Portage

TUESDAY, APRIL 22ND

MJHL
Finals
Game 3
Northern Manitoba 4 Dauphin 2
Northern Manitoba leads series 2-1

Cattle market analyst Anne Wasko from Gateway Livestock says that's largely due to tariff uncertainties leading up to April 2nd. 

She notes despite that cattle prices in Western Canada have remained strong, hitting record highs across all classes of cattle with slaughter cow prices hitting another high last week.

Tempers flared at the Manitoba legislature Tuesday as the Opposition Progressive Conservatives questioned the NDP government about a contract for mental health therapy, suggesting it may have been for the benefit of Finance Minister Adrien Sala.

Tory Greg Nesbitt tabled a document that shows the Finance department recently signed a contract for $10,205 with a counselling services provider in Winnipeg. The provider advertises services including stress management, grief counselling and conflict resolution.

The waning days of the federal election campaign saw voters turn out in record numbers for advance polls and party leaders attempt to poke holes in each others' platforms.

Elections Canada said in a news release Tuesday that the four days of advance polling between Friday and Monday set a new record for turnout, with 7.3 million people casting ballots early.

That's up 25 per cent from the 5.8 million people who took part in advance voting in the 2021 federal election.

The Portage la Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, alongside the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC), hosted a candidates’ coffee event ahead of the federal election, offering residents face time with local contenders. Candidates who showed up included Conservative Branden Leslie, Liberal Robert Kreis, and People's Party of Canada Kevin Larson.

Following a comprehensive investigation by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s inspection and investigation section, the FALG program was suspended in February for Alberta’s largest cattle financing co-operative, alleging a number of financial mismanagement and regulatory issues.
 
As negotiations continue to reinstate the Feeders Association Loan Guarantee program to the Picture Butte Feeder Co-operative, the provincial cattle feeders association is making its feelings known.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Plains (BBBSCP) highlighted a year of milestones and challenges at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) this week, celebrating its 50th anniversary while navigating financial hurdles and expanding its mentorship impact. The meeting reinforced the goal of BBBS to foster life-changing connections, with 68 youth mentored and over 22,500 volunteer hours logged in 2024.

A Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) program that began with just 17 students in 2016 has grown into a dynamic photography course helping teens discover new skills, earn credits, and even consider career paths.

JoEllen Sevcenko, who teaches the PCI photography program, says it’s grown substantially since its humble beginnings nearly a decade ago.

A Manitoba driver faces hefty fines and a possible licence review after being caught speeding twice in under 10 minutes on Highway 1 near Portage la Prairie.

RCMP stopped the 24-year-old driver shortly before 12:30 a.m. on April 16, clocking the vehicle at 157 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. After being ticketed and sent on their way, the same driver was pulled over again just minutes later for going 119 km/h.

Portage Collegiate Institute students Ronin Chalifoux and Amelia Doucet recently secured second and third place, respectively, at the Manitoba Skills photography competition. The annual event brings together students from schools across the province to showcase technical and creative abilities.