Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Fire at Neepawa Canvas Works

Posted by Kate
Last night, Neepawa Canvas Works was destroyed by fire.  


Friday, June 26, 2009

Bulletin #27 H1N1 Flu

Province of Manitoba press release

. Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting the death of a child under 18 years with underlying medical conditions and a prior lab-confirmed positive test for H1N1 flu.  This case is still under investigation.  Previously Manitoba had reported two H1N1 flu deaths. 

. Manitoba Health and Healthy Living continues to closely monitor the level of severe respiratory illness in the province, particularly in patients admitted to intensive-care units.  Manitoba has some cases of severe respiratory illness that have not tested positive for H1N1 flu, but have resulted in hospitalization. The outcomes for these patients are not included in the H1N1 reported case numbers, but each case is investigated and followed up by public health officials.

. To date, Manitoba has 458 reported laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1.  

. While it has been estimated the vast majority of the individuals in Manitoba who have been infected with H1N1 have recovered without specific medical care or hospitalization, all people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work and limit contact with others as much as possible to prevent the spread of illness.

. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and you are concerned that you may need advice or care, do not hesitate to contact your health-care provider, visit your nearest health centre or call Health Links-Info Santé at 788 8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).  

. If you have symptoms of a more severe or serious illness such as shortness of breath, dehydration or severe weakness then you should seek prompt medical care.  If other symptoms such as coughs or fever get worse, you should also see your health-care provider.  If serious symptoms appear, get worse or you do not get better as you normally would (within two to three days), you should immediately see your health-care provider even if you have already visited them about your illness. 

. More information about the prevention and care of H1N1 flu is available on the flu website at www.manitoba.ca.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Inky Mark retiring

Posted by Kate (press release)

Manitoba’s longest serving Conservative Member of Parliament Inky Mark has announced his retirement from federal politics after serving the people of Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette for the past twelve years.

Mark explained that with two young grandsons it was time to begin a new chapter in his life focussing on wife Lynda and their family. He decided to announce his retirement now to give local Conservatives time to select a new candidate in preparation for the next general election.

“It has been an honour to serve the people of Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette. I consider myself privileged to be their public servant.” said Mark.

Over the years Mark has been described as outspoken, anti-establishment, never concerned with what party officials think of him, and always putting the people at home before the Party in Ottawa. He has sat in Parliament representing the Reform Party of Canada, the Canadian Alliance, Independent Conservative, the P.C.D.R. Coalition, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada.

Voters rewarded Mark’s loyalty by overwhelmingly electing him five consecutive times. He is the only M.P. in this large rural riding’s history to win five consecutive elections: 1997 with the Reform Party of Canada, then again in 2000, 2004, with the Canadian Alliance and in 2006 and 2008 with the Conservative Party of Canada.

Mark is the only M.P. in Canada to establish 11 constituency offices providing people with personal service within a one-half hour drive of their home; to initiate specially designed medals honouring his riding’s Veterans, Municipal Officials and Firefighters; and providing every household with a Commemorative booklet annually in time for Remembrance Day that lists the names of the riding’s fallen.

Other successes include having the riding name changed to Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, successfully having Lt. Col. William Barker, VC declared a national hero, commissioned statues to honour the victims of the Ukrainian Internment of 1914-1920, Lt. Col. William Barker VC and Dr. Ed Hudson, C.M. of Hamiota.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bulletin #24 H1N1 Flu

Posted by Kate

From a June 17, 2009 Province of MB news release

. Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting 34 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, bringing the Manitoba total to 260 reported laboratory-confirmed cases.

. The call to action for health-care workers in northern Manitoba is continuing. In addition to the normal complement of health-care professionals working in the north, there are two doctors and two more nurse practitioners scheduled to work in northern communities this week. Additional staff responding to the call to action include about 20 nurses and 10 medical residents. Logistical issues surrounding the supervision of medical residents and licences continue to be addressed. Interested physician and nurses can indicate their interest in working in northern communities that need additional resources by visiting the flu website at www.manitoba.ca where there is a Physicians and Nurses Needed button.

. All Manitobans are at risk for exposure to the H1N1 virus. The influenza outbreak is provincewide and it is likely that H1N1 is present in every community in Manitoba. Although there has been an increase in the number of people with severe respiratory illness, this has been a small proportion of the people who have had the flu in Manitoba in the last two months. The majority of people in Manitoba who have become ill have not required hospitalization.

