Candace Derksen

"It's a very serious situation." That from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew in an update on the province's wildfire situation Thursday, who says fire fighters from across Manitoba and beyond continue to blazes on several fronts. 

As of Thursday morning, Kinew said there were 16,800 evacuees registered in Manitoba. Many of which have been put up in hotels across Manitoba, occupying about 1,700 rooms. 

He added, it's been great to see people step up and provide donations, volunteer at shelters and even take evacuees into their homes. 

A business owner near Rosengart wants the province to come up with a repair and maintenance plan for a local road he says has been neglected for years.

Jonathan Wiebe says PR 521, which is not paved, has become soft; in particular, a stretch of several hundred feet in such bad shape that he says vehicles are sinking and needing to be towed.

The emergency department at Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) has been noted as the latest measles exposure site in the area.
    
Public health says anyone there on May 22nd from 6 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. is asked to monitor for symptoms until June 13th.

Local fire fighters have suited up and headed up north to help in the wildfire fight near Flin Flon.

From the Pembina Triangle Mutual Aid District are - 3 members and a tanker truck from Morden, 2 members from Plum Coulee and 1 from St. Jean.

We are being encouraged to practice safe driving habits at all times.
    
The message comes after Altona police officers responded to two incidents on Saturday where they say drivers failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. In fact, both incidents happened at the same location, at the intersection of 2nd St. NE and Centre Ave. East, right in front of the police station. Exacerbating things even further, police say the second incident happened about two minutes after officers cleared the intersection of the first.

The Municipality of Rhineland is moving ahead with another of its strategic priorities - developing a master water drainage plan.
    
Council has hired Northern Plains Drainage Systems on a one-year trial to conduct a survey of all local ditches.

"This is kind of a new thing for us," explained Reeve Don Wiebe. "We've had some information; other municipalities have done some work in this area."

Altona and area students were treated to a bit of Indigenous culture during a pow wow demonstration Wednesday afternoon. 

Set to beats provided by Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation's (RRAFN) Sons of the Drum group, First Nation dancers - young and older dressed in full regalia - showcased different styles of dance and song significant to their culture. It's something the group has been doing for several years now; working with school divisions and other organizations, all in the spirit of reconciliation.

The Municipality of Rhineland has opted to use the same enzyme treatment to de-sludge the Gretna lagoon as it did at the Plum Coulee facility last year. 

The biological method, used by Clean Water Pro, utilizes a special formula of beneficial bacteria and enzymes to break down the material.

According to Reeve Don Wiebe, the 20-week process resulted in the sludge being reduced at the Plum Coulee lagoon by 12 to 14 inches. 

**Updated at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 29th**

In a notice sent out early Thursday morning, the Altona Police Service indicated that 27-year-old Dennis Mirau had been found safely.

The department issued a call for the public's help in locating Mirau, noting they were concerned for his well-being. 

Police thank everyone who assisted in the investigation.

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Altona police are concerned for the safety of a missing man from Plum Coulee and is looking to the public to help find him. 

Altona police are cautioning people against playing on or near local rail cars, noting it is always a dangerous move. 
    
The warning comes after a concerned citizen reported seeing kids play on the top of parked rail cars in town, however, officers didn't see anyone when they arrived. 
    
Police say, even if rail crews aren't actively working on the line, Bunge still has its own track mobile and rail cars can be moved or shuffled around without notice, quickly injuring anyone on or near them.