Westman

Community came out to the Boissevain-Morton-Whitewater Foodgrains Harvest this past Monday near Fairfax to share the noon lunch and work together to clear off the 300-acre field of wheat.

It was touch and go whether the combines could actually harvest the field as the moisture level was still too high at lunch time.  But shortly after 1:30 BMW committee member Ben Martens got the call that the grain sample was dry enough and they were a go.

The number of emergency department visits for pneumonia more than doubled last fall over the previous year, the Canadian Institute for Health Information says.    

The new data released Thursday said young people between five and 19 years old were the hardest hit. 

"This is actually the largest increase in pneumonia-related emergency department visits that we've seen post-COVID," said Tanya Khan, CIHI's manager of hospital data advancement and engagement, in an interview. 

News Release - City of Brandon

The City of Brandon Parks Team has observed a notable decline in the health of ash trees within downtown Brandon, particularly affecting black and Manchurian ash varieties. This deterioration results from a combination of factors, including limited growing spaces, recurring drought, environmental damage, and exposure to winter road salts.

Politicians in Canada are speaking out about political violence after Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event.

Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences to Kirk's family and friends.

"There is no justification for political violence and every act of it threatens democracy," he said on social media.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Kirk's shooting must be strongly denounced.

New office and administration programs set to launch at Peters School of Business

News Release - Assiniboine College

The Peters School of Business is announcing a significant refresh of its office administration programming, with the launch of three new certificate programs—Medical Administration, Legal Administration, and Office Professional—all beginning in September 2026.

Coming off a strong regular season and playoff run, the Virden Oil Kings are looking to get over the hump in 2025/26, and coach/manager Ryan Mathieson believes they are primed for something special. 

"It's that time of the year, and we're staring to get the itch," Mathieson says with a chuckle. "(I've) been talking about it with some guys, got some ice lined up, so it's coming."

Keeping connected

From Friday, August 1, 2025 to Saturday, November 15, 2024, crop residue burning is NOT AUTHORIZED, except by permit, in the municipalities of Rosser, Headingley, St. François Xavier, Cartier, Macdonald, Ritchot, Taché, Springfield, East St. Paul and West St. Paul.

For Wednesday, September 10, 2025 through Thursday, September 11, 2025, crop residue burning is AUTHORIZED from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM in all other municipalities in the RED RIVER/SOUTHEAST ZONE.

Harvest is well underway across the province, and while cold weather may still be a little way off, now is the time to start planning for fall soil testing, which is a key step in setting up next season’s success.

Funeral For:  Ida Derksen 
Funeral Date: September 21, 2025 
Ida Derksen, 98, of Niverville passed away Tuesday, September 9th at St. Pierre Hospital. She was predeceased by her first husband Edward Thiessen and her second husband Abraham Derksen. 
The funeral service for Ida Derksen will be held Sunday, September 21st at 4pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with burial at Niverville Hespeler Cemetery. 
Viewing will be at the chapel prior to the service. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Red Rock Bible Camp.  

Funeral For:  John Penner 
Funeral Date: September 13, 2025 
John Penner, 97, of Grunthal passed away Tuesday, September 9th at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. He is survived by 1 daughter, 2 sons, and their families. He was predeceased by his first wife Susan, and his second wife Helena. 
The funeral service for John Penner will be held Saturday, September 13th at 2pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with burial prior to the service at 10am at Winkler Cemetery.  Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.