Pam Fedack

Late last week the City of Winkler received news related to its application to access money through CMHC's $4-billion housing accelerator fund. 

However, it was not the news City Council was hoping for. Mayor Henry Siemens says the council learned their application was not supported.

Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens stopped by the newsroom in Winkler to chat with GoldenWest Reporter, Pam Fedack about a few new things happening, including a great way to safely get rid of your used batteries at home. If you missed the conversation this morning on CFAM radio 950, have a listen to their full discussion below:

Parts of Southern Manitoba are under a Blowing Snow Advisory, including the Red River Valley.

Another fresh layer of snow through the overnight hours, combined with the strong wind will make driving treacherous visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero.

The wind is not expected to ease up until this evening, with strong northwesterly wind gusting up to 80 km/h persisting through much of the day.

Groups supporting Central Station during Saturday's Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk helped bring in thousands for the non-profit organization.
    
Executive Director of Central Station, Anita Wiebe says they far exceeded their fundraising goal of $50,000. Over $83,000 has been raised.

During his State of the City address last week Winkler's mayor offered an update on efforts to roll out a public transportation program.
    
As City Council had hoped, Henry Siemens announced the first step will launch later this year.

A Southern Manitoba playwright, who is also the Vice Principal and Guidance Councilor at Winkler's Parkland Elementary School, will see a project that's occupied nearly eight years of her life hit the stage in June.
    
Rehearsals for Janna Larsen's musical "RIEL" began last weekend, coinciding with Louis Riel day.
    
Larsen was encouraged to tell this important story by her late father, Norm Larsen, who was the first lawyer for Legal Aid Manitoba.

The Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) is planning for approximately two percent enrolment growth for the fall.
    
Coming out of the pandemic, the division's student population jumped to around 4100, a gain of over 12 percent, according to Superintendent Dan Ward. 

The library technician at Winkler's Parkland Elementary School says she has always considered herself an avid reader.
    
While visiting the school on Tuesday to read to grade two and three students along with Friesens Marketing Manager, Pamela Hiebert, reporter Pam Fedack asked Kristine Heinrichs what she likes to read.

Grade two and three students at Parkland Elementary School in Winkler gathered in the school's library Tuesday for a special storytime.

Friesens Marketing Manager, Pamela Hiebert and Goldenwest Reporter Pam Fedack dropped in to read to the children.

Pamela from Friesens read our I Love to Read Month book Fishing with Grandma by Maren Vsetula and Susan Avingaq - illustrated by Charlene Chua and published by Inhabit Media.

The Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) has wrapped up its annual two-week period for Kindergarten registration.

Although children can be registered for Kindergarten at any time, Superintendent Dan Ward says a registration period at this time of year allows them to plan better, in terms of class placement and how many staff to deploy.