Portage

Fifteen-year-old Aiden Hustins of Portage recently spent four weeks at the Vernon Cadet Training Centre taking part in the Fitness and Sports Instructor Course.

The program brought together roughly 400 cadets, all learning the skills needed to lead fitness activities and sports for their peers.

The course focuses on practical instruction and leadership development.

Pastor Edgardo Lacida says the Jesus Reigns Ministries (JRM) church’s third anniversary will be different this year in Portage la Prairie. Instead of gathering indoors, the celebration will take place outdoors so the public can join in as they walk through Island Park.

“This is our third anniversary, and we want to do something different instead of just holding an in-house celebration,” notes Lacida.

Ken Dryden, the Hall of Fame goaltender whose long resume in and out of hockey included six Stanley Cup victories and helping backstop Canada's generation-defining victory at the 1972 Summit Series, died Friday at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer.

A key member of the Montreal Canadiens' 1970s dynasty, Dryden's career in the spotlight was only just getting started when he retired from the game — and while at the top of his own game — in his early 30s.

A new report argues the rise of gig work, artificial intelligence and rapid population growth are souring job prospects for Canada's youngest workers.

The Desjardins Economics report, released Thursday, comes as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre cites decades-high youth unemployment levels to attack an immigration program for temporary foreign workers.

Statistics Canada's latest labour force survey shows the unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 24 hit 14.6 per cent in July — a nearly 15-year high outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drought-stricken parts of Canada could be in for some underwhelming fall foliage if stressed trees lose out on the energy needed to generate some of the season's most brilliant colours, experts say. 

Biology professor Susan Dudley at McMaster University says trees in dried out parts of the country could see their leaves die off rather than turn red. 

"I can't look at it and make a prediction for a good fall foliage season at all," she said. 

Gil and Kelly Rouire, founders of Point West Electrical in Portage la Prairie, have officially retired after 25 years in business. The couple marked the occasion Thursday with a noon-hour community barbecue, directing proceeds to Central Plains Cancer Services.

A new musical initiative is bringing the joy of singing to local youth. The Junior Vox Choir is launching this fall, offering children in grades 5 to 8 the opportunity to explore their vocal talents in a supportive, fun environment. The program, spearheaded by Janine Waines, Artistic Director of Prairie Vox (the adult choir) aims to fill a gap in the community's music education offerings.

Amber Driedger of Oakville has been lacing up her shoes for more than 40 years, but this season marks her biggest milestone yet: qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Running in the female 65–69 category, she’s not only met the standard, but done so in remarkable fashion.

“I’ve been running for just over 40 years, mostly just casually and just started racing more seriously in the last couple of years,” remarks Driedger.

Update:

The 42-year-old male from Portage la Prairie who was reported missing to RCMP on August 30, 2025, has been safely located.

Portage la Prairie RCMP thanks the media and the public for their assistance.

Original story:

A missing person case has been shared publicly by RCMP in Portage la Prairie.

On August 30, at around 3:50 p.m., Portage la Prairie RCMP were notified of a missing 42-year-old Terrance Spence hadn't been seen or heard from since August 27.

A trade delegation for Asia is set to leave on Saturday (September 6).  

The focus of the trip is on relationship building and trade engagement with government officials and industry stakeholders in China, Japan and South Korea.  China imposed a 75.8 per cent tariff on canola seed last month on top of tariffs already in place for canola oil, meal, peas, pork and seafood. 

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is leading the delegation that includes his Trade and Export Minister Warren Kaeding, and Prime Minister Carney's Parliamentary Secretary Kody Blois.