Portage

New equipment is set to make waves at the Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA) with the help of a grant from the Community Foundation of Portage & District. Recreation Manager Zapphira Major says they applied to fund a mobile mechanical lift chair.

The Speaker of the Manitoba legislature has apologized for saying an Opposition question was out of line and is threatening to toss politicians from the chamber if chaotic behaviour continues.

Tom Lindsey issued the apology a day after question period descended into a shouting match.

The 2025 Agricultural Water Management Fund is now accepting applications. This fund aims to support agricultural producers and local governments in developing effective water management projects.

Naomi Paley, Manager of Drainage Extension at the Water Security Agency, explains that qualified applicants can receive up to $95,000 per project through a cost-sharing approach across three funding streams:

Another day, another hockey league that has wrapped up its season. The Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL) wrapped up the championship with a four-to-one series win by the St. Boniface Riels.

Portagers Carson Dubois and Alex van Deynze helped the squad to the win, with three and seven points in the championship respectively. 

The Portage la Prairie Fire Department responded to seven wildland fires over this past weekend, marking a concerning start to the spring burn season. Fire Chief Brad Bailey is urging residents to exercise caution and follow local regulations as the region enters a period of heightened fire risk.

"This is the time of year people start cleaning up their properties. We just ask that people are responsible if they do start any grass fires to burn off dead grass from the previous year."

A new initiative at the Portage Clinic is helping patients determine whether they're truly allergic to penicillin, potentially opening the door to more effective and affordable treatment options.

The penicillin clinic, led by Dr. Edward Tan, Chief of Staff at Portage Hospital and a physician at the Portage Clinic, is now offering in-house penicillin allergy testing. The service is designed to address what Dr. Tan describes as a widespread but often incorrect assumption.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22ND

MJHL
Finals
Game 3
Northern Manitoba 4 Dauphin 2
Northern Manitoba leads series 2-1

Cattle market analyst Anne Wasko from Gateway Livestock says that's largely due to tariff uncertainties leading up to April 2nd. 

She notes despite that cattle prices in Western Canada have remained strong, hitting record highs across all classes of cattle with slaughter cow prices hitting another high last week.

Tempers flared at the Manitoba legislature Tuesday as the Opposition Progressive Conservatives questioned the NDP government about a contract for mental health therapy, suggesting it may have been for the benefit of Finance Minister Adrien Sala.

Tory Greg Nesbitt tabled a document that shows the Finance department recently signed a contract for $10,205 with a counselling services provider in Winnipeg. The provider advertises services including stress management, grief counselling and conflict resolution.

The waning days of the federal election campaign saw voters turn out in record numbers for advance polls and party leaders attempt to poke holes in each others' platforms.

Elections Canada said in a news release Tuesday that the four days of advance polling between Friday and Monday set a new record for turnout, with 7.3 million people casting ballots early.

That's up 25 per cent from the 5.8 million people who took part in advance voting in the 2021 federal election.