PembinaValley

The family of a First Nations woman who died at the hands of a Winnipeg serial killer hopes a special court hearing will help them heal and move on almost a year after the trial.

The family of 30-year-old Ashlee Shingoose, who was identified in March as the unknown victim in the case, will have the chance to give victim impact statements in court on Aug. 15. 

Métis leaders left a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday saying they're confident they will be included in talks about major projects Ottawa hopes to use to bolster the economy in the face of a trade war with the United States.

"When things really matter, Métis governments come together and we get the work done," said Métis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh.

Morden racing star Danny Korne has been behind the wheel of some incredibly fast vehicles, and as she gets ready to conclude her racing career, there is still one more car she wants to drive before she parks for good.

Starting her engine

Meet Hearth & Hound: Where pets are family, and community comes first

When longtime customers walk through the doors of the pet supply stores in Morden and Altona, formerly known as RuffMutts, they’ll notice a fresh new name: Hearth & Hound. But while the branding has changed, the heart of the business remains unchanged.

Kids are petting snakes, parents are snapping selfies with lizards, and somewhere in the crowd, a giant python named Popcorn is stealing the spotlight. Prairie Exotics is back at the Winkler Harvest Festival this weekend (August 8-10), and it’s not your average petting zoo.

As the U15 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship comes to Morden and Winkler next week, the local business community is getting itself ready. 

“We're excited to welcome these ballplayers and their families to our community,” said Clare Agnew, Executive Director of the Morden Chamber of Commerce. 

 Local music duo An Unexpected End, made up of John Wiebe and Dylan Wiebe, is making serious waves again after a well-earned break. And they’re inviting fans of music, to a unique live music experience just south of Plum Coulee: Evenings of songs and stories in the Wiebe family's barn.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says it's time for Ottawa to stop studying the idea of a national forest fire co-ordination agency and take action.

The organization's president wants the federal government to take inspiration from the U.S. Fire Administration to establish a similar office in Canada.

The U.S. office is part of Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, but Ken McMullen says a Canadian version could be simpler and less costly.

This weekend, Winkler will be buzzing as the annual Harvest Festival takes over the city from August 8th to 10th.

Along with a parade, a midway, live musical entertainment, and an all-star line-up of food trucks, there will also be a variety of programming for children, including a petting zoo, obstacle course, and princess/hero pictures. 

Because of high numbers of adult Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, and evidence of a high rate of mosquito infection with West Nile virus (WNV) in the City of Winkler, the Manitoba government is issuing a ministerial order under the Environment Act to begin spraying for adult mosquitoes.

In addition to the City itself, adult mosquito control will take place in an approximately three kilometre extended zone around the city. This includes the communities of Reinfeld, Chortitz and Schanzenfeld.