Steinbach

The City of Steinbach has elevated its Fire Danger Index to Level 2 as dry conditions and strong winds increase the risk of grass fires. The city announced the change in a news release early Thursday evening, stating that the restrictions are in effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

Traffic is moving a little slower along provincial road 311 about two miles west of Giroux.

Reports say manure was spilled on the road there.

As of 4:30 p.m. a group of people were cleaning the area, blocking one lane of traffic.

Driver's are asked to exercise caution as they travel through.

Additional details are not available.

Veterans, diplomats, members of the Armed Forces and political leaders gathered Thursday at events across Canada commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

"Nearly every family knows somebody who suffered from the effect of war," said Fraser McKee, a 100-year-old veteran who helped to lay a wreath at the Toronto ceremony.

"This is to remember people that will have to go to war, as well as remembering those that went and didn’t come back."

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Taché has implemented its most severe fire restrictions due to hot and dry weather conditions in the area.

Fire Chief Allan Rau with the RM's fire department says this means no fires are allowed at any time. Gas barbeque usage is still permitted.

There were no injuries reported after a collision Wednesday afternoon involving two semis at the corner of southbound Highway 75 and Provincial Road 243, just north of the U.S. border crossing, in the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin.

According to RCMP, officers from the Emerson detachment arrived at the scene around 4:30pm.

A new pope has been elected following the death of Pope Francis. White smoke began billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling the decision by the College of Cardinals.

A large crowd in the thousands erupted into cheers as the words “Habemus Papam” ("We have a pope") rang out in St. Peter's Square, about an hour after the smoke first poured out. The new pope then came out onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and greeted the crowd.

The Jake Epp Library in Steinbach will increase its non-resident membership fees from $110 to $165 per year, starting July 1. The decision, announced at Tuesday’s Steinbach City Council meeting, comes as the library faces rising costs for wages and book purchases. 

Addressing rising costs 

Mother's Day is just a few days away, stirring the reflections and gratitude of many for their moms.

But being a mom isn't always easy. Jo-Anne Dalton, executive director of the Steinbach Family Resource Centre (SFRC) is a mom of three, and wants to encourage those tackling the challenges of motherhood that they're not alone.

"Each one of my kids has been a different experience, and continues to be a different experience," she says. "It can be hard. Everyone struggles."

Our province is taking additional steps to prevent wildfires on these hot and dry days. 

Steinbach Community Outreach is raising money this spring through a coffee house. 

Coffee for a Cause takes place this evening, May 8th at Brentwood Hall.