A former Dauphin mayor and local member of Parliament is facing several charges in connection with a months-long investigation into firearms trafficking.
Inky Mark was charged following the execution of two search warrants, July 7, obtained as part of an investigation of RM of Dauphin resident Wilfred Kachurowski, 73, who was arrested in the U.S. after he was caught stealing a handgun from a gun show in Minnesota.
Investigation of that incident resulted in additional charges in Canada for Kachurowski and led police to Mark.
In total, 439 firearms were seized from Mark’s property.
“We also seized an antique cannon, ammunition, and more than $300,000 in currency,” said Cpl. Barry Kirby of the West District General Investigation Section.
“It’s expected to take several weeks for investigators to document the large collection of evidence gathered at the residence and determine how many firearms were illegally possessed. What we’re able to confirm today is that at least three firearms were illegally trafficked. At least one firearm had its serial number tampered with and hundreds of the firearms were improperly stored inside the home.”
Currently, Mark faces 12 charges including firearms trafficking, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two counts of careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, two counts of possession of a prohibited device when knowing that possession is unauthorized, possession of a restricted or prohibited weapon with ammunition without a licence, and three counts of unsafe storage of firearms.
The warrants were executed by the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team and the Manitoba West District General Investigation Section, with support from several RCMP units - including the Manitoba West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), Manitoba Provincial Serious and Organized Crime, the Emergency Response Team, Dauphin RCMP and Police Dog Services.
“The illegal trafficking of prohibited weapons is a serious offence that threatens public safety,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner and Manitoba Commanding Officer Scott McMurchy.
“We thank the many RCMP officers who are working on this case for their tireless efforts in targeting individuals who are trafficking these dangerous and illegal weapons and bringing them to justice.”
Mark was remanded in custody and later released on a release order.

The news of the decision to postpone this year’s NorthWest Round-up and Exhibition was not an easy one and it sparked some diversity amongst the community. Some people felt that the event was just what was needed to get the community back on its feet. Others felt completely overwhelmed by the destruction and damage the flood created, along with the process of cleaning up and restoring things to normal.
The online debate sparked local resident Tanya Powell to post a message on Facebook about why right now is not the time to be divided on an issue when so many people are still hurting and struggling.
This is her post: “I’ve stayed quiet, but I feel it’s important to speak now. People throughout our valley are hurting. Families have been forced from their homes, many are dealing with devastating flood damage, and some have lost nearly everything. This flood is not over, and many of our neighbours continue to struggle each and every day. We also have neighbouring communities who are going through this flood as we speak.
Dave and I organize the Stampeder food booth for the rodeo, so we understand firsthand what it takes to make this event happen. Our booth alone requires approximately 200 volunteers—and that’s just one. The rodeo depends on hundreds more volunteers, many of whom have been directly affected by the flooding or are currently helping family, friends, and neighbours recover.
My own home has been destroyed by this flood. Like so many others, I am living through this disaster as well. When you’re without power or running water, when you’re unable to sleep in your own bed because your home has been devastated, it becomes clear that life cannot simply return to normal overnight.
I feel for the chuckwagon drivers, midway operators, vendors, and everyone facing financial losses. None of this is their fault, and I know how significant this event is for many of them. My heart goes out to them as well, but not as much as our community.
I am just one person doing the best I can, just like so many others. What we need right now is not criticism or hurtful comments, but understanding. I ask that we all show each other a little grace during one of the most difficult times our community has faced.
I love this community deeply. That’s why I’ve been doing everything I can to help, even while coping with the loss of my home. I want nothing more than to see our community back on its feet, celebrating together again—but now is not the time.
Thank you to the Ag Society for making the difficult decision to put our community and our infrastructure first. It was not an easy choice, but it was the responsible one.
We will have our time to celebrate again. For now, let’s continue to take care of one another. That is what makes our community strong.”
As someone who is not only a Valley resident impacted by the recent flooding, Powell is also a long-time dedicated volunteer who actively takes part in the NorthWest Round-up and Exhibition by setting up the Stampeders Food Booth every year.
“How could I possibly be able to do the rodeo booth three weeks from now? asked Powell.
“Dave and I have organized the Stampeders food booth for several years. It’s not something that comes together in a few days. It takes months and months of planning. You have to coordinate the ordering of food and volunteers, scheduling and equipment. The food booth alone requires 200 volunteers throughout the weekend over the course of the Round Up. It takes a massive community effort and we know firsthand how much work it takes to make it successful.
“We have some of our major volunteers who have had their homes severely flooded and, in some cases, consumed,” said Powell. “When you see your children’s handmade Christmas ornaments floating around or your children’s baby books, or whatever it may be, it’s devastating.”
Powell has experienced her own loss and devastation caused by the destruction of the flooding of her home. She has also seen how her neighbours and friends are also struggling to deal with the aftermath of the flooding.
“I’m sure I speak for so many other families, but our home was severely impacted,” said Powell. “We lost the comfort and security of our home. I look outside at this river and I haven’t really slept. Just to wake up and find it flowing into your backyard is something we never imagined. There are people still waiting in the water.
“There was no hydro or water. The emotional toll has been overwhelming. We spent countless hours cleaning up and there is no way we could do this by ourselves. I think about the people I know who are elderly and can’t do this process on their own without assistance and there are many like that in the Valley.
“I’m beginning the recovery process while I continue to serve the community and do my job,” said Powell. “Trying to keep everything together has been a lot.”
Powell wholeheartedly supports the difficult decision that the Swan River Valley Agricultural Society made in postponing this year’s event until next year. She knows it was an incredibly difficult decision to make and it was not easily made.
“Right now, the Valley just needs compassion and support,” said Powell. “We need to focus on helping neighbours recover before trying to return to normal. Families need assistance, businesses need support, municipalities need resources and we just need time to help those who have experienced a loss.
“Recovery has to come before celebration.
“I personally don’t believe Swan River could provide visitors and guests hospitality right now, given the situation and the loss we have experienced,” said Powell. “Many residents are still displaced, while others are trying to clean up their homes. Then people are dealing with insurance and simply trying to get through the day.
“The volunteers who made these events happen are now pumping basements, carrying out drywall, helping neighbours and supporting their families. Asking them to put on an event the size of the North West Round Up and Exhibition right now would place an enormous pressure on people who are already stretched to the limit.

