THE TOWN OF CREIGHTON WILL ONCE AGAIN SUPPORT THE SASKATCHEWAN FEDERATION OF POLICE OFFICERS AND THE 13TH ANNUAL CRIME PREVENTION GUIDE BY PURCHASING A TOWN OF CREIGHTON ADVERTISEMENT. THIS YEAR THE GUIDE FOCUSES ON  CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS HELPING TO EDUCATE AND PROMOTE THE PUBLICS ROLE IN IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING THESE TYPES OF CRIMES. THE ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP ADVERTISEMENT GOES FOR 185.00 DOLLARS, YOU CAN VISIT WWW.SASKPOLICE.COM TO VIEW PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

COUNCIL APPROVED A MOTION TO ERECT A STREET LIGHT ON BRODERICK AVENUE AT THE LOT BETWEEN 515 AND 517, ALSO APPROVING A MOTION TO CONTRIBUTE 50 DOLLARS TO THE HALLOWEEN ALLEY FOR A SAFER HALLOWEEN.

THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF A PERMANENT STAND-BY POWER GENERATOR AND AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT WAS ALSO APPROVED. THIS ADDITION WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED TO TRANSPORT THE CURRENT PORTABLE UNIT.

Flin Flon has a new city councillor as a by-election took place yesterday at City Hall.

Barry Kreller is the new councillor as he received 353 votes followed by Carrie Hume with 134, Tom Therien with 124, Angela Simpson with 39 and Gatlin Church with 20.

A total of 670 people voted which is 200 more than the last by-election which took place in 2016. Kreller will be sworn in November and his term will go til 2022.

A big thank you to all the people who volunteered at the election office, the City for plowing the parking lot  and Lindsay Shirran for all her work at City Hall.

AS THE NORTHERN HEALTH REGION MOVED TO A LEVEL ORANGE AS OF THIS PAST MONDAY THE DIVISION HAS IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO TEACHING ACCORDINGLY.

STUDENTS ARE NOW SPREAD OUT ACROSS THEIR SCHOOLS MAXIMIZING SPACE. CLASSES ARE NOW BEING TAUGHT IN LIBRARIES AND MULTI-PURPOSE ROOMS. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PAUSED FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS, AND MAY RESUME IF THE REGION CONVERTS BACK TO YELLOW STATUS.

.BOARD CHAIR MURRAY SKEAVINGTON AND SUPERINTENDENT TAMMY BALLANTYNE BOTH THANKED THE DIVISIONS ADMINISTRATION TEAM  THIS PAST TUESDAY EVENING FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS IN PREPARING FOR THE CHANGE. MANY TEACHERS WERE AT THE SCHOOLS OVER THE WEEKEND GETTING READY FOR THE STUDENTS RETURN ON MONDAY.

A BIG THANK YOU WAS SENT OUT TO ALL THE FAMILIES, BUSINESS'S AND EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED OUT IN ANYWAY DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES. PARENTS ARE ASKED TO FREQUENTLY VISIT YOUR CHILDS SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE, AND THE DIVISION WEBSITE FOR THE MOST UPDATED INFORMATION.

Voters in Flin Flon are going to the polls to elect one City Councillor today.  There are five candidates including Gatlin Church, Carrie Hume, Barry Kreller, Angela Simpson and Tom Therien.  All eleven polling stations are located in Flin Flon City Council Chambers and will be open from 8 am to 8 pm and COVID-19 protocols will be followed with hand sanitizers, physical distancing and wearing a mask.

              Identification may be required in order to vote with one piece of government issued photo identification such as a driver’s licence or passport or at least two other documents that provide proof of identity.

              We’ll have results when they become available.

The Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual fund raising radio auction Saturday supported by and broadcast on 102.9 CFAR.  Chamber Vice-President Dianne Russell says they have a great list of items to bid on from 9 to 1 Saturday.  She wants to let everyone know that even during COVID they have a whole lot of good support from a lot of local businesses, restaurants, lots of gift certificates all that stuff.  She noted some highlights including a gift certificate for 500 dollars from Calm Air, McKeen’s Trucking has given them their limestone again and they have someone from Saskatchewan Areus Electrolux with a gift certificate toward an air purifier which is good for what we’re going through right now and McMunn Yates, Phantom Lake Golf Club, Bayside Resorts, so many she can’t even name them all.

              A list of items can be found in today’s Reminder, on the Chamber website www.flinflondistrictchamber.com and at www.flinflononline.com.

The Saskatchewan Provincial election took place last night and the Saskatchewan Party won a majority government for the fourth straight term.

The NDP continue to be a stronghold in the North with Doyle Vermette the incumbent being elected for the third straight time. Voters re-elected Doyle with 2,460 votes. He defeated two other candidates including Darren Deshambeault of the Sask Party with 1,173 and Aaron Oochoo with the Saskatchewan Green Party with 111.

Vermette has represented the riding since 2008.

Rockcliff Metals Corporation has completed the required expenditures for them to earn a one hundred percent interest in the Bur property near Snow Lake.  This property hosts the Bur zinc copper deposit.

              Rockcliff has incurred over three million dollars in expenditures to earn its one hundred percent interest.  Hudbay has a twelve month back-in right that expires in August of 2021.  That would give Hudbay the right to re-acquire a seventy percent ownership interest in the property by making cash payments to Rockcliff totaling three million dollars plus two times the amount of expenditures incurred by Rockcliff during the back-in waiting period to a maximum of one point five million dollars.  If Hudbay does not exercise its back-in right Rockcliff as the operator will pay two percent of Net Smelter Return Royalty from the date of commencement of commercial production.

The Manitoba government has opened another selection process for membership in the Youth Advisory Council on climate. 

The Youth Advisory Council reports to the independent Expert Advisory Council which makes recommendations to the Minister of Conservation and Climate on all aspects of the Made in Manitoba Climate and Green Plan including its climate, jobs, water and nature pillars.

The first Youth Advisory Committee call for applications received more than 85 entries and led to a selection of nine members representing Manitoba’s diversity with a commitment of making a difference.  The deadline for the second round of applications is Friday.

For more information or to apply visit www.gov.mb.ca/climateandgreenplan/yac.html.

Voters are going to the polls today in Saskatchewan to elect a provincial government.  In Cumberland Constituency there are three candidates in the running current MLA Doyle Vermette for the New Democratic Party, Darren Deschambeault for the Saskatchewan Party and Aaron Oochoo for the Saskatchewan Green Party.

