PembinaValley

They’re fuzzy, soft, mobile, and ready to offer the community a unique riding experience.  

This weekend at Plum Coulee’s annual Plum Fest, Stuffy Riders, large stuffed animals that go at the touch of a button, will be in attendance.

Celebration of life For: Bill Zacharias 
Celebration of life Date: August 18, 2025 
Bill Zacharias, 90, of Steinbach passed away Tuesday, August 12th at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. He is survived by his wife Helene, 2 daughters, 2 sons, 3 sisters and their families. He was predeceased by 1 grandson, 1 great-granddaughter, 1 sister and 1 brother. 
The celebration of life for Bill Zacharias will be held Monday, August 18th at 3pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with burial at Heritage Cemetery. 

Funeral For:  Verna Ruth Enns 
Funeral Date: August 19, 2025 
Verna Ruth Enns, 102, of Morden formerly of Mather, passed away Wednesday, August 13th at Tabor Home. She is survived by 3 daughters, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Abram J. Enns and 1 daughter. 
The funeral service for Verna Ruth Enns will be held Tuesday, August 19th at 2pm at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden with burial at Southside Cemetery.  
Viewing will be at the chapel prior to the service. 
Donations may be made to Canadian Foodgrains Bank. 

Plum Fest in Plum Coulee is bringing the community together tonight (August 15) with the perfect combination of food, fundraising, and hometown pride. Vicki Hildebrand from the Plum Coulee Sports Committee says their Friday night supper will feature pulled pork on a bun, all in support of the Plum Coulee Pirates baseball program. 

Funeral For:  Herta Kihn
Funeral Date: August 20, 2025 
Herta Kihn, 99, of Steinbach passed away Friday, August 8th at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. She is survived by 1 daughter, 3 sons, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Zelmer Kihn, 1 daughter, and 1 grandson. 
The funeral service for Herta Kihn will be held Wednesday, August 20th at 2pm at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Steinbach with burial at the Kihn Family Cemetery, Friedensfeld. 
Donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. 

Funeral For:  Audrey Kramble 
Funeral Date: Private 
Audrey Kramble, 90, of Eastview Place, Altona formerly of Steinbach, passed away Sunday, July 27th at Eastview Place. She is survived by 1 daughter, 1 son, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Norman, 1 son and 1 sister. 
A private funeral service for Audrey Kramble will be held with burial at Transcona Cemetery. 
Donations may be made to any library. 
Arrangements by Wiebe Funeral Home, Altona.  

Audrey Lorraine (Pearson) Kramble

Thousands are out of their homes, and many more are on alert to evacuate as wildfires continue to rage across Atlantic Canada.

Officials in Newfoundland and Labrador have expanded an evacuation alert along the Bay De Verde Peninsula as the Kingston wildfire burns nearby.

The community of Job's Cove in Newfoundland is affected by the expanded evacuation alert for the wildfire, which is considered out-of-control and is now more than 90 square kilometres in size.

The Kingston fire is the largest in the province and has forced more than 3,000 people from their homes.

The Red River Basin Commission supported Netley-Libau Marsh Restoration Project continues to make headway in restoring the marsh at the south end of Lake Winnipeg to what historically exited. It is the largest freshwater coastal wetland in North America, and over the last century has seen major vegetation degradation with more than 10,000 acres being lost.

Altona's signature giant Van Gogh painting, Sunflowers, is getting redone. Town council made the decision earlier this week.

"With the funds that have been dedicated (through fund raising) and some of the insurance money that's come in, we advised administration to move forward," explained Mayor Harv Schroeder.

The U13 AAA South Central Cubs have made their way to Chilliwack, British Columbia, and will be taking part in the Western Canadian Baseball Championships over the next few days.

Important preparation