Westman

Canada's Public Health Agency has confirmed that a British Columbia teenager hospitalized last Friday is the country's first ever human case of domestically acquired avian flu.

The agency said in a statement Wednesday that testing at Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg confirms the teen did contract the H5N1 avian flu, the same strain related to viruses found in B.C. flocks in an ongoing outbreak at poultry farms.

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is currently hosting its annual 2024 district meetings across Manitoba. They began in Arborg on Tuesday, November 12, and will wrap up in Swan River on Thursday, December 19.  

Jill Verwey, President of KAP says organizing and hosting the meetings is a requirement and part of their grassroots policy. 

Funeral For:  David Bruce Burnell
Funeral Date: November 15, 2024
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend David “Dave” Bruce Burnell. David encountered a tragic accident on October 1st, 2024, in which after a courageous fight succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB.

Funeral For:  Agatha Dueck Loewen nee Penner 
Funeral Date: November 15, 2024 
Agatha Dueck Loewen nee Penner, 96, of Altona formerly of Winkler, passed away Sunday, November 10th at Eastview Place. She is survived by 2 daughters, 2 sons, and their families.  
A memorial service for Agatha Dueck Loewen nee Penner will be held Friday, November 15th at 2pm at Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with burial at 11:30am at Kronsweide Cemetery. 
Viewing will be at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler Thursday, November 14th from 1 to 8pm. 

The Brandon Wheat Kings continue their six-game homestand this weekend. Head coach & general manager Marty Murray will join Clayton Dreger on the Wheat Kings Report which airs Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. on CJRB Radio 1220.

Funeral For:  Wes Sawatsky 
Funeral Date: November 16, 2024 
Wes Sawatsky, 90, of Altona passed away Monday, November 11th at Boundary Trails Health Centre. He is survived by his wife Ella, 1 daughter, 2 sons, 1-son-in-law, and their families. He was predeceased by 1 daughter. 
The celebration of life for Wes Sawatsky will be held Saturday, November 16th at 1pm at Seeds Church, Altona with private interment prior to the service at Altona Cemetery. 
Donations may be made to The Community Exchange, Altona. 
Arrangements by Wiebe Funeral Home, Altona. 

Team Manitoba went 7-0 and won gold at a prep softball tournament in Macks Creek, Missouri last weekend. 

The U19 team has begun preparing for the 2025 Canada Summer Games next August in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador. 

Team Manitoba's 18-player roster includes Jessie Henry, Kendall Charles, Ky Soloman & Naomi McKay of the Westman Magic along with Danika Nell of Boissevain who played for the Provincial U19 AAA champion Smitty's Terminators this past ball season.

The Winnipeg Jets soared to a decisive 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden last night, showcasing their offensive depth and resilience.

Mark Scheifele set the pace, scoring just 57 seconds into the game. The Rangers countered late in the first period with a goal from Will Cuylle, bringing the score to 1-1.

Midway through the second, Gabe Vilardi netted a power-play goal, giving the Jets a 2-1 lead. The Rangers responded before the period ended, tying it up once again.

Harlen Bridges had a hat trick and the Hamiota/Rivers/Elton/Strathclair Huskies defeated Vincent Massey (2) 7-4 in the lone Westman High School Hockey League game Tuesday night in Rivers. Sev Antonio, Jaxen Dziver, Samuel Rivas-Banos and Kirk Bayes also scored for the Huskies. Rhett Ryden, Mason Twordik, Ethan Furtney and Kolby Lavich replied for Massey.

Prairie farmers should be on the lookout as a disease known to cause issues in a variety of crops is a key concern.

That's why experts are asking producers to keep a close eye out for the signs that the disease might be in their fields.

Crops Extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Eileen Beaton talks about the disease.