AT THEIR MEETING HELD EARLIER THIS WEEK THE FFSD TRUSTEES PASSED A MOTION TO APPOINT JORDAN DUMENKO AS PRINCIPAL OF HAPNOT COLLEGIATE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1st 2024, TO JUNE 30th 2024.

 THE BOARD ALSO AGREED TO SIGN THE EARLY NOTICE OF RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PLAN MEMORANDUM WITH THE FLIN FLON TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF THE MANITOBA TEACHERS SOCIETY. THE TRUSTEES ALSO APPROVED THE PURCHASE LOCKERS, UP TO $5,500 FOR THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS ROOM OUT OF SURPLUS.

NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEE KATIE KAWERSKI WAS SWORN AND AFFIRMED FOR A THREE YEAR TERM BY READING THE AFFIDAVIT OF QUALIFICATIONS AND OATH OF OFFICE AND
ALLEGIANCE TO TRUSTEES OF SCHOOL DIVISIONS AND DISTRICTS.

SUPERINTENDENT TAMMY BALLANTYNE REPORTED THE BOARD HAS RECEIVED UPDATES FROM ALL THE SCHOOLS ON A MYRIAD OF ACTIVITIES STUDENTS ARE TAKING PART IN ACROSS THE DIVISION.

BOARD CHAIR JACKIE HUCALUK REPORTED ON A BUSY MONTH AND SAID SHE IS MORE AND MORE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE FFSD. THE STAFF IS SO COMMITTED TO BE DOING THE BEST FOR THE STUDENTS WHICH IN TURN MAKES OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.

The Trout Festival held their AGM on Wednesday afternoon at the Creighton Recreation and Tourism Centre.

Acting President Dianne Russell chaired the meeting and talked about the success of the festival the past year and mentioned how important it is to continue to build on it’s growth. She also talked about how important it has been to collaborate with the City Of Flin Flon, Town Of Creighton and Village of Denare Beach.

Among the highlights was the success of the Fishing Derby, Disc Golf, Midway , Community Barbecue, Parade and Beaver Lake Day and Canada Day in Creighton. They are trying to get a 30 something group to run next summer’s fish fry and there is some talk it may be moved to the rotary wheel.

Financially the festival was successful and it was reported that the great attendance to events, grants and sponsorships helped the Trout Festival break even.

A dock and signage has been purchased and will be put up in early june around Ross Lake.

The executive includes Dianne Russell acting President, Lindsay Shirran acting Vice, Elly Spencer Treasurer and Nikki Harkin acting Secretary.

If you would like to volunteer or put on your own event for Trout Festival next year you can contact the trout festival at their website or facebook page.

Johnny’s Social Club is going to give you a chance to unwind for the holiday season with a great weekend of dance music coming up on December the 8^th and 9^th called the Christmas Dance Extravaganza.

Brent Lethbridge tells us who will be performing and the different music which will be featured.  " It is going to be dance music, it isn't a Christmas show with Christmas carols. We have Kim Jones, Kristen and Kevin Imrie, Craig Bancroft, Eric Bergman, Jon Betker, CC, Joanne and Mark and Rob Mote will be performing. We will be performing our best dance songs, so come out dance and have a good time."

Doors open up both nights at 7:30 with the music at 8. Tickets are $30.00 and can be picked up at the Orange Toad.

Tomorrow night the Central Canada Film Group in Flin Flon is presenting a double feature at the Hapnot Theatre. Director Colin Davis gives us the info on the two movies they are going to feature.

" This is a great opportunity for film fans in Flin Flon coming up on Thursday. We are going to be showing a double feature from silent movie star Harold  Lloyd and you might remember him as the guy that hangs from the hands of the clock tower over the city.  What makes this so exciting is that these are not just two great films but they were in the cinema 100 years ago. If you time traveled back 100 years you would be able to see our features Why Worry and Girl Shy. They are laugh out loud comedies and the basis of much of modern day comedy today."

Doors open up at 7 with the movie at 7:30. Snacks and drinks will be available and the show is free. This will be the last movie of 2023 and the Central Canada Film Group look forward to bringing back more classics to the big screen in 2024.

This past Sunday at approximately 1:05 am, Cross Lake RCMP received a report of a serious assault and were advised the victim was currently at the nursing station.

Officers attended the nursing station and located the victim, a 56-year-old male, with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers identified a suspect and he was located at a residence in the community. When officers were placing him under arrest, he became combative and began kicking the officers and other residents.

Further investigation led to more charges against the suspect as it was reported he had threatened several people earlier that morning.

