Smokin' hot weekend, with rain looming

A meteorologist with Environment Canada says it will probably be smoky all day in southern Manitoba. 

Natalie Hasell says the smoke is the result of wildland fires to the north. She notes most of the smoke is coming from the Ebb and Flow First Nation fire. However, there are other fires including ones in the Parkland region and Interlake. 

She notes the smoke started to settle over the region when the winds shifted to the northwest at around 4 o'clock this morning. 

Harry Falk

Funeral For:  Harry Falk 
Funeral Date: May 12, 2025 
Harry Falk, 83, of Steinbach passed away Thursday, May 8th at Rest Haven Care Home. He is survived by his wife Esther, 2 daughters, 1 son, and their families. 
The funeral service for Harry Falk will be held Monday, May 12th at 7pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with private family burial at a later date. 
Viewing will be at the chapel one hour prior to the service. 
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.

Helen Derewianchuk

Funeral For:  Helen Derewianchuk
Funeral Date: May 14, 2025 
Helen Derewianchuk, 91, of Winnipeg formerly of Vita, passed away Monday, May 5th at Seven Oaks Hospital. She is survived by 4 daughters, 2 sons, 1 sister, 1 brother, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Matt, 1 sister, 1 brother, and 1 granddaughter-in-law. 
The funeral service for Helen Derewianchuk will be held Wednesday, May 14th at 11am at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with private family burial at Sundown Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. 

Smoky skies Friday morning due to northern Manitoba wildfires

Environment Canada released a Special Air Quality Statement at 6 am Friday for all of southern Manitoba.  

Stating that smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility today, due to the smoke plume from wildfires in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  

As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Residents are asked to limit time outdoors and to consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.  

Goldeyes drop opening day heartbreaker at Cleburne

The Winnipeg Goldeyes opened the 2025 American Association season with a 6-5, ten-inning defeat at the hands of the Cleburne Railroaders (1-0) Thursday at La Moderna Field.
 
On an overcast and breezy evening, Cleburne edged the Goldeyes (0-1) in a tight battle that saw both teams going back-and-forth from the second inning on.

Landen Bourassa took the Opening Day nod for the first time since pitching for the University of San Francisco and fired a six-inning quality start, allowing three runs on five hits, walking a batter and striking out four.

Canadian expert says India-Pakistan tension at highest point since 1999

A British Columbia researcher in South Asian affairs said Thursday that concerns about the current India and Pakistan tensions are justified, given that the region has not seen conflicts this intense in more than 25 years. 

M.V. Ramana, professor at University of B.C.'s school of public policy and global affairs, said the last time there was a realistic risk of nuclear weapons being used was the conflict between the two sides in the Kargil region of Kashmir in 1999. 

Students learn about local government during visit with Stuartburn Reeve

Grade 6 students from Shevchenko School in Vita enjoyed an exciting and educational field trip last week that gave them a close-up look at how local government works. 

Their destination was the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn office, where they had the chance to meet Reeve Michelle Gawronsky and other municipal staff. 

Reeve Gawronsky explains that Grade 6 teacher Ms. Storoschuk brought her class to Chambers for a lesson on municipal government.