Pam Fedack

As scammers continue to look for ways to take money from people, reports of the 'real estate' scam have been received by a number of police departments in the Pembina Valley.

Several months of preliminary work have already gone into a significant road project in Winkler, and more action at the site will soon commence.
    
As development continues in the area north of Highway 14, the city is preparing to extend Park Street to make the commute in the growing area of the city more efficient.

"Park Street is our big road project this year," said Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens. "What we've done so far, and people will have seen lots of equipment in that area, we've had some water mains and some services updated there." 

A new and inviting outdoor space will soon welcome people to Winkler's Central Station Community Centre.
    
Executive Director Bev Wiebe, says a grant of just under $14,000 through Red River Mutual's 'Spruce up your Story' initiative will be used to build a timber frame porch over the centre's picnic table area up front.

"We just want to use this to liven up the front of our building, create a really welcoming front porch where community members can stop by," shared Wiebe.

Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens says a new pathway in the city is already producing many positive comments.
    
The city has extended the path from the Southland Mall Eastward down Roblin Boulevard to Eastview Drive, then turning south on Eastview to Cargill Road.

"This is an extremely exciting project for us," said Siemens. 

Continued training is an ongoing and important aspect of the Winkler Fire Department.

Winkler Fire Chief Richard Paetzold says it doesn't matter how busy the year is, training is only interrupted when firefighters are dispatched to a call.

"This year we've been a little busier with training because we're bringing on 8 new recruits," said Paetzold. "They've completed their Level 1 training, and we're now just awaiting evaluation spots at the college in Brandon." Paetzold expects that will happen in the fall.

Members of the Altona Elks stopped by Katie's Cottage Tuesday evening to present a cheque that will end up providing 1000 kids in hospital with a bit of comfort.

"We donated $2000 to Katie Cares for their little Beanie Babies because we want to do something for the kids that are going to the hospital, whether it's the emerge or the clinic where they're getting a blood test," said Altona Elks member, Guy Mullen.

Work to transform the greenspace in front of Winkler's Garden Valley Collegiate (GVC) will begin any day now.
    
Earlier this year members of the school's Parent Advisory Council revealed plans to turn the big open space adjacent to Main Street into a beautiful and inviting space. 

"This school year, together with the school's leadership team, department heads, and our staff, we all talked about what would be our mission and our goal for this school year," explained GVC Principal, Carrie Friesen. 

The Garden Valley School Division has approved a new strategic plan.
    
In developing the plan, Board Chair Leah Klassen says trustees along with senior administration worked diligently in meeting with various stakeholders to chart the course for the next four years. Those groups included the division's parent advisory councils, business and municipal leaders, principals, the Garden Valley Teacher's Association, as well as students to find out what was important to them.
    

In its efforts to raise $ 10 million, the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation is switching its focus by reaching out to the general public.
    
Foundation Chair Ben Friesen says the committee has had a very good run, meeting with businesses and individuals around the region. Over $ 8 million has been raised so far for the committee's fundraising commitment towards the $100-million hospital expansion. 
    

A discovery in the wall of a classroom at Winkler's Garden Valley Collegiate (GVC) has stirred up some excitement.

Fifteen years ago during a parent-teacher meeting, GVC Automotive Instructor Robin Mondor was told a story that greatly piqued his interest. He explained a visiting parent informed him of a time capsule in one of the walls of his classroom. Then, five years later, another parent shared the same story.