Portage

The Herman Prior Activity Centre was buzzing with nostalgia and community spirit on Thursday, August 28th, for its annual Car Hop Fundraiser.

The event, held in partnership with Sunset Palliative Care, saw hundreds of Portage la Prairie residents come out to enjoy classic cars, 50s and 60s music, and a meal served right to their vehicles in a blast-from-the-past experience.

Executive Director Kathy Bryce was thrilled with the turnout and the unique atmosphere.

The Pink Ladies darts league is proving that fun, friendship, and fundraising can go hand in hand. After launching in Portage last fall, the group has quickly grown into a two-session annual event, bringing women together to play while raising money for local cancer causes.  

It was back at the end of May that Celebrate Summer kicked off, and once the Bull Bash hit in MacGregor, it was full on for three straight months.

Between the online entries here and people entering at the fairs and festivals we attended, thousands of names were collected. For the finale, we drew 100 lucky contestants who joined us at Dufresne Furniture and Appliances, Portage Friday to see who the lucky winners would be.

Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza, Manitoba Deputy Opposition leader and Agriculture Critic, says canola farmers are facing one of the most uncertain seasons in decades. He points to the crop’s importance, noting that its very name traces back to Canada. 

As students across Portage la Prairie prepare to return to class, some are brimming with excitement, while others are simply ready to settle back into routine. 

For Alexander Hustins, heading into Grade 7 at Arthur Meighen School, the start of the year is about more than just books and lessons. He says he’s looking forward to reconnecting with old friends while also making new ones.

“Hopefully there’s going to be more and new people coming into school and just being able to learn some more,” Hustins says. 

Researchers are urging Canada, United States and Mexico to take immediate action to save the monarch butterfly as the migratory insect faces a growing risk of extinction amid habitat loss. 

The iconic butterfly's population has decreased by around 80 per cent in the past two decades, says the paper published in the journal Current Biology, with the loss of breeding habitat cited as the main reason behind the sharp decline.

The Assembly of First Nations' annual general meeting next week in Winnipeg will set the stage — and the tone — for engaging with governments on major infrastructure projects.

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says politicians will be paying close attention to the resolutions chiefs pass related to the federal major projects legislation. The bill, which passed in June, has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it won't respect their rights.

Sunset Palliative Care hosted its annual Rainbow Auction on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Herman Prior Activity Centre, raising vital funds to support its work in the community.

The auction featured numerous grand and minor prizes, all generously donated by local businesses.

Executive Director Aldene Moroz says the fundraiser was a wonderful success, meeting its financial goal thanks to strong community turnout. The funds will directly support sending caregivers to an important conference.

It’s the last long weekend of the summer, Labour Day weekend! 

As always, we’re bringing you a list of our partners and their hours over the Holiday, so you can plan ahead and not be left hunting for essentials! 

Here’s what's open (and when) this Labour Day weekend (all times shown are specific to Monday unless otherwise specified): 

Canadian Tire

As students head back to school next week, Portage la Prairie RCMP is reminding families to stay vigilant and prioritize safety.

Constable Robert Smith, the school liaison officer, spoke with Portage Online about what parents and students should know to start the school year off safely.