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Portage la Prairie is informing its citizens of a disruption to traffic Wednesday.

The city says that the intersection of 18th Street NW and Saskatchewan Avenue West is temporarily closed due to road construction.

Due to water main repairs: the east leg of Cedar Bay is also closed today.

The city notes that the intention is to have both spots reopened by the end of the day.

As the People of Portage la Prairie gear up for the 43rd general election on October 3, you can expect a more streamlined and efficient voting experience thanks to several key changes introduced for this year. Changes include voting anywhere in your electoral division, advanced technology, and enhanced security measures.

Vote Anywhere in Your Electoral Division

While colder weather will surely take over Portage in the next few weeks, a program that brings the community warmth is returning.

Every Tuesday from September 26 until December 12 the Special Olympics will reinserting itself to Portage, from 6 – 7 p.m. at École Arthur Meighen.

Deanna Talbot, a coach involved with the program, explain that they are looking for athletes and coaches to come to participate.

"The athletes can be anywhere from 2 years old to older, so everyone is welcome, and this year we are looking for more volunteers."

Classes began last Thursday in Oakville, and Mark Sokolowski, Principal at Oakville School, says they have had a terrific start.

"There is a lot of excitement around the building. We've just hit the ground running here. It's been fantastic."

The Principal at Oakville School says many of the lessons learned so far have been about team building.

"Building relationships with staff and students is a priority, especially at the beginning of the school year. That's been a focus for the first several days, but rest assured that we're getting into the academic piece."

Portage la Prairie RCMP proceeded to arrest a wanted man who was seen riding a bicycle in Dakota Tipi First Nation. The incident occurred this past Monday at about 3:40 p.m. The man pulled a knife on officers when he was informed of the arrest, and threatened to kill the policeman. 

The officer drew his firearm and told him to stop advancing immediately, and called for back-up. The suspect turned and fled on the bike. The officer followed and saw the suspect discard the knife into a bush.

Portage students will hit the books today as school is back in session. PortageOnline caught up with two École Arthur Meighen pupils as they headed back to the classroom.

Lily Guest is in Grade 8 and says it is nice to be one of the oldest kids at the school.

"There's only thirty 8th graders so it's going to be a very small group, and I know everyone. I think it's going to be fun."

Manitoba First Nations Police (MFNP) received a call last Sunday regarding an assault on Long Plain First Nation, which resulted in the discovery of much more.

Officers attended to an address in the 200 block of Ojibway Drive on September 3 to arrest a man. Shortly after Officers arrived, the man fled into the surrounding bush area.

Dauphin RCMP responded to a report of shots fired at an apartment building in Sifton last Friday.

The RCMP report provided to PortageOnline says officers attended and were advised that a shot was heard coming from one of the apartments on September 1. 

Police then reportedly cleared the residences and located a bullet hole in one of the walls of an apartment. No one was injured, and no one was located inside.

Following the discovery of the remains of Lyndon McIvor on August 31, from Lake Manitoba First Nation, it was determined that the death was suspicious. 

McIvor was reported missing on August 27, and his remains were discovered on August 31. Lundar RCMP had been investigating.

Barry Leslie Swan, 36, has been arrested for the homicide of McIvor, charged with 2nd-Degree murder, and was remanded into custody.

Manitoba RCMP are sharing sad news Friday afternoon regarding an update about an individual they had asked the public for help in finding earlier this week.

On Monday, Lundar RCMP was seeking help in locating Lyndon McIvor of Lake Manitoba. Since then, searchers have reportedly found human remains believed to be McIvor the following Thursday.

The RCMP notes that this death is considered suspicious.

Major Crime Services are on the case, and they ask anyone with info to call the RCMP at 204-762-5678.