Portage

A U-pick strawberry farm just west of Portage la Prairie is off to a strong start this season, despite a dry spring and patchy rainfall across the region.

Located in the Rural Municipality of North Norfolk near Bagot, Lost Creek Acres officially opened to the public this past weekend and was planning for a busy Canada Day.

Berries holding up despite dry conditions

Even with minimal rainfall this year, the berry patch is producing more than expected.

Jeff Bereza, MLA for Portage la Prairie, condemns the situation as "shameful" after two local hotel owners are charged with labour trafficking. Bereza says newcomers often come to his office asking for help, after paying thousands to consultants who promise faster processing of paperwork. He notes the same services are available for free at Portage Learning and Literacy Centre.

Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. held its annual general meeting recently, offering an opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments and look ahead to a pivotal year of growth and transition. 

Wildfires are currently raging in several provinces across Canada. 

The BC Wildfire Service reports that crews are battling more than 70 wildfires in British Columbia, with one particularly intense wildfire near the community of Lytton, having led to a local state of emergency and several evacuation orders.

In Yukon, the territorial government has lifted an evacuation alert for the area surrounding Ethel Lake, located approximately a four-hour drive north of Whitehorse. 

Despite this change, the wildfire that prompted the alert on June 24 remains out of control.

Canadians took to parks and civic squares across the country Tuesday to show unity on Canada Day amid American threats, economic uncertainty and Western alienation.

"We've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build. Because that's the Canadian way," Prime Minister Mark Carney said to thousands of Canadians gathered in Ottawa.

This year's festivities at Ottawa's LeBreton Flats Park got the royal treatment, with Prince Edward praising Canada's unity and accomplishments.

The Rotary Club of Portage la Prairie wrapped up its year with a swing and a smile this past Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the annual Rotary Club Golf Tournament.

Under immaculate skies, members and friends of Rotary gathered for a nine-hole scramble, preceded by a heartfelt supper at the Portage Golf Club.

The evening began with a poignant farewell for the club's foreign exchange student from Belgium, Theo Heijmans, as members shared memories and celebrated his time in Portage.

The hills of Dauphin came alive once again as Dauphin's Countryfest, Canada’s longest-running country music festival, wrapped up another successful weekend. A weekend that emphasized community, heritage, and homegrown Manitoba talent.

Festival President Duane McMaster said this year's event exceeded expectations, thanks to the dedication of a tight-knit group of volunteers and a community committed to keeping Countryfest alive.

Parliamentarians likely will get a chance later this year to debate whether to adopt a livestock brand as an official national symbol.

A bill to create the brand was introduced earlier in June by Saskatchewan Conservative MP Steven Bonk.

If the bill passes, the brand will become Canada's 10th national symbol — joining O Canada, the coat of arms and the maple tree.

Here are five things you may not know about the official symbols that say "Canada."

1. The beaver does not stand alone

Samantha Sannella shed happy tears as she stood to sing the national anthem at her citizenship ceremony in early June, nearly three decades after she moved to Canada. 

She had sung "O Canada" countless times before, but this was the first time she’d done so as a Canadian. 

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sannella moved to Toronto 28 years ago for a job. For the longest time, she still considered herself a U.S. citizen, with a part of her thinking she might move back one day.

But that changed last fall.