Polls are located in the Creighton Community Centre in Creighton and the Denareplex in Denare Beach and will be open from 10 am to 9 pm local time.

You need to show ID that confirms your name and address in order to vote.  That can be a valid driver’s licence or other government ID that has your name, photo and current address or two pieces of ID that show your name and at least one that shows your current address or another voter assigned to the same voting location can vouch for you. Remember to wear a mask. We’ll have results tonight as they become available.

Nine of the new cases are in Regina, five in North Central, four each in North East, Saskatoon and South East, three each in North West and Central East and one in the Far North West Zone. To date 37 of Saskatoon’s confirmed cases have been linked to a single night club venue.  Of the total 2591 reported cases 511 are reported active, 2,055 people have recovered and twenty are in hospital with four in intensive care.                                                         

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation will lift travel restrictions in Pelican Narrows, Deschambault Lake and Sandy Bay on Monday so voters can physically visit the polls for the Saskatchewan election on Monday.

Manitoba Public Health reported this afternoon the 48^th death related to COVID-19.  It’s a man in his 80s from Winnipeg Health Region linked to the outbreak at Parkview Place.  They also reported 163 new cases with 128 in the Winnipeg Health Region, 19 in Southern Health, eight in Interlake Eastern, seven in Northern Health and one in Prairie Mountain Health Region.  There are now seven cases reported in The Pas OCN Kelsey district and 15 in the Thompson Mystery Lake district.  Of the total 3935 cases reported 1855 are active, 2032 individuals have recovered and 51 are in hospital with eight in intensive care.

People with symptoms in parts of the province including Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson can now call or go online to make an appointment to get tested.

Phone 1-855-268-4318 toll free or online www.manitoba.ca/covid19/updates/testing.html#appointment.  

Creighton, Denare Beach and other Saskatchewan residents have just over a week left to nominate someone for the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.  The award was established in 1985 to recognize excellence, achievement and contribution to the cultural, social and economic well-being of the province. 

              Nominees must be current or former long-term residents of Saskatchewan. Any individual or group can submit a nomination but it must be for an individual not an organization.  Posthumous nominations are accepted within one year of an individual’s death.

              The deadline to nominate an individual is November 1^st.  New this year is nominations can be submitted completely online through the Government of Saskatchewan’s Order of Merit page found at www.saskatchewan.ca/honoursawards.

United Way Winnipeg’s President and CEO Connie Walker says Manitoba 2-1-1’s online service has been in place since 2017 and the expansion to the phone service was made possible thanks to funding from the federal government.

Walker explains people can call 2-1-1 at any time as it’s a 24 hour service seven days a week and it’s all confidential and the calls are answered by trained call takers.  She says the whole idea is to spend the time necessary to really understand what the caller needs or what they need on behalf of family members or friend and really try to connect the person with the right kind of support.

Walker says people can call with any kind of health or social service needs such as mental health and addictions, housing, homelessness, and employment.

For more information on the new 2-1-1 phone line service, you can call 2-1-1 or visit mb DOT 211 DOT ca.

Beginning Monday, Northern Manitoba will be under new COVID-19 restrictions as we continue to see a rise in positive cases in the region.

Under the new orders, the maximum sizes of gatherings will be reduced to five people, casinos and bingo halls must close, and the max occupancy at retail stores, restaurants, and personal service businesses will be at 50 per cent.

Additionally, everyone in the region will have to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, practice physical distancing, hand washing, and cough etiquette; and follow public health guidelines on travel and self-isolation.

Schools in the north will also be under additional restrictions starting on Monday, as K-8 students may be offered temporary remote learning to create more space, extracurricular activities will only be allowed if all the distancing requirements are met, indoor choir and the use of wind instruments are not permitted.

All the restrictions going into effect next week will last for minimum of two weeks and could be extended depending on the situation, and more info can be found on the Government of Manitoba’s COVID-19 webpage.

Saskatchewan Health reported this afternoon 60 new cases of COVID-19.  They are spread across the province with 21 in Saskatoon, 13 in North Central, six in Far North East, four in Regina and North West, three in North East, two each in Far North West and South East and one each in Central West, Central East, South West and South Central zones and one is pending residence location.  Two Saskatchewan residents tested out of province have been added.

Of the 2558 cases reported 509 are considered active, 2,024 people have recovered and 21 are in hospital with three in intensive care.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported four more COVID-19 related deaths in the province. Three are in the Winnipeg Health Region and one in Interlake Eastern bringing the total to 47 deaths.  He also reported 147 new cases with ten in the Northern Health Region. He added with increasing case counts new public health orders will begin Monday for a minimum of two weeks in the northern Region as it moves into Restricted or the orange zone.  He notes travel restrictions will remain in place and unchanged at this time, it includes reducing gathering sizes, the closure of casinos, bingo halls and entertainment facilities, reduced occupancy for most facilities and increased contact tracing by organizations and businesses.

Although schools are doing well restrictions include ensuring social distancing as much as possible, all field trips must be postponed or cancelled and indoor choir and the use of wind instruments are not permitted.

A complete list of restrictions will be posted on their website www.manitoba.ca/covid19.

Residents of Flin Flon are electing one City Councillor to fill a vacant seat on Council.  An advance poll is being held today at Flin Flon City Council Chambers from 8am to 8 pm. Wearing masks is recommended.

There are five candidates in the running including Gatlin Church, Carrie Hume, Barry Kreller, Angela Simpson and Tom Therien.

The advance poll is held to accommodate people who are qualified to vote but who have reason to believe they will be absent or otherwise unable to attend the voting place on Election Day.

Election Day is next Wednesday October 28^th with voting from 8 to 8 with all polls located in Flin Flon City Council Chambers.

At the Flin Flon City Council meeting Tuesday night Mayor Cal Huntley officially declared November as Domestic Violence Prevention Month.  The declaration notes domestic violence affects everyone, children, youth, individuals, families and the community and it has immediate and long term consequences that can include serious mental and physical effects, the inability to function in society, financial turmoil and death commending its thoughtful observance to all citizens.

Council received a letter from the Flin Flon Heritage Project asking for funding to upgrade their website in order to incorporate more support for mobile smart devices.  The site has operated for six years now gathering the story of Flin Flon and making that story available to everyone through the use of their website. The letter was referred to the social and recreation committee and finance.

