Steinbach

Agriculture takes center stage in the Federal  Election campaign for some candidates this week . 

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture  (CFA) is holding their National Agricultural Leaders Debate on Thursday, April 17th.

CFA President Keith Currie says, like most Canadians, producers are concerned about what's happening south of the border and the plethora of executive orders that President Trump is putting in motion.

The Tache Fire Department responded to a school bus crash Wednesday afternoon.

Fire Chief Allan Rau says they were called to the intersection of Highway 59 and Prefontaine Road, which is two miles north of Provincial Road 311. Rau says a school bus and SUV collided there.

"There was luckily no children on the school bus, simply the driver," says Rau.

He notes the driver of the school bus, as well as the lone occupant of the SUV were checked on scene by EMS. He adds that nobody was transported to hospital. 

Join Nature Norm for an interpretive walk, followed by an indoor presentation all about amphibians in the tall grass prairie. 

Norm Gregoire from Shared Legacy says that we have three different types of amphibians found throughout Manitoba. 

“We have eight frogs, toads, four of those, and four salamanders as well. So, a total of 16 across Manitoba. Just about all of those are found right in the tall grass prairie. Others are elsewhere in the province, but we'll learn a little bit about all of them.” 

The Eastman Choral Association is inviting the public to attend the annual Easter Sunrise Service, taking place this Sunday. 

Shannon Sawatzky, Vice President of the Association says the event has been a beautiful tradition in the Southeast for many years.

The Bank of Canada left its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday as it waits to get a clearer picture of how global trade uncertainty is going to impact the Canadian economy.

The central bank held its policy rate steady at 2.75 per cent, the first time it has left the key rate unchanged following seven consecutive cuts since June.

That decision arrived in the midst of the United States' ever-shifting global trade war, and Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem made clear that the disruption from south of the border was the clear focus of Wednesday’s decision.

During her first couple of months as the Library Director, Aubrey Walker has been hard at work to get the Jake Epp Library back to being a strong community space.

After serving as interim director, Walker officially took on the role of Library Director in February.

She is no stranger to the large public library having worked at there for 15 years, including the last decade as Assistant Director. Walker says stepping into the permanent leadership role in February has been a rewarding shift.

The stage will look different than originally planned Wednesday night, when Canada's major party leaders square off in the first of two nationally televised debates.

Instead of five podiums on the stage, there will now only be four.

The Green Party had its invitation rescinded less than 12 hours before the debate is set to start, with the Leaders' Debate Commission saying the party no longer met the criteria to be included.

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault called the "last minute decision" both "unfounded" and "undemocratic."

Funeral For: Helen Klassen nee Friesen 
Funeral Date: April 19, 2025 
Helen Klassen nee Friesen, 94, of Winkler passed away Monday, April 14th at Salem Home. She is survived by 3 daughters, 1 son, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband David M. Klassen. 
The funeral service for Helen Klassen nee Friesen will be held Saturday, April 19th at 2pm at Winkler Reinland Mennonite Church with burial at Hochfeld Cemetery. 
Viewing will be at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler Friday, April 18th from 1 to 7pm. 
Donations may be made to Salem Foundation. 

Funeral For:  Peter Funk 
Funeral Date: April 19, 2025 
Peter Funk, 86, of Steinbach passed away Sunday, April 13th at Vita Hospital. He is survived by his wife Betty, 1 daughter, 3 sons, and their families.  
A memorial service for Peter Funk will be held Saturday, April 19th at 2pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with private family burial at Heritage Cemetery. 
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.  

Funeral For:  Doctor Dennis Giesbrecht 
Funeral Date: April 21, 2025 
Doctor Dennis Giesbrecht, 88, of Steinbach passed away Monday, April 14th at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. He is survived by his wife Rose, 4 daughters, 2 sons, 1 sister, 1 brother, 1 sister-in-law, and their families. He was predeceased by 2 sisters and 1 brother. 
The funeral service for Doctor Dennis Giesbrecht will be held Monday, April 21st at 1pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel. Private family burial will take place.