Level 3 fire ban issued for Stonewall

Submitted by cory.knutt on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 13:39

The Town of Stonewall has issued a Level 3 (red) fire ban, effective immediately.

The ban prohibits all open-air fires, including fire pits and fireworks, within the town and annexed lands.

Only gas and propane barbecues are permitted during the restriction.

Due to the fire ban, all motorized traffic use on the Rockwood Trail is prohibited until further notice.

The Town of Stonewall says it appreciates residents’ patience and understanding as dry conditions persist.

Update: Portage fire crews attending multiple fires

Submitted by cory.knutt on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 11:34

Portage firefighters are currently attending of couple of fires in the area.

Three units were called out to a marsh fire Tuesday night just after 7 p.m. on Road 82N, southwest of St. Ambroise. Crews remain on scene this morning as the fire continues to burn. The cause is under investigation.

Meanwhile, three additional units were dispatched to a structure fire in Poplar Point Wednesday morning just after 5 a.m. Firefighters were still on scene as of 7:15 a.m. The cause is under investigation. There is no word on any injuries at this point.

Union head says new federal government needs to regain public servants' trust

The head of one of Canada's largest federal unions says the federal government needs to focus on repairing the relationship between public servants and management.

Nathan Prier, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees, said this is a "delicate moment" and that new Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali has his work cut out for him.

Prier said the Trudeau government made several questionable decisions that eroded trust among workers. They included a messy return-to-office rollout that was conducted without consulting employees, he said.

Manitoba government says it's working to get promised tax credit to homeowners

The Manitoba government faced more questions about its property tax reforms Tuesday after some homeowners did not receive a promised $1,500 credit on their annual bill.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala said there was a problem with some homeowners not registering their properties as their primary residence, which is a condition to get the credit. He put part of the blame on municipal governments.

Bank of Canada rate cut odds for June fall after April inflation data

Signs that underlying inflation was picking up in April put the Bank of Canada in a tricky position ahead of its June interest rate decision, with some economists arguing a second straight pause is now more likely.

"It is going to make it a much more challenging backdrop for the Bank of Canada to continue cutting rates, at least in the near term," said Benjamin Reitzes, managing director of Canadian rates and macro strategist at BMO Capital Markets.

Cool weather, not rain, concerns Manitoba farmers during planting season

While recent rainfall has raised questions about potential delays in seeding, Lorne Hulme of Hulme Agra Products says moisture levels aren’t the primary issue for farmers in the MacGregor-Portage area.

Rainfall less concerning than temperature swings

Hulme notes the region received roughly two inches of rain—some areas slightly more, others less—but stresses that dry conditions beforehand mitigated flooding risks.

"I don’t think that’s really of too much concern because we were reasonably dry before that," he says.

St. Claude prospect excited to join Oil Kings ranks

Cole Landreville’s dream of playing in the Western Hockey League took a major step forward when the 15-year-old forward was selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Prospects Draft.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Landreville said in an interview. “It’s an exciting day. It’s kind of always been a dream to get drafted and play in that league. Hopefully I can play there in a couple of years — that’s the goal.”

Landreville, who hails from Saint Claude, found out he had been drafted while refreshing the WHL’s live draft tracker online.

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