And Council passed on final reading a bylaw required by the Municipal Act to establish a code of conduct that applies to members of Council.  Part of it notes to promote public confidence and trust the City of Flin Flon is committed to fostering and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct among its Council members.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced the government is increasing the fine amounts for those who fail to comply with public health and emergency orders.  He say effective immediately the new fines for those who disregard or fail to comply with public health and emergency orders are for individuals 1296 dollars up from 486 dollars and for corporations 5 thousand dollars noting it was about half that much at 2542 dollars.

The government will also increase enforcement of these orders through the RCMP and other police agencies, the Health Protection Unit, Manitoba Conservation and Climate, Workplace Safety and Health and the Liquor Gaming and Cannabis Authority.  They are also working to amend existing provincial regulations to enable municipal bylaw enforcement officers to enforce public health and emergency orders.

Manitoba Public Health reported this afternoon a 43^rd death related to COVID-19.  It’s a man in his 80s from the Winnipeg Health Region connected to the outbreak at Parkview Place. They also reported 135 new cases with 102 in the Winnipeg Region, 17 in Interlake Eastern, 12 in Southern Health and 4 in the Northern Health Region.  There are now ten active cases in the Thompson Mystery Lake district while The Pas, OCN, Kelsey district remain at four.

Of the 3626 reported cases 1774 are active and 1809 individuals have recovered.

Meanwhile Saskatchewan reported this afternoon 57 new cases of COVID-19.  17 are in North Central, 14 in Saskatoon, 11 in Regina, 7 in Central East, 4 in North East, 2 in Central West and one each in Far North East and North West zones.  Of the total 2496 reported cases 469 are active, 17 people are in hospital with two in intensive care.  Saskatoon’s new cases continue to be primarily linked to outbreaks at local nightclubs.

Councillor Tim Babcock reported the Bombers are back in action at the Whitney Forum this week.  He said they are limited to 150 fans for now and have a lot of protocols to put in place so he’s asking people to be patient.  Mayor Cal Huntley asks you to please adhere to the rules at the Forum allowing hockey to move forward.

Councillor Ken Pawlachuk reported the Blueberry Jam committee is working on live streaming local musicians to replace winter concerts and the Flin Flon Arts Council is working on putting the annual Arts and Crafts Sale online as well.

With the increase in COVID cases in northern areas Mayor Huntley said we are going to follow our existing strategy here until there’s an obvious need to change it and that is taking the provincial lead following the rules they recommend.  He added if there’s a situation that’s unique they will look at it from a Flin Flon perspective.  He urges everyone to follow the rules regarding hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing and if everyone does that we may not have to deal with an outbreak.

The Flin Flon Credit Union has announced the second round of successful grant recipients for the new Community Enrichment Program.  This round saw 78 hundred dollars go to four projects.  They include 25 hundred dollars for the Pineroot Mural Festival which is a new event focusing on local enhancement, artist development and downtown core revitalization,  25 hundred dollars for Small Business COVID Relief Project to assist in purchasing needed hardware to provide a shared retail storefront for home based business makers to test markets and develop strategies and techniques to eventually grow their businesses independently,  18 hundred dollars for the NorVa Centre to purchase digital art editing software to develop and educate local individuals and entrepreneurs with the use of digital mediums and one thousand dollars for Raven’s Hollow Skoolies Air BnB to assist local entrepreneurs in developing a new and unique BnB experience.

This is the first year for the Community Enhancement Program which donates five percent of the Flin Flon Credit Union net income with a minimum ten thousand dollars annually to local economic development and business sustainability projects to assist our area.  The funding deadline for the next year of programming will be April 1^st.

Manitoba Public Health reported this afternoon 109 new cases of COVID-19. 88 of the cases are in the Winnipeg Health Region including outbreaks at a school and three long term care homes in the city.  11 of the new cases are in the Northern Health Region where there are now a total of four cases in The Pas, OCN, Kelsey district and nine in the Thompson Mystery Lake district.  There are seven new cases in Southern Health and two each in Interlake Eastern and Prairie Mountain Health Regions.  Of the total 3491 cases reported 1746 are active, 1703 individuals have recovered and 32 are in hospital with six in intensive care.

Meanwhile Saskatchewan Health reported this afternoon 44 new cases of COVID-19. There are 20 in Saskatoon, 7 in North East, 5 in North Central, 3 each in North West and Regina, 2 each in Far North West and Central East and one each in Far North East and South Centra zonesl. Public Health investigations are underway to determine the source of transmissions for all new cases.  With some cases determined out of province the total reported cases stands at 2439 with 427 considered active, 1987 people have recovered and 18 are in hospital with two in intensive care.

As Part of Culture Days the Community Wellness Collective is holding a Halloween Dance Party on Saturday afternoon.  The Collective’s Jelisa Kerfont says there will be two parties.  She explains DJ Dray is going to be playing music for them and kids are welcome to come in their Halloween costumes or stream live and they’re going to have the live stream on the Culture Days website.  She notes the first Dance Party is going to be from 2 to 2:30 and this one is for five to eight year olds but all are welcome if they’re streaming live and the second Dance Party is from 2:45 to 3:15 and this one is for ages nine plus and they’re both at the Community Wellness Collective if you’re coming in person.

Kerfont adds the five to eight year old group is full but she does have a waiting list in case of cancellations and there’s still openings for the nine plus group.  You can register by going to the Community Wellness Collective Facebook page and they are located in unit 100 at 79 Main Street right beside the Orange Toad.

The Opaskwayak Cree Nation Incident Command Team issued a statement Monday that they were informed by Public Health Officials there was a positive case of COVID 19 in the OCN, The Pas, and RM District of The Northern Health Region.

Public health nurses and staff of the Opaskwayak Health Authority have already conducted extensive contact tracing and monitoring and the incident command team has been preparing for such an event since the onset of the pandemic.

Work is being done to contain the case and people are encouraged to self monitor for symptoms and to continue to take proper COVID safety measures.

Meanwhile a positive case of COVID-19 was indentified in Snow Lake at the Strilkiwski Camp and the person is now isolating at home in Thompson.  Contact tracing and identification of individuals affected by being in contact with this person has been completed and those individuals have been sent home to isolate as a precaution and Public Health says the risk to the general population of Snow Lake is low. The Camp has been sanitized and cleaned and will be inspected by Public Health so it is safe to occupy.