Gino Ross, 23, has been charged with multiple offenses including aggravated assault and assault on a peace officer. 

He was remanded into custody.

Operation Red Nose held their first night of getting people and their vehicles home safely this past Saturday and the Flin Flon Rotary Club’s Ted Hewitt was very happy with how their first night went.

" Our first evening of 2023 was last Saturday in which the Border Explorers provided the volunteers for the night.  There was a total of 8 rides called in. Next weekend, the Kinsmen and Kinnettes will provide the volunteers for Friday night and the Ski Club will volunteer on Saturday night. The service is available from 9pm til 2am and you can call 204-687-7331.

This is a free service but  you can make a donation to the Flin Flon Rotary Club and 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards youth local sports in the community. Operation Red Nose will operate for 8 nights throughout  the holidays including this weekend December the 1^st and 2^nd, 8^th, 9^th. 15^th and 16^th and New Years Eve.

They still need people to volunteer  for  News Years Eve and if you are interested you can contact Ted at 204-687-7450.

Last Tuesday , the La Ronge Crime Reduction Team (CRT) executed a search warrant at a residence in the Sucker River community of Lac La Ronge Indian Band as part of a drug trafficking investigation.

Officers located and seized a loaded handgun, a quantity of ammunition, approximately 172 grams of crack cocaine, a sum of cash, and other drug paraphernalia. 

Two adults and one young person were arrested at the scene.

Officers located a child in the residence and brought them to a safe location.

A 33-year-old female and a 37-year-old male, both from Sucker River, are charged with multiple offenses including drug trafficking.

16-year-old male from Richmond Hill, Ontario, has been charged with multiple offenses including drug trafficking.

All three accused appeared in court in Laronge Provincial court on Thursday November the 23rd.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) assisted in this investigation.

Last Wednesday  at approximately 11:35 pm, The Pas RCMP received a report of a vehicle stolen from a residence on Crossley Avenue in The Pas. A pickup truck with GPS capabilities was stolen, and police were able, with the assistance of the owner, to track the vehicle through the streets of The Pas.

The truck was seen going at a slow speed on Cathedral Avenue, where it ran through a stop sign. A traffic stop was initiated. Allan Knight, 24, from Swan River, was the driver. He was placed under arrest and it was found that he did not have a licence. He was transported to The Pas RCMP Detachment.

When officers were placing Knight in the cell area at the detachment, he uttered threats to harm an officer and then assaulted one of the officers, who had to attend hospital for treatment. The officer has since been released from hospital.

Knight is facing numerous charges, including Assaulting a Peace Officer. He is remanded in custody.

COUNCIL REPORTED RECEIVING A REQUEST FROM FLIN FLON MINOR HOCKEY TO USE THE SPACE BEHIND THE SPORTEX BLEACHERS FOR DRYLAND WORKOUTS. WORKOUTS ARE CURRENTLY HELD TWICE A WEEK,USUALLY IN THE LOBBY HALLWAY. THE REQUEST WOULD ALLOW PLAYERS TO WORKOUT IN A LOCATION AWAY FROM MAIN WALKING AREAS AND ANY OTHER GROUPS,EMPLOYEES, OR PATRONS OF THE ARENA. COUNCIL AGREED TO REFER THE REQUEST TO COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

A REQUEST FROM THE FLIN FLON FRIENDSHIP FOR A DONATION TOWARDS THEIR
CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM WAS RECEIVED. THE PROGRAM RELIES SOLELY ON THE

COMMUNITY FOR CASH AND OR GIFT DONATIONS. THE LAST DONATION FROM COUNCIL WAS IN 2019 OF $100 DOLLARS. A MOTION WAS MADE TO UP THIS YEARS DONATION TO $150 DOLLARS

.COUNCIL ALSO RECEIVED A REQUEST TO SPONSOR THE SECOND ANNUAL JIMMY CUSTER MEMORIAL DOG RACE WHICH TAKES PLACE IN DENARE BEACH FEBRUARY 10-11th 2024.COUNCIL DONATED $500 DOLLARS EARLIER THIS YEAR AND AGREED TO PASS A MOTION TO DONATE ANOTHER $500 DOLLARS FOR THE EVENT IN THE THE NEW YEAR.

Johnny’s Social Club will be hosting a special fundraiser this weekend in support of the Norva Centre called Peace, Love and Harmonies.

This is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Norva and Brent Lethbridge gives us the lineup of local performers who will be part of the show. 

