Portage

A modest Portage la Prairie neighbourhood has a deeper past than many residents might expect, according to local historian James Kostuchuk. 

The Manitoba government has called inquests into the deaths of several men who died while in custody at Stony Mountain Institution and Headingley Correctional Centre, as the province looks to understand better what led to their deaths and explore ways to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The announcement came from Dr. John K. Younes, Manitoba’s Chief Medical Examiner, who directed the inquests under The Fatality Inquiries Act. These reviews are required whenever a person dies while in custody and aim to shed light on the circumstances surrounding each case.

The Manitoba government is promising new financial penalties to enforce rules aimed at removing barriers for people with disabilities.

Nahanni Fontaine, the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, says the NDP government will introduce changes to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act next spring.

In a video posted to social media, she also says the government will work to ensure every public event is fully accessible with participation from sign language interpreters.

A man is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in the town of Teulon.

RCMP say they were called to a home on 7th Avenue SE around 10:40 p.m. on July 13, where they found a 37-year-old man with critical injuries. He was rushed to hospital but later died. Police are treating the case as a homicide.

Not long after arriving at the scene, another officer spotted a vehicle believed to be connected to the incident and tried to pull it over. The driver didn’t stop, leading to a brief pursuit that ended when the vehicle drove into a nearby cornfield.

You can call in to ask host Carla Hrycyna all of your gardening questions live every Saturday morning starting at 9:15am: 1-800-374-3315

As wildfire activity continues to impact northern Manitoba, the City of Portage la Prairie is once again preparing to welcome evacuees if the need arises.

The Portage Curling Club has been outfitted with cots and is ready to operate as a temporary shelter. While no evacuees have arrived so far, city officials say they have not received notification that any are currently en route.

SUNDAY, JULY 13TH

Manitoba Junior Baseball League
Playoffs
Pembina Valley 6 Winnipeg South Junior 5
Elmwood 9 Altona 4

American Association Baseball
Kansas City Monarchs 5 Winnipeg Goldeyes 4

MLB
Athletics 6 Toronto 3

Young entrepreneurs in Portage la Prairie will soon get the chance to turn their ideas into reality at this year’s Kids Biz Camp taking place at Stride Place.

The camp, hosted by Community Futures Heartland, runs July 21st to 25th and is open to children between the ages of 9 and 13.

Ken Reimer, general manager with Community Futures Heartland, says the camp covers the essentials of running a business, including a hands-on sales opportunity at the end of the week.

Portage la Prairie’s Simplot Park is set for some fresh improvements, including a brand-new washroom facility.

The city is moving forward with plans to enhance the popular community space, which already features a skate park and splash pad.

Shay Avramovsky, project manager with the city’s Operations Department, says the new washroom will include both a regular and an accessible stall, aiming to better serve everyone who visits the park.

The skate park portion of the park is finished, but Avramovsky says work continues to improve the surroundings.

Portage la Prairie’s City Hall is opening its doors to newcomers with a special tour aimed at building community connections and providing a behind-the-scenes look at how local government works.

The guided tour takes place Thursday, July 17, from 2 to 3 p.m., and is organized in partnership with the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre.

Mayor Sharilyn Knox says she’s always happy to lead these tours and meet residents who are new to the city.