Saskatchewan Health reported 36 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday and 18 Sunday.  The northern cases include six in the Far North East, one in Far North West, four in North West, three in North East and 14 in North Central zone.  This afternoon they reported 66 new cases with 25 in Saskatoon, 17 in North Central, 8 in Regina, four in North West, three each in Far North West and Far North East, two each in Central West and Central East and one each in North East and South West Zones.  Saskatoon’s cases are primarily linked with outbreaks at local bars or nightclubs and additional cases are expected to be reported.  The Gospel Worship event in Prince Albert has been connected to 86 of the first and second generation cases in 17 different communities and public health investigation notes an estimated 450 contacts.

Of the 2369 cases reported 398 are considered active, 1973 people have recovered and 18 are in hospital.

Manitoba Public Health reported 85 new cases Saturday and 44 Sunday. That includes 93 in Winnipeg and six in the Northern Health Region.  There were two deaths reported in the Winnipeg Region Sunday, a man and a woman both in their 70s from the Winnipeg Region.  Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon the 41^st and 42^nd deaths related to COVID-19 a women in her 80s and a man in his 70s both from the Winnipeg Health Region and linked to the Heritage Lodge outbreak.  He reported 80 new cases.  There are four in Interlake Eastern, five cases in Northern Health, six cases in Prairie Mountain Health, fourteen in Southern Health and 51 cases in Winnipeg Health Region.  He added there’s 1743 active cases, 1597 individuals have recovered and 28 people are in hospital with six in intensive care.

Roussin again emphasizes the need for Manitobans to reduce the number of contacts outside of their households.

Northland Ford in Flin Flon is supporting the Lords Bounty Food Bank and school snack programs with their Scare the Hunger Campaign.  Manager Allison Cooper says Scare the Hunger has supported the Food Bank in past years.  She explains they’re going to go ahead and collect non-perishable items and stuff for the Food Bank and they’ve been really successful with it the last couple of years but this year they’re going to help out the schools as well so Ruth Betts and McIsaac.  She adds they have snacks and breakfast programs so they’re going to team up with Ford as well as Hapnot and they’re going to try to get some donations for them as well so anything pre-packaged like Bear Paws and stuff like that, zip lock bags, anything that is nut free and they make a lot of toast and stuff in the morning so jam and things like that.

Scare the Hunger runs until the end of the month.  You can drop off donations at Northland Ford at 148 Green Street or call them for pick up at 204-687-3940.

The Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp starts a new training year tonight.  Captain Daryl Wilkinson says they are offering their training while following COVID-19 protocols.  He explains Cadets is a youth organization for kids from 12 to 19 years of age and they promote citizenship, physical fitness and develop an interest in the Canadian Armed Forces.  He says some of their activities include map reading, outdoor camping and stuff like that.

The Army Cadets parade most Monday evenings at the Flin Flon Community Hall from 7 to 9 and any young people interested can drop in.  They also have a one day activity sometime during a weekend each month.

Creighton Town Council met last week and received the September community police report from the RCMP.  It was a busy month responding to 91 calls for service with 16 calls for the Town of Creighton. The General Government Services Committee recommended that Creighton Community Club receive additional monetary support of ten thousand dollars due to COVID-19 as well as covering the cost for security cameras.  This motion was accepted.  The Recreation, Culture and Tourism Committee made a motion that the Sportex ice be put in for user groups adhering to safe practices following Saskatchewan Health protocols also hiring seasonal arena workers Brent Stephanson, Brett Ferguson and Brandt Moore for the upcoming season.  This motion was accepted.

Saskatchewan Health reported 40 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon.  There are seven each in Far North East, Regina and Saskatoon, eight in North Central, six in Far North West, two in Central East, and one each in North West, Central West and South Central zones.  Two cases were deemed out of province so the total reported cases is now 2270 with 299 considered active, 1946 people have recovered and nine are in hospital with two in intensive care.

23 of the new cases have been linked to close contacts or gatherings. Latest data indicates 79 individuals in multiple communities have tested positive with links to the Gospel Worship event in Prince Albert including case contacts of attendees.  At least 250 contacts have been part of the contact investigation relative to this super spreader event.

Manitoba Public Health reported this afternoon 75 new cases of COVID-19 in the province. Sixty-three of the cases are in the Winnipeg Health Region, seven in the Interlake Eastern Health Region, two each in the Northern and Southern Health Regions and one in Prairie Mountain Health Region.  Of the total 3173 reported cases 1582 are considered active, 1553 individuals have recovered and 25 are in hospital with five in intensive care.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin strongly encourages Manitobans to reduce the number of close contacts outside their household and avoid closed in or crowded spaces. The YWCA in Thompson continues to be at the critical level under the Manitoba Pandemic Response System.

New restrictions in Winnipeg for a two week period starting Monday include gatherings limited to five people reduced from ten, beverage rooms, entertainment facilities, casinos and bingo halls are closed and restaurants and retail businesses are reduced to 50 percent capacity.

The NorVa Centre Square Foot Auction planned for this Sunday has been moved forward.  Their Fund Raising Chair Cindy McLean says due to COVID-19 and community safety they have changed their plans.  She explains they are extending the live auction to Sunday, October 25^th at 2 pm and offering the auction virtually through Facebook Live so Raphael Saray will be hosting the virtual Facebook Live with somewhere in between 10 and 15 pieces available to bid on.  Until October 25^th all 80 pieces are available to view on their Facebook page and you can continue to place bids at NorVa or by calling NorVA at 4237 and at the end of the live auction the remaining pieces will still be available until closing on Wednesday, October 28^th so this is a new and fun event and they really hope the community will join them.

The Square Foot Auction will be live from the NorVa Centre on their Facebook page at 2 Sunday October 25^th.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has officially launched the provinces influenza immunization program.  He says it’s even more important to get a flu shot as we deal with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time.  He explains the flu vaccine protects us from serious illness and the flu vaccine saves lives adding the flu vaccine is available to all Manitobans at no charge and he is pleased to say that the eligibility criteria for the high dose seasonal influenza vaccine has been expanded to include not only senior residents of long term care facilities but many other Manitobans over 65 years of age.

That includes all seniors living north of the 53^rd parallel.  Close to 150 thousand doses have already been shipped to providers with the full allotment to be sent out over the next several weeks.  You can find times and locations for influenza clinics by going to the Northern Health Region website.