"  Kim Jones has put it all together and we have some great entertainment including Jenn McLean, Emily Sparling, Imrianna Jones, Joanne Daux, Courtney Lycan, Faith Krahn, Julien Logmore, Katrina Njegovin and the Panty Hose. You can get your tickets up at the Emporium on Main street and it is all happening at Johnny's."

The show takes place this Saturday and doors will open at 7:30 with the music starting at 8. Tickets are going fast and once again you can pick them up at the Uptown Emporium for $25.00.

Steve Lytwyn chaired the meeting and there was a final  reading to establish a policy for economic incentives for new businesses  or existing to be known as the Economic Incentives For Business Bylaw be done and finally passed.

A resolution was also introduced that the City is going to transfer the piece of land around Willowvale  Park including the location of the old curling rink and wading pool from Parks and Rec to residential. The City says that someone is interested in purchasing the property and is looking at building an assisted living complex. The City says there will be more information on this at the next Council meeting December the 5^th.

A water rate study was conducted with Way To Go Consulting and it was determined that the city does have a deficit and may have to increase the rates. Right now residents are paying a $105.00 a month for unmetered water  and the City is looking to increase it to $140.00 a month.

Public Utilities will be holding a public Forum at a date still to be determined, then the City will hold a public forum at Council Chambers where residents will be able to voice their concerns on a separate date.

The animal control report for Septemb

On November 18^th , at 2:05 am, Leaf Rapids RCMP responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a residence located on Wapoos Bay in Leaf Rapids.

Officers located an injured 18-year-old male, who advised that a male suspect known to him, had entered his home armed with a sawed-off firearm and knife, and attempted to steal money and ammunition from him.

The victim was assaulted and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect fled the scene.

The suspect was identified as a 24-year-old male from Leaf Rapids.

Patrols were made and known addresses were checked, however, the suspect was not located.

At 5:30 am, Leaf Rapids RCMP responded to a complaint of an assault on Nisku Bay. Officers arrived and located an 18-year-old-female with visible non-life-threatening injuries. It is believed the same suspect was involved in this assault. The victim and suspect were known to each other.

At 5:45 am, officers were then dispatched to the initial residence, located on Wapoos Bay, to a report of a house fire, where the suspect was observed exiting the home as the fire started. The initial victim was no longer inside and the suspect fled the scene.

The following day, Leaf Rapids RCMP received information that the suspect wished to turn himself  in  and officers were able to arrest  the 24-year-old male without incident.

Gerald Spence, 24, from Leaf Rapids, was remanded into custody on 21 Criminal Code charges including Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon, Breaking and Entering, Careless Use of a Firearm and Point Firearm. He remains in custody.

Leaf Rapids RCMP continue to investigate.

The Flin Flon Chamber Of Commerce held their AGM on Tuesday afternoon at the Friendship Centre.

Business arising from last year included the Chamber closing their office on Main street and relocating to CFAR radio for the foreseeable future. General meetings will be held the first Tuesday  of each month starting in February  at the Friendship Centre. Executive meetings will take place the third Tuesday of each month starting in January at the Hub.

It was mentioned that the Chamber was invited to the FDC Economic Development Commission and they will be looking to upgrade their social media and find more ways to share information. Katy Andersen approached Chamber on behalf of Voices Of The North and is looking for the Chamber’s support on getting more beds for the personal care homes. They started a new relationship with Chamber Relations and have formed a Northern Chambers group which will meet in 2024.

The Chamber had a very good year financially and income from membership increased by 20 to 25 %. Their current membership stands at 104 local members.

The current executive is Dianne Russell Acting President, Heather Richardson Enns- Vice President, Becky Cianflone Secretary, Deb Odegaard Communications, Laurence Gillespie Mail, Crystal Kolt Director, Tara Koivisto book keeper.

Two new people were brought on for directors which include Leslie Beck and Cory Eastman.

Ruth Betts Community School in Flin Flon is going to be holding a winter clothing drive this Thursday November the 23^rd in the gym.

Courtney Lycan who is the family worker at the school  lets us know what items will be available. " People can drop off their gently used winter items to the Ruth Betts Office or even just message us and I can pick it up if that is easier. We are looking for any warm winter gear like toques, mittens, jackets, ski pants even sweaters and pants. We are looking for items for all ages including kids and adults and we take everything."

It will take place this Thursday 10 to 6 in the mini gym and all the items are free. If you would like to make a donation or need more information you can call the school at 204-687-9737 or contact Ruth Betts through messenger on facebook.

The Trout Festival will be holding their AGM on Wednesday November the 29^th at the Creighton Recreation and Tourism Centre starting at 1:30.

