Robyn Wiebe

The third Monday in January has been coined, "Blue Monday." It all began when a travel company in the UK to try to sell winter vacations based on people getting the winter blues mid-winter, according to Prairie Rose Guidance Counselor and Private Practice Counsellor and Therapist with Kelly Vipond Mental Health Kelly Vipond. Vipond helps people virtually in Manitoba. She recently obtained her master's in counselling psychology with distinction. 

The City of Winkler passed a By-law No. 2304-23 Special Service Plan No. 44. approving the pledges made for two healthcare facilities in the region. 

Mayor Henry Siemens explained. 

"That is to fund the support we've already committed to the Boundary Trails Health Center expansion and support we're giving to the C.W. Medical Board to be able to purchase the rest of the building that they are in. These commitments have already been made. This by-law now just shows how we're going to fund that commitment."  

With the mild winter, the lack of snow has impacted outdoor recreation in the Pembina Valley like snowmobiling.  

Kory Van Damme, President of the Pembina Valley Snowkickers describes what the membership is doing these days. 

Morden City Council approved the purchase of a new Pumper Truck for Morden Fire & Rescue (MFR). Chief Andy Thiessen said all of the trucks have a life cycle to them and according to the codes and fire underwriters survey, the ones who determine the insurance coverage for the province and for the country and give the timelines for the length of time vehicles can be used. Morden's Pumper Truck has "tapped out" on its lifecycle.  

Thiessen said it was scheduled to be replaced this year. 

At the final public City of Morden Council meeting of 2023, Morden City Council passed a 3% cost of living allowance (COLA) wage increase for city staff employees.  

While Mayor Nancy Penner was in election mode and not part of council when this decision was made, she explained the rationale behind the decision.  

Morden South Central Regional Library Branch Administrator Gail Hildebrand said it is exciting news to announce renovations will begin Saturday January 6th, temporarily closing the branch until Tuesday January 23rd. This is the first renovation in a long time. 

With a newly elected mayor for the City of Morden, lots of work started late in 2023, will take shape in 2024.  

Mayor Nancy Penner is looking forward to bringing the new council together.  

Betty Dyck said it was terrifying to go through the experience of watching the fire fighters battle the blaze on Royal Crescent Christmas Day.  

She and her daughter Becky, who was visiting for the holiday, had just settled in for the night.  

Settling students back into regular school life following the pandemic, a new board priorities plan, and capital project success were highlights of 2023 for Western School Division (WSD) Superintendent Stephen Ross. 

"As we look ahead to next year, I think we're excited to continue to help our diverse and growing community and student body continue to thrive. We expect continued enrollment growth and probably a bit of a surge next fall with the new school opening and some other projects in the community happening that might create more opportunities for housing." 

2023 was full of activity in the City of Morden. Newly elected Mayor Nancy Penner said the building and rebuilding of the Alvey Street and Parkhill Drive bridges was a big accomplishment, even with the challenges the projects faced.The bridges were both damaged severely due to Spring overland flooding in 2022.