Saskatchewan Health reported 33 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon.  There were eight each in Saskatoon and Central east, seven in Regina, three in the Far Northwest, two each in Far North East, North Central and North East and one in South Central zone.  One case location is still pending.  Of the new cases 25 are the result of contact to known cases and/or gatherings.

Of the total 2232 reported cases 271 are considered active, 1936 people have recovered and eight are in hospital with two in intensive care.

Effective tomorrow in Saskatchewan the maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home will be15 down from 30.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced the death this afternoon.  It’s a man in his 40s from the Winkler district in the Southern Health Region and was a previously announced case with underlying medical conditions.  He reported 173 new cases of the virus have been identified bringing the total number of cases to 3,098 and there are six new cases in the Interlake Eastern, three in Northern Health Region, 8 cases in Prairie Mountain Health, 23 cases in Southern Health and 133 cases in Winnipeg.

Roussin noted there are five cases reported in the Thompson YWCA and the facility has been moved to the critical level under the Manitoba Pandemic Response System.

Of the total 3,098 reported cases 1527 are considered active, 1533 people have recovered and 25 people are in hospital with five in intensive care. He advised statistics on the spread indicate we have to reduce the number of contacts we have outside of our households.

SAFE Work Manitoba is promoting a new interactive online course to help ensure safety in the workplace during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The COVID-19 Best Practices for a Safe Workplace course complies with provincial health guidelines and helps prepare workers to return to the workplace and learn how to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 keeping themselves, their co-workers and customers safe.

Their Chief Operating Officer Jamie Hall encourages all workers to take this course noting you might learn something you don’t know about COVID-19 and share it with your customers or other workers in your family. They also recently launched a new social marketing campaign on radio, television, print, online and billboard ads asking Manitobans to do their part to prevent the spread of  COVID in the workplace.

For more information about the course and SAFE Work Manitoba’s online COVID-19 resources visit their website www.safemanitoba.com.

Superintendent Tammy Ballantyne reported that if the Divisions Schools are ever placed in the orange or red level of pandemic response the plans have been posted on the Divisions Facebook page.  Students at McIsaac and Ruth Betts enjoyed making clay creations thanks to the donation from the Co-op with Ruth Betts student’s results making the September cover of the Parents Newsletter while the older students enjoy time on their Chromebooks.

Students continue to work on following all the routines as student safety is the top priority.  The schools continue to work on safely offering extracurricular activities with volleyball now available at all schools.  The Lego Club, Grad Committee and use of cardio equipment and gym are also back.  Some students have yet to return to class and parents are encouraged to send your kids to school or contact the school or Division office.

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has been recognized since the early 1900s, but often under different names.

And during that time, many discoveries about ADHD have been made.

Heidi Bernhardt, the Founder and President of the Centre of ADHD Awareness Canada or CADDAC says a very important study came out in 2018 headed by Dr.Russell Barkley that showed when significant symptoms of ADHD go into adulthood we can have up to and even over 20 years reduce life expectancy so we now know ADHD also significantly impacts physical health and wellbeing.  She adds this is a really important disorder and it’s important we get it assessed, diagnosed and treated early.

Bernhardt says there are still many myths about ADHD that need to be addressed. 

This weekend, an online conference will be taking place.   If you or someone you know has ADHD it’s an opportunity to learn more about it and how to manage it.

Go to C-A-D-D-A-C dot CA to sign up for the conference.  

Manitoba Public Health Officials announced the 36^th and 37^th deaths related to COVID-19 this afternoon. One was a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s both from Winnipeg.  They also announced 146 new cases with 39 of them identified Monday and 107 identified Tuesday.  114 of the cases are in the Winnipeg Health Region, 17 in Southern Health, nine in the Interlake Eastern Health Region, four in the eastern part of the Northern Health Region and two in the Prairie Mountain Health Region.  Of the total 2925 cases reported 1374 are active, 1514 individuals have recovered and 27 are in hospital with three in intensive care.

Saskatchewan Health reported this afternoon 25 new cases of COVID-19.  The new cases include seven in the North East, five in North Central, four each in Far North East and Saskatoon, three in Regina and one each in Central East and South East zones.  Of the 2199 reported cases 254 are considered active, 1920 people have recovered and seven are in hospital with one in intensive care.

At their meeting last week Flin Flon City Council received the Fire Chiefs report for September indicating six incidents. There were two calls to assist EMS with patient transport and a motor vehicle collision at Longmore Avenue and Third Avenue where a vehicle left the road and rolled approximately 20 feet down a steep embankment.  The Fire Fighters began traffic control and assisted a patient to the ambulance.

There was a stove fire on Dadson Row, a small fire in the walls of a residence on Whitney Street and a basement fire on Green Street.  All were quickly put out.  The total fire loss for September is estimated at three thousand dollars.

As part of their training the Fire Department preformed a live burn training exercise at 5 Mitchell Road including pump training from a static source.

The City of Flin Flon, Town of Creighton and Village of Denare Beach are Sponsoring a Halloween Alley Trick or Treat at their respective halls October 31^st from 2 to 4.  Flin Flon Recreation Coordinator Caitlin Bailey says any resident or business can donate treats to their community event or make a monetary donation to purchase treats.  She explains what they are doing is kind of running an indoor trick or treat station so there will be multiple stations with some activities between the stations and it won’t be a long come and stay event but something fun to be able to come out and do with your family.  She adds if anybody’s interested in donations you’re more than welcome to as they know some people aren’t comfortable with trick or treating this year and some people live at the lake where they don’t get trick or treaters and they are still interested in partaking.

To donate contact Cait at 204-681-7542, Channa at 306-688-3538 or Mel at 306-362-2050 and you will be given a sign to hang in your window saying you gave to Halloween Alley.  This event will follow all COVID-19 protocols.

Saskatchewan Health reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon.  11 are in Regina, 9 in North Central, 8 in Saskatoon, 4 in Central West and two cases have locations pending.  That brings the total of reported cases to 2174 with 238 considered active, 1911 people have recovered, nine are in hospital with two in intensive care.

