached to this story at www.flinflononline.com.  Paper copies can also be filled out and are available at the City Hall reception desk. The survey will be open until January 30th.

Complete the survey here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2FNJZ9L

Judging took place Thursday night for the Town of Creighton Light Up For Christmas contest. Five homes received prizes for their Christmas displays.

The winners included Garry and Sue Klemmer at 122 Collins Street, Kirk Tait at 203 Green Street, Scott and Niki Rosenberger at 107 Creighton Avenue and Glen and Gladys Lavallee of 637 Bereskin Avenue with honorable mention to Tina Tait and Rick Oullette of 109 Larson.

Each received a cash prize and a certificate.

The Ham Sandwich Theatre Group is holding auditions Wednesday for their spring production.  One of the directors Raphael Saray says this will be quite a different production for the group.  He explains he and his wife are directing the spring Ham Sandwich production called Shock Corridor and they are looking for actors and actresses over the age of 18 and also looking for anyone who wants to contribute behind the scenes as a stage hand, building sets, working things like that off the stage.  He adds it should be a very intense dramatic production about a murder in an insane asylum in the United States in the 1960s and they are very much looking forward to bringing something different to Ham Sandwich.

Auditions are being held Wednesday night at 7 in the Flin Flon Community Hall with the performance taking place March 13^th and 14^th.

The Manitoba Government is extending its commitment to support the annual Endow Manitoba 24 Hour Giving Challenge in partnership with the Winnipeg Foundation until 2026.  Our area takes part in the Challenge in November through the Northern Neighbors Foundation that includes Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach, Snow Lake and Cranberry Portage.

For every donation made to a community foundation in the 24 hour period the Manitoba Government and the Winnipeg Foundation also contribute one dollar so every five dollar donation becomes a seven dollar donation to a maximum of two thousand dollars per foundation. 

The Challenge was established in 2014 administered by the Winnipeg Foundation providing incentives for rural community foundations to build their primary fund.  The province first participated in 2017 resulting in a 46 percent increase in the number of private gifts to foundations across the province.

Manitoba RCMP have released the results of their first week of the holiday Checkstop Program.  Between December 1^st and 8^th over 37 hundred vehicles were checked across the province during 99 checkstops.  26 people were charged with impaired driving 21 for alcohol and 5 for refusals with the highest blood alcohol level 0.23.  141 Highway Traffic Act charges were laid and 34 written warnings issued.

The RCMP note with the introduction of immediate roadside prohibition taking effect today police across Manitoba will have a new and powerful tool against impaired driving.  Justice Minister Cliff Cullen states this new approach will allow officers to get drunk drivers off our roads in a matter of minutes and head back out on patrol more quickly.

For the 15^th year the local choir Borealis will hold a Service of Lessons and Carols For the Whole Community Sunday afternoon.  The choir’s Tim Spencer says the concert will support the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank while offering you music and readings. He explains they’ll be doing lots of the favorite carols like Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful really familiar ones for people to sing along to plus some new ones.  He adds they have a new minister leading the service this year in Kara Mandryk from The Pas Henry Bird Centre and she’s a terrific speaker and she’s going to do a reflection or a meditation from the Christmas story as revealed in the readings.

The service will be held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 at the Lutheran Church on Second Avenue.  Admission is an offering of money or non-perishable food items for the Food Bank.

Residents of Denare Beach are again taking part in the Village of Lights by putting up Christmas lights.  Recreation Director Mel Durette explains you can decorate your house or your yard or your garage, whatever you’d like and if you’d like to be judged turn you lights on by 7 o’clock on Tuesday and the winners will be posted on their Facebook page on Thursday.  She adds first place is a hundred dollar gift cart from the Village to Canadian Tire, second is a 75 dollar gift card to Rockyview donated by Rockyview, and then a 50 dollar gift card to Rockyview also donated by Rockyview.

This is the eleventh year for the Village of Lights.

Denare Beach will also be holding a family Christmas party Saturday the 21^st at the Denareplex from 1 to 4 with crafts, games and Santa.

