PembinaValley

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe wrapped three days of meetings with his fellow premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney Wednesday with a message he admitted he wouldn't have sent over the past decade.

"We can be proud of the work our federal government is doing, in fairness," Moe said.

Moe has been one of the federal Liberal government's most vocal critics in recent years — and criticism of Ottawa is usually guaranteed when provincial leaders gather.

The community of Winkler is buzzing as the U11 AA provincials are this weekend, and the organizing committee is ready to welcome players, fans, and parents to town.

Getting the provincials to Winkler is a big deal, and Heather DiFrancesco details what went into it. "Through Winkler Minor Ball, we put in a bid for hosting provincials, and we were awarded the U11 AA tier 1 provincials. On the way, we were also given tier 2. It's a big deal. We have 20 teams coming from all over the province. It's a big endeavor, but it's very exciting."

This weekend, the village of Chortitz is throwing a celebration honouring the 150 years since Mennonite settlers first established the community.  

Residents past and present are coming together to remember, reconnect, and look ahead. 

Looking back on the 150 years of history and the people who built Chortitz from the ground up is at the centre of the weekend, though that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for fireworks and waffles. 

This year, Winkler Daycare is celebrating half a century since its establishment. 

In that time, countless children from the Pembina Valley have been entrusted to its care, where they have played, learned, and grown into the individuals that make up a thriving community.  

Altona is gearing up for a weekend packed with parades, music, fireworks, food, and community spirit as the 60th Manitoba Sunflower Festival kicks off July 25 to 27.

What started in 1964 as a small-town summer celebration has grown into one of southern Manitoba’s most anticipated events. Organizers say this year’s festival will celebrate tradition while making room for fresh energy and new ideas.

“It’s huge for a town this size to have a festival that’s gone on this long,” said festival chair Sandra Klassen. “People look forward to it all year.”

In Winkler, gathering as a neighbourhood and connecting as a community can happen just steps from one’s front door. 

‘It’s a good chance to catch up’ 

The city has a program that makes it convenient to organize the sort of festivities that tend to see a great deal of enthusiasm — block parties. 

Every summer we see cyclists brave the long stretches of prairie road, and some are biking for the pure pleasure of it, and others are on a mission.

Glenboro resident and Canadian Forces member Major Steve Sloat is tag teaming with retired LCol Robert Poirier to raise funds for the Gunner Peer Support Network, a charity of the Royal Canadian Artillery.

OPERATION GRIND FOR GUNNERS started at the end of June in Victoria, BC and will end in Kenora, ON at the beginning of August if all goes according to plan.

From 1981 to 2025, the Cripple Creek Music Festival is going strong into its 44th year, always held on the fourth Sunday in July on the same beautiful private property donated by Annie Wiebe just south of Morden.

The 2025 Musical Lineup

There's a good mix of familiar faces and fresh acts taking the stage this Sunday (July 27th) at Cripple Creek, check out the list below!

Manitoba is continuing to work on growing the agri-food sector. 

Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced over $6 million in funding from the province and the federal government to increase food processing opportunities.

The announcement was made at Maple Leaf Foods in Brandon, one of the recipients of the funding. 

Maple Leaf's President of Pork Operations Dennis Organ says the investment will help modernize the Brandon pork facility with state-of-the-art equipment, improving reliability, efficiency and production quality. 

A local volunteer firefighter is doing his part to support those on the front lines of Manitoba’s wildfire response.  

The town of Snow Lake was evacuated on July 10 due to the threat of wildfires. Just two days later, on July 12, volunteer firefighter Steve Slaney from Dominion City joined crews to assist with wildfire protection. They returned one week later, on July 19.