Local News

Every Monday, the Portage Learning Literacy Centre (PLLC) buzzes with laughter and the rustle of pages as children aged 7–10 gather for a book club designed to support immigrant families. The program, which launched in February 2025 with funding from First Book Canada and TD Bank, offers free books, snacks, and activities, making a welcoming space for kids to grow their English skills while connecting with other youth.

Southern Manitoba faces a mix of lingering snow and delayed warmth as April begins, with Environment Canada meteorologist Justin Shelley outlining a week of cooler temperatures and scattered flurries before potential double-digit highs arrive.

Unsettled pattern brings light snow

Shelley notes a "relatively unsettled pattern" dominates the forecast. "There aren’t any big systems of note," he says, "but a weak system on Tuesday could produce a couple of centimetres of snow." 

Flurries may persist through Friday, though accumulations remain minimal.

A young man from Rosenort was quite shaken up after an altercation late Thursday evening in the community.

The incident was reported to RCMP at 11:25 p.m., and authorities say the 14-year-old was out walking his dog when he was apparently approached by an unknown person who may have attempted to assault him. The youth suffered minor injuries defending himself.

Morris RCMP are investigating.

The process continues towards a potential merger of Innovation Federal Credit Union and ABC Credit Union in Alberta.

The Cochrane and Area Health Foundation (CAHF) is hosting a fact-finding session tomorrow (Apr. 2) at the Station, starting at 12:30 p.m. Invitations were sent to various foundations across Southern Alberta, and 11 foundations—from Didsbury to Claresholm—will be in attendance.

“With the realignment of Alberta Health into four key pillars, we want to discuss where foundations across Alberta fit into this plan,” says CAHF chair Brian Winter. “We also want to share ideas on what works and what doesn’t within different foundations.”

Weyburn Police Service officers were doing stationary radar late Saturday afternoon when a man approached their patrol car and committed an indecent act. They were stationed on a public street near a traffic light. Deputy Police Chief Shane St. John says it demonstrated a disregard for police and for the public. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a snowfall warning for Strathmore and the surrounding area.

According to the group, Wheatland County, including Lyalta and Carseland, will see a mix of rain and flurries Tuesday afternoon before changing to heavy snow in the evening.

Old Man Winter does not want to give up on Foothills County this year.

Environment Canada has issued a Snowfall Warning for Foothills County on Tuesday (April 1), thanks to some heavy snowfall that is expected tonight.

The precipitation will begin as a mix of rain and snow this afternoon but will change to heavy snow this evening.

While the area is expected to receive between 5 and 10 cm of snow, some areas could receive up to 15 cm of snow, as snowfall amounts will vary throughout the region.

A snowfall warning has been issued for parts of Mountain View County and Clearwater County by Environment Canada.  

Heavy snow is expected tonight (April 1) near Rocky Mountain House, Sundre, Olds, and Didsbury.  

Precipitation will begin as a rain and snow mix this afternoon before changing to heavy snow this evening.   

The Cochrane Guitar Quartet is back at Found Bookstore, 206 1st St. W., for its third annual benefit concert supporting Big Hill Haven this Saturday.

Led by Martin Russell, the quartet features his exceptionally talented students—Hannah Isinghood, Ryan Kehoe, and Griffin Stotschek—who will perform a mix of solos and duets before coming together for their debut quartet performance of movements from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

A taste of what you'll hear is attached below—an excerpt from the Nutcracker Suite overture.