Portage

While the Portage Islanders gear up for another season and hope to build on some past successes, there will be one opponent they will not match up with in 2024/2025 - the Altona Maroons.

The Maroons, a charter member of the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League, will not put a team on the ice for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

It became official Tuesday night at the league’s fall meeting in Carman.

SEMHL commissioner Tom Vatrt informed the league executive and the 10 other teams that due to a lack of players, the Maroons would not be able to compete in season 73.

A Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) partnership is taking place between the City of Portage la Prairie, Long Plain First Nation, and Dakota Plains Wahpeton First Nation. The press release was issued this past Tuesday, and Mayor Sharilyn Knox says it's part of a national program called Cando (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

Hill's Drug Store & Hill's Clinic Pharmacy in Portage have always been committed to caring for their community… but what does that really look like?

For pharmacist and co-owner, Michelle Leslie, there are three main commitments they make to provide their patients with the best possible care.

“Patient education is one of the most important aspects of our job,” she said. “Giving patients knowledge about their prescriptions to the best of our ability, so they have better autonomy over their health and wellness.”

Kai Gaudet shines as the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Athlete of the Week, being handed the honour on September 18 for his outstanding soccer, volleyball, and golf performances.

The MacGregor Collegiate Institute (MCI) Grade 12 student started by leading the Mustangs soccer team to a 3-0 victory, scoring all three goals.

Have you ever wondered where the proceeds from the Legion's Poppy sales go? This past campaign raised $16,507.31, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 65 past president Bob Oldford explains how the funds are used.

A Manitoba court is being asked to declare Lake Winnipeg a person with Constitutional rights to life, liberty and security of person.

The contention is contained in a lawsuit filed by the province's Southern Chiefs Organization, which hopes to use the lawsuit to force the government to hold public hearings on Manitoba Hydro's licence renewal to continue regulating the lake's waters for power generation. 

The lawsuit says Lake Winnipeg, one of the world's largest, has a spirit, is alive and is suffering. 

A statement of claim was made Wednesday, September 18, by Sandy Bay Child and Family Services (CFS) to recover over $10 million from its former executive director, Richard De La Ronde.

Multiple events were recorded by the Central Plains RCMP in their weekly report from one day. A recap of September 10 is provided below.

Shortly before 7:00 a.m., Portage la Prairie RCMP received a call of an abandoned vehicle at Highway 16 and Road 227. Officers had the vehicle towed as it was impeding road traffic. A short time later, a report was received that this vehicle had actually been stolen from an address on 19th Street SW in Portage la Prairie. The suspect had caused considerable damage to the vehicle. 

The defence for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has taken a hit.

The Blue and Gold are going to be without linebacker Adam Bighill for the remainder of the season due to season-ending knee surgery. 

Bighill shared the news on Instagram saying, "Unfortunately today I’m going in for surgery on my knee that will end my season."

The coach of the MacGregor Collegiate Institute's Mustangs Senior Varsity Boys Volleyball team is extremely proud of his team's effort at the Treherne Invitational last weekend.

Marc Gaudet mentions that everyone contributed to the team's victory in the tournament for the second consecutive year.

"Defending the championship with a new group of guys, some returning, some new, is nice. It was a good feeling for us to come home to start the year with the championship."