Daisy Woelk

World Down Syndrome Day is on March 21. As it approaches, a local mom is looking for help fundraising in support of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN).

Christine Wiebe has been volunteering with the organization for about five years, and this year is hoping to raise $1,500 for it's work connecting and supporting parents of children with Down syndrome.

"They are also working with health care providers to help them give the best diagnosis experience to new families," she says.

A community organization in Ukraine, in part supported by southeastern Manitobans, is giving its all as war continues to rage in the region.

Chris Goertzen is the vice chair of the Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine, which provides funds for basic needs at its namesake: the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine.

There, the centre has been serving impoverished Ukrainians for more than 20 years, he says.

A community organization in Ukraine, in part supported by southeastern Manitobans, is giving its all as war continues to rage in the region.

Chris Goertzen is the vice chair of the Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine, which provides funds for basic needs at it's namesake: the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine.

There, the centre has been serving impoverished Ukrainians for more than 20 years, he says.

Steinbach Bible College (SBC) has marked the beginning of construction on it's new campus at the former Steinbach Family Medical Centre on Loewen Boulevard.

Tuesday afternoon, the school held a sod turning — or, what has been joked about as a "snow-throwing" — ceremony for the $15 million project, which Superior Projects will oversee.

Dave Reimer, SBC's president, says construction will start in March, and hopes a ribbon cutting can be held ahead of the school year in 2026.

Funding for Manitoba's school divisions is increasing by $67 million for the next academic year.

Monday morning, Tracy Schmidt, the newly minted education minister for the province, said the boost is consistent with last year's increase at 3.4 per cent.

Background information from the province shows the bump will vary between one per cent and almost 10 per cent for individual divisions, with the inclusion of federal nutrition funding.

Funding for Manitoba's school divisions is increasing by $67 million for the next academic year.

Monday morning, Tracy Schmidt, the newly minted education minister for the province, said the boost is consistent with last year's increase at 3.4 per cent.

Background information from the province shows the bump will vary between one per cent and almost 10 per cent for individual divisions, with the inclusion of federal nutrition funding.

Allied health-care workers are eyeing a strike once again.

Of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals' (MAHCP) members, 96 per cent have voted in favour of a strike mandate, citing a lack of competitive wages, and severe understaffing. That includes paramedics, mental health and addictions workers, and lab and diagnostic imaging staff.

The group's previous contracts expired on March 31 last year. 

Allied health-care workers are eyeing a strike once again.

Of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals' (MAHCP) members, 96 per cent have voted in favour of a strike mandate, citing a lack of competitive wages, and severe understaffing. That includes paramedics, mental health and addictions workers, and lab and diagnostic imaging staff.

The group's previous contracts expired on March 31 last year. 

St. Joachim Parish in La Broquerie turns 125 next year, but there's a lot of work ahead to get it into shape.

Luc Grenier sits on the financial committee for the parish, and is the president of the 125th committee, which is seeking to raise over $1 million for an extensive project.

The Manitoba government has announced it will be offering free entry to its parks this February.

Vehicle permits will not be required to go to the parks, however, the province said, Snopasses for snowmobiles will be.

"Manitoba’s provincial parks offer an incredible variety of trails and activities for Manitobans of all ages," said Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes.

He said cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fat biking, snowshoeing, hiking, skating, and tobogganing are all among the options offered at various parks.