PembinaValley

Tempers flared at the Manitoba legislature Tuesday as the Opposition Progressive Conservatives questioned the NDP government about a contract for mental health therapy, suggesting it may have been for the benefit of Finance Minister Adrien Sala.

Tory Greg Nesbitt tabled a document that shows the Finance department recently signed a contract for $10,205 with a counselling services provider in Winnipeg. The provider advertises services including stress management, grief counselling and conflict resolution.

The waning days of the federal election campaign saw voters turn out in record numbers for advance polls and party leaders attempt to poke holes in each others' platforms.

Elections Canada said in a news release Tuesday that the four days of advance polling between Friday and Monday set a new record for turnout, with 7.3 million people casting ballots early.

That's up 25 per cent from the 5.8 million people who took part in advance voting in the 2021 federal election.

There are signs of Spring across Winkler, including a variety of public works related clean-up operations. Mayor Henry Siemens says street cleaning has been underway for about two weeks, already.

After doing some work indoors, the U13 AAA South Central Cubs are ready to head outside onto the diamond and start the 2025 season.

Coach Scott Edwards admits this time of year is special as a new season is on the horizon. "We're feeling good, it's been a bit of a grind through the last month as we worked through indoor sessions, given the climate we're in. We've gotten to the point where we have made our team and we're ready to get out on the baseball filed here in the next week or so. We're all very excited."

On April 14th, a member of the Pembina Valley received a very special invitation.  

Adolfo Cuetara, the executive director at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) in Morden, was invited to a meeting between 18 ambassadors to Canada and the Government of Manitoba, including Premier Wab Kinew.  

Following a comprehensive investigation by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s inspection and investigation section, the FALG program was suspended in February for Alberta’s largest cattle financing co-operative, alleging a number of financial mismanagement and regulatory issues.
 
As negotiations continue to reinstate the Feeders Association Loan Guarantee program to the Picture Butte Feeder Co-operative, the provincial cattle feeders association is making its feelings known.

Baseball season is almost here, and this year, Winkler’s diamonds will welcome a brand-new initiative designed just for women. "Ladies Night at the Ball Park," a relaxed, women-only slo-pitch league, is set to launch Friday, May 9th. One of the organizers, Maggie Fehr, says the goal is simple: “We just had to try something where we could bring women together.”

Fehr, who has played slo-pitch most of her life, says the league is all about inclusivity and community. “There’s no pressure. It’s really for anybody to just come and enjoy the game,” she explains.

The Well of Plenty Fish Fry Fundraiser is back and happening this Thursday, April 24th at the Pembina Thresherman’s Museum. The event features a pre-order lunch and a drive-thru supper from 4:30 to 7:00 PM — with all proceeds going to support life-changing projects in Malawi, Burundi, and East Congo, Africa.

Statistics Canada is forecasting 232,180 acres, a 20 per cent decrease from last year, but traders question the estimate’s accuracy

Canaryseed brokers and traders think acres this year will be larger than Statistics Canada is indicating.

“Definitely acres are going up, not down,” said David Nobbs, a trader with Bornhorst Seeds.

Statistics Canada is forecasting 232,180 acres of the crop, a 20 per cent decrease from last year.

“I don’t even know why they’re involved in this crop. The numbers that come out are just always wrong,” said Nobbs.

It’s National Soil Conservation Week, and today is Earth Day.  

Farmers and ranchers play a very important role in soil conservation and helping to improve the health of our soil.  

Over the years, producers have modified some of their practices as a way to improve the soil.