Westman

Rescue crews, police and paramedics scrambled to a remote region of Banff National Park late Thursday amid reports that a group of hikers were hit by a rock slide, causing possible injuries and deaths.

“The initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and/or fatalities,” RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney said in a news release.

Parks Canada, in a statement said, it is responding to a report of "a serious rockfall incident with involvement near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park."

The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises the province is at a moderate-to-high fire danger and anticipates fires caused by lightning starts. Manitobans are reminded to continue to act with great caution when outdoors. Human-caused fires unnecessarily put people and communities at risk but are preventable.

Fire and travel restrictions

Areas 1 to 5 and areas 8 to 22 are at Level 2. This means:

Environment Canada has issued a Tornado Watch for the Pipestone, Souris and Virden regions northward of the Trans Canada Highway. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the Melita, Deloraine and Boissevain regions.

"A low pressure system is moving into Southeast Saskatchewan which will trigger severe thunderstorms this afternoon," stated the Watch. "These severe thunderstorms will then move into Southwest Manitoba by the early evening. Conditions are favourable for these severe thunderstorms to produce tornadoes."

Ottawa is giving no sign that it intends to amend existing legislation on medical assistance in dying — something a