Now that much of the floodwaters have receded, the long, arduous process of cleaning up the damage to homes and properties continues. Pictured here, the contents of a home on River Park Drive in Swan River sits in a heap on the front lawn of the property. 

Everything the community of Binscarth does, is always done so very well. After more than a year of preparation of the Binscarth Homecoming event, by community volunteers, the community welcomed over a thousand old friends home. Friends and family members travelling from as far away as Scotland came home for a wee visit. The three day event featured live entertainment from home town boy JR Charron who is making his way to the top of the Manitoba country music scene. Old friends gathered all over town - at school and museum tours and luncheons, at the market, at the silent disco, the parade, the kids games or singing karaoke and challenging each other at Binscarth themed trivia, axe throwing, the car show and the beer gardens. There was so much to do over the weekend it’s nearly impossible to list all of the events. Anyone who attended saw so many hugs and smiles as old friends reunited, shared memories and caught up on each other’s lives. Congratulations Binscarth on a truly incredible and memorable event! For more homecoming pictures turn to pages six and seven.

Manitoba Environment and Climate Change has activated its Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Early Detection Rapid Response Plan after zebra mussel veliger (larvae) samples were found in Lake of the Prairies.
The veligers were initally detected near the PTH #5 bridge as part of the province’s routine surveillance monitoring program.
Read all about it in this week’s Review.

The Manitoba Liberal Party announced that Dan Quesnel is their candidate for The Pas-Kameesak By-election taking place on July 21, 2026. Although each party had a candidate running, Quesnel feels that it comes down to selecting a candidate who is going to advocate more for the north to get more done.
“Honestly, I just feel that this constituency doesn’t get a lot of support from the provincial government and it doesn’t matter which party is holding power,” said Quesnel. “The NDP have filled this seat for a long time and I think there is more that could be done to drive some results here in the north and help people.

Just last week, the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party announced that Edna Nabess would be their candidate to run in The Pas-Kameesak By-Election. Nabess is no stranger to running for the Manitoba PCs and wants people in the constituency to have options when it comes to voting for local representation.
“This is not the first time I’ve run for election as The Pas-Kameesak Candidate,” said Nabess. “I’ve run a few times just to try to get the word out that there are more options out there for people when it comes to voting in representation. I’ve had people ask why I run for the PCs because I’m not going to get in. I tell people that not winning the election doesn’t bother me. I would like to win it, but this still gives me the opportunity to go out and talk to people, and to give us a chance.

The NDP The Pas-Kameesak Constituency held an election to select its candidate for this upcoming by-election. Three strong, viable nominees came forward and after a second round of voting, Jennifer Flett was elected as the NDP Candidate for The Pas-Kameesak.
Flett is also no rookie when it comes to running for election. She has represented Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) on different levels.
“I was a Public Servant with the Government of Canada for 20 years and was very familiar with what is expected of a government in terms of spending, transparency, responsibility to the public and following policy,” said Flett. “When I moved home to OCN/The Pas/RM of Kelsey area, I became involved in the local politics, starting with the OCN politics.

