Towering Altona landmark taken down

Altona's recognizable giant Van Gogh painting has come down. 

Crane crews arrived early Monday morning to dismantle the piece which had been declared unsafe after years of wear and tear, combined with recent high wind events that resulted in heavy damage. 


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MLAs say NDP budget lacks details, clear plan

"I am extremely disappointed." That from Lauren Stone, PC MLA for Midland and Opposition Finance Critic for Manitoba, following the NDP Government's 2025 budget announcement on Thursday. She believes the government missed the moment in what she referred to as uncertain economic times, pointing to the ongoing threat of U.S. and Chinese tariffs.

Tactical team brushes up on bus assault procedures

"You can't stay stagnant. You have to keep pushing and developing," says Cst. Jonathan Goertzen, Team Leader of the Regional Support Tactical Team (RSTT), which is coming up on 11 years since its formation. "There's always new tactics to learn and, if we sit back on our heels, it's not the right thing to do."

The team gathered in Altona on Wednesday for one of its regular training days - this time the focus was on bus assault procedures and how to diffuse high risk situations that may take place on them. 

$43.1 million budget approved for BLSD

Trustees for the Border Land School Division (BLSD) have approved a $2.2 million increase in spending for 2025/26. In total, the Board has approved a $43.1 million budget for the coming year. 

Splitting half of the added spending 50/50 is operating expenditures which increased 3.63% over 24/25, predominantly due to salaries, and capital expenses that more than doubled. That, according to Board Chair Steven Wiebe, is mainly because the Division is setting aside $450,000 into a bus reserve account that was depleted down to zero last year.

Altona's giant Van Gogh painting is coming down, for now

Time, the elements and recent high winds have taken a toll on Altona's giant Van Gogh sunflower painting, and the recognizable symbol is coming down. 

In 2017, the painting was taken down and refurbished by artist Cameron Cross. 

"It, apparently, was supposed to last seven to ten years. But looking back, the backing of that painting was not treated lumber and has caused some rotting," explained Mayor Harv Schroeder. This, in turn, has caused some of the paint on the piece to peel away. 

Low to moderate risk of flooding expected this spring

There is a low-to-moderate risk of significant flooding in most Manitoba basins this spring, according to the February flood outlook issued Thursday by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre.
    
On the Red River and Pembina River, the risk is currently moderate.
    
For the Roseau River, the risk is low. 
    
Spring flood risk is largely dependent on weather conditions from now until the spring melt and throughout the spring. 

The push is on to bring internationally educated nurse re-certification course to the Pembina Valley

Area stakeholders are working to localize the licensing process for internationally educated nurses (IENs) who are looking to bridge their credentials so they can work in the province. This, after recent visits from Manitoba's Minister of Immigration, Malaya Marcelino, to the region, where she encouraged a local push to bring re-certification programming to the Pembina Valley. 

Suspect identified in suspicious ATM lobby incident in Altona

Investigation is ongoing after Altona police were called to a local financial institution on Saturday.

According to the department's latest activities report, someone looking to use the ATM noticed a large pile of burned material in the lobby and called police. It turned out to be hand sanitizer and a large pile of burned papers.
    
Police say they have identified an adult female suspect.

Jennifer Collette named incoming RVS Principal

Jennifer Collette has been tapped to become the next Principal of Roseau Valley School (RVS) in Dominion City.
    
Currently serving as interim Principal at the school, Collette has been teaching in the Border Land School Division her entire 15-year career in the areas of Early Years, Reading Recovery, Smart Start and supporting the Roots of Empathy program. She was also previously the school's Vice Principal for 5 years.
    

Morden police suspend three more impaired drivers after failing roadside tests

Another three drivers were taken off the road by Morden police this past week after they each failed a roadside screening test. 
    
The first was pulled over after officers noticed their vehicle swerve in its lane several times. During the stop, police say they could detect the smell of liquor coming from the driver and spotted several empty beer cans in the back seat.

The second was pulled over shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, and that's when officers say they could smell liquor coming that driver as well.