Earlier this week Member of Parliament  Niki Ashton questioned the Minister of Indigenous Affairs about urgent First Nations and Metis concerns.  She explained that on October 21^st First Nations and Metis people in Churchill Keewatinook Aski sent a message to this Liberal government that  enough of promising a new relationship and doing the opposite, enough of promising the Dene to settle the north of 60 land claim and bailing, enough of promising to resolve the housing crisis on First Nations and failing, enough of ignoring the suicide crisis in Gods Lake Narrows where over one hundred people primarily young girls have attempted suicide in the last four months. Minister Marc Miller stated health teams are working closely with their partners in Manitoba to coordinate crisis response and mental wellness supports. He added they are in regular contact with the community of Gods Lake Narrows and officials will be meeting with community leadership to support the needs of the community.

The Flin Flon Aqua Center Community Committee is holding a fundraising Christmas Home Business, Craft and Bake Sale Saturday.  One of the organizers Marsha Reeves says they will have a variety of everything including some baking, they’ve got some Scentsy, dog treats, a couple of vendors from out of town, they have a little bit of everything for everyone.  She notes they have close to 25 to 30 vendors some new ones and some of their regular ones that they have so it’s going to be a good day as they have lots for everybody.

The sale runs Saturday from 10 to 4 in the Flin Flon Community Hall.

The Main Street Committee is presenting the Main Street Family Event tomorrow evening and Saturday afternoon. The Committee’s Treasure Daneliuk says it will feature specials at businesses, caroling and a lot of fun activities.  She says they’re going to have pictures with Santa Friday from 5 to 6:30 and Saturday from noon to 3 outside at Mugsy’s where she’s got the deck all decorated up.  She adds they have a free wrapping station down at Nasselquist Jewelers with some Girl Guides coming in to donate their time to help wrap, there’s going to be photo booth down at Pharmasave, Grandma’s Kitchen from Cranberry Portage is coming in to sell some of her delicious dainties and the Kinsmen will have ice shack tickets and fire barrels set up by the Royal Bank and this year they will also have marshmallows to roast and free hot chocolate donated by the Victoria Inn.

You should also remember to pick up a passport at various businesses and have it stamped to enter a draw for a valuable prize. The Family Event runs from 5 to 8 tomorrow evening and 12 to 4 on Saturday on Main Street.

This past Tuesday evening it was Hapnot Collegiate presenting to the Board of Trustees on the school goals and achievements.  Administrators Steve Lytwyn and Jordy Dumenko both have a long history teaching in the community and both took turns highlighting the school’s academic success which ultimately leads to graduation.  Hapnot’s literacy and numeracy test scores are at par or above the provincial norms.  Student Jaric Osika recently had a huge accomplishment attending a science fair in Dubai.  Other successful programs are the Special Ed courses, student engagement, the mental wellness program with Divisional Mental Health Worker Rikki Crone along with the school’s athletics were also part of the presentation.  Natalie Milligan was also acknowledged for her work on last year’s Culture Days.

Board Chair Murray Skeavington closed the meeting wishing staff and students a Happy Christmas and New Year.  The last day of school is December 20^th resuming on January 6^th.

LOCATED SAFE BY THE RCMP

Debbie is 5’1” and approximately 180 lbs, with green eyes and blonde and brown hair. She drives a red 2007 Ford Edge with B.C. licence plate DR642P.

Debbie was last seen leaving a residence in Pierceland, SK, between 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Her last reported contact with a family member was by phone at approximately 10:30 a.m. to inform she was still in Shellbrook and on her way to Pelican Narrows but she didn’t arrive. Multiple patrols were conducted by several RCMP Detachments and Police continue to be on the lookout for Debbie.

Anyone who may have seen Debbie Schindler is asked to contact Shellbrook RCMP by calling 306-747-2606, or your local police detachment. Information can also be submitted anonymously though Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222- 8477 or online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

A picture of Debbie can be found at www.flinflononline.com.

The Ruth Betts School Parent Council is putting together their annual Christmas grotto.  Vice-Principal Craig Bancroft says the grotto will be open for students to shop all day Friday.  He explains they can bring in a quarter or no more than a dollar and they get tokens or tickets and they can go around and shop and their Parent Council is in charge of all of that so they have all kinds of donations that have already come in as they have been overwhelmed by all the community members and staff bringing in all kinds of great things for their students to shop for and purchase.  He says the classes come down and they do a bit of shopping and Parent Council and volunteers wrap everything for them so it’s really nice on Christmas when all their students are able to give gifts to the ones they love.