With the increasing rise in cases linked to public and private social gatherings Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shabab states as of 12:01 AM Friday the maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home will be 15.  He also strongly recommends masks be worn in all indoor public locations where physical distancing of two meters is not possible or predicable.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported the death was a man in his 70s from the rural east district in Southern Health.  He also reported 124 new cases of COVID-19 and of those cases 26 were identified on Monday, 83 were identified on Sunday and 15 were identified on Saturday and that was due to a backlog of cases at that time so over the weekend extra staff was brought in to address these delays and they’re now caught up.  He added 16 new cases were in Interlake East, one case in Northern Health, three cases in Prairie Mountain Health, nine cases in Southern Health and 95 cases in Winnipeg Health Region.

Of the total 2779 reported cases 1248 cases are active and 1496 individuals have recovered.

Roussin also announced people not displaying symptoms may travel to northern Manitoba or a remote community to care for a family member or friend who is seriously ill, visit a family member or friend in a health care facility with a life threatening situation if authorized by the facility or attend a funeral of a family member or friend.

In a press release, Niki Ashton stated fur tables in Thompson bring buyers and fur harvesters together every December for the sale of furs, and that these tables are vital for trappers across Manitoba and part of northern Saskatchewan.

Ashton says Manitoba Trappers Association of Northwestern Manitoba is worried about the prices of fur and their ability to market their products due to COVID-19.

She goes on to explain that since other industries received financial aid during the pandemic, the fur industry should also be eligible for assistance.

The Flin Flon Rotary Club is going ahead with their Lobster Night October 24^th.  Rotarian Glen Smith says it’s back with a difference noting they’re going to have the same basic meal but they’re going to have the lobster that are cooked but cold so when you take it  home you put it in boiling water or whatever way you prefer to cook the lobster and the steak will be vacuum packed, the same steaks that they always get the filets and you’ll cook those yourselves on the barbeque and the potato will be cooked and hot and you’ll have coleslaw and the same fixins that they have on their regular meal but you’ll be able to take it home.

Smith adds they will be following all the safety regulations and hope people will shake the COVID blues, have a nice meal and support the Rotary.  Tickets are 60 dollars for each two item meal with all the fixins and can be ordered on the Rotary Facebook page or in person at Kleen All before noon on October 19^th with meal pick up on the 24th at the Rotary Wheel and delivery is available for five dollars.

Hudbay reports production at its 777 Mine in Flin Flon has been temporarily suspended due to an incident that occurred on Friday during routine maintenance of the hoist rope and skip, which is the bucket used to hoist ore from underground. A news release states the hoist rope detached from the skip, causing the skip to fall to the bottom of the shaft. There were no injuries and all underground personnel were safely evacuated from the mine using the secondary ramp access.

An inspection of the damage to the shaft is underway and it is expected to take several weeks to fully assess the damage and the remedial work needed. In the meantime, the company has notified its insurers and has implemented its business continuity plans to mitigate potential impacts to production from the Manitoba business unit. This includes reassigning equipment and personnel to the Lalor mine in Snow Lake and continuing to operate the zinc plant by processing available zinc concentrate inventory and optimizing the production of zinc concentrate from the Snow Lake operations.

The company will provide a further update once it has a better understanding of the remedial work required to resume production at 777.

Manitoba Public Health reported 97 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, 54 on Sunday and 77 on Monday.  The largest number of new cases is in the Winnipeg Health Region along with four reported deaths. There were six reported cases in the Northern Health Region with four active cases reported in the Thompson Mystery Lake District.  Of the total 2655 reported cases in the province 1131 are considered active, 1490 people have recovered, 25 people are in hospital with four in intensive care and deaths related to COVID-19 total 34.

Saskatchewan reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, 24 on Sunday with one related death and 48 on Monday. Several of the new northern cases had links to the Gospel Outreach outbreak in Prince Albert.  There is also an increase in cases linked to public and private social gatherings in the home or other venues.

Of the 2140 reported cases 215 are considered active, 19 hundred people have recovered, eight are in hospital with one in intensive care with 25 related deaths.

Manitoba Public Health reported this afternoon the 28^th, 29^th and 30^th deaths related to COVID-19.  They were a woman in her 80s and another in her 70s linked to the outbreak at Parkview Place and a woman in her 80s linked to Heritage Lodge all in Winnipeg.

They also reported 84 new cases of COVID-19 with 64 in the Winnipeg Health Region, 12 in Interlake-Eastern Health, seven in Southern Health and one in the Prairie Mountain Health Region.  Total cases reported stands at 2428 with 933 active, 1464 individuals have recovered and 25 are in hospital with six in intensive care.

Meanwhile Saskatchewan Health reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon. There are five new cases in the Saskatoon zone, four each in North Central and Central East, three in Central West, and two each in the Far North East, Regina and South Central zones.  Of the total 2,034 cases reported 139 are considered active, 1871 people have recovered and eight are in hospital with two in intensive care.

Nominations have closed for the Council election in Denare Beach.  Carl Lentowicz has been elected by acclamation to another term as Mayor. He has been Mayor since 1997 and only the second Mayor of Denare Beach replacing Fred Schwaga. There are eight candidates for the six seats on Council.  They include incumbents Frank Wiegers, Bev Wheeler, Jean Champagne, Dale Holmgren, Karen Thomson and Scott McCullum along with Paul Trottier and Nicole Holmgren-Bayless.

An Advance Poll will be held October 27^th from 4 to 8 pm, the regular Election Day Poll will be held November 9^th from 9 to 8 both at the Denareplex and a package for voting by mail can be picked up at the Village Office.

In Creighton Bruce Fidler has been re-elected by acclamation continuing in the position he has held for seventeen years. There are eight candidates for six Council positions including incumbents Neal Andrusiak, Kory Eastman, Darren Grant, Dan Hlady, Anita Rainville and Colleen Stallard along with Martin Dedicker and Richard Masson.

              Advance polls are October 27^th and November 4^th from 4 to 8 and the regular Election Poll November 9^th from 9 to 8 all at the Creighton Town Office.

Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey says there was absolutely nothing for the north with no talk about resource development or fixing health care in the north. He says there are some concerns about the things they did talk about.  He explains all of it is leading to more privatization noting we’ve seen what they’ve done with Hydro selling off parts of it.  He says they’re going to start looking at privatizing more liquor sales for example, they’re going to look at privatizing road repairs and snow plowing so all of those things become more expensive and you get less service.

Lindsey added the NDP presented an alternative Throne Speech the day before dealing with child care, health care, hydro rates, small business support none of which were mentioned in the throne speech.

