PembinaValley

The premiers of Manitoba and Nunavut are hopeful a proposed hydroelectric and fibre optic project is moving closer to fruition and are seeking federal money.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok have signed a memorandum to work together on the project and ask Ottawa for capital funding.

The proposed Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link would see a 1,200-kilometre line built through northern Manitoba to several Nunavut communities west of Hudson Bay that currently use diesel to generate electricity.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre aligned on support for new oil and gas pipelines as a matter of national security during the French language election debate Wednesday night.

Dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump was a running theme as the four main federal party leaders took the stage in Montreal for the first of two debates. Even the debate moderator Patrice Roy cited the elephant in the room as he pitched questions on immigration, affordability and Canadian identity.

It comes up pretty much every Spring at Plum Coulee's Sunset Beach and reservoir, how to control the Canada Goose population, and this year is no different.

"Annually, Council applies for a permit to control the goose population at the Plum Coulee Beach," explained Rhineland Reeve Don Wiebe. "This year's permit does not permit to shoot the geese. Eggs and nests may be removed, and other options to scare the geese may also be used, like firing shots and making noise devices."

Altona police officers have been responding to an increase in mental health calls in recent years.

Just this past week, noted Police Chief Dan Defer, members spent around 70 hours on three such calls for service. 
    
He believes the reason for the increase is two-fold.

"A lot of it will have to do, of course, with the increase in substance abuse. But I think it's (also) becoming less stigmatized, so maybe people are a little more comfortable is coming out with issues and problems that they're dealing with.

President for the Altona Angels, Derek Sawatzky, says this is a big year for the programs and he may be more excited than the kids are to get the season going.

"Lately with the weather the way it's been, we start itching to get outside and get the ball games going here," Sawatzky says with a smile. "We've been doing lots of prep work ahead of the season and it's been going really well."

Last week saw the Morden Chamber of Commerce have its Annual General Meeting, where the board of directors are elected and minutes of the previous year are adopted.  

Board Chair Tyler Schroeder breaks down what happened and how the Chamber’s last year went. 

2024 came with profit 

For Schroeder, 2024 was a success. He pointed to the financial net gains the Chamber received throughout the year. 

A free, in-person workshop titled ABC’s of Dementia is coming to Notre Dame de Lourdes on Friday, April 25th at 1:30 p.m., offering rural Manitobans a unique opportunity to gain practical, easy-to-understand education on dementia. Hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, the event requires no registration and will include refreshments courtesy of local volunteers.

Demystifying dementia: The basics you need to know

Rebecca Atkinson of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba will be leading the session, bringing her passion and expertise to the community.

Altona/Rhineland Emergency Services were called to a grass fire late Wednesday afternoon.
    
According to Fire Chief Greg Zimmerman, the incident occurred at a rural home in Neubergthal. No structures were damaged.
    
Three trucks and 18 members responded to the incident

Four people were brought to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 14, west of Plum Coulee, Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency crews, including the Plum Coulee Fire Department, were called to the scene, at Road 15W, around 5:50 p.m. STARS Air Ambulance was also called in, landing on the highway. 

Agriculture takes center stage in the Federal  Election campaign for some candidates this week . 

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture  (CFA) is holding their National Agricultural Leaders Debate on Thursday, April 17th.

CFA President Keith Currie says, like most Canadians, producers are concerned about what's happening south of the border and the plethora of executive orders that President Trump is putting in motion.