Portage

Update: A statement was released from Manitoba Hydro about the incident yesterday:

"An equipment issue yesterday (May 14) caused an outage to approximately 5,700 customers for ten minutes. It began at 4:20 p.m. and ended at 4:30 p.m., affecting customers in Portage la Prairie, Oakville, Elm Creek, Southport, and the surrounding RMs."
 

Original story:

The Lakeshore Regional Wellness Commission is preparing to open the doors of the long-anticipated Lakeshore Regional Wellness Centre in Ashern.

The facility, a transformation of the old curling rink, will hold a soft opening on June 1, 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the community-focused project.

Scott Cameron, vice-president of the board, says the project has been years in the making and has involved significant planning, fundraising, and upgrades to bring the vision to life.

Production is expected to recover by 70 million tonnes due to favourable conditions, while demand will rise by 45 million tonnes

SASKATOON — The global grain outlook for 2025-26 is incredibly balanced, says an analyst.

The International Grains Council (IGC) is forecasting 2.373 billion tonnes of production and an identical 2.373 billion tonnes of demand.

“We’re looking at quite a finely balanced fundamental picture for grains,” Helen Plant, senior analyst for the United Kingdom’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, said in a recent webinar.

Update:

Four-year-old Andrew Emms, who was reported missing near Teulon, has been safely located. Stonewall RCMP would like to thank the public for their quick response and support during the search.

Former story:

A search is underway for a missing four-year-old boy last seen yesterday evening at his family’s home on Road 11E near Teulon.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie says Canadian agriculture is at a critical juncture, with the recent dramatic rise of trade uncertainty, high costs, and more frequent extreme weather events.

He notes during the recent election, the CFA made the priorities of Canadian farmers very clear: farmers need to see a focus on competitiveness, resiliency, and maintaining rule-based trade.

Portage cottage owners are watching nervously from afar as wildfires continue to threaten areas near Lac du Bonnet.

Kristine Hannah, who owns a four-season cabin in Poplar Bay Provincial Park, says her property is currently under evacuation notice. The area is located approximately 32 kilometres northeast of Lac du Bonnet and is home to only about 33 cabins.

Cabin purchased just one year ago

Hannah and her family bought the property on May 15, 2024.

A lightning strike ignited a wildfire at Oak Hammock Marsh on the evening of May 11, raising concerns as the region heads into the summer season. The blaze, which broke out around 8 p.m. near the Wetland Discovery Centre, quickly threatened the surrounding environment. Thankfully, the flames moved away from the building, preventing any structural damage, and a swift response from firefighters brought the fire under control by 11:45 p.m.

The City of Portage la Prairie is asking residents to take part in its annual random daytime lead testing program.

The initiative helps the city meet provincial regulations and aims to better understand the risks of lead exposure in residential drinking water systems.

Each year, 40 home samples are required. The city is prioritizing homes built before 1975, with a focus on properties constructed before 1950 that may still have lead service lines.

Testing is free, and the results are shared only with the homeowner and provincial health officials.

Late on the night of May 12, a vehicle fire prompted a response from the Austin Fire Department at the intersection of Highway 1 eastbound and Road 63W in the Municipality of North Norfolk.

Firefighters received the page at 11:46 p.m., according to an incident report posted by the department.

Harvey Watson

It is with deep sadness that the family of Harvey Wayne Watson of Rossendale, Manitoba, announces his peaceful passing on May 5, 2025.

Born on February 22, 1941, in Portage la Prairie to John and Bertha (Orton) Watson, Harvey was raised in Rossendale where he developed a deep connection to his community, the land, and a lifelong appreciation for life’s simple joys. Dad was a devoted family man, who lived a full and meaningful life surrounded by the love of those closest to him.