Westman

It all began in 2016 when a young Portage resident gave hockey a shot. It didn’t quite click for him, but his love for skating remained. That’s when Joel Simpson discovered something new—speedskating. 

Simpson no longer lives in Portage, but Calgary. Still, Portage is where the journey began, as he made regular trips to Winnipeg to train in a sport that would eventually take him across the country. 

For the first time in nearly a decade, U18 hockey is returning to MacGregor. Brett Davey, President of the MacGregor Minor Hockey Association, made the announcement on Facebook a while ago, and the organizers are now waiting to find out what league the team will be playing in.

Davey outlines why they are coming back now.

Breach of Peace

On March 31st at 1:30AM Police were called to a business at 2800 Victoria Ave for the report of a male, who was causing a disturbance by smoking inside the business and refused to leave. Police located a 45-year-old male, who was found to be the issue.  He was lodged at BPS Detention Unit to prevent continuation of the offence.

Breach of Peace

Theft of meat leads to charge

On Friday March 28th, at approximately 1:40pm, Police were called to a business in the nine hundred block of 9th St for a reported theft. It was determined that a 34-year-old male was responsible for stealing approximately $100 worth of meat. He was located, arrested and will appear in Court in June.

Arrested Again...

Funeral For:  Katharina Penner nee Wiebe 
Funeral Date: April 6, 2025 
Katharina Penner nee Wiebe, 91, of Altona passed away Friday, March 28th at Altona Memorial Health Centre. She is survived by 2 daughters, 2 sons, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Henry G. Penner, 1 daughter in infancy and 1 son. 
The funeral service for Katharina Penner nee Wiebe will be held Sunday, April 6th at 2pm at Altona Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with burial prior to the service at Plum Coulee Cemetery. 

Funeral For: Bill Zacharias 
Funeral Date: April 4, 2025 
Bill Zacharias, 72, of Winkler passed away Thursday, March 27th at his residence. He is survived by his wife Joan, 1 daughter and 1 son. 
A memorial service for Bill Zacharias will be held Friday, April 4th at 2pm at Grace Mennonite Church, Winkler with private burial prior to the service. 
Donations may be made to Winkler Bible Camp. 
Arrangements by Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler.   

Funeral For:  Annie Thiessen nee Bueckert 
Funeral Date: April 3, 2025 
Annie Thiessen nee Bueckert, 80, of Winkler passed away Thursday, March 27th at Boundary Trails Health Centre. She is survived by her husband Belem, 4 daughters and their families. She was predeceased by 1 son-in-law. 
The funeral service for Annie Thiessen nee Bueckert will be held Thursday, April 3rd at 2pm at Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with burial at Rosenbach Cemetery. 

With a federal election looming, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is launching Vote for Grain, a national campaign to engage grain farmers in the federal election and ensure their voices are heard.

A representative for the Canadian Red Cross says the situation on the ground in Myanmar is "still very dire and tragic" days after a massive earthquake that has killed more than 1,700 people.

Canadian Red Cross operations lead Chiran Livera said teams of staff and volunteers made up of both international and local Red Cross workers were in Myanmar when the quake hit on Friday, and they have been able to distribute help, including water and shelter kits, from warehouses stationed around the country.

It's Day 1 of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, celebrating 55 years of having a Royal Patronage by Queen Elizabeth II in 1970.

The annual spring Fair dates back to 1906 when it first began, named the Brandon Fair.

"So, it's been a long time standing in the community and became the pinnacle event during Manitoba Spring break," shares Provincial Ex Operations Manager, Kristen Laing.