A local court room erupted in a display of shock, anger and anguish as Justice Sandra Zinchuk handed down a not guilty verdict for a Dauphin man facing 15 charges in connection with a 2019 drunk driving collision which killed two young sisters.

At the heart of the trial of Jack Winters, 28, was the identity of the person behind the wheel of a Ford F-150 registered to Winters, which ran a stop sign at the intersection Road 457 North and PTH 362 north of the city causing the collision, killing six-year-old Oksana Dutchyshen and her four-year-old sister Quinn.

Winters was travelling with his friend Jeffrey Thompson and court was told both men had been drinking heavily, with both men having high blood alcohol levels.

Winters’ DNA was found on the drivers’ side airbag and he was found on the ground near the driver’s door by first responders. However, in delivering her verdict Justice Zinchuk indicated the defense offered multiple alternate scenarios which could account for the DNA transfer.

The question of who was driving was further clouded by contradictory statements made by Thompson, who immediately after the accident told a first responder he was driving. Later that night in hospital, Thompson told police he “might” have been driving and in a final statement to police some months later indicated he was not driving.

Thompson died in an unrelated incident in 2020 making further clarification of his statements impossible, Zinchuk said.

Winters maintained throughout that he had no memory of the accident.

It all added up to reasonable doubt about who had care and control of the vehicle, Justice Zinchuk said.

“A reasonable doubt is not an imaginary or frivolous doubt. It is not based on sympathy for, or prejudice against, anybody involved in the proceedings,” she said. “Even if I believe that Winters is probably guilty, or likely guilty, that is not sufficient. Accordingly, I must find the defendant not guilty on all counts.”

Following the decision, the victims’ mother Claire McBride crumpled to floor in tears, while other supporters and family members hurled obscenities at the judge, the accused and his family and levelled charges of incompetence at police.

Outside the courtroom following the proceedings the girls’ grandmother, Gaylene Dutchyshen, expressed her “profound disappointment” in the verdict.

“We don’t have a reasonable doubt. We know our grandchildren are dead. This is not about me, it is about those two little girls. This is not an accident, this is wilful drinking and driving. They chose to get in that vehicle,” she said. “Total injustice and that’s all I can say. And we have to live with it, we have to live in the aftermath of being without those two little girls the rest of our lives.”

There is a new face behind the checkout desk at the Roblin and District Library. Holly Hart-Harder has accepted the position as the new branch librarian, after Myrtle Chase announced her retirement last month.

Hart-Harder grew up in the Winnipeg area and then moved to Roblin while raising her children.

For the rest of the story check out a copy of this week's paper.

Two incidents that took place in the Roblin area are among the concluded cases of this month’s Manitoba Conservation Officer Service update from Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development.

On May 18, two men pleaded guilty to hunting at night with lights in the Roblin area and each received $4,000 fine. The driver of the vehicle also pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while suspended and received an additional fine of $672.

More in this week's issue.

To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, Kelsey Community School raised the bar and decided to take a week to learn and acknowledge Indigenous people and culture. The week was bustling with activities that not only engaged students, but adults as well. Many Indigenous community members participated through demonstration and cultural activities for the students to participate in.
“We started with an opening ceremony Monday morning,” said Antonio. “Music teacher, Mr. Legeny, sang O' Canada in Cree. Our principal, Mr. Jay Marin, introduced Elder Pat Young to open with a prayer. Next was the Kelsey School Division superintendent, Mr. Cully Robinson gave the land acknowledgement.
“Organizer and grade 5 teacher, Mrs. Myrna Ducharme, spoke about the importance of Indigenous education and how far it has come. She introduced two of the knowledge keepers, Shawna Grapentine and Kelleen Blouin (Granny Willow), who attended the event and shared through their art. Next, students Layla Rye-Antonio and Kain Ballantyne, gave greetings in French, Michif and Cree, and thanked Heritage Canada for their sponsorship.

Last week the federal government acknowledged a list of citations in Ottawa in a Mixed Honours Investiture Ceremony. Local resident, Ralph McLean was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal in the Civil Division.
McLean has been commemorating soldiers killed in war and peace keeping missions for more than two decades. Through his self-funded Canadian and international travels, he has identified unmarked war graves, which has helped expand the documentation of the British Commonwealth military history.
“This started out as a hobby that turned into a passion, and then turned into this award,” said McLean. “I started in the mid to late 1990s, photographing war graves around Canada, because our war dead aren’t all buried overseas. There were several different volunteers doing this across Canada.

The shone bright Sunday afternoon, welcoming community members to the lawn of Christ Church for their annual Teddy Bear Picnic. The picnic included a variety of activities for young and old, with performances from local singers & musicians, a bounce house, games, a free barbeque and a medic tent for children’s favorite stuffies to get tended to.
"At the end of last year's Teddy Bears' Picnic we promised this year would be double the fun and we delivered," Reverend Jann Brooks commented.
"We had great weather, great music, great food, great games, and great company. An altogether great day,” she added.
More than 200 people came to the picnic and by all reports enjoyed themselves throughly.

