Local News

Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are set to host a variety of special events and programs over the next two weeks, offering something for all ages as part of the “Discover Sask Parks” initiative running from June 25 to July 9.

Visitors can enjoy classic summer activities such as camping, hiking, and swimming, along with a wide range of free events included with a valid Park Entry Permit.

The first long weekend of the summer is coming up for Canada Day, and many anglers may have their sights set on the lake. Senior Conservation Officer Lindsey Leko reminds fishermen of some regulations to be aware of.  

Leko begins with a licensing reminder, as everyone over the age of 16 must have a fishing license to be able to fish, with the exception of free fishing weekends. He says they are running into many people fishing without their license on hand. 

Ferdi Nelissen, Garth Asham, and their teammates were recently inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame as members of two dominant squads: the 1983–85 Winnipeg Internationals and the 1987–89 Winnipeg Ashams. The recognition wasn’t just for individual feats, but for what they accomplished as a unit—winning provincial championships, representing Manitoba at nationals, and competing at ISC World Tournaments.

Nelissen brings the sport to life and makes you want to join a fastball team to garner memories, as he explains how that the honour meant more because it was shared. 

Portage la Prairie’s Kinley Cleaver is trading local courts for the national stage.

The 12-year-old Grade 7 student jets off to Langley, BC, this July 25-28, representing Winnipeg’s Attack Academy Basketball at the highly anticipated national championships. Kinley, balancing basketball with fastball, confirms hoops hold her heart as she prepares for her biggest competition yet.

"I'm definitely feeling nervous," Kinley admits candidly about the upcoming nationals. "But I'll have my team and my coaches there to support everybody, and I hope we do good."

The Mennonite Heritage Village is once again welcoming young campers this summer as they bring back their popular Pioneer Day Camps. 

Program Coordinator Jaysa Thiessen says that with growing interest, MHV has been able to expand their camp schedule this year. 

Downtown Winkler was filled with the smell of grilled sausage burgers and the spirit of community Thursday, June 25, as Pfahl’s Drugs hosted a fundraising BBQ in support of the Winkler Fire Department. 

Supporting the firefighters that fought the wildfires  

The event, organized and cooked by Pfahl’s Drugs owner Sig Pfahl, was held to raise funds for local firefighters currently deployed up north battling wildfires. 

Canada day is on a Tuesday this year, which creates a break in the middle of the week. For folks who take Monday off, this becomes an extra-long weekend. Here is how the holiday is affecting businesses. Check out our list of adjusted hours below: 

Clearspring Center: 

Noon – 5:00 pm 

Shoppers Drug Mart: 

8 am – 10 pm 

Sobeys: 

Closed Sunday, June 29th  

This year, 90 delegates from diverse backgrounds and ages have been selected from across the country for Miss Universe Canada.  

Jada Budz from Morden is one of them. 

The beauty pageant, an annual event, is Canada’s official representative in the Miss Universe competition, considered one of the world's foremost pageants. 

Yellowquill School continued a growing tradition on June 26 with its second annual powwow, bringing students, families, and community members together to celebrate Indigenous culture and mark the end of the school year.

This year’s event welcomed around 100 guests and featured dancers, singers, and drummers; including performers who travelled from well beyond the local area. The grounds of the Portage la Prairie school were filled with music, movement, and teachings that reflected the strength and beauty of Indigenous traditions.

Last week, an imaginative activity — complete with an adventure out in the community — enabled EAL (English as an Additional Language) students to practice speaking English in different areas throughout Morden. 

The excursion took the form of a scavenger hunt, which Cecilia Gil, a teacher at Morden Collegiate Institute, organized.