. Contact your health-care provider or visit your nearest health-care centre if you are concerned that you may need advice or care, especially if your symptoms are severe or worsening (i.e. shortness of breath, dehydration, worsening fever, cough or weakness). It's important to seek prompt care if you are concerned you need it as early intervention is important in treating severe influenza-like illness.

. More information about the prevention and care of H1N1 flu is available on the flu website at www.manitoba.ca.

SUMMARY OF ALL CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN MANITOBA AS OF JUNE 17
RHA (Patient's residence) Total
Assiniboine 3
Brandon 10
Burntwood/Churchill 80
Central 1
Interlake 6
NOR-MAN 21
North Eastman 6
Parkland 4
Winnipeg 122
Total 260

. Manitoba has reported two deaths associated with H1N1 influenza.

Friday, June 12, 2009

H1N1 flu bulletin

Posted by Kate (from Manitoba Health)

. The World Health Organization's decision to go to pandemic level six has not changed Manitoba's current response to H1N1 flu. The amount and severity of disease in Manitoba will continue to guide the public health response.

. Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting 22 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, bringing the Manitoba total to 78 reported laboratory-confirmed cases. In the past 24 hours, there has been one additional patient admitted to an intensive-care unit in Manitoba.

. All Manitobans are at risk for exposure to the virus and the possibility of severe illness has been highest for Aboriginal people and others with pre-existing health and living conditions.

. In Manitoba, there has been no public health reason to close schools, community centres or other public gathering places or to avoid travel to any community. There is also no public health reason to exclude people from any public setting based on their ethnic background or home community. The same basic precautions are still the best defense against H1N1 influenza, no matter where you are or who you are with.

. Manitoba continues to offer assistance in providing additional supplies for First Nations communities in the province. Manitoba Health and Healthy Living will also work with regional health authorities to conduct an on-site assessment in First Nations communities to ensure requirements are being met now and in the future. The provincial government has already distributed surgical masks, N95 respirators and anti-virals to meet the needs of First Nations peoples in Manitoba.

. Manitoba is also working to respond to assist the federal government in providing more doctors and nurses in First Nations communities experiencing influenza outbreaks. There has already been additional physician coverage being provided in northern Manitoba. A meeting is being held today with various physicians' and nurses' and other health-care organizations to provide appropriate levels of health care in First Nations communities.

. Central co-ordination of the air ambulance system has improved air ambulance traffic flows. The number of air ambulance calls is generally normal for this time of year.

. The influenza outbreak is province-wide and more cases are expected in communities across Manitoba. Most Manitobans who have become ill have experienced relatively less-serious cases of influenza illness and have not required hospitalization.

. If you have symptoms of flu-like illness, such as fever, cough, aches and tiredness, you are most contagious for three to four days, but it is possible to spread the disease for up to a week once your symptoms start to appear. You should:
- Stay home from school or work while you are ill and limit unnecessary contact with others.
- Contact your health-care provider or visit your nearest health-care centre if you are concerned that you need advice or care or especially if your symptoms are severe or worsening (i.e. shortness of breath, dehydration, worsening fever, cough or weakness).
- You can also call Health Links-Info Santé at 788 8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) if you need personal advice on self care or when to seek further care.

. Manitobans should continue to take the following precautions:
- Cover a cough or sneeze by coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve or using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Hand sanitizers are also effective.
- Limit touching of your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Take steps to maintain your health by taking care of yourself and those in your care including eating a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding cigarette smoke and other harmful substances, being active and getting enough rest and sleep. If you or someone in your care has a chronic condition, get the help needed for effective care from your health-care provider.

. For more information about H1N1 flu, see www.manitoba.ca.

SUMMARY OF ALL CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN MANITOBA AS OF JUNE 11.
RHA
(Patient's residence) Total
Assiniboine
Brandon 6
Burntwood/Churchill 26
Central
Interlake
Nor-Man 5
North Eastman 1
Parkland 1
South Eastman 1
Winnipeg 38
Total 78

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Accident

Posted by Kate

Early in the afternoon of June 9, two cars collided at Brown Ave. and Ellen St. in Neepawa.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Think Pink!


Posted by Kate

Today was Neepawa's annual Think Pink day. Stay tuned for a photo slide show on our YouTube Channel and a story in next week's paper.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Posted by Kate
Looking for more information about how communities in the Banner's coverage area scored on the Canadian Council on Learning's Composite Learning Index?

Here's the scores for local communities: Composite learning results for the Banner's coverage area

The complete results are here.