PortageOnline Newsroom

Efficiency Manitoba announced via press release Tuesday that they will introduce an exciting new initiative to Manitoba classrooms.

The initiative, called 'Generation E,' is designed to teach students about the importance of saving energy while empowering them to make choices that contribute to a greener, more energy-efficient future.

In the Red River College Polytech Portage Campus basement lies something new and exciting to this Prairie town.

The "Portage Innovation Centre" is a new initiative facilitated by Red River College Polytech (RRCP), as well as Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF), and they are looking to create more local business concepts and opportunities.

The centre held its soft launch on Wednesday to kick off what they hope will bring new ideas to the community.

It's now fall, and time for the annual Equinox Feast in Portage la Prairie. The Family Resource Centre, Youth for Christ Youth Unlimited, Recreation Opportunities for Kids Central, Portage Bear Clan and Portage Community Revitalization Corporation are working together for the cause.

YFC executive director Art Schroeder says it's an at-home free meal for which people register.

The City of Portage la Prairie has announced the list of candidates for city council, mayor, and school board trustee

The Mayoral candidates for this year's council includes:

• Bryon Hamilton
• Sharilyn Knox
• John Donald Pelechaty
• Mohammad Tahir Khan

The list of candidates running for city councillor includes:

Abby Jones of Carberry is doing fantastic work supporting Manitoba FireFighters and their Burn Fund.

Jones, who originally made a concept shirt for her brother, a firefighter himself, decided that she could and would put her fashion abilities to work by mass producing shirts, hoodies and crewnecks to contribute money to the Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund.

The Community Foundation of Portage and District issued a press release last Thursday afternoon regarding a donation $500,000 to the foundation from former Portage Mayor Ian McKenzie's estate.

Executive director of the foundation, Kimberly Lavallee says this funding will go a long way to helping the community with their granting needs.

Lavallee went on to explain that this money right now is undesignated.

"It just gets put into our endowment fund, and then it'll go out through grants," notes the executive director.

Our community schools will honour Terry Fox in the coming days and weeks. 

Here are the following dates for schools that got back to PortageOnline about their Terry Fox events.  

After a three-year pause, Legion Week has made its way back to Portage la Prairie. 

The Portage Legion Branch 65 will host various activities and events from today until next Saturday.  

Bob Olford, president of the Portage Legion, talks about this being the first Legion Days in our city since 2019. 

"It's a way of celebrating our veterans and also letting the community know that the Legion is well and thriving." 

Check out the week of events scheduled at the legion down below:

The City of Portage la Prairie and Mayor Ferris declared this month as one to raise awareness for Arthritis.

Portage Mayor Irvine Ferris says community support has been critical throughout the Arthritis Society’s 74-year-old history.

"That organization has a mission to fight Arthritis with cutting edge research, innovation, advocacy and evidence-based information and patient centred. So, a lot of our friends and neighbours in Portage are dealing with this."

Currently, six million Canadians are dealing with Arthritis, and there is no cure for it.

A fundraiser is continuing efforts to raise money for local newcomers from Ukraine. 

It's in cooperation with a local food supply store. Ryan Lucko is a youth intern with Communities Building Youth Futures and outlines how you can help.