PembinaValley

 A two-day exhibit at Winkler Arts and Culture this week tackled a topic that is a source of shame and stigma for victims of sexual assault.   

“What were you wearing?” 

Genesis House Sexual Assault Intervention Coordinator Taylor Goerz described the display.  

Drumsticks were flying and spirits were high as 36 students of local drum instructor Mike Hiebert took the stage at the annual Groovehound Studio drum recital, held at Bethel Heritage Park in Winkler. With more than 40 students in his studio, Hiebert says the evening is a celebration of energy, creativity, and musical growth—not formalities.

Lake Minnewasta hosted its annual Swim Smart event on Thursday, an event which gave lifeguarding staff at the lake the opportunity to teach the community about safe swimming practices but also have fun while doing so.  

Canadian varietal development system called a success story

Canada’s system of developing wheat varieties is both efficient and effective, says a University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist.

Australia invests much more into wheat genetics and improving varieties, but the yield gains are similar to Canadian results.

“In Australia, they’re spending three to five times what we are, right now, on wheat research and wheat genetics,” said Richard Gray, Canadian grain policy research chair at the U of S.

Funeral For:  Annie Derksen nee Enns 
Funeral Date: June 30, 2025 
Annie Derksen nee Enns, 99, of Winkler formerly of Plum Coulee, passed away Wednesday, June 25th at Salem Home. She is survived by 2 sons. She was predeceased by her husband Jacob P. Doerksen. 
A memorial service for Annie Derksen nee Enns will be held Monday, June 30th at 2pm at Plum Coulee Harvest Christian Fellowship with burial prior to the service at Plum Coulee Cemetery. 
Viewing will be at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler Sunday, June 29th from 2 to 7pm. 

The group representing Manitoba physicians is warning people in northern and rural areas that they could see reduced hours and periodic closures in emergency rooms this summer.

Doctors Manitoba says based on the data and feedback it has received, 20 — or one quarter of rural hospitals — will have their emergency rooms open around the clock.

"This isn't a new problem. It's been building for many years, but the prolonged uncertainty and short staffing is taking a toll," group president Dr. Nichelle Desilets said Thursday.

The Federal Court has approved a multi-billion-dollar class-action settlement for people who suffered abuse at federally run 'Indian hospitals' following out-of-court negotiations between Ottawa and Indigenous survivors.

The federal government ran 33 such hospitals between 1936 and 1981. The total compensation amount is expected to be between $3 billion and $5.3 billion.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday that a 49-year-old Canadian has died while in its custody.

A detainee death notice from the agency, commonly known as ICE, said that Johnny Noviello was pronounced dead by the Miami Fire Rescue Department at 1:36 p.m. on June 23.

The agency said he was found unresponsive at 12:54 p.m. at a federal detention centre where he was being held pending deportation proceedings. Medical staff attempted CPR and defibrillation but were unsuccessful, the agency said.

They make for an interesting concoction, these ever-evolving Winnipeg Blue Bombers now just three games into their 2025 Canadian Football League schedule.

Some, not all, of the familiar faces still remain in place from a crew that has appeared in five straight Grey Cup games, with championships in 2019 and 2021 and the early indicators are they have been mixed with a tasty crew of newcomers and second-year pros who are bringing their own magic to the potion.

Thanks to a keen sense, a scammer did not get the best of one potential local victim recently.
    
Last week Tuesday, the complainant reported to Altona police that they'd gotten a phone call from someone they didn't know, claiming to be the police. The scammer also said they had the person's child, and the complainant could hear a child screaming and crying in the background.
    
Then the scammer demanded money and, apparently, became very aggressive. That's when the complainant recognized the call as a scam and hung up.