Portage

The Gary SouthShore RailCats (9-24) avoided a series sweep at the hands of the Winnipeg Goldeyes (15-18) Sunday afternoon with a 9-1 victory at U.S. Steel Yard.
 
The RailCats got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when first baseman Joe Suozzi drew a bases-loaded walk that forced in LG Castillo. One pitch later, right fielder Jake Guenther – claimed off waivers from the Goldeyes one week ago – hit a grand slam to right field to make the score 5-0.
 

As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets ready to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at the G7 summit in Alberta, analysts say Canada's most important goal will be to keep the G7 from falling apart — even if that means not issuing a joint statement.

"Keeping this informal international organization together will, I think, be a mark of success," said Sen. Peter Boehm, a former diplomat who played a central role in Canada’s participation in the G7 for decades.

The Peggy May Legacy Centre officially opened Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the life and contributions of Southport Aerospace Inc.'s former CEO. The event drew May’s family, friends, and colleagues, many of whom spoke about her lasting impact on the organization and the community.

The historic ties and long-standing working relationship between the United Kingdom and Canada are not just reflections of the past, but are very much needed "in the here and now," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday. 

Starmer said the two Commonwealth members think and work alike, having collaborated for years on issues of security, defence, trade and the economy.

Starmer met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Sunday before the two leaders headed for the G7 leaders' summit in Alberta.

The Portage Fire Fighters Social Club has made a meaningful donation to a local charity, thanks to a creative fundraiser that got local businesses involved.

Firefighter Jess McDougall, who helps organize the effort, says the initiative has been growing steadily.

“This is our second year doing the business wash in Portage la Prairie,” she notes. “As a group, we just decided that we were going to switch it up every year, and this year we chose United Way West Central Manitoba as one of our places we’d like to donate to.”

Almost a decade after 24 Sussex Drive was abandoned as the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, taxpayers are still shelling out tens of thousands of dollars a year to maintain the vacant property, and the new prime minister has signalled he's in no rush to deal with the crumbling building.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in May that it's up to the National Capital Commission to decide what to do with 24 Sussex.

Christa Vann Mitchell, reeve of the RM of Cartier, has been re-elected as director for the Central District on the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) board. This marks her second term, following a recent vote by fellow municipal leaders.

Vann Mitchell says she is honoured by the renewed support and looks forward to building new partnerships.

As wildfire seasons grow more intense across Canada, a specialized firefighting plane is being readied in Portage la Prairie, with hopes that it may soon become a more common sight in the skies over Manitoba. 

The first Fight Cancer Friday barbecue outside Don’s Direct Deals brings in over $2,800 for Central Plains Cancer Services (CPCS), and organizer Don Hales says he’s just getting started.

“The BBQ went really well. The support was awesome. The day was great,” notes Hales. “So everything turned out very, very well and Central Plains Cancer Service was very happy with the outcome.”

Held on June 6, the event welcomed more than 160 people, with all proceeds going directly to CPCS.

Portage Service for Seniors hosted its annual To-Go Lunch yesterday. Held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the lunch sold out in just over an hour, marking a successful turnout for the event that raises both funds and awareness for Elder Abuse Awareness. 

Executive Director Kaylee Hannah says the event has been an important part of their calendar for several years.