Portage

The unmistakable sounds of sirens, honking horns, and laughter filled the air at the BDO Centre in Portage la Prairie on Thursday evening, as the annual Touch-A-Truck event brought families together for an unforgettable hands-on experience.

Melodie Joy Kroeker (Holmes) of Glenboro/Belmont area, passed away on Monday May 12, 2025 at the Tri Lake Health Centre at the age of 51 years.

Smoke from a wildfire in Nopiming Provincial Park has drifted into the Portage la Prairie region, prompting a health advisory from government officials.

Environment Canada and Manitoba Health are warning of poor air quality and reduced visibility due to the smoke. The advisory urges residents to limit outdoor activities, especially vulnerable groups such as seniors, young children, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions.

THURSDAY, MAY 22ND

NHL
Playoffs - Best of 7
Eastern Conference Finals
Game 2
Florida 5 Carolina 0
Florida leads series 2-0

PWHL
Walter Cup Finals - Best of 5
Game 2
Minnesota 2 Ottawa 1 (Overtime)
Series tied 1-1

American Association of Professional Baseball
Milwaukee 7 Winnipeg 4

Temporary traffic changes are coming to Portage la Prairie’s Island Park area as crews prepare for hydro tower construction and road work related to Manitoba Hydro’s transmission infrastructure.

Portage la Prairie-based artist Yvette Cuthbert is one of three Manitoba artists featured in a new nature-themed art exhibit opening tonight at the Mennonite Heritage Archives (MHC) Gallery at Canadian Mennonite University.

The exhibit explores environmental themes and the far-reaching effects of climate change. Winnipeg-based artist Karen Cornelius’ tropical plant-inspired artwork will fill the main floor, while the upper level pairs Cuthbert’s vivid portrayals of British Columbia’s rainforests with fellow Portage artist Eveline Mangin Mauws’ prairie landscapes.

Two sections of Highway 350 are now fully closed due to poor road conditions, affecting routes both north and south of Highway 1.

Local traffic is still permitted, but all through traffic is being redirected.

Northern closure linked to frost boils

North of Highway 1, the closure stretches from Highway 16 to Road 73 North. The shutdown is due to frost boils, which have caused rough sections and unsafe conditions for drivers. While barricades are in place, residents and local service vehicles are still allowed access.

A new school-based lacrosse program is taking root in Portage la Prairie, with a special event set for June 20 to celebrate the sport and its Indigenous roots.

Led by La Verendrye School Vice Principal Al Patterson, the initiative is designed to introduce younger students to Canada’s national summer sport.

"We've decided that since the high school program has been around for a number of years, it would be good to get some of the Grade 7 and 8's, learning a bit about the game," said Patterson.

Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan stripped a Progressive Conservative caucus member of his critic duties Thursday, as questions continued to swirl about the former government’s actions related to a proposed silica sand mine.

Jeff Wharton, one of three Tories found this week to have violated the province's conflict of interest law, is to remain in caucus but will no longer serve as critic for business, mining, trade and job creation.

"I have removed his critic role in light of this report that came out ... and we'll move forward from there," Khan said.

Canada's western premiers say they've agreed to identify, plan and develop new economic corridors to connect provincial resources to international markets.

A joint statement issued Thursday says doing so would boost Canada's market access in Asia and Europe while the country fights a trade war with the United States and China.