Bancroft adds if you wish to donate to the Christmas grotto, new or gently used gifts, wrapping paper and gift bags can be dropped off at the Ruth Betts School main office until Friday.

The Town of Creighton is holding a Light Up For Christmas contest.  Recreation Director Channa Senyk reports judging is tomorrow.  She explains Thursday at 6:30 the judges will be touring Creighton and looking at all the beautiful decorated homes and they will be awarding prizes for traditional, the most lights and animated so they’re reminding everybody to turn on their lights and wish everybody a Merry Christmas.

Senyk adds they are also having a free Christmas family dance Friday night from 7 to 9 at the Creighton Community Hall reminding parents that they will again have their picture corner set up so you can bring your camera and take photos of your children.

With plenty of snow on the ground snowmobilers are heading out on the various trails across the province.  They note every winter their officers are called to attend the scenes of snowmobile accidents so they have issued snowmobile safety tips.  They include know your abilities and ride within your limits, use caution, be alert and slow down when operating in unfamiliar terrain, always ride in groups and let people know where you are going, wear the proper protective clothing including a helmet and ride sober.

The RCMP say they are providing these tips in the hope of making everyone who rides a snowmobile safer so they can get home to their friends and family.

Northland Ford held their annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Flin Flon Bomber Game Saturday night. Sales Consultant Nikki Corke says when the Bombers scored their first goal fans tossed Teddy Bears over the boards. She says it was a huge success as they have filled the box of a Ford F-150 as well as the back seat with Teddy Bears and toys and they will be donating everything to the Friendship Gift Program for Christmas.

They also had collection boxes at the entrances to the Whitney Forum for other toys that could not be tossed on the ice and a collection box at Northland Ford.  Corke noted they appreciate the ongoing support from the community for the Teddy Bear toss with this being its seventh year.

Operation Red Nose had a successful second weekend in the Flin Flon area.  The Rotary Club’s Committee Chair Ted Hewitt says it again was a good weekend.  He says they provided 56 rides which was double the previous weekend.  The volunteers were from the Women’s Resource Centre, the Creighton Community School and the Rotary Club of Flin Flon.  He adds they are still seeking volunteers for Saturday the 21^st and New Year’s Eve.  Volunteers can pick up applications locally at the Credit Union or online.  Once completed the applications need to be taken to the local RCMP detachment with two pieces of ID and for additional information you can call Ted Hewitt at 204-687-7450.

Operation Red Nose will again be available Friday and Saturday nights this coming weekend and December 20^th and 21^st as well as New Years Eve.

On Friday Member of Parliament for Churchill Keewatinook Aski Niki Ashton responded to the Liberal governments Throne Speech.  Ashton said the Liberals failed to address the urgent challenges northerners and Indigenous People face in Manitoba.  She explained in the north we can already see the impact of climate change as the ice road season is getting shorter and our infrastructures are in danger and the Speech From the Throne doesn’t even mention this.  She said ending oil subsidies would have been a good start or not buying pipelines but that’s not what they were supporting asking way are the Liberals refusing to act.

Ashton adds in our north people are in dire need of safe and affordable housing, all season roads and basic health services and the Liberals showed no willingness to act urgently to help them.  She notes New Democrats will continue to push Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government to do what’s right to deliver justice to our north.

Festus Odua crossed the border at Emerson, Manitoba into Canada in April 2017 with other refugees.  He married Rikki Petersen last January, their daughter was born in August and they were living in FlinFlon when Rikki says he got notice he had to return to Nigeria as they had waited for information that didn’t arrive until November.  She explains what they did is they took some legal advice that maybe wasn’t the best route to go and they believed that they were safe to wait to put in their spousal sponsorship until they received their daughter’s birth certificate and now in hindsight there’s been an error made in Festus’s case that caused them to speed up the removal of him.

               Rikki says she now has to start over and file a new spousal sponsorship application to prove she can support him for three years even though he was working here when he got notice to leave.