Last week members of the Town of The Pas administration and staff participated in naloxone training and some discussions around the situation with discarded sharps in the community. The goal of meeting with some of the Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) departments was to create a plan to address education, as well as sharp disposal bins quantities and placements in the community.
“There were some initial discussions between the NRHA about sharps locations and pick up; as well as who would be managing and how it would be managed,” said Town of The Pas Mayor Andre Murphy. “It sort of tailed off due to the pandemic, election of a council and other stuff going on. Last week, we reinitiated that discussion with the NRHA, and had some representation from certain departments to talk about the issue of discarded sharps in the community. We needed to work together and find a solution to this, because there is a responsibility on all of us to make an improvement here.

There’s a good time to be had by all at the Swan River Senior Citizens’ Centre (SRSCC), which has seen an influx of members join in the last year.
The SRSCC has been operating their facility nearly continuously since 1978 when they were incorporated, save for a couple of years when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak.
In recent years, the SRSCC had been struggling for members and participation, but it is now headed in a positive direction, always with room for more the join.
“In the past, a lot of the time the membership has been 80+ years of age,” said SRSCC President Marvin Vestby, who himself is 86 years old and took on the role of president soon after joining the membership for the first time in late summer of last year. “But, we’ve had quite an influx of younger seniors in the 65-75 age range, which bodes well for activity.”
Vestby noted that when he joined last year, there were maybe four people playing pool once a week. Now, a weekday afternoon might have all pool tables and shuffleboard courts going with some card games in the main area.
“On Mondays and Fridays, we have pool and shuffleboard, and on Wednesdays, they play cribbage here,” said Vestby. “People are also learning how to play bridge. We also have a full slate of bingo here on Tuesday afternoons and a potluck dinner once a month.
“Also, once every month, we have a Friday afternoon birthday party for all the birthdays that happened that month. I think at the last birthday party, we had 65 people here. It’s really turning into a big event, with entertainment, dancing, cake and ice cream. I feel it’s really bringing the community together.”
Vestby added that the increased activity has even brought down a few people from Bowsman, which he is pleased with.
“When I joined, there were maybe 60 members, 30 of which were active,” said Vestby. “We have upwards of 90 members now, and on any given day, we have 35-50 people here, which I would say has been a real success.”
While folks in their 60s might be considered on the younger end of the participating spectrum, membership is open to people as young as 50. If a member has a spouse that is younger than that, they are welcome too.
The membership fee is at a very affordable $15 a year, with a $1 daily charge for coffee and a $1 charge for whatever game you want to play that day. The revenue helps them keep up with operations and keep the lights on, but they have also gotten grants from places in the past like from Louisiana Pacific or the Fenske Foundation to assist with upgrades, repairs or maintenance to the building. Vestby admits that the fees have been that way for a long time and may have to be raised slightly to keep up with increasing expenses.
“There are some people who have retired that have said they don’t know what they would do (without the SRSCC),” said Vestby. “They are excellent supporters.
“So many of these people didn’t really know one another either. They might know one another to see each other, but now they are here talking to each other. It’s bringing everybody together, young and old. Anybody can join in fellowship.”
The doors of the SRSCC are open Monday and Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., as well as Monday to Friday afternoons from 1-5 p.m.. To sign up, just walk in while it’s open and ask for Treasurer Connie McKay, who will gladly welcome you in.

The Swan Valley Regional Secondary School Class of 2023 posed for a group photo prior to graduation exercises on Friday (June 23).

The Dauphin Kings reported a profit of more than $30,000 at its annual general meeting, Monday at the Parkland Recreation Complex Aspen Lodge.

The Kings reported revenues of $702,120, with the fund-raising being the largest contributor, with the team fund-raising $261,239.

There was also $175,326 in ticket sales and $132,252 in sponsorships, as well as $55,527 from game night revenue, $39,413 from other revenue and $38,363 from travel fees.

Salaries and benefits in the amount of $190,863 was the largest expense the team reported, with the overall total coming in at $671,942, giving the club an overall profit of $30,678 and net assets of $153,597.

Kings president Ashley Shaw said the club could not have done it without the help of the sponsors, support from the community and fans.

“And everyone who came out to support the Dauphin Kings. It’s very exciting that we’re able to have no debt and then also still be able to put some away, as well,” she said.

It is also a testament to the work the board of directors has put in to not only eliminate the team’s debt, but to put money in the bank.

“A great group of board members. I couldn’t ask for better people to sit on the board with. But also past board members, right? They also put a lot of time and effort into making sure that the fund-raisers are in place and we’re on the right path. So kudos to them, as well, for making this happen in our organization,” she said.

Lindsey Kyle stepped down from the board of directors, but she will still be around to help where needed.

New to the board are Christian Laughland, who returns to the Kings as governor, as well as Cam Abrey and Erin Sigvaldason.

Shaw was pleased to see more people stepping up to serve on the board.

“Lindsey has been a huge part of this organization, but she’s not fully stepping away. She’ll still help a little bit on the sidelines with some things,” she said. “But it’s really great to have some new faces come and join the team. And these are three phenomenal people that I think will bring a lot to our board.”

During the meeting, it was announced the Kings had signed head coach and general manager Doug Hedley to a new one-year contract.

Shaw said it was important to get Hedley under contract for next season.

“We’re very happy that we were able to do that,” Shaw said.

“I know he’s excited, we’re excited for the team that he’s going to have this coming fall. So we’re very happy that he’ll be with us for the next season.”

Shaw said the team will revisit Hedley’s contract situation at some point in the fall to possibly talk about an extension.