Current President Dianne Russell says it is important to continue to build on the momentum that the festival has created the past couple of years.

" We are just going to go over some of the highlights last year and see where our financials are and see what the plans are for this year. We really want to set up who is going to take over some specific projects , we have great support from the three rec commisions including Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach. We look forward to having some more faces around the table."

The Trout Festival is looking for anybody who wants to help out in a big or small way including some 20 or 30 somethings that would like to run next summer’s fish fry.

The Flin Flon Rotary Club will once again be giving  seniors a chance in the community to come out for a Christmas party on Sunday November the 26^th at the Flin Flon Community Hall.

Rotarian Richard Trudeau tells us there will be a lot going on.

" This is the annual Senior Christmas party that the Rotarians put on every year and it is happening November the 26th starting at 1. It is going to be an afternoon of activity which includes entertainment on stage and  the great little daintie sandwiches. We are going to have an afternoon of fun with the Flin Flon Army Cadets helping us with the serving of the gifts. The afternoon will be topped off with the arrival of Santa Clause.

All seniors are welcome and if you need a ride you can contact Bill Pauley at 204-680-9688.

The Flin Flon Arts Council and the Flin Flon Community Choir will be performing their Christmas Concert a White Christmas coming up on Saturday December the 2^nd at the Flin Flon Community Hall starting at 7.

Angela Inslaka is the director and is very excited about this year’s show.

" We are so excited about our show coming up this year because we have a new group which is the Flin Flon Children's Community Choir. They are going to be performing a number of songs in the first half of the show on their own and a few with the adult choir. The adult choir will also be performing some songs on their own as well, so the first half will be just like a great mix of Christmas music which will be familliar in choral format. The second part of the show will be the story from the movie which is a clasic Christmas movie from 1954."

Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for youth under 16 and the show will feature Mark Kolt on piano, Anna Harrison on piano, 11 year old Bonham Martin on percussion and lots of talented local singers.

Operation Red Nose will once again be running in Flin Flon over the Christmas season to make sure you, your vehicle and party can all get home safe and sound throughout the holidays. The Rotary Club will once again be running the service and Rotarian Ted Hewitt knows how important this is for the community.

" Operation Red Nose started 30 years ago in Quebec, came to Manitoba 25 years ago and it has been in Flin Flon the last 22 years.The purpose of Operation Red Nose in reality is to raise money to give back to the community for children's activities.  It provides rides to people who should not be driving and provides a safety service for the community."

The honorary chairperson is Krista Eastman and if you or your volunteer group would like to volunteer for a weekend you can contact Ted at 204-687-7450 and the service will start on Saturday November the 25^th with the Border Explorers volunteering for the night. The number to get a hold of Red Nose is 204-687-7331 and will be operating between 9 and 2.

Once again this holiday season, the Salvation Army in Flin Flon will be providing hampers for any individuals or families in need of some extra support this Christmas.

Captain Mark Burford tells us that they are here to help anybody in need.

" If you are in need of a Christmas hamper feel free to drop in at our church at 3 Hemlock Drive or give us a call at 204-687-7812. You can do this starting next week on Tuesday November the 21st until the following Monday which is the 27th. You can come in or call on those days and what you need to bring is id, proof of income,  and some of youre expenses such as rent, utilities and groceries and fill out the application form."

Burford went on to say that there is no income cap so if you are in a tough income situation they would like you to give them a call and they will provide you with a hamper. The hampers will include a turkey or ham, dry goods,bread and fresh vegetables and potatoes.

On November 10, 2023, at approximately 11:15 pm, Oxford House RCMP responded to a home invasion on Tower Road, in Bunibonibee Cree Nation.

Multiple males entered the residence armed with a firearm and machetes, fired shots, and assaulted two males with a machete before fleeing.

The two male victims, aged 17 and 21, were taken to the nursing station with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers identified four suspects and three of the suspects were arrested.

Ricky McKay, 18, and two 14-year-old males were arrested and charged with multiple offenses

RCMP are still searching for the fourth suspect, 18-year-old Kyrell Weenusk, who is WANTED for a number of offenses including  aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Weenusk is described as 6’3”, 170 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered ARMED and DANGEROUS so do not approach and call police if seen.

If you have information on his whereabouts please call Oxford House RCMP at 204-538-2211, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

It is going to be a busy holiday season in Creighton with a number of activities coming up for you and your family to enjoy. Creighton Rec Director Lindsay Shirran gives us the details.

