Portage

The unveiling of an impressive sculpture took place today at Simplot Central Park in Portage la Prairie. Located near the new skate park, it stands at a staggering height, making it the largest piece of its kind in Portage.

Artist Kevin McKenzie built the sculpture and explained that it all began eight months ago.

Here's a look at some of this week's top news photos as selected by editors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2024.

First Nations leaders say the pride two Saskatchewan courthouse staff felt on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation turned to shame after they were told to change out of the orange clothing they wore to work.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council, which represents nine First Nations, is demanding Saskatchewan investigate why the two First Nations women were told Monday to go home from the courthouse in Meadow Lake, northwest of Saskatoon, to change their clothes.

Fedaa Nassar says any time she has heard the phone ring in the last year, she becomes overwhelmed with anxiety.

"I hate phone calls now," says the 34-year-old lab technician at an Ottawa-area hospital.

It's because she worries the person on the other line will tell her that her dad, mom, brother and two sisters have died in the Gaza Strip.

Sleep is fitful, she says.

"I wake up three to four times during the night to check if they're still alive or not."

Clear your November calendars, Bomber Nation, and circle the 2nd and the 9th in particular, because the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ remarkable romp right through the Canadian Football League over the last two months means playoff football is coming back to Princess Auto Stadium.

Again.

The Blue Bombers cranked out their eighth straight victory Friday night here in Steeltown with a 31-10 mauling of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in front of 22,241 at Tim Hortons Field, and in the process locked up at least second in the West Division with their 10-6 record.

Co-op members and customers recently rallied together to make an influential mark in the community. 

On September 17, Homestead Co-op generously donated $3,500 each to Carman's Clearwater Memorial Playground Project, Visions of Independence, and the Portage Friendship Centre's Tools for School Program in partnership with the local United Way and the Portage la Prairie School Division, totalling $10,500 as part of Fuel Good Day. 

Time passes as you wait in traffic, attempting to get through the construction in Headingley, as you have been for months. However, according to the province, the congestion issues will soon be alleviated, at least for winter driving.

PortageOnline reached out to the Manitoba Government regarding the construction project just outside Winnipeg and when motorists can expect to use both lanes again.

A provincial spokesperson gave the following statement in an email:

UPDATE:

Borden remains in custody following his arrest.

A photo of what was seized during the arrest was provided and can be seen below.

Original Story:

A Central Plains RCMP office arrested a suspicious person and found illicit drugs in his possession.

According to the Central Plains RCMP Weekly Report, just before midnight on September 28, a Portage la Prairie officer was patrolling and noticed someone walking around the outside of a residence with a flashlight on Oak Bay.

The first session of the 43rd Manitoba Legislature opened Wednesday, October 2, in Winnipeg. Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza gave a preview before the meeting, outlining key issues expected to be discussed.

He highlighted several important topics, including Manitoba’s significant deficit.

RCMP in Selkirk arrested a man posing as a member of the police service earlier this week.

On September 30, at about 9 p.m., Selkirk RCMP received a report that a woman was stopped on Highway 9 in Petersfield, Manitoba by a man identifying himself as an off-duty RCMP officer. He was driving a pickup truck with emergency lights when he pulled the woman over. He accused her of speeding, but soon left the scene when asked to present identifying information.

Officers did patrols to attempt to locate the described vehicle, but the vehicle was not located.