Saskatchewan Health reported this afternoon 18 new cases of COVID-19.  There are six new cases in the Saskatoon zone, three in the Far North West, two each in the Far North East, North Central and Central East zones and one each in the North West, Regina and South East zones.

Reported cases now total 2012, 143 are considered active, 1845 people have recovered with seven in hospital with one in intensive care.

With Thanksgiving weekend approaching Saskatchewan residents are reminded that restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings  remain at a maximum of 30 people with physical distancing rules in effect for those not in the same household.  Non-essential and recreational travel to and from Saskatchewan is discouraged.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 67 new cases of  COVID-19 in the province.  He noted one previously announced case has been removed from the case total bringing the total net number of cases to 66 and the total number of cases to 2344.  He said there is one new case in Prairie Mountain Health Region, six in Southern Health, three cases in Interlake Eastern Health Region and 57 cases in Winnipeg Health Region.

Roussin added 863 of the total reported cases are considered active, 1454 people have recovered, 25 people are in hospital with six in intensive care and the total number of deaths stands at 27.

He also encourages Manitobans to reduce the number of close contacts outside their household and avoid closed in or crowded places.

Creighton and Denare Beach area residents can join other Saskatchewan residents in nominating a volunteer for the next round of Volunteer Medals.  Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty says this medal allows them to recognize the generosity of those who give their time to improve the lives of others.

The Medal was established in 1995 to recognize the selfless devotion of the province’s volunteers and as a way to present role models to Saskatchewan citizens.  Nominees must be a current or former long term resident of Saskatchewan and any individual or group can submit a nomination..  The nomination deadline is October 18^th.

Nomination forms are available on their website www.saskatchewan.ca/honoursawards and click on Volunteer Medal.

The Canadian Cancer Society’s Senior Manager of Policy Elisabeth Holmes shares some statistics on breast cancer in Canada and Manitoba.  She says it’s estimated that in 2020 about 27 thousand Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and this does represent 25 percent of all cancer cases in women in 2020 and about five thousand women will die from breast cancer representing 13 percent of all cancer deaths.  She adds specifically in Manitoba its about 855 Manitoba women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 100 women will die in 2020.

Holmes stresses the importance of screening for breast cancer especially in women between the ages of 50 and 74.

Flin Flon City Council held their regular meeting last night at council chambers at City Hall.

Council recognized a couple of notices including the cities by-election that will be taking place on October the 28^th.  Gatlin Church, Carrie Hume, Barry Kreller, Angela Simpson and Tom Therien will be looking to be elected for one city councillor position from November of 2020 to November of 2022.

The Council of the City of Flin Flon will also sit as a board of revision  to hear applications for revision on Tuesday November the 17^th , 7 pm from Council Chambers.

Sue Chrisp and Della Chilson represented the Flin Flon Curling Club and were questioning their water bill and water service and pointed out they haven’t been using the facility since mid March.  They are also looking for the city to make a decision as to when they can start their season. These matters have been turned over to the Social and Rec Committee.

Councillor Tim Babcock made a resolution that the members of council are required to follow a code of conduct that has been layed out from the province of Manitoba.

Councillor Colleen Arnold also acknowledged the Flin Flon Arts Council for their efforts putting together Culture Days. With all the stipulations from Covid 19, council wants to thank them for their dedication and are very proud of what they continue to do for Flin Flon and Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Letters were also received from Sheldon Wielenga who wants to have his curb removed on Windsor Avenue and the Salvation Army who are looking to operate their upcoming Christmas Kettle campaign. These matters will be turned over to the proper committee’s.

As part of Culture Days this month the Flin Flon Arts Council is sharing an interview on Metis history.  The Councils Crystal Kolt spoke with local resident Ron Burwash in recognition of Manitoba’s 150^th anniversary. She says he is connected to all the who’s who of Metis Heritage, Louis Riel, Jean Baptiste Lagimodiere, Cuthbert Grant as is his wife and Kolt thought it was really important to talk about and remember that because we have this person of heritage in our community and he played hockey with Bob Clark and Reggie Leach so that’s really interesting as well so he’s a really important person in our community and she’s really happy to feature him as a Culture Days event this year.

              The interview can be found by going to www.culturedays.ca ,click on events and search Flin Flon.

This is Fire Prevention Week and Flin Flon Fire Chief Jason Kuras explains this years theme is safety in the kitchen.  He says it’s very fitting for a year where we have been forced to stay home and use our kitchens a lot more.  He reminds everyone to pay attention while cooking, never leave anything unattended, ensure children know the dangers of hot pots and pans and when using oil and grease always cook at a low temperature to avoid fires.  He concludes your kitchen can be a wonderful place but pay attention and be safe.

              In case of fire be sure you have and practice a family escape plan.

This is Fire Prevention Week.  Fire Chief Jason Kuras outlines this year’s fire statistics.  He says the statistics show that this year has seen an increase in the number of motor vehicle collisions.  He encourages all motorists to please be careful and drive according to road conditions and not speed limits.  He adds they have also seen an increase from last year in residential fires.  He notes fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, we must ensure we are being safe at home and have taken precautions to eliminate as many fire risks as possible.  He concludes Flin Flon Fire Department members have done an amazing job responding to all incidents so with great people and quick responses they have limited damage and avoided any total loss residential fires this year.

              The theme for Fire Prevention Week this year is Serve Up Safety in the Kitchen.

              The NorVa Centre is featuring a display of artwork by Catherine Blackburn during Culture Days this month.  Centre manager Mike Spencer encourages everyone to come out and see this special exhibit.  He explains the display is an exhibition called New Age Warriors by Catherine Blackburn who is an artist and designer from English River First Nation.  He says its armour that she’s created with small plastic beads so it’s both traditional technique but also contemporary ideas and materials. He adds it’s a very interesting exhibition and he encourages people to come and see it as they will have it on display for the next two months.

              The display can be viewed at the NorVa Centre at 177 Green Street Tuesday to Friday from 10 to 5 and Saturdays noon to 5.

              There will be limited entry to meet COVID regulations, mask wearing is mandatory, sanitizing stations are available and visitors are reminded not to touch the artwork.

Foran Mining Corporation has announced the retirement of their President Patrick Soares effective September 30^th. Executive Chairman Darren Morcombe says during Patrick’s tenure at Foran they have demonstrated that McIlvenna Bay could be the center of Saskatchewan’s next mining camp.  The next step is to negotiate the path to construction in a way that maximizes value per share for shareholders.

