Westman

Accusations of widespread murder, extortion and coercion across Canada linked to agents of the government of India sparked an escalation of already strained diplomatic tensions Monday, as each country expelled six diplomats.

Canada declared six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, persona non grata after RCMP and other government officials told India its diplomats were persons of interest in several investigations into violent crimes in Canada. 

India swiftly retaliated by ordering six Canadian diplomats to leave the country by Saturday.

With Thanksgiving left overs still in the fridge, now seemed like a good time to focus on the annual Singin’ in the Grain fundraisers for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB). Later in October, concerts in Winnipeg and Winkler will help raise money to support the work of the CFB, as it addresses food insecurity through projects around the world.

Farm Credit Canada's mid-year report shows cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 5.5 per cent nationally for the first half of 2024.

Over the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024, there was a 9.6 per cent increase, representing a slowdown compared to the previous 12-month period (January to December 2023).

FCC's Vice President and Chief Economist J.P. Gervais says for the second consecutive year, Saskatchewan recorded the highest average six-month increases at 7.4 per cent, Alberta was at 4.6 per cent, and Manitoba 3.9 per cent.

The RM of Wallace-Woodward partners with the Town of Virden each year to boost tourism in their area through their Prairie Gateway Tourism incentive.

Prairie Gateway Tourism is a collaborative effort to draw folks and families from across the province and beyond those provincial borders to their corner of the province, including the towns of Elkhorn and Kenton.

Wallace-Woodward Economic Development Officer, Tiffany Cameron, says one of her favorite memories from this past summer as 

A new season to Manitoba's 4-H program has started once again with thousands of young people learning many life skills through this 111-year-old home and agriculture mentorship program.  4-H clubs across the country are driven by thousands of 4-H members and volunteers, plus a strong partnership with Manitoba Agriculture.

Manitoba's 4-H program offers over 80 hands-on projects like beef, photography, outdooring living, machines, crafts, equine skills and so much more to follow their mission, 'learn by doing'.  

Farmers are working hard pushing against the weather to get this year's crop in the bin.

As a result, they can also be dealing with an overwhelming amount of stress ranging from weather to markets, finances, equipment breakdowns and more, all at the same time.

Learning ways to recognize, release stress and reach out for help is key to avoid feeling overburdened especially when trying to stay focused when working with large farm equipment or unpredictable livestock.

Fifty-four high school students from across Westman are participating in this year's Western Manitoba Youth Choir, and their concert tour begins in just a few days!

Board member Liesel Krahn says the choir is by audition in the spring and they spend two weekends of rehearsal at Camp Wannakumbac under the direction of Deanna Ginn (from Brandon) and Stuart Sladden (Winnipeg) accompanied by Danielle Guina (Brandon)

For those who remember the CBS television show HEE HAW with it's country-bumpkin kind of humor and wit, with Buck Owens and Roy Clark telling jokes and singing up a good 'ol country folk tune, then you're going to enjoy Canadian Open and Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, Scott Woods' rendition with his 'Yee Haw!' stage show.

'Yee Haw!' is coming to Killarney at the end of October as a fundraiser for the Killarney United Church.

Lucas Newman scored three times and Hunter Gregory made 15 saves in recording the shutout as the defending Westman High School Hockey League champion Vincent Massey Vikings blanked Crocus Plains 7-0.

Connor Hoemsen had two goals and an assist to lead the Southwest Cougars past the Winnipeg Thrashers 5-3. Bryan Laing, Shane Elder and Spencer Cullen also scored for the Cougars who have won four of their last five games.

Breach of Probation