Steinbach

A spokesperson for Manitoba Agriculture says it remains to be seen what sort of damage was felt on fields from last week's hail.

Hail was reported in numerous locations across the province, and Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson says producers will typically leave those crops for five to seven days, just to see how they rebound, before assessing them for hail damage. 

The mayor of Ste. Anne is again urging the Manitoba government to act on rural health care needs, warning that cuts to emergency department hours at Ste. Anne Hospital are placing an unsustainable burden on staff and putting patients at risk.

Mayor Yvan St. Vincent says the hospital is still seeing the same number of patients each year, despite the emergency room being open for fewer hours.

While wildfire smoke continues to blanket parts of Manitoba in haze and poor air quality, the agricultural impact is only one part of a much more serious situation, says Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) president Jill Verwey. 

Verwey acknowledges that smoke-filled skies can sometimes reduce crop stress by lowering sunlight intensity and cooling temperatures during sensitive growth periods. But she says that benefit comes with a heavy cost. 

A man charged with hijacking a light plane at Victoria International Airport and flying it to Vancouver had an "ideological motive to disrupt airspace" and seized control of the aircraft after threatening a flight instructor, RCMP said Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada said a charge of hijacking had been filed in Richmond, B.C., constituting a "terrorist activity" and a "terrorist offence" under two sections of the Criminal Code.

RCMP said Shaheer Cassim, 39, is set to appear in court next Tuesday.

Some Manitobans appear willing to pay higher electricity rates and shift their energy use to nighttime, an opinion poll commissioned by Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro suggests.

The findings come as the utility is asking the provincial regulator to approve rate increases in each of three next three years in order to replace aging infrastructure, avoid an increase in power outages and bring new generating power online.

Unionized Canada Post workers will get a chance to vote directly on the employer's offers for a new collective agreement starting on Monday.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will run the vote between July 21 and Aug. 1.

A simple majority vote will decide whether the proposal is accepted or rejected.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after 19 months of talks.

The grills were hot, spirits were high, and the vibes were purr-fect at this week’s KMPG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ. 

Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue (SAAR), featured charity for this week’s BBQ, had a tail-wagging good time. 

Michelle Neufeld, President of SAAR, says she is thankful for all the support.  

Something as simple as a cup of coffee can have a positive impact on a child today. 

On July 16, Tim Hortons locations in Steinbach are joining the nationwide effort to support Tim Hortons Camp Day, a fundraiser that helps change the lives of youth across Canada. 

Although the event only lasts one day, manager of all three Steinbach locations Jorge Soussa says the impact lasts much longer. 

After 136 years, the decision is final – Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) is closing its doors for good. 

MCI, an Anabaptist Christian high school (gr. 9-12) located south of Altona in Gretna, Manitoba, was founded in 1889. For over a century, it attracted students from all over the province, including many from the Southeast region. 

Capping off a strong season, the U15 Steinbach Pioneers won the provincial championship and coach Kevin Verestiuk couldn't be prouder of the group.

"It's been a great year," Verestiuk says smiling. "The boys had a lot of fun and with that, came a lot of success right to the end. Proud of the group and all the work they put in to be successful this year."