"So we're going to be holding  a Christmas card making class on Sunday, November 26th at my rec office. We do have a kids class which is eight plus for $15 and we do have an adult class which will run at 6:30 for $20 per person. We do have limited spots and it's filling up pretty quick. We'll then head into December for  our family dance which we sort of co-host or have great helpers that come from Inclusion Saskatchewan, which is Anita and Amber. They come and help me decorate  and help out where needed. It's a fun event where santa comes, with  dancing and treat bags.Then on Saturday, the 23rd, we have our grinch skate at the sportex...The Grinch will make an appearance and we usually have candy canes and just a fun afternoon of skating."

If you require more information and would like to sign up for these events you can call 306-688-3538 or go to Creighton Rec’s facebook page.

At the last Flin Flon City Council meeting, Council  introduced a new policy for Attendance Of Unauthorized Persons on job sites. Councillor Mike Slipp explains.

"City council has made a commitment to go over all the policies that have been in place for the city of  Flin Flon. Some of them haven't been looked at for many years and this happens to be one of them. And this is more of a common sense thing  at work sites, unauthorized people  aren't allowed to cross over into that work site more for safety reasons, but also not to bother the employees while they're working.

 Asking why they're digging here and not digging there  sort of thing,  and again, a lot of that has to do with safety. 

We also  don't want people just walking into the back at City Hall. We love people to come to City Hall as long as they're invited and authorized to go in the back and talk to somebody. They're more than welcome."  
 

This does not apply to the City Hall lobby or any recreational facility including the Whitney Forum, Library, zoo etc. If you have any questions about this policy you can contact Lynn Brown at City Hall at 204-681-7511 or go to their website at cityofflinflon.ca

Johnny’s  Social Club is hosting a Christmas Party Extravaganza On December the 8^th and 9^th to help you unwind for the holiday season and organizer Brent Lethbridge gives us the list of entertainer’s.

"We want people to come down have some fun. We're going to decorate the hall. It's going to be on the 8th and 9th. We're going to create a dance floor, there is my self, there's Craig Bancroft, Eric Bergman, Kevin Emery, Johnny Betker and for singers, there's Joanna Mark M from Swan River will be playing bass as well. Kim Jones, Kristin Emory and,  Robbie Mote and CC Trubiak. So we have a lot, we're gonna do dance music, dance music, dance music so you can dance, dance, dance all night."
 

Tickets will be available this Thursday November the 16^th, 7pm at Johnny’s for $30.00.  Left over tickets will be available at the Orange Toad the next day. You can also purchase tables if you would like to make it your office Christmas party.

You can help the Salvation Army in Flin Flon with their kettle campaign which will start this Friday November the 17^th. Captain Mark Burford tells us their goals this year and where the money will be going.

"This is our big fundraising campaign for all of the ministry and the work that the Salvation Army does in Flin Flon and in surrounding areas. Our goal this year is  to raise 27,000 on our Christmas kettles. Our goal for the entire campaign would be to raise $40,000 for the communities of Flin Flon..So that would include the money raised on the kettles  from  businesses who mail in donations  through checks   to us and all the money stays locally to help the residents of Flin  Flon, Creighton, Denare  Beach, Cranberry Portage and Sheridan for Christmas hampers.  We also use some of the money for the people we serve year round that make use of our lunch program every Monday and Friday."

The kettles will be located at the CO-OP and Walmart every weekend until Christmas and if you would like to volunteer yourself, with your family, service group or people from work you can call 204-687-7812. You can also contact them on their facebook page and see the complete schedule for this year.

Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsay is the new speaker of the house for the Manitoba Legislature and was sworn in on Thursday November the 9^th. He will be taking over for Myrna Driedger who announced she  would not be seeking re-election after serving a two year term.

Lindsay says he will still be the voice for the North but will be expressing it in a different way and is looking forward to his new role.

" The new role as speaker is something that I never really envisioned that I would do, but pretty intensive learning curve at the moment to figure out just what the speaker does because there's so much more to it than just just what people see in the house.There's all sorts of different committees, you're part of, there's all kinds of different reporting entities that report directly to the speaker. It's a management position and I've never been in management. So some of that is,is completely new for me, but pretty exciting to be a part of that. What it means is I'm still the ML A for the Flin Flon constituency, But now I have to be seen as being impartial. So I can't present myself as being the NDP MLA as opposed to a conservative MLA, I just have to present myself in communities as the ML A for Flin Flon."

Lindsay is the first MLA  from Northern Manitoba to be appointed as  the Speaker Of The House and feels his new role will be more beneficial in getting things done for the people in this riding. Once again if you have an issue or a question you can call his office in Flin Flon at 204-687-3246.