People joined the Womens Resource Center at Pioneer Square Friday evening for the annual Candle Light Vigil.  Center Board Member Mark Lucas told them the event remembers victims of the Montreal Massacre of 1989 when a young man killed 14 young women because of their gender and violence against women continues. He said we see the effects of their deaths and of violence against women on members of our community, on other women, on families and on children and this has to stop.  Women are still unsafe in their homes, communities and workplaces and they deserve better. Let us never forget that many women continue to live and die in the shadow of violence.  As the December 6^th massacre truly demonstrates violence against women is closely linked to issues of equality.  These women can no longer speak for themselves so it is those of us that go on living who must speak for them and to change the world we live in.

Lucas stated we all need to work to end violence against women as every day women must have what they need to live without fear, without violence and with choice, so let’s work together here in Flin Flon to make it happen.

The annual Manitoba RCMP Selective Traffic Enforcement Program runs through this month. All RCMP detachments and Traffic Services Units are participating with the focus once again on the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers and other high risk driving behaviors.

They report last year almost 12 thousand vehicles were checked across the province during 262 check stops that resulted in 105 people charged with criminal code impaired driving offences and 30 roadside suspensions.  Five people lost their lives in traffic related collisions.

The Officer in Charge of “D” Division Traffic Services says they are doing their part by raising public awareness about road safety and conducting traffic enforcement programs now the driving public have to do their part by adjusting their driving habits to make Manitoba roads safer.

Tomorrow night Northland Ford will be sponsoring their 7^th annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Flin Flon Bomber Game at the Whitney Forum. Sales Consultant Nikki Corke explains the Teddy bears will go to the Friendship Centre Christmas Gift Program and how it works is when the Bombers score their first goal of the game everyone will toss their Teddy bears on the ice and they will be collected and donated and it’s at the Bomber game this Saturday, December 7^th.

Corke adds if you don’t have a Teddy Bear to bring they’ll have drop off boxes at the entrances for other toys that can’t be tossed on the ice as well as a drop off box at Northland Ford.

The 25^th annual Christmas Gift Program is well underway at the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre.  It’s designed to enable parents or guardians to give their children a gift at Christmas when circumstances prevent them from doing so.  The Centre’s Katie Kawerski says any family in Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach, Cranberry Portage and Sherridon who is in need can register now to pick up gifts.  She explains the registration dates started on December 2^nd and the program will run from the 16^th to the 20^th so if you have a child between the ages of birth and 17 years you come down and you bring your health card and you can register your child.  She adds you get a date that you can come down so the person that registered comes and they pick out a gift or gifts for their children and they get to wrap it right at the Friendship Centre so the kids don’t see the gifts.

They also welcome donations for the gift program at the Friendship Centre at 57 Church Street or you can take part in the Toy Drive at the Red Apple store tomorrow.  For more information you can call Virginia at 204-687-3900.

Distracted driving is the theme for this year’s awareness program. The CEO of the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba Grant Wainikka explains what constitutes distracted driving stating the most notable change they’ve seen over the last several years has been of course texting or communicating with your device while driving and this has now become almost on par with impaired driving as far as serious accidents that are caused on the road.  However he says distracted driving can mean putting on your makeup or it could mean fidgeting with your radio, with the consul on your car, even conversing with people in your vehicle as statistics show that as you grow the number of people in your vehicle especially at some ages that the chances of an accident are higher.

Wainikka adds as more people began owning smart devices the rate of accidents caused by distracted driving has skyrocketed over the decade.

The City of Flin Flon has launched a series of new digital services designed to engage the public in effective two-way communication.   The new website features a modern interface which is very easy to navigate with quick access to important information. Residents will now be able to easily keep up with council activity by accessing council meetings minutes and agendas instantly online. The new website also features a tourism microsite designed to provide tourists and residents with information on attractions, accommodations, and local events.

 The City has also introduced a smartphone app and a new Connect Service.  Mayor Cal Huntley explains these are a great way to engage with community members providing up to date timely information. The app provides direct online access for the reporting of community issues and to register for leisure activities. He says the Connect service communicates directly with each community member who registers with notifications of street closures or other emergency and non-emergency public notices and updates.

