Portage

Canada's largest Arctic Char facility is being constructed in the RM of Rockwood, creating up to 104 jobs, with another 120 expected indirectly.

It’s a $145-million project, with the province contributing $10.75 million to Sapphire Springs, the company spearheading the initiative.

RM of Rockwood Reeve Wes Taplin notes that the project is still in its infancy, but when completed, Arctic char will be bred and raised at the facility located east of Gunton.

A ticket blitz resulted in many motorists heading to their destination with lighter wallets.

Manitoba RCMP shared stunning numbers regarding many motorists being caught speeding on the highway around Portage on Monday.

For a good part of the day, September 16, RCMP paid extra attention, and 44 vehicles were fined for speeds ranging from 118 to 139 km/h in the 100 zone on Trans-Canada near Portage la Prairie.

Ukrainian Nursery School Director Lori Carpenter says there is a significant shortage of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in Portage la Prairie. She’s uncertain why this is happening, but notes that daycare facilities have long waiting lists due to the lack of ECEs. She speculates on the potential causes.

Tornado's Restaurant & Lounge has been vandalized for the second time in just a matter of weeks. The restaurant's windows have been smashed again, just like what happened over August Long Weekend.

Owner, Jan Verwey, shared her frustration with the situation in a statement to PortageOnline.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberals have lots to ponder after losing a second stronghold in a byelection in Montreal.

"Obviously, it's never fun to come so close and not win a byelection," Trudeau said this morning in French, a few hours after Elections Canada confirmed the Bloc Quebecois had defeated the Liberals in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun.

With bird flu outbreaks popping up more and more in the United States, officials are asking Canadian producers to not bring their own cattle over in case of contamination.

That comes as multiple producers will be unable to attend cattle shows below the border due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

In a release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), they advised against " all Canadian cattle travelling to and participating in agricultural exhibitions in the U.S. at this time."

Inflation finally hit the Bank of Canada's two per cent target in August after a tumultuous battle with skyrocketing price growth, raising the odds of larger interest rate cuts in the coming months.

Canada's annual inflation rate fell from 2.5 per cent in July to reach the lowest level since February 2021.

The slowdown can be attributed in part to lower gasoline prices, Statistics Canada said Tuesday in its consumer price index report.

Last week, discussions took place about the NDP’s plan in Manitoba to receive 8,490 asylum seekers currently in Ontario and Quebec. It's part of a redistribution plan by the Trudeau government. In July, Premier Wab Kinew agreed to receive asylum seekers during a meeting with provincial premiers in Halifax. Manitoba already has 1,378 open claims.

Portage Learning and Literacy Centre settlement coordinator Miriam Ghitale notes it likely won’t affect Portage la Prairie, but will impact Winnipeg and possibly Brandon more so.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank has once again received federal government funding with a grant for $100 million over the next four years.

Split into $25 million per year, that will go towards their programs which help Candian-produced food go to hungry mouths internationally.

Andy Harrington, the executive director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, says he's happy to be able to help more people over the next four years.

Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment in Portage la Prairie is currently featuring "What a Woman 2.0", an exhibition by Brandon artist Tara Leach. Running until October 16, the display delves into themes of female identity, family, and personal history through evocative pieces, including self-portraits and mixed media works.

Leach’s art explores what it means to be a woman, blending vibrant colours and personal narratives.