Weeds and trees, highlights from the Stanley Soil Management Association AGM

The Stanley Soil Management Association (SSMA) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, Friday at the Thresherman’s Museum Hall to go over what the 2024-2025 year looked like. Richard Warkentin, technician for the SSMA, broke down the different projects that were the focus of the year.  

Sustainability collaboratively 

Warkentin shared that at the core of SSMA's work is its commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural projects throughout the RM of Stanley.  

MCC Canada rallies support for Myanmar’s earthquake recovery

A powerful earthquake has struck Myanmar, claiming the lives of more than 2,000 people and leaving countless others struggling to rebuild their lives. 

Annie Loewen, interim director for disaster response at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada, says the organization has been programming in Myanmar since 1996. 

RCMP investigating after apparent late-night altercation in Rosenort

A young man from Rosenort was quite shaken up after an altercation late Thursday evening in the community.

The incident was reported to RCMP at 11:25 p.m., and authorities say the 14-year-old was out walking his dog when he was apparently approached by an unknown person who may have attempted to assault him. The youth suffered minor injuries defending himself.

Morris RCMP are investigating.

Flyers clip pesky Nighthawks, win series 4-2

In a series few from Winkler or Niverville will soon forget, the Flyers managed to pull off a 3-2 win in game six to defeat the Nighthawks 4-2 in the quarter-final series.

The CRRC in Niverville was buzzing early as the home side came out strong, earning a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. 

Dawson Zeller continued his strong playoffs scoring his second from Aiden Corbett, putting his team up a goal.

Both teams went back and forth through the rest of the frame but the Zeller goal was the only one that hit the scoreboard through the opening 20 minutes.

Getruda Loewen

Funeral For: Getruda Loewen
Funeral Date: April 3, 2025 
Getruda Loewen, 75, of Lowe farm formerly of Mexico, passed away Saturday, March 30th at Altona Memorial Health Centre. She is survived by her husband Wilhelm Loewen Penner, 2 sons, 2 sisters and their families. She was predeceased by 2 grandchildren,1 sister and 2 brothers. 
The funeral service for Getruda Loewen will be held Thursday, April 3rd at 2pm at Reinland Mennonite Church, Altona with burial at Schoenthal Cemetery. 

Manitoba minimum wage set to increase to $16 an hour this October

Many workers in Manitoba are set to see a slight increase in their wages this fall.

The Manitoba government says the minimum wage is to go up by 20 cents to $16 an hour.

The increase is to take effect on Oct. 1.

Manitoba's minimum wage is updated annually and tied to inflation.

The government says the latest increase reflects the province's 2024 inflation rate of 1.1 per cent.

The federal minimum wage for employees in the federally regulated private sector is $17.75.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2025.

Carney promises home building program, Poilievre pitches national energy corridor

Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised Monday to get the federal government back into the business of home building, while Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives pitched a national energy corridor to fast-track approval of key infrastructure.

The New Democrats rolled out their own national project — a promise to help retrofit 3.3 million homes and pay for it by cutting supports for big oil and gas companies. 

We should see relief at the pumps, with consumer carbon price now at zero

The expectation is we should all see immediate relief at the pumps today as the consumer carbon price is officially set to zero.

Liberal leader Mark Carney, shortly after winning the party's leadership race, signed an order in council making the removal official April 1st. The carbon price came with a quarterly rebate to offset the cost of inflation; the final rebate will come in April.

Kevin Larson brings Reform Party influence as People's Party nominee in Portage-Lisgar

Kevin Larson is the People’s Party of Canada candidate in Portage‑Lisgar this federal election.

The nephew of former Reform Party MP, Deborah Grey, answered questions on tariffs, local infrastructure, immigration, and the influence his aunt has had on his political perspective.

Tariffs and trade

Q: “The top of a lot of folks’ minds is tariffs. What is your, and the People’s Party’s, stance right now in terms of where you stand on the whole tariff issue with the US?”