PembinaValley

Wildfire smoke has again drifted into much of Southern Manitoba, and that's prompted Environment Canada to issue Special Air Quality Statements for almost all of the province.

As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Manitoba, communities across the province are stepping up to support those affected.

The Canadian Red Cross is coordinating relief efforts, providing essential aid to evacuees and assisting in recovery operations.

In the Pembina and Red River Valleys, while the immediate threat of wildfires remains low, the community feels the impact deeply. The spirit of solidarity is evident as neighbors come together to support fellow Manitobans in need.

Ottawa probably can't help overhaul how municipalities raise funds in the near future, because the federal government is now focused on major, nation-building projects, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday

"We're building on what has worked. We're learning lessons from what hasn't," Carney said at an event held by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

The group represents cities and towns that have lobbied Ottawa for years to give them more independent means of financing their operations.

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says she doesn't blame First Nations leaders who are voicing frustration with governments promising to fast-track development in their territories in the name of national unity.

"I don't blame them. They're frustrated and they're being disrespected," National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Wednesday morning.

"If we're not at the table making these decisions right off the bat, this is what happens and it causes the Canadian government more problems later."

Winkler's Mayor is reminding city residents, who count a four-legged friend as a member of their family, about the importance of cleaning up after them.

"We have a lot of animals in our community, and people are generally quite good when they're taking them for walks and cleaning up after them," started Mayor Henry Siemens. "But there are times when people forget, or don't feel like it, and it's horribly frustrating for those people who are walking afterwards and either step in it or run into it."

After being voted out of the Southeast Manitoba Hockey League, the Ste. Anne Sr. Aces filed a complaint with Hockey Manitoba in hopes of overturning the decision and be allowed to play in the 2025-26 season.

Back on May the 4th, Aces President and Head Coach Kevin Lansard was informed while at a league meeting that the original six teams of the SEMHL held a vote and ousted the Aces on the heels of St. Anne claiming their third straight league championship.

The Winkler Chamber of Commerce gave back to the business community Friday, May 30th with a Member Appreciation BBQ at The Bunker as a part of Pay it Forward May.  

Founded 40 years ago, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba exists so that all Manitobans affected by dementia receive the help they need today and have hope for the future. As a province-wide organization, the Society seeks to achieve its mission through community awareness; individual, family and professional education; support programs and research funding. Their biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up on Wednesday (June 4th) in Altona with the Walk for Alzheimer's!

Prairie Soundscape, the Pembina Valley’s “community of inclusive choirs,” is wrapping up another season with a bang.  

Heidi Friesen (public relations/media) and Selina Lovatt (secretary) say the conclusion of the 8-week choir program will take place at St. Paul’s United Church in Morden.  

Welcome to another Made in Manitoba, and this weekend we're focusing on a singer-songwriter from Westman, Scott Dunn, who is making his first appearance on our program.

Scott was born and raised in Deloraine, and now lives at Lake Metigoshe in retirement. That rural upbringing and lake life has inspired his music and sound. His musical journey started when he was only 6 or 7 years old, and he saved up to buy his first guitar from, you guessed it, the Sears catalogue! Playing consistently into his teens, before taking a brief break and picking it back up in his mid 20s.