Robyn Wiebe

Just over a month ago, it was standing room only at the All-Candidates Forum in Morden leading up to the December 20th By-Election. 

Mayor Nancy Penner was pleased with the continued interest in municipal politics at Tuesday night's Community Consultation evening to collect community voice for the new strategic plan.  

After last summer's discovery of a new mosasaur at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre's dig site, it has been brought home in field jackets and the process of going through the earth in each jacket is well underway. 

Fossil Hunter and Field & Lab Technician Gerry Peters gave an update.  

The record-breaking seasonal temperatures, while a welcome change for many, do have a direct effect on the Pembina Valley Snowkickers. 

President Kory Van Damme said conditions look bleak right now.  

Heading into 2024, Western School Division (WSD) school board trustees heard two Innovation Grant presentations at their first meeting of the new year.  

Board Chair Brian Fransen said Innovation Grants were started over 10 years ago looking for ideas that will advance Board Priorities Plan and for ways to enhance student learning, to connect with the schools, to the community, or to improve the health and the culture within the school division. 

The twelve teams competing in the 2024 Morden Scotties Tournament of Hearts were piped into the transformed arena by Bagpiper Chris Flook to start the Opening Ceremony Wednesday evening, after a full day of game play on the ice. 

The singing of the National Anthem by Robin Epp and speeches by dignitaries and organizers and of course, complete with Linda Doerksen paid the piper were facilitated by Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame and Museum Resby Coutts reading the names of each team member. 

Grace Keeling and her husband moved to Morden two years ago for employment reasons. In that time, she has had a third child. Her oldest child is in kindergarten and Keeling has learned her child will no longer be eligible for daycare. Last fall, Pembina Valley Childcare Centre (PVCC) announced a shift in services due to limited spaces and increased need due to changes in funding. (Read more in the article below.)  

Keeling, who has joined the PVCC board explained. 

Carman Dufferin Fire Chief Chris Lemky said an incident on the Boyne River last week prompted the department to put out a call for safety on social media. 

"Our understanding is that somebody was walking on the river in an undesignated walking path area. To our understanding, they did fall through the ice but were able to get themselves out and our understanding is they are doing ok.' 

Lemky cautioned those venturing onto the ice. 

Carman Dufferin Fire Chief Chris Lemky said an incident on the Boyne River last week prompted the department to put out a call for safety on social media. 

"Our understanding is that somebody was walking on the river in an undesignated walking path area. To our understanding, they did fall through the ice but were able to get themselves out and our understanding is they are doing ok.' 

Lemky cautioned those venturing onto the ice. 

Katherine Doerksen is returning to her hometown of Morden this week, curling with Team Peterson at the Morden Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2024. 

She recalled where she got her start in the sport. 

The City of Morden has enlisted KPMG, a professional consultant, to facilitate the city's strategic planning process.  

Mayor Nancy Penner said recently community stakeholders were involved in giving feedback. 

"There's a number of components that go into creating a strategic plan, and at the end of the day, the strategic plan will help the city to ensure that we have a positive, healthy well-being community for our citizens."