Friday, April 17, 2020 • Vol.124 No. 38 • Neepawa, Manitoba
Popular soybean with early maturity Extended pod height • Strong IDC tolerance Book early to avoid shortages!
CourtSeeds
Are you interested in comparing Pioneer® brand products with the ones currently on your farm? Give Chris a call to setup a trial. It’s time to find out what you’re missing!
Plumas, MB courtseeds@gmail.com courtseeds.ca 204-386-2354
neepawa
Banner & Press Locally owned and operated
chris.kulbacki@plantpioneer.com 204-966-3245 or 204-476-6449
Inside this week
Reach the world! Our paper gets published online, so our advertisers’ reach is now farther than ever!
Upgrades at Carberry Fire Hall Page 13
Banner & Press
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NSC Watson RR2Y
Regional businesses feeling effects of COVID-19 pandemic
Casper Wehrhahn Neepawa Banner & Press
Life is different than usual right now. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-school classes have been cancelled, some store hours or services limited and all non-essential businesses have been closed. To get a better idea of the pandemic’s effects, the Banner & Press reached out to some of the businesses in its coverage area. Marlies Soltys, owner of Inspire Studio in Minnedosa, noted that Inspire made the decision to close their doors to the public as of Mar. 17. “After reading more about this pandemic and listening to the news as to how we could flatten the curve, combined with the drastic change in traffic through our doors as well as sales, it was in our best interest to do so,” said Soltys. “This time of year, I rely more on classes rather than sales to make a living. It’s definitely tough to come to terms with that. Rather than focusing on that, we have to become
innovative and think of new ways to stay af loat. Social media has never been as important to my business as it is now.” Soltys added, “We were overwhelmed with our flower subscription participants, people have messaged asking to purchase gift certificates and more. It has never been as important as it is now to support all things local. I cannot emphasize that enough. As scary and strange as these times are, we need to try and stay positive, look for silver linings, be mindful and be grateful for what we do have.” As of Mar. 30, Boho Soul in Minnedosa also closed its doors. Shop owner Magen
Since 1988
204-476-3636
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Marlies Soltys, owner of Inspire Studio, stands inside the empty shop. The studio closed its doors on Mar. 17, but Soltys has developed new ways to stay afloat.
Swift noted that the effects of the pandemic are being felt as a result. With her doors closed, Swift’s shop isn’t getting the usual foot traffic and, due to shut-downs
of other businesses, local stores that normally order her products aren’t buying. However, Swift is still offering product deliveries. Her products are also available at
some Co-ops, so people can support her by purchasing there when shopping. Alternatively, they can support her clothing line. Continued on Page 10
COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE • Laptops • Virus & Spyware Removal
• Desktops • Custom Built Computers
• All Major Brands
• OEM only (No Refurbs)
PRINTER INK & TONER
COVID-19 updates Health care worker compensation plan: The province announced on Tuesday, Apr. 14 that it plans to provide greater job protection for those impacted by COVID-19. Premier Brian Pallister said that health care workers can receive paid administrative leave for the full 14-day period of asymptomatic self-isolation due to possible exposure to the virus in the workplace. Should a worker become symptomatic during self-isolation, the individual will be compensated by sick leave benefits, pursuant to their collective agreement. Reduced work week proposed for public sector employees: Premier Brian Pallister wants many of Manitoba’s public-sector employees to accept a reduced work week during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government will approach more than a dozen public-sector unions with the pitch that reduced hours for non-frontline workers in the civil service, at Crown corporations and elsewhere is better than job cuts, Pallister said on Tuesday. “I say that having the ability to work part-time … is better than being laid off,” he said.
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