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Portage Mutual Insurance is lending a helping hand to organizations in the community.

They've donated $40,000 total to six different groups in Portage.

President and CEO John Mitchell visited the Family Resource Centre, where he presented a cheque for $5,000. He then made his way to the Community Foundation of Portage & District and, while the physical size of the cheque was much smaller, the dollar amount was the same.

Manitoba RCMP is reminding everyone about summer water activities that should accompany safety standards.

Boaters and those who use a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, are asked to remember that water temperatures are still cold even though air temperatures are rising. Be aware of the wind and your surroundings and always wear a lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD).

On June 18, two young women, from Winnipeg, who were paddle boarding without lifejackets, had to be rescued out on Lake Manitoba after they were unable to return to shore due to the strong winds.

The Herman Prior Center helped Portagers experience a blast from the past last weekend with vintage cars from the 1950s, but unfavourable weather influenced the attendance of the community.

The event happened this past Saturday, June 18th, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Executive director of the Herman Prior Center, Kathy Bryce, explains the turnout was not quite on par with the last couple of years.

"The weather was not in our favour for sure. It was so windy out that I think people just didn't want to bother coming out."

National Indigenous Peoples Day was held earlier this week on Tuesday, June 21st, and Dakota Tipi First Nation celebrated in honour of the day.

The day was one for Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, cultures and outstanding contributions of the Indigenous.

The day involved prayer, dancing and food at the Dakota Tipi Health Centre.

Rain Handel, the cook and the pow wow instructor at the event, says the importance of this day was for many reasons, but teaching the youth to be proud of who they are and where they came from was big for her.

As we kick off Summer, more and more Portagers will be willing to hop on their bikes to get where they're going, however, that also increases the possibility of bike theft.

Portage la Prairie RCMP would like to stress the importance of keeping your bike locked up as criminals can easily take bikes that aren't locked up and use them to flee.

The most recent report of a stolen bike came on June 12, when one was stolen from the 800 block of 9th Street NW. The suspect entered the backyard of the home and made off with the bicycle.

A man was arrested on June 8th in Portage la Prairie when it was reported that he was at a residence in the 600 block of Oak Bay with a firearm. 

Officers attended and located a 30-year-old man from Portage with an outstanding Warrant of Arrest. He was placed under arrest without incident. 

The man had a firearm as well as what was believed to be cocaine. The suspect is charged with:

Portage la Prairie RCMP were alerted of a report of a grey 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe on fire on Highway 305 in the RM of Portage last Tuesday.

The RCMP says just before 1:00 am on June 7th, officers were able to attend to the residence of the vehicle.

The owner was unaware that their vehicle had been stolen from a location just east of Portage la Prairie.

The vehicle was totally destroyed.

Anyone with any information about this stolen vehicle is asked to call the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445.

Portage la Prairie RCMP are searching for a suspect following a blaze at the Dakota Plains First Nation Health Centre.

On June 14, around 6:30 a.m., Portage RCMP received a report of a structure fire at the Health Centre on the First Nation.

Officers attended the scene, and once the fire had been put out, they were notified that the fire had been deliberately set.

No injuries were reported.

The RCMP is asking anyone with information regarding this arson investigation to contact Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445.

A 27-year-old Winnipeg man has been taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.

Portage la Prairie RCMP say they responded to a break and enter report at a business in Portage at approximately 3:50 a.m. on June 15. Officers approached the suspect vehicle on Highway 1, where the officer attempted to stop the suspect.

June 14th saw the Portage la Prairie School Division hold a board meeting and go over a variety of topics, including: