PembinaValley

Funeral For: Sidney Koop 
Funeral Date: September 4, 2025 
Sidney Koop, 79, of Landmark passed away Saturday, August 30th at Rest Haven Care Home. He is survived by his wife Dora, 1 daughter, 1 son and their families. 
The celebration of life for Sidney Koop will be held Thursday, September 4th 6pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with a private ash interment at a later date. 
Donations may be made to ALS Manitoba. 
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel. 

Funeral For: Cornelius Wieler 
Funeral Date: September 5, 2025 
Cornelius Wieler, 87, of Vita passed away Saturday, August 30th at Bethesda Regional health centre, Steinbach. He is survived by his wife Diane Wieler, 4 daughters, 1 son and their families. 
The funeral service for Cornelius Wieler will be held Friday, September 5th 2pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with burial at Vita Sommerfeld Church Cemetery. 
Viewing will be at Birchwood Funeral Chapel prior to the service. 

Federal public servants were less likely to call in sick to work during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, new government data shows.

The figures shared by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat indicate that in 2020-21, when the pandemic had most office employees working entirely remotely, the average number of sick days for the public service was 5.9.

That number grew to 8.1 in 2021-22, 8.8 in 2022-23 and 9.2 days in 2023-24.

New research on a sample collected from the asteroid Bennu — a small portion of which should arrive in Canada soon — is offering a glimpse into how it came to be.

Studies published in Nature Astronomy and Nature Geoscience last week offer some insight into the granules that were collected and brought to Earth in September 2023 as part of NASA-led OSIRIS-REx mission.

Lyss Houde has been a growing voice in hockey throughout Manitoba for a while now, and the gifted host has taken her talents to the world of podcasting where she is talking about important issues with people who are educated and passionate about the game.

How it all got started

On the second weekend of September, Winkler folks can get ready to cruise around town and find hidden treasures on curbsides throughout the city.  

Wendy Klassen, Assistant City Manager, calls the Winkler Curbside Giveaway, “Kind of a fun way to say, ‘Hey people need to get rid of things, not everything is landfill, and somebody else might love what you have.’”  

“I would describe it as a place where organizations can come together to promote their events that are for children in the area. We just wanted to really [shine] a spotlight on these organizations in the community and have a one-stop place for families to come and see what organizations have available for activities for their children.” 

As summer winds down, Winkler Arts and Culture is bursting into a new season of creativity, connection, and community. From after-school art classes that spark imagination to monthly newcomer gatherings and fresh exhibits, fall promises to be one of the busiest and most exciting seasons yet at the local gallery.

After-school art programs filling up fast

Two after-school art classes are already open for registration, and spots are limited. Jered Hildebrand, Director of Winkler Arts and Culture, says kids looking for a creative outlet should sign up soon.

An investment made by Western School Division has paid off — both for the community and an individual passionate about it.  

Kassidy Curry, a Mordenite who grew up in the French Immersion program in the division, has now returned in a teaching capacity.  

Recently, the Winkler Community Foundation impacted the lives of 56 students who received scholarships for post-secondary education.  

The total amount dispersed this year was $125,000, but it was about more than the funds.