It's an ideal day for road clearing in the RM of Stanley

The RM of Stanley says snow-clearing efforts underway along rural roads will quickly turn into a flood prevention effort.

Crews in the RM of Stanley were out early this morning tackling the mounds of snow, and clearing the way.

In a statement emailed to PembinaValleyOnline News, the RM said today's conditions are perfect for road clearing allowing for good progress. While it's expected the majority of the roads will be open today (Thursday), some areas may only see a plow Friday morning.  

Longtime Parkland Elementary School teacher named to new admin role

The Garden Valley School Division has announced the appointment of a new Vice-Principal for Prairie Dale School.
    
With over 16 years of teaching experience at Parkland Elementary School, Dwayne Wall who has held the position of Resource Teacher, Guidance Counsellor, Literacy Support Teacher and Classroom Teacher, will take on the new role in September.

"Pickleball is on Fire," says Winkler Pickleball Association President

Responding to the huge interest in the sport of Pickleball, and its rapid growth locally, the Winkler Pickleball Association says a plan needs to be made.

President of the Association, John Klassen, says if the pandemic had not happened, their membership of league and drop-in players would be well over 200, instead of the current 125. 

The intergenerational game attracts players of all ages to their league and drop-in matches.

Partnership with SEED & getting back to their core purpose, top highlights for Altona & District Chamber in 2022

Looking back on 2022, there were many positive things to celebrate for the Altona and District Chamber of Commerce.
    
Following their first full year post pandemic, Chamber President, Kal Smith says the organization was able to get back to its core purpose, which is getting out and meeting with people. "Being able to get out and chat with people, talk with people, be able to connect a little more. We've done certainly more of that than we've done in previous years," said Smith.

After devastating 2022 fire, anticipation building for completion of new Miami Active Living Centre

On July 12th of 2022, only 10 days away from to the public, fire struck the Miami Active Living Centre

The fire caused extensive damage to the roof and it was decided it was best to demolish the building and start again. By September of 2022, the building was demolished and construction began again. 

RM of Thompson Reeve Brian Callum says construction has gone quickly and the project is ahead of schedule.

After devastating 2022 fire, anticipation building for completion of new Miami Active Living Centre

On July 12th of 2022, only 10 days away from to the public, fire struck the Miami Active Living Centre

The fire caused extensive damage to the roof and it was decided it was best to demolish the building and start again. By September of 2022, the building was demolished and construction began again. 

RM of Thompson Reeve Brian Callum says construction has gone quickly and the project is ahead of schedule.

Do you know which R.M. of Stanley roads fall under Spring Weight restrictions?

Spring weight restrictions will go into effect next Monday for local paved roads in the RM of Stanley

When the base of the paved road thaws, it does not have the weight-carrying capacity that it would have been designed for. The RM says the weight restrictions will prevent damage from any heavy loads that can occur when a road base is thawing. 

The restrictions go into effect on April 3rd and can last up to 8 weeks.

Winkler Chamber President offers thoughts on upcoming raises to Manitoba's minimum wage

The minimum wage in our province will soon go up $0.65 to $14.15 an hour, the first of two increases in 2023. The second increase for minimum wage earners will come in October when the wage will go up to $15.30 an hour.

The President of the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce, Hank Froese, says the increases to Manitoba's minimum wage will come as a challenge to some businesses. He says that's especially true for small businesses.

Morden Adult Education Centre seeing upward trend in enrolment

Enrolment has doubled since the fall semester began at the Morden Adult Education Centre.
    
Director Todd Folkett says their numbers have been down due to Covid, and they are now on their way up. He says enrolment has doubled from the start of the school year to a total of 85 students.

"We just started to see people coming back, I think starting to look for more of a routine, and for a lot of those people it's coming back to school and getting credits towards a mature diploma."

RM of Stanley presents 2023 Financial Plan at public hearing

The RM of Stanley presented a budget of over $ 7 million to ratepayers at its regular council meeting last Thursday. Total operational spending increased by 10.84 % from last year's financial plan.
    
Deputy Reeve and Chair of the Finance Committee, Peter Froese says inflationary costs over the last year have made it a challenge to keep the budget in line.