Candace Derksen

Three action-packed days have kicked off in Morris with the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition underway for another year!

Things got underway Thursday evening with a local celebration hosted by the Morris and District Chamber of Commerce. The Morris Fire Department hosted a bud, spud and steak dinner on the stampede grounds followed local business exhibitions and wrapped up with evening stage entertainment. 

The fun continues all weekend with activities for the whole family happening from dawn till dusk. 

Statistics Canada has revised the 2021 Census population and dwelling counts for the Town of Altona.
    
Council filed a dispute when the initial data was released last year and pegged the town's five-year growth at a mere 1.31%, and a population of 4,267 - an increase of only 55 people over five years. 

"Looking at the growth in the housing sector and across the community from 2016 to 2021, those numbers didn't line up with expectations and what we were seeing as far as growth," explained Mayor Harv Schroeder.

RCMP have arrested and charged a second person in relation to a string of bank robberies that happened this past winter. 
    
A 27-year-old man from the RM of Lac du Bonnet has been charged with one count of Robbery for his involvement in the heist in Lowe Farm on November 14th. He has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Emerson on September 14th.

Altona's core is about to be filled with thrilling squeals and the smell of your favourite carnival treats as the Altona and District Chamber of Commerces prepares to host Wonder Shows for the Downtown Summer Kick Off Friday and Saturday.
    
Due to the event, some streets in the area will be closed to traffic starting at 8 am today until 8 pm Sunday evening. They are 2nd St. NE from 3rd Ave NE to 4th Ave NE, and 4th Ave NE from Main Street to 2nd St. NE.

For Kelly Saunders, Associate Political Science Professor at Brandon University, the results of Monday's federal by-election in Portage-Lisgar weren't much of a surprise. 

Saunders said she fully anticipated the Conservatives would hold on to the seat, left empty by former MP, Candice Bergen. She also expected the People's Party of Canada would take some votes away from the Conservatives. 

It's by-election day in Portage-Lisgar.
    
Voters head to the polls today to elect the riding's new Member of Parliament following Candice Bergen's resignation from the job earlier this year. 

Morris mayor, Scott Crick, is providing a few updates on the new daycare facility planned for the community. 

In February, it was announced that the town was included in Phase 2 of the expanded federal/provincial ready-to-move daycare project initiative, providing a modular facility with an additional 106 childcare spaces for the community. 

Police are chasing several leads in a pair of break-and-enters that happened in Elm Creek about a month ago but are now turning to the public for help in moving along the investigation. 
    
The first incident happened around 4:30 a.m. on May 11th at Scotswood Links Golf Course. According to Pembina Valley RCMP, four suspects, driving a stolen GMC Sierra 2500, forced their way into the clubhouse and stole cash and alcohol. 
    

A reimagined vision for recreation is taking shape in the Town of Morris.

Volunteers gathered at Willow Park Tuesday morning to break ground on the highly anticipated playground project that's been two years in the making. 

After nearly losing $500 to the Real Estate Scam, an Altona-area woman is urging potential renters to be careful. Lorraine Friesen responded to an online ad for a house available for rent in Altona, and says it seemed legitimate.