Steinbach

Samantha Sannella shed happy tears as she stood to sing the national anthem at her citizenship ceremony in early June, nearly three decades after she moved to Canada. 

She had sung "O Canada" countless times before, but this was the first time she’d done so as a Canadian. 

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sannella moved to Toronto 28 years ago for a job. For the longest time, she still considered herself a U.S. citizen, with a part of her thinking she might move back one day.

But that changed last fall.

A nearly sold-out crowd gathered at the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) for its 61st annual Gala on Friday evening, where warm memories, inspiring stories, and strong community support filled the room.

Provencher Member of Parliament Ted Falk says the summer months provide an excellent opportunity to find out what is on the minds of constituents. Falk says he will be busy over the next couple of months meeting with people and attending community events before Parliament resumes sitting in September. 

Acclaimed author Miriam Toews, originally from Steinbach, Manitoba, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her significant contributions to Canadian literature. The announcement was made on June 30 by Governor General Mary Simon, recognizing Toews as a "pre-eminent writer whose novels explore human tragedy and comedy in one fell swoop."

Former Olympian hockey player turned ace broadcaster, Jennifer Botterill, was named one of the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees and is set to join the hallowed halls later in the year.

2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Jennifer Botterill

Summer is here, and so are summer day camps!

Throughout the Southeast, a variety of organizations and communities are offering opportunities for kids to make the most of the season, while supporting families along the way.

City of Steinbach day camps

Daniel Taillefer, recreation services coordinator for the City of Steinbach, says seven themed camps are planned this year, including a sports camp, adventure camp, and survivor camp.

The City of Steinbach is hosting its annual Canada Day celebration on Tuesday, July 1. 

The community is encouraged to join the celebration, with activities at the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) starting at 9 a.m. MHV will be hosting a Canada Day ceremony, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more!  

The events at the MHV will end at 5 p.m., but the festivities don't stop there! The day will continue at the Steinbach Soccer Park.  

One man is dead and another is recovering following a head-on collision Sunday night.

Around midnight, Steinbach RCMP responded to the crash on highway 12, about 1 km south of highway 303, in the Rural Municipality of Hanover.

Officers say when they arrived at the scene, one vehicle was on its side in the ditch while another blocked both lanes of the highway.

A woman and young girl are dead following a tragic crash near St. Labre.

On Friday, before 1 p.m., Sprague RCMP were called to a two-vehicle collision on St. Labre Road.

According to an initial investigation, police say a truck was travelling southbound when a northbound minivan entered the southbound lane after a curve in the road.

The vehicles collided, and officer say the minivan ended up on its side in a small creek.

One person is dead following a head-on collision Sunday night near Friedensfeld.

Hanover Fire Chief Paul Wiebe says they were called to the scene shortly after midnight. Wiebe says two cars collided along Highway 12, just south of Provincial Road 303.

"We did use our Jaws of Life to extricate both occupants," shares Wiebe. "One with serious injuries and one is considered a fatality."

Wiebe says there was only one occupant in each vehicle. The lone survivor was rushed to hospital by ground ambulance.