Soares noted Copper and zinc are going to be essential as we continue to advance towards green energy. More electric vehicles are going to require the revamping of electrical grids and the world is going to need more copper and zinc to make this happen. He says a local Canadian supply of these key critical metals is going be ever more important to Saskatchewan and Canada adding It’s time for him to step aside  knowing that he leaves the Company in good hands. 

Darren Morcombe will assume the role of Interim CEO.  Soares has agreed to remain on the Technical Committee. 

Foran Mining is a zinc-copper exploration and development company with projects that include the McIlvenna Bay Project located within the Hanson Lake District 65km west of Flin Flon.

Manitoba Public Health reported a 21^st death related to COVID-19 this afternoon.  It’s a man in his 70s in the Winnipeg Health Region and a previously announced case connected to Parkview Place.

They also reported 43 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of cases in Manitoba to 2072.  29 of the new cases are in the Winnipeg Health Region, seven in the Prairie Mountain Health Region, six in the Interlake Eastern Health Region and one in Southern Health.      

With Thanksgiving around the corner, public health is providing guidelines for how to enjoy fall holidays and celebrations while reducing the potential spread of COVID-19. For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/prepareandprevent.html#holidays.

Saskatchewan Health reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon. Six of the cases are in Saskatoon, four in Central East and one each in North Central, North East and South Central zones. Of the total 1940 cases reported 147 are active, 1769 people have recovered and six are in hospital with no one in intensive care.

This is National Breastfeeding Week running until October 7^th.  The theme this year is Support Breastfeeding for a Healthier Planet.  Northern Health Region Public Health Nurse Ruth Unrau says breast milk is a natural, renewable food source without pollution, packaging and waste and raising awareness about the environmental impact of how infants are fed is crucial for the health of our planet.  She explains there are many ways that we can help promote and normalize it such as having workplace policies in place and encouraging public places to display the universal breastfeeding symbol.  She says you can help families succeed just by acknowledging when you see them breastfeeding, sharing community breastfeeding resources or just help a family out by bringing them a meal.

Unrau adds locally you can check out the Flin Flon Baby Friendly Initiative-BFI Committee Facebook page and post a breastfeeding post of yourself breastfeeding or of others showing ways to support breastfeeding and your name will be entered into a draw for a gift certificate.

Local City Councillor and historian Ken Pawlachuk is presenting a Heritage Walking Tour of Flin Flon as part of Culture Days Saturday.  He says the tour is open to anyone interested and starts at Pioneer Square on Main Street. He explains he goes over to the copper mural that’s there and then over to the copper bar and tells them a few stories about HBM&S and how we came to where we are.  He goes to the Community Hall and talks about our old red light district and stuff like that and then over to the open pit and talks about some of the challenges they had with processing the ore and if he can get into the Whitney Forum a lot of times that’s where he’ll take his tour and if they have time he’ll go across the road behind the Legion and they’ll go on the old sewer boxes there.

The walk start at 2 o’clock at Pioneer Square and will take about an hour and a half.  You are asked to wear a mask, practice physical distancing and contact information will be gathered for contact tracing.

Saskatchewan Health reported this afternoon 14 new cases of COVID-19 in the province.  The new cases include 5 in Central East, 4 in Regina, two in South West and one each in North Central, North East and South Central zones.  Of the 1927 reported cases 144 are considered active, 1759 people have recovered and seven are in hospital receiving inpatient care.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin reported this afternoon 36 new cases of COVID-19 in the province.  He says that brings the total number of cases in Manitoba to 2029, two new cases are in Interlake Eastern, four in Prairie Mountain Health Region, two cases in Southern Health and 28 cases in Winnipeg.  He adds they have 621 active cases, 1388 individuals have recovered, 15 people are in hospital seven of which are in intensive care and the current number of deaths related to COVID-19 is at 20.

The Health Canada COVID alert app is now available to Manitoba residents and will provide digital COVID-19 exposure alerts once the app is downloaded to a smartphone with the app available at no cost at the Apple or Google Play app stores. Beginning Wednesday non-medical masks will be required in doctor’s offices and community service providers within Manitoba Health Regions.

As part of Culture Days Flin Flon historian Gerry Clark will be offering his Cemetery Tour Sunday afternoon.  Clark says he picked out 40 grave markers at Hillside Cemetery picking out people who were significant in one way or another to the community, people who were community leaders for example, people who were in the middle of tragedies like for example probably the most famous Flin Flon story is Walter Sedor and his dad and the pilot of a plane that went down near Tartan Lake. He adds there’s a story that is often told by old timers or was anyway about John Diefenbaker getting his first case in Creighton where he defended a murderer or an accused murders and there’s some pretty funny stories too.

The tour runs from 1 to 2:30 Sunday afternoon.  You can pre-register at the Flin Flon Arts Council office, by phone, by email to flinflonartscouncil@gmail.com or send a message on the Flin Flon Culture Days Facebook page.  Mask wearing is mandatory, practice physical distancing and contact information will be collected for contact tracing.

The Community Adult Learning Centre is into their new season.  The Centre’s Heather Jobes explains the Community Adult Learning Centre is a non-profit adult learning environment that provides programming for adults in Flin Flon and the surrounding area. She says their programs offer small group instruction, one on one instruction and computer assisted learning in such areas as numeracy, literacy workplace skills and assistance to adult learners who are enrolled with high school courses or Many Faces.  She adds they are the GED testing centre for the area and offer GED preparation at no cost to the learner.  She point out scheduling is flexible to meet your needs and registration and referrals are ongoing throughout the program year.

The programs at the Centre run from September to June from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday.  For information you can call 204-687-3223 or visit them on the lower level of the former Co-op store on Main Street.

CEO of the Northern Health Region, Helga Bryant explains the reporting process to provide clarification.  She says the minute that positive results land in the message box of public health either one of their MLHs or their Public Health Nurses immediately connect with the case and begin to do the contact tracing so that can sometimes go on even for two or three days before there’s even a formal report because the important thing is to ensure the case and the contacts are interviewed and that they are supported.

Bryant said positive rapid response or point of care testing results are considered presumptive positives only until they are confirmed by Cadham Laboratory in Winnipeg.

That process can take a matter of a few days, depending on how quickly the tests can be transported to the Lab.