The Flin Flon App is free and available for download on both Google Play and the App Store. Residents interested in signing up for the Connect Service can register directly online through the City website, or by filling out a form available at City Hall.

At the City Council meeting Tuesday night Mayor Cal Huntley reported he and Council representatives attended the Association of Manitoba Municipalities annual meeting in Brandon last week.  He said it was a very positive meeting with the Premier and all the cabinet ministers attending.  He said every minister or deputy minister they wanted to see was made available, their comments were well received and they expect to see some activity around their requests.  Huntley noted they continued to lobby for funding for the new Aqua Centre as well as issues related to our outlying areas, the need for a base tax and Manitoba Housing opportunities.

At Tuesday’s meeting they also accepted the Fire Chiefs report for November indicating four incidents during the month.  They included a false alarm, a fuel tank leaking after a semi-trailer overturned in the ditch beside highway ten near the airport, a kitchen fire on Hudson Street and assistance to the ambulance service.

And they approved the appointment of Judy Pettersen as a member of the Public Library Board while thanking current Library Administrator Courtney Campbell for her service as she leaves Flin Flon and they opened applications for a new Administrator

The Womens Resource Center is holding its annual Candle Light Vigil tomorrow evening. The Center’s Laurie Sealey invites everyone to take part as December 6^th is designated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against all Women.  She says this day is a remembrance for the young women who lost their lives at Ecole Polytechnique but it also reminds all of us violence can strike at any time so together we can form a strong alliance, we need to stand united to help deliver the message to end violence against women and girls.  She adds together we need to use our own collective voices to say enough is enough and work together to end violence against women.

Candles will be available at Pioneer Square with the Vigil starting at 5:15 tomorrow evening. If you can’t attend you can listen to 102.9 CFAR at 5:15 to hear their message.

At their meeting last night Flin Flon Council heard from co-chairs of the We Want Birth Committee Kirsten Fritch and Jan Unrau to mark the one year anniversary of the closing of obstetric services at the General Hospital.  They reported they had about 40 people at their anniversary march and they are still waiting for some answers about the service.  They continue to contact government ministers and are studying the blueprint for health care released on Friday and are hoping the government plan to reduce much of the health travel to Winnipeg and the note that pre-natal care is an ongoing need in the north could lead to the return of quality obstetric services here. They also noted they are aware of  issues such as recruitment and the low level of births here but obstetricians can deal with other women’s health issues that aren’t provided for here.  Unrua suggested having a midwifery position opened here would be a good start to providing services for expectant mothers.  Fritch mentioned the next step is collecting stories and conducting an online survey on the difficulties mothers who are travelling to give birth outside of Flin Flon are experiencing to back up the need for obstetric services here.

The Ham Sandwich Theatre Group is presenting their fall production of Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Friday and Saturday nights.  Director Leslie Fernandes says she is really excited about this production.  She adds she’s never really seen Ham Sandwich do anything like this before noting they have amazing lights, amazing sets, they have some great battles and sword fighting and the most amazing costumes she has ever seen so she really hopes that people get those tickets, bring your kids, bring your families, it’s going to be a fabulous show.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will be performed Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 in the Flin Flon Community Hall with tickets available at Northern Rainbows End on Main Street.

The Manitoba Government introduced a blue print for the next step in a comprehensive overhaul of health care in the province on Friday.  Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey says the plan is sketchy on details for the north.  He explains everything to do with the north is left really vague that something will happen at some point in time.  He adds the part about having regional hubs might be interesting depending if they decide Thompson is going to be the regional hub for the north and that kind of leaves the rest of the north out of luck so we haven’t seen enough of the details to say it’s good for the north and what we’ve seen from this government so fat is really what can we do to reduce costs not provide better service.

Lindsey adds it does talk about increased use of Telehealth which has been talked about in the north but it can’t replace having doctors that people build a relationship with and have a family doctor.

