Steinbach

The Rural Municipality of Hanover is lifting its fire ban. 

The ban was implemented last week Thursday after a string of very hot and windy days. The municipality has indicated that it will be lifted today at noon.

"Things have improved greatly in the past week," says Hanover Fire Chief Paul Wiebe. "We've received quite a fair bit of rain and conditions are where we can now comfortably lift the fire ban."

It's going to be a vibrant summer in Steinbach, popping with colour, and teeming with life as Summer in the City comes back to town—including Cultures in the City.

Tessa Masi, executive director of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce gives a glimpse into what to expect from this year's Cultures in the City, which will be from June 13 to 15.

Drivers are advised to use caution travelling on Main Street near Reimer Avenue following a crash there.

This morning, emergency vehicles blocked eastbound traffic on Main St from Friesen Avenue to Reimer Avenue, and a traffic light was downed.

Westbound traffic is unaffected.

Just after 10:30 a.m., tow trucks were reported on scene clearing the area.

Further details are not currently available.

After a convincing tournament win, Pat Tetrault's Braves won the Zone 13 MHSAA girls softball championship and will be heading to provincials in Stonewall at the end of May.

"We've had the luxury of having a pretty good team this season," Tetrault says with a proud smile. "Girls have been working hard since early April. They came in, got to work hitting balls, getting ready for the short high school season. We had a pretty good showing at the Zone 13 tournament."

Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover will take the next couple of weeks to consider a request by Diamond Construction and Gravel.

General Manager Doug Hamm appeared before Council on Wednesday, seeking permission for an aggregate extraction operation southeast of Kleefeld. The land is owned by Heinrich and Jenneth Hildebrand. It is located north of Road 31N and east of Road 27E.

Steinbach's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) team had a chance last week to put its training into practice. 

Emergency Coordinator Kel Toews says they had a training exercise Thursday night where they went through the motions of setting up a reception centre for evacuees. 

It's Feel Good Friday with the Steinbach Auto Dealers! Corny Rempel checked out Prairie Oils & Vinegars new location in Steinbach with a pocket full of blessings from the Steinbach Auto Dealers! Someone gets blessed just for introducing her friend to the store. 

To watch more Feel Good Friday videos, click here. 

Agape House is taking a creative approach to promoting mental health by sharing simple facts and helpful resources. 

Lisa Fast, Outreach and Housing Counsellor at Agape House says the idea came after she received an email from the Healthy Living Team at Southern Health about the “Love My Community” challenge happening throughout May. 

Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan stripped a Progressive Conservative caucus member of his critic duties Thursday, as questions continued to swirl about the former government’s actions related to a proposed silica sand mine.

Jeff Wharton, one of three Tories found this week to have violated the province's conflict of interest law, is to remain in caucus but will no longer serve as critic for business, mining, trade and job creation.

"I have removed his critic role in light of this report that came out ... and we'll move forward from there," Khan said.

Canada's western premiers say they've agreed to identify, plan and develop new economic corridors to connect provincial resources to international markets.

A joint statement issued Thursday says doing so would boost Canada's market access in Asia and Europe while the country fights a trade war with the United States and China.