Portage

Underlying inflation remained stubbornly hot in June, leading financial markets and many economists to firm up calls for a third straight interest rate hold from the Bank of Canada later this month.

Statistics Canada said Tuesday that the annual pace of inflation accelerated to 1.9 per cent in June, up from 1.7 per cent in May and largely in line with economists’ expectations.

Prices didn't ease much at the gas pumps last month, the agency said, and higher prices on motor vehicles and other durable goods also drove inflation higher.

Fort la Reine School Grade 1 teacher Diane Wing brings her inspiring 500-kilometer run across Manitoba directly to her community, and by the time of this article's publication, has already made it all the way through to the other side of the city of Winnipeg, around the Deacon's corner region.

For context, here's a map showing a general idea of her journey so far (blue dots):

Community members came and showed support in the parking lot at Fountain Tire in Portage la Prairie this past weekend. Where the Green family hosted a fundraiser in support of MS Canada. The event featured a lively atmosphere with hot dogs fresh off the grill, a busy silent auction table, live music, and a tempting assortment of baked goods.  

The City of Portage la Prairie has taken its first formal step toward adjusting utility rates for 2027 to 2030. During its July 14, 2025 meeting, Portage City Council gave first reading to the proposed by-law, which now heads to the Manitoba Public Utilities Board (PUB) for review. PUB is an independent oversight body that examines rate applications from municipalities across the province. That review process begins now that the bylaw has passed first reading. 

The third annual Holiday Avenue Garden Tour kicked off on Saturday, welcoming residents to explore eight unique and vibrant gardens across the area. Organized by the Garden Tour Committee, this event offered attendees a self-guided experience, complete with various floral displays, gardening knowledge, and opportunities to shop, support, and socialize.  

While wildfire smoke continues to shroud much of Manitoba and suppress extreme temperatures in farm regions, agricultural leaders say the benefits to crops come with deep concern for families and communities being driven from their homes. 

Keystone Agricultural Producers president Jill Verwey says that although haze in past years has helped lower crop stress during sensitive growth periods, the current context is more serious. 

The annual pace of inflation accelerated to 1.9 per cent in June as consumers were paying more at car dealerships, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

The June price hike is up from 1.7 per cent in May and was largely in line with economists’ expectations.

StatCan said gasoline prices were nearly unchanged in June as higher crude oil prices and geopolitical conflicts ratcheted up pressure at the pumps. Motorists saw a steeper monthly decline in prices this time last year, which the agency said led to a rise in headline inflation.

Portage la Prairie is once again stepping up to support northern Manitobans fleeing wildfires, with the city now receiving evacuees from St. Theresa Point First Nation.

“In the last few hours, we did receive notice that we are receiving evacuees from St. Theresa Point into our community,” says Mayor Sharilyn Knox, in a post on social media. “They will all have rooms. There's 116 people, families. We're not sure exactly how many families that 116 make up, but we will welcome them into Portage and make sure that they have what they need.”

The Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) says our province remains at a moderate to high fire danger level. Human activity, including arson, is contributing significantly to current wildfire conditions. As a result, critical firefighting resources are being diverted to respond to deliberately set fires, often in or near communities.

A weekend trip to Sandy Lake has ended in tragedy after a 32-year-old man from Brandon drowned while swimming.

Yellowhead RCMP say the call came in around 11:05 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. The man had been swimming with three others at Sandy Lake Beach when they noticed he was missing. He was found shortly after in the water and brought to a nearby dock.

Paramedics were already on scene when officers arrived and were performing CPR. The man was later pronounced dead.