Tomorrow  the Royal CDN Legion in Flin Flon Branch number 73 will be hosting their Remembrance Day Service at the Flin Flon Community Hall. President Bob Penner discusses how the service will run.

" We will be gathering around 9 am at the Legion and Major Naylor will call us out on the street around 10:05 and we will march down to the corner of Fourth ave and Hapnot street. We will turn left on to Fourth ave and then head to Hill street then head north on Hill street to the Cenotaph. From there we will carry on to the Community Hall with the service starting at 10:50. I'm not sure how many wreaths we have this year,  I am thinking some where in the neighborhood of 75 wreaths will be presented. The service should wrap up just before noon and we will form up a parade back to the Legion for a light lunch."

The guest speakers will be Mark and Kelsie Burford from the Salvation Army and Wade Lowe will be supplying the music. The service will also be broadcast on 102.9 CFAR and flinflononline.com starting at 10:50.

AT THEIR MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK THE TOWN COUNCIL OF CREIGHTON REPORTED RECEIVING AN INVITATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST RANGE PLANNING TABLE MEETING TAKING PLACE ON DECEMBER FIFTH TO DISCUSS THE WOODLAND CARIBOU.

THIS MEETING WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE RANGE PLANNING PROCESS WILL OCCUR,DISCUSS CARIBOU HABITAT,POPULATION,AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION. COUNCIL AGREED TO FILE THE INVITATION AS INFORMATION.

COUNCIL AGREED TO LEASE A PORTION OF LAND TO THE OWNER OF LOT 12 BLOCK 14 TO BE USED FOR STORAGE WITH CONDITIONS AND FEES AS PER LEASE AGREEMENT.

COUNCIL AGREED TO DONATE $2,500 DOLLARS TO THE FLIN FLON FRIENDSHIP CENTER SUPPORTING THEIR RESOURCES THAT PROVIDES THE UNSHELTERED A SAFE PLACE AWAY FROM THE COLD.

THE FUNDS ARE TO COME FROM  THE COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD ACCOUNT.

COUNCIL ALSO STATED THAT THE CREIGHTON CONNECTION TRANSIT BUS WAS ALREADY AHEAD OF WHERE THEY WERE LAST YEAR FOR TOTAL PASSENGERS AND ALMOST DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF PARCELS.

The results of yesterday’s Flin Flon School Division Board of Trustee by-election have been certified.

Katie Kawerski will serve on the school board as she won the election with 63 votes. Patricia Sattelberger was the only other candidate getting 31 votes.

Kawerski replaces now-former trustee Jed Reeves; who was appointed as a trustee last year to fill one of two empty spaces.

Reeves resigned his seat last month after leaving Flin Flon for a new job with a Norwegian company.

Denare Beach will be hosting their Christmas Craft and Home Business Show on Saturday November the 18^th at the Denareplex. Rec Director Mel Durette welcomes everybody to the show which is completely full.

" There is 23 tables including baking, knitting, beading and Sunset Gourmet just to name a few. It will be from 10 to 4 and our youth program will be running soup and bannock for lunch. All the proceds will go towards the youth program."

It is free to attend, the doors will open at 10 am and if you require any other information you can call Mel at 306-362-2050.

The City Of Flin Flon  has a couple of events coming up that should get you and the family in the Christmas spirit. Rec Programmer Kelsey Anderson explains one event has been a tradition for many years and the other is a brand new event this year.

" The first event we have going on is November the 22nd which will be the Holiday Cheer Senior Crafts. What we are going to be doing is bringing the seniors together that is anyone 55 plus. We are going to be making homemade Christmas cards and delivering them to the Manor and PCH. The other big event we have going on is going to be the tree lighting. This will take place on December the 1st from 5 to 6 down at Pioneer Square. We will have Santa, hot chocolate, treat bags and this will be fun for all ages."

Kelsey reminds you to dress warm for the tree lighting and if you are interested in the Christmas Card Making Event you can e-mail her at kandersen@flinflon.ca.

Flin Flon City Council gathered last night in Council Chambers for their first meeting of November.

Steve Lytwin chaired the meeting and reminded everyone about the Remembrance Day Service at the Flin Flon Community Hall this Saturday and mentioned that everyone should try to get there at 10:30 with the service starting at about 10:50.

There were a few resolutions passed that the City will  donate $75.00 towards the Ruth Betts Yearbook and they will also make a donation of $400.00 towards Hapnot Collegiate who will be hosting JV Volleyball Provincials November the 23^rd to the 25^th.

