Portage

Portage la Prairie residents Darius Stevens, Jayda Yakielashek, and Brett Clark will be turning heads at Winnipeg’s Van Dijk Classic bodybuilding competition coming soon. The trio, who train together at Portage Fitness Co-op, bring a mix of rookie enthusiasm and seasoned experience to the stage.

For Stevens, a first-time competitor, the event marks the culmination of six months of gruelling preparation and a journey of self-discovery.

The federal government expects to spend about $7 million this fiscal year to store and maintain four custom-made, portable hospitals that cost taxpayers more than $200 million to buy — facilities meant to bolster overwhelmed hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic that were barely used.

Early on in the pandemic, as the federal government moved at breakneck speed to respond to a global health crisis, it issued rush orders for these Mobile Health Units.

As we celebrate Mother's Day today, students across the Portage la Prairie School Division are taking time to reflect on the love, care, and support their moms give them every day. From heartfelt tributes to lighthearted moments, students from various grades at Crescentview School (CVS), Yellowquill School (YQS), and La Verendrye School (LVS) shared what makes their mothers truly special.

For many children, it's the little everyday things that mean the most.

A Grunthal man is facing impaired driving and speeding charges after an RCMP traffic stop last month uncovered multiple alleged offences, including driving with a suspended licence and a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.

The Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival is in its sixth year of fostering community and artistic growth in Portage la Prairie, with winter open mic nights getting ready for its summer event. Artistic Director Josh Wright highlights the festival’s role in uniting emerging and seasoned performers through free, collaborative programming.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes (1-1) won their first game of the 2025 season Friday evening with a 6-4 decision over the Cleburne Railroaders at La Moderna Field.
 
Box Score
 

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) warns rural crime rates in the province’s Prairie regions are 400 per cent higher than the national average, citing limited police resources and repeat offenders as key challenges. Statistics Canada data confirms the trend, with front-line policing strained by RCMP staff shortages and burnout.

Calls for bail reform and accountability

AMM President Kathy Valentino notes rural communities face disproportionate risks due to inadequate enforcement. 

Indigenous groups in Canada say they want to see Pope Leo XIV continue the reconciliation work started by his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

Francis was recognized as an ally of Canada's Indigenous Peoples and was known for advancing reconciliation efforts and apologizing — both in the Vatican and in Canada — for the Catholic Church's role in widespread abuses at residential schools.

His visit to Canada in 2022 was described as a "penitential pilgrimage" as Francis insisted on meeting with Indigenous survivors of residential schools and hearing their stories.

Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Rogers Sugar have reached a new 5-year agreement.

The new supply agreement was announced in a press release on Friday.

Roger's Taber location is the only sugar beet processing facility in Canada. Established almost 75 years ago, the Taber facility is supported by approximately 200 Southern Alberta farm families, which supply the refinery with sugar beets. 

According to the ASBG website, those farms harvest about 900,000 tonnes of sugar beets annually, which are turned into 125,000 tonnes of sugar or nearly 2 million cups!

Last week’s Smile Cookie campaign proved to be a heartwarming success for the Family Resource Centre (FRC) in Portage la Prairie. With dozens of classroom visits and more than $24,400 raised, the week brought together fun, learning, and strong community support.

Peter Thiessen, program director at the FRC, delivered cookies to 17 classrooms and daycare groups over the week. 

"The busiest was Friday afternoon. I was pretty busy from 12:45 until 3:00 PM. So that was a full afternoon, but I had such a good time."