The Gilbert Plains Country Club was preparing for the biggest week of the season, but it turned into something a lot worse.
The Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship were postponed last week due to the flooding which occurred in the Parkland.
The two events were to be held at the GPCC, July 1 to 3, but were moved to other locations after the postponement.
GPCC general manager and head professional Scott McCallum called it the worst flooding the facility has ever seen.
“By a mile,” he added.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had our clubhouse compromised the way it was. It’s devastating, to be honest.”
McCallum went to the course Friday morning for the first time since the flooding started.
“We knew that golf carts were floating down the river, it’s obviously, quite a disaster to see,” he said.
The water has started to recede, but that is actually making matters worse.
“The problem is that the force of the water going back into the river is taking some things with it,” McCallum said, adding it is too early to tell if the facility will be able to open again this year.
“Until we can actually, physically get in there and assess the damage that we’re up against, it will be too early to tell. But, as you know, whether it’s a flood or not, the grass keeps growing. So we’re going to have to somehow maintain the beautiful golf course that we’ve got,” he said.
The grounds crew worked hard to prepare to showcase the course to the province during the two provincial tournaments, which is disheartening.
“But I know that we’ll get back on our feet. We’ve got a strong board that’s forward-minded thinking and we’ll definitely get back and be better for it in the future,” McCallum said.
McCallum is not worried about finding money to pay for the repairs that will be needed.
“The Province has been there from the start. They’ve made some good announcements that they’re going to be there for small businesses and not-for-profit businesses. I’m not really worried about that,” he said.
“We’ve got a great MLA in Dauphin. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure that his region is taken care of and I think Wab (Kinew, Manitoba Premier) feels the same way.”
At this point it’s just a matter of waiting for the water to recede.
McCallum appreciates the messages of support GPCC has received.
“All the messages of support, not only to our members, but how passionate people are about Gilbert Plains Country Club, that’s probably the motivation to keep you going,” he said.
The Dauphin Lake Golf Club was also hit with flooding, with most of the course being under water at one point, according to general manager and head professional Shawn Woods.
“Except for some areas. But it’s now subsided. But the lake is up, so who knows,” he said.
DLGC remains closed and conditions will be reassessed Wednesday morning after Sunday’s rainfall.
“It’s very wet. We’ve been pumping nonstop for four days and trying to clean things up. But the golf course and clubhouse has been closed, too. We had water in the clubhouse. So we’ve got lots to do,” Woods said.
Woods hopes to open Monday, but the clubhouse will likely remain closed indefinitely.
The driving range will also be closed and the tournaments scheduled for this weekend were cancelled, however, the pro shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

They expected to play close to home when the 11U Tier 3 provincials were to hit the diamonds in Grandview this past weekend.
But the flooding last week resulted in the provincial tournament being moved to Portage and the 11U Dauphin Fusion Credit Union team made the best of it, coming home with a silver medal.
Dauphin opened the nine-team tournament with a 6-2 win over Grosse Isle, Friday, and followed that up with a 15-3 win over Tri-Community.
On Saturday, Dauphin dropped a 10-5 decision to Portage, but rebounded to beat Cartwright/Baldur, 14-4.
This placed Fusion in second place and into the semifinals, where a 4-3 victory over Neepawa put them in the final, where they faced Portage once again.
The host team clinched the provincial gold medal with a 12-2 triumph, going undefeated at 5-0.
Fusion coach Mike Winters noted two of their games ended early due to the mercy rule, where a game ends if a team is ahead by 10 runs after five innings.
“So we were able to save pitchers for the next game because of it,” he said.
Teams had to battle hot weather throughout the tournament.
Winters noted the temperature for Sunday’s semifinal was 34C with the humidex, while the final was about 38C.
Winters was impressed with how the players came together as a team throughout the tournament.
“Teamwork and sportsmanship was unbelievable. My coaches, who coached along side me were unbelievable. All around it was amazing. I’m very proud of my team,” he said, adding Barret Procyshyn was a co-coach.
Knowing Portage had a strong team, Fusion treated the semifinal against Neepawa as its championship game.
“We wanted to guarantee we got the silver medal. The gold medal would have been great for Dauphin and the Parkland, but we knew two games on Sunday was hard to win,” Winters said.
“Portage, they finished first in their round-robin, so they got a bye to the finals. They didn’t have to play in the morning, which was to their benefit. It’s just the way it is.”
Winters credited Portage for hosting the tournament at the last minute, noting they had just a couple of days to prepare for it.
“It’s unfortunate Grandview couldn’t do it. They did so much work, so much energy and time into it and they reached out to our team for us to bring everything out there for Portage,” he said.
“The parents were amazing in Grandview and volunteers. We had a lot of people here in Dauphin, too, who were amazing and helped our team out, donated stuff to us.”
Fusion Credit Union sponsored the team, while Canadian Tire donated some swag for the Grandview event and for the players, as well.
Fusion called up three players and a coach from Roblin and one player from Ste. Rose to join the team for provincials. Winters wishes to thank them for their efforts.
“They helped us a lot. It was great,” Winters said, adding it feels great to be a provincial silver medalist.
“I don’t even remember the last time Dauphin has had it. It’s been a while. And I’m very proud of them. It feels amazing. Beyond words.”