Portage

Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.

Niigaan Sinclair said his dad "was a first" in every room he walked into.

"It was impossible to go through a mall without 17 people, two of them he'd sentenced to jail at one point, coming up to him and saying how much they appreciated him," Niigaan Sinclair said.

Residents of Portage and area are invited to attend the annual Remembrance Day service at Stride Place on Monday, November 11th.

It's an annual event in Portage honoring Canada’s veterans and fallen soldiers and in the past has drawn a significant crowd. Bob Oldford of the Royal Canadian Legion Portage Branch is one of the organizers and he recommends attendees arrive early to secure a seat.

“We’d like people to be seated by 10:30,” Oldford said. “That way, the march of current serving members and veterans can begin before 11 a.m. when the moment of silence will happen.”

Driving while under the influence has cost a young man his licence and has lightened his wallet.

Just before 10 a.m. on November 2nd, Portage la Prairie RCMP received a call of a single vehicle collision at the corner of Road 43 West and Road 70 North. 

When the officer arrived, the driver of the vehicle was asleep at the wheel. 

The officer woke the driver who displayed signs of consuming alcohol.

The 21-year-old man from Gladstone was asked to provide breath samples on a Roadside Screening Device, in which the results were a fail. 

A labour dispute continues to paralyze cargo shipping at British Columbia ports, and the union for locked-out workers is accusing employers of abruptly ending contract talks early.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Local 514 says the BC Maritime Employers Association ended federally mandated talks with a mediator less than an hour after they began late Saturday afternoon.

The employers association said in an evening statement each side met separately with a mediator in Vancouver, but that there was "no progress made."

British Columbia's Ministry of Health says the first suspected human case of bird flu contracted in Canada has been detected in B.C. 

A statement from the office of the provincial health officer says a teenager in the region covered by Fraser Health tested positive for bird flu, and the teen is currently getting treatment at BC Children's Hospital. 

The statement says the positive test was done by the BC Centre for Disease Control, and samples are on their way to Winnipeg's national microbiology lab for confirmatory testing.

On Friday, November 8, community members gathered at the Portage Legion to honour Indigenous veterans who served in Canada's military. The event, a blend of remembrance and celebration, was marked by speeches, music, and a strong sense of community. It brought together members of the Métis, First Nations, and Inuit communities, as well as local dignitaries, to reflect on the sacrifices made by these veterans and the continued fight for recognition and respect.

The Portage Terriers won a close game against the Swan Valley Stampeders 3-2, extending their win streak to nine games.

Neither team cracked the scoresheet in the first period, despite a couple powerplays each way.

The floodgates opened in the second with three goals scored.

Stampder Riley Fequet would score the opener, after a long shift for the Terriers. An icing call led to an extended offensive zone shift for Swan Valley, and from near the goal line, a shot would beat Mitchell Kathler to make it 1-0 for the Stampeder.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are heading to their fifth consecutive Grey Cup appearance after defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 38-22 in front of a sold-out crowd at Princess Auto Stadium.

Quarterback Zach Collaros led the charge with a stellar performance, throwing four touchdown passes, including three to wide receiver Kenny Lawler. Collaros went 19-of-26 for 301 yards, keeping his record spotless with no interceptions.

Lawler was unstoppable, recording four receptions for an impressive 177 yards.

In a press release the RCMP is reminding motorists that with outdoor temperatures decreasing, be sure to clean any frost off the windows of your vehicle before travelling.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage la Prairie is set to host its first-ever Winter Wonderland event from November 22 to 24 at Trinity United Church. The family-friendly event promises a magical experience with winter and Christmas-themed rooms to explore, festive entertainment, and an array of activities to enjoy.

Executive Director Dawn Froese shared details about the event,