Steinbach

A pilot program connecting students in the Seine River School Division (SRSD) to mental health services has been going well.

Colin Campbell says the program, called Early Response System (ERS) and run by Shared Health, began in the new year and has already had 35 students between grades seven and 12 use it.

Ryan Ness of the Canadian Climate Institute says he's been following the "terrible tragedy" of deadly flash flooding unfolding in Texas, where more than 100 people have died.

But he's also worried Canada isn't doing enough to prevent such disasters here, saying the country needs to invest in flood mapping, infrastructure and early warning systems.

"Luckily, there are many ways that we can protect ourselves, but we have to make the effort," said Ness, who is the research director for adaptation at the policy research organization.

The 2026 Census of Agriculture questionnaire has now been published on the Statistics Canada website.

The census is conducted every five years with the last Agriculture Census being done in 2021.

For the 2026 Census of Agriculture, new categories have been added under the commodity questions to identify emerging agricultural products. 

Questions on agricultural practices have been expanded to include environmental practices and environmental sustainability.

The Calgary Stampede is officially underway, along with the rodeo, midway and live entertainment... the event also showcases agriculture and Alberta's ranching history

It's a chance to step back in time and experience life on the farm and ranch, with the Vintage Tractor Pull and Blacksmith showcase;  to the Heavy Horse, Cutting Horse, and Team Cattle Penning competitions; Chuckwagon races, to the Junior Steer Classic, the International Youth Livestock Supreme Championship and Scholarships, the World Stock Dog Championships, and International Livestock Auctioneer Championships.

Waterhemp has been changed to a Tier 2 weed in 28 Manitoba municipalities where the invasive weed is now too established to eradicate

There’s too much waterhemp in parts of Manitoba for total destruction to be feasible in those areas, according to Manitoba Agriculture.

The invasive species has been downgraded from a Tier 1 to a Tier 2 noxious weed in 28 municipalities where it has dug a foothold, Manitoba Agriculture has said.

Industry is applauding the federal government’s progress toward a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank after it awarded supply contracts to two companies.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Biogenesis Bago SA will supply vaccine products and develop the vaccine bank.

Canadian Cattle Association Saskatchewan director and former Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association president Garner Deobald, who formerly worked for Boehringer, said both companies are well respected and were good choices.

“I think it is important, for sure, to be ready,” he said.

It was a strong weekend for the U17 AAA Eastman Wildcats who made it to the semi finals at the Peppers classic in Mankato, Minnesota this past weekend.

Having three days of ball against some top level competition, the Wildcats battled hard in each game, pushing themselves and their opponents in all areas of the game.

On July 4th, the Wildcats finished the day going 0-2-1.

The group bounced back on July 5th, winning their opening game against Gamblers Gold 4-3. 

Wildfires that had receded in northern Manitoba have begun to roar back, forcing a wave of new evacuations and a major hub for people living in the north to declare a state of emergency. 

The province reported 81 active fires on Monday with 16 of those threatening communities, leaving some residents to leave their homes immediately, flee a second time or prepare to leave on a moment's notice. 

Fire is threatening the northern city of Thompson and its 13,000 residents, resulting in officials declaring a local state of emergency effective until Aug. 6. 

There was a fire Sunday at the former South-East Veterinary Clinic along Highway 52.

La Broquerie Fire Chief J.C. Normandeau says their crews were called to the scene at 12:17 pm. He notes flames could be seen coming through the roof.

According to Normandeau, firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly, but not before fire damaged the attic and back of the building. He thinks the structure can probably be salvaged.

Most of Manitoba is under a high fire danger level, as per the most recent wildfire update from the provincial government.

Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister responsible for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) says there are 81 active wildfires in the province—a jump from the 64 reported on Friday.

Of those, she says 16 fires are threatening communities, primarily in northern Manitoba.