Steinbach

A recent provincial survey has revealed widespread mineral shortfalls in pasture forages across Manitoba. That's from Shawn Cabak, Livestock and Forage Specialist with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

He notes the 2024 study, conducted by Manitoba Agriculture, examined a variety of grazing systems and forage types between late August and mid-September.

Copper and zinc levels were consistently low in forages across nearly all surveyed pastures.

It's graduation day for 88 students of Ste. Anne Collegiate.

Principal Yvan St. Vincent says the 2024-25 school year has been one to remember, in all the right ways.

“Oh, it's been great,” St. Vincent said. “Honestly, you know, we seem to be out of those COVID years where things are returning back to normal as far as celebrations and grads and grad planning and all that stuff. It’s been a fantastic school year from start to finish.”

Three tornadoes have already touched down in Manitoba this year, prompting a reminder for residents to have an emergency plan in place. 

Steinbach Fire Chief Kel Toews says that tornadoes are not uncommon in Manitoba. 

Most of Manitoba remains at a low fire danger, with the exception of the northwest area, which is at a high fire danger. 

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Ste. Anne has knocked its burn ban down to level one—effectively lifting restrictions. 

It says the reduction began at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, meaning fires adhering to normal bylaw restrictions are permitted.

However, officials warn that east of Highway 302—which includes parts of the RM—remains at level two fire restrictions. This means only only fires in approved firepits are allowed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Automobile insurance rates could be rising next year in Manitoba.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MP) has filed its General Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board (PUB). It is requesting approval for a 2.07 per cent increase to the overall rates for basic insurance. If approved, this would take effect for the 2026/27 insurance year, which begins on April 1st. 

According to MPI, this would result in an annual increase of $21 for the average private passenger vehicle policy next year, which is approximately $1.75 per month.

McDonalds Steinbach dropped by the radio station Wednesday afternoon with some new menu items from around the globe!

It's called McDonalds Menu Heist, and what they are doing is bringing international McDonalds recipes right to us.  

Ryan Boyko with McDonalds Steinbach says, “Specifically, we’ve got Italy, we got Germany, Belgium, Austria, the UK, Japan, just to name a few. So yeah, it's very, very cool to have all those around.” 

Buses carrying residents from the northern city of Flin Flon were being loaded up Wednesday morning, preparing to bring them back after a menacing wildfire forced thousands to flee weeks earlier.

"Welcome home to everyone," Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk said in a Facebook video Wednesday morning.

"Can't wait to have you back in community."

Buses began leaving Winnipeg and Brandon before 10 a.m., a schedule posted online showed. Residents staying elsewhere could expect to leave for Flin Flon later Wednesday, while some travelled back on their own. 

A well-known cave-like tunnel that attracts boaters to eastern Manitoba has reopened thanks to some ingenuity involving a backhoe, a grappling bucket and a crew removing fallen rock from a tight, gorge-like opening.

The tunnel between Caddy Lake and South Cross Lake, just north of the Trans-Canada Highway and west of the Ontario boundary, is the first of two cave-like tunnels along a popular water route for people in canoes, kayaks and small motorboats.

There was a single-vehicle collision involving a semi Wednesday morning near Dufresne. 

Steinbach RCMP were called to the scene at 3:12 am. It happened along the Trans Canada Highway near Dufresne. 

Police say initial reports indicate a semi, travelling west, left the road and hit the ditch.

According to RCMP, both occupants appear to be uninjured.