Portage

Terry Giercke, chaplain of the United Commercial Travellers (UCT) in Portage la Prairie, has dedicated 12 years to the social and fundraising organization. The group, which supports local youth initiatives and seniors, is currently raising funds for an accessibility swing on the town’s island through calendar sales.

As the season ends and all equipment has been removed, the Skating on the Crescent Committee is urging the public to stay off the ice on Crescent Lake. With rapidly changing weather conditions, the ice is becoming increasingly unstable and dangerous.

"At this time of year, we would never recommend going on the ice," the committee stated in a response to PortageOnline.

"The depth of the ice changes daily with fluctuating temperatures, and it’s difficult to determine which areas are safe."

The Portage Coed Soccer League (PCSL) is launching its first season this spring, offering adults in Portage la Prairie a new recreational soccer option. Organizers are excited to bring fresh opportunities to the community for those who are unable to play in other leagues on the weekends. 

A fresh start 

Jolene Dayholos, a volunteer, explains the idea for the league. 

Portage la Prairie’s recent feature on World Atlas has struck a chord with local leaders about our community’s identity and storytelling. 

World Atlas noted that Portage la Prairie is one of nine most friendly communities on the prairies. 

Mitch Tilk, coordinator of the Local Immigration Partnership Program, talks about the benefit of seeing recognition like this while at the same time encouraging residents to redefine how they present their hometown. 

A Winnipeg man is facing impaired driving charges after RCMP responded to reports of an erratic driver on Highway 1 near Portage la Prairie last week.

On March 26th, Portage la Prairie RCMP were sent out to a call of an erratic driver on Highway #1, west of Portage la Prairie.

Police were able to locate the suspect vehicle near Sydney and pulled over the vehicle on the side of the road.

The 49-year-old driver, a man from Winnipeg, displayed signs that he was intoxicated.

A spokesperson for Canadian Foodgrains Bank says they are very grateful for a recent funding announcement by our federal government. The Canadian government is providing a $4 million grant for Canadian Foodgrains Bank to address the growing hunger crisis in Sudan. 

According to Canadian Foodgrains Bank, nearly 25 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023. That makes up more than half the population. As many as 640,000 people are already experiencing famine-like conditions in five identified areas.

Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are set to hear a verdict today in the joint trial over their roles in the mass protest against pandemic health measures that rolled into Ottawa more than three years ago.

Lich and Barber were both charged with mischief, intimidation and counselling others to break the law in relation to their roles in the 2022 protest that drew thousands of demonstrators to Ottawa for three weeks.

Their trial wrapped up in September after hearing 45 days of evidence and legal arguments.

Prime Minister Mark Carney will address reporters shortly after the White House declared both Canada and Mexico exempt from new reciprocal tariffs announced today by U.S. President Donald Trump.

A fact sheet from Trump's office says goods imported under the existing continental trade deal, known as CUSMA, will not face tariffs, while those outside the deal will see a 10 per cent tariff.

Canada was left off a lengthy list Trump unveiled this afternoon showing the tariff levels most other countries will face starting Thursday.

The Manitoba government is promising $150 million for the agricultural sector to help handle tariffs imposed by the United States and China.

The province says it will provide $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programs such as AgriInsurance and AgriInvest.

Premier Wab Kinew says some of the money is being used to align with federal government changes in the cap and threshold on aid.

Manitoba Agriculture farm management specialist Ben Hamm calls low enrollment in the federal AgriStability program a “missed opportunity” for livestock and crop producers. The income-based risk management tool, he argues, offers broader protection at lower costs than alternatives—yet only 20 per cent of eligible producers use it.