The FDC Economic Development Commission in partnership with Community Futures Greenstone is conducting an Economic Development Transition Project.  Following meetings and workshops with the three local Councils and local businesses, sessions are being held seeking public input from Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach.  At last night’s public meeting Colleen Bond from EDCD Consulting explained they are looking for community ideas on short and long term economic development.  She said once they’ve collected all of that data they combine it with the other research that they have done with regards to the demographics on the area, current trends in economic development, best practices in other communities, and then along with the input they receive this week they will start to develop and indentify common themes and from there develop specific strategies for moving forward with economic development.

Consultations continue this week with community stakeholders with a list of meetings available at www.flinflononline.com and click on city of Flin Flon notice board with a link to their community survey on the Town of Creighton website.

The Freedom Outreach Program based at Denare Beach held a fundraising event of art, food and entertainment November 22^nd.  The program’s Kandie Lagore says it was a great evening due to a lot of support.  She says they had so much art work donated from local artists and artists who don’t live here, they had so many volunteers, so many people came and they had some amazing music by our local musicians so it was a lot of work but a lot of fun and they didn’t do it all by themselves.

Lagore adds they raised 6373 dollars thanking all the people who supported them with the reaction being you’ve got to do this again so they will next year around the same time.

Operation Red Nose had a successful first weekend of taking vehicles and their owners home safely in the Flin Flon area. Rotary Club committee chair Ted Hewitt says it went well.  He reports they provided 27 rides which was slightly more than last year with volunteers from the Border Explorers Snowmobile Club and the Rotary Club of Flin Flon.  He adds even though Operation Red Nose is offered as a free service those receiving the service were very generous with their donations.  He notes they are seeking volunteers for Saturday December 21^st and New Years Eve and volunteers can pick up applications locally at the Credit Union and once completed they need to be taken to the local RCMP detachment with two pieces of ID.

Hewitt adds funds collected are used to support children’s activities with a preference for organized sports.

Operation Red Nose runs every Friday and Saturday night up to and including December 20^th and 21^st as well as New Years Eve.  For more information you can call Ted at 204-687-7450.

Community Futures Greenstone is moving from their current location at 35 Main Street above Pharmasave to the administrative offices in the former Co-op building on Main Street.  General Manager Becky Cianflone says the most exciting thing about the new location is they will be fully accessible as including people of all abilities is a key principle for their organization.  She adds it will also affect their services as with this space they’re going to have heir women’s project The Hub, their maker space will be located with them as well as their youth entrepreneurship project LYNK, so they’re hoping to create a little hub of entrepreneurial activity where they have people coming in to discuss their ideas and access resources and they think it’s going to make a big difference in the community.

The present Greenstone office will be closed this coming Friday and the following Monday to move all the equipment and furniture and will open next Tuesday at the new location with an open house planned in early 2020 so you can visit the new space and learn about all of the services provided.

Rockcliff Metals has announced new drill core assay results have extended high grade mineralization at the Rail Deposit near Snow Lake.  President and CEO Alistair Ross says drill results to date have extended high grade copper mineralization below the existing Rail Deposit to 500 meters vertical adding with two drills operating around the clock and a total of 15 thousand meters now budgeted they look forward to determining the limits of this extensive copper bearing system.

Rockcliff also reports high grade assay results from initial drill holes completed on their Talbot property near Snow Lake with 6 percent copper equivalent across 18.33 meters including 10.4 percent across 4.8 meters. Ross comments their first assays from this drill program have confirmed additional mineralization outside and above the Talbot deposit adding the fact that one drill hole is the highest grade mineralization encountered nearest to surface to date is extremely encouraging.  He notes the 100 thousand meter drill program in the Snow Lake area is fully underway.

Churchill Keewatinook Aski Member of Parliament Niki Ashton reports it’s a priority for her to speak out on behalf of our region and address the critical issues that we continue to face once parliament resumes. She explains in communities across our region she would say health care is a big issue and so is housing and the need to be able to protect and create good jobs in our region.  She says these are three areas that are important for her to hit the ground running on and she’s certainly keen to bring attention to these issues starting now and into the new year.

In order to solve ongoing issues such as boil water advisories and the housing crisis in Northern communities Ashton believes that sustained federal investment for infrastructure, water treatment plants, and housing is what’s needed to solve these problems.  Ashton has been named the new critic for both Public Ownership and Transport in the NDP shadow cabinet as well as deputy critic for women and gender.