The City Of Flin Flon has established a policy for economic incentives for a new or existing business to be known as the Economic Incentives For Business Bylaw. Councillor Eagle went on to explain that they have set up guidelines for anyone who wants to bring in a business, what kind of business it is and what will it bring to the city.

The city is re-evaluating the repairs to the Public Library as tenders that they received were higher than they expected so they won’t make any more decisions on the repairs til Spring of 2024.

It was a busy Fire Chief report with several incidents being reported in September and October with the Fire Department responding to 15 calls. Five  calls were to assist EMS, one structure fire, one kitchen fire, four fire alarms, two vehicle collisions and one airport incident.

All of October,  Northland Ford was collecting non perishable food items on behalf of the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank with the We Scare Hunger campaign.

Mike Slipp who spearheaded the event mentions that a lot of people and groups came together and collected a lot of food to make it  a successful event.

" We had a lot of help and it was fantastik, again Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach came through. We did extremely well and Alison Dallas Funk from the Food Bank thinks that there is over 8 months of food that was donated,  which they were desperately in need of so we couldn't be any happier. We want to thank the schools in Flin Flon and Creighton, the Flin Flon Bombers, PBCN Selects and Creighton Kodiaks and everybody who donated and helped us out."

This was the tenth annual and Northland Ford looks forward to their next community  event which will be the Teddy Bear Toss at the Flin Flon Bomber game on December the 1^st.

This past Friday , at 6:20 pm, officers from Swan River RCMP responded to a report of a single-vehicle rollover on Provincial Road 483, located approximately eight kilometres west of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.

Officers arrived on scene and located a mini-van, with four occupants, which had entered the ditch and rolled.

One of the three passengers, a 33-year-old female from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, was pronounced deceased on scene. A 22-year-old male, also from the community, and a 38-year-old female, from Swan River, were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation on scene led to the arrest of the driver, a 23-year-old female from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, who was not physically injured, for Impaired Driving Causing Death. She was transported back to the Swan River Detachment where she provided samples of her breath for analysis that were found to be over three times the legal limit.

She was held in custody overnight and released earlier this morning with a court appearance scheduled for February 7, 2024, in Swan River.

Swan River RCMP, with support from the Criminal Collision Investigation Team and an RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, continue to investigate.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch number 73 in Flin Flon held their Remembrance Banquet at the Legion Hall this past Saturday.

It was well attended with over 100 people in attendance and there were a total of 27 service pins handed out for 5 years of service,  16 ten year pins, 11 fifteen years pins, 10 for 20 years, 9 for 25 , 9 for 30, 3 for 35, 4 for 40, 4 for 45 and for the first time in the history of the club , 10 pins handed out for 50 years of service. President Bob Penner says it is very important to recognize all these long time members.

" I think that presenting our awards to our members especially the ones that have 50 years into the Legion , shows dedication to the cause and support that they give for the veterans. The Legion executive that I presented medals to have served one or two terms on the executive and this is just  recognition for their service."

The local branch also handed out medals of service to Mark and Kelsey Burford of the Salvation Army for being the Legion Padres,  Trudy Burton and Wenda Eplen the Secretaries, Colin McPhee, Ted Highfield and Margaret Highfield from the Executive. Officers Medals were presented to Perry Burton for Second Vice and Art Hughes for First Vice.

Last Wednesday,  at approximately 11:00 am, officers with the Thompson General Investigative Section, along with assistance from Thompson Rural RCMP and from the Manitoba North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle located on Highway 6, near Ospwagan Lake.

The investigation on scene led to the arrest of the four male vehicle occupants for the Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of approximately 504 grams of cocaine with a potential street value, in Thompson, of over $50,000.00.

Three of the four suspects, a 20-year-old from Thompson, a 21-year-old and a 20-year-old, both from Winnipeg, remain in police custody. A 13-year-old, from Opaskwayak, was released and will be compelled to court at a later date.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

 

Blue berry Jam held their AGM Thursday night in Council Chambers. Among the highlights were a grant from CEDF which allowed them to have their logo and other images for their brand updated by K and M consulting. They also received   grants  from Flin Flon Neighborhood Revitilization, Heritage Canada, Foran Mining and support from the City Of Flin Flon , Calm Air and lots of other business’s.

New Vice Chair Brent Lethbridge says they are really looking forward to the festival in 2024 to build off the momentum from this past summer’s event.

" We are very excited about 2024, we had a successful year last year with over 5000 in attendance, up 2000 from the previous year. We hope to jump another 2000 with a action packed weekend for all those that love music  and a free festival in Flin Flon."

It was also reported that over 200 volunteers helped out and is one of the reasons this event continues to be very successful.  Blueberry Jam will return August the 9^th to the 11^th of 2024.

The Flin Flon Rotary Club will be holding one of their biggest fundraisers of the year with the Dream Draws social next Saturday November the 10^th at the Flin Flon Community Hall.

Rotarian Dean Grove stopped by the CFAR studio on Thursday and mentioned some of the trips that people could win. " Dream draw tickets have sold out in a week and a half and we have some nice trips to Jamaica, Vegas and about 11 total. We are looking forward to the Dream Draw social and hopefully getting lots of winners."

The total value of all the draws will be over $35,000.00. Doors open at 8 and the social and draws will take place at 9. There will be a cash bar, music man and snacks. The Hapnot rock band will play between 8:30 and 9.

November is Diabetes Awareness month and there are plenty of resources for people to use through out the North with the Regional Diabetes Programs in Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson. Nurses also travel to rural communities to assist where needed.

Dailynn Berezowecki, is a registered public  health nurse who tells us what there theme is this year.  " Every November during diabetes month, Diabetes Canada picks a theme and this year it is let's make time. We are asking people to take the time  to learn about the realities of living with diabetes and educating themselves on living with this complex condition. The goal is to raise awareness, increase education and make sure those living with diabetes have access to care and resources."

The Norman Regional health authority has also  started a walking program this month which will take place in the Pas at the Wellness Centre Wednesdays 12 to 12:30 and in Flin Flon on Thursdays between 12 and 12:30.

If you need any more information you can call the Primary Health office in the Pas at 204-623-9650 or Flin Flon at 204-687-1350.

You can get your family and yourself in the Christmas spirit with the 43^rd annual  Flin Flon Arts Council's Christmas Arts And Craft’s Sale this Saturday at the Flin Flon Community Hall.

Crystal Kolt says they look forward  to seeing some familiar vendors and some new ones too. " We have a lot of great vendors including some new ones too. Once again we have Rose and Rebels and everyone loves their soaps, we have Cathy Bakers , jewelry with Gary and Betty Much, Dave's Honey and Colleen's Mittens. We also have skin care products and much more including a visit with Santa and you can get your picture taken. We also have a special feature which is an activity centre for kids who can make a Christmas card or craft while they are there." 

The doors will open at 10 and the sale will go til 4 and this is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Flin Flon Arts Council.

The Royal CDN Legion in Flin Flon will be hosting their Remembrance Day banquet and years of service presentations this Saturday.

President Bob Penner lets us know how you can pick up tickets and the format of the evening. 

" We still have tickets on sale for $25.00 and they are available in the Lounge and you can pick those up til 10 pm on Friday night. Saturday we will be closed all day for the banquet which is not just a banquet but a medal presentation for years of service. There will be other presentations made and this is really interesting as we have 10,  50 year members who will be presented with their 50 year associate member pin which is fantastick."

The banquet will take place at the local branch on Church street and dignitaries are asked to be in the lounge by 5:30 before preceding upstairs for supper. The guest speaker is Father Paul.

Eleven-year-old Ellroy Inglis from Air Ronge, SK was reported missing to La Ronge RCMP on October 27, 2023. She was last seen on October 26 at 3:30 p.m

.

Ellroy Inglis  is described as being approximately 4’10” tall, 90 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black leggings; there arn't  any other clothing descriptors available.

She may be in the Air Ronge or La Ronge communities, but this is not confirmed.

If you have information on the whereabouts of Ellroy, please call La Ronge RCMP at 306-425-6730 or call 911 in an emergency.

As it starts to cool off and with winter approaching the Flin Flon Friendship Centre is working on their shelter program to make sure the less fortunate in our community not only have a safe place to stay but have adequate winter clothing to stay warm.

Amanda Fleury who is coordinating the project lets us know how you can help out. " The cold weather shelter program is a warm safe spot for community members to come and warm up if they need a place to stay for the night. It is run through the friendship centre and we have kots set up, blankets and pillows. What we need from the community is donations of warm winter wear and food donations because we do provide food including soup, snacks and something hot to drink. We have a supply of mitts, touques and jackets which is available for them to take when they leave for the night." 

You can drop off any clothing donations to the centre Monday to Friday 9 to 5,  and you can also call Amanda and she will arrange to come pick up items if you can’t make it down to the centre. If you would like to make a cash donation they will give you a charitable receipt.