Portage

The Rural Municipality of Woodlands is alerting residents after experiencing a cybersecurity incident on August 19, 2025.

Officials are working with IT experts to assess the scope of the attack and determine whether any personal or municipal information was compromised.

Residents are urged to exercise caution in the meantime.

“Do not open emails that seem suspicious,” the RM notes. “Watch for strange links or attachments. Contact our office if you're unsure about any message you receive from us.”

A program aimed at protecting seniors from increasingly sophisticated phone scams is already making an impact in Portage la Prairie, and further steps are being implemented to increase that awareness.

Local resident Daryl Gobert says his own family has been targeted multiple times by scammers posing as relatives in distress or offering fraudulent prizes. He credits the awareness campaign, spearheaded by Colin Wilcox and supported by local businesses, with helping his loved ones recognize the warning signs before money was lost. 

Iryna Braun works as a settlement worker at the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre and says more families continue to choose Portage as their new home. She notes that many prefer smaller, safer communities over larger centres such as Winnipeg. 

“I believe Portage is still popular for newcomers,” notes Braun. “Lots of them are coming because of recommendations from friends, and they find it to be a safer place.” 

Neepawa RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect linked to several thefts in town, along with the unauthorized use of a credit card.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Neepawa RCMP at 204-476-7340.

Crime Stoppers can also be reached anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or through a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Mary Cook (nee Bergen), aged 74, who passed away peacefully at home on July 30th, with family by her side. Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunty, cousin, and dear friend to many. Born in Dryden, ON, Mary lived a life filled with love and selfless dedication to her family.

The City of Portage la Prairie announces temporary road closures starting at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, August 20, as construction work begins on two downtown streets.

Prince Avenue and Princess Avenue, between 3rd Street NE and 4th Street NE, will be closed to traffic until the end of Sunday, August 31, weather permitting.

The Operations Department adds that residents and commuters should plan alternate routes while work is ongoing.

The Manitoba government has signed a $30-million contract with the Canadian Red Cross for evacuee support and other services related to this year's wildfires.

The recently disclosed contract is worth more than half the province's total annual budget for emergency services and provides a first glimpse into the cost of the Manitoba's worst wildfire season in at least 30 years.

"We know that we need to continue providing supports to Manitobans who are facing evacuations and are continuing to need support," Finance Minister Adrien Sala said in an interview Tuesday.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19TH

American Association Baseball
Kansas City Monarchs 11 Winnipeg Goldeyes 0

MLB
Toronto 7 Pittsburgh 3

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH

American Association Baseball
Winnipeg Goldeyes at Kansas City Monarchs - 6:35 PM

Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are set to return to the bargaining table today.

Plans to rekindle talks late last week were delayed due to a lack of federal government mediators.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers claimed labour unrest at Air Canada was pulling attention from the postal service's dispute, which has stretched on for more than a year and a half.

Air Canada flights within North America are expected to ramp up this morning as the airline continues its operational restart following a three-day flight attendants' strike.

The company resumed flights Tuesday afternoon after a complete halt to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge routes that began early Saturday morning.

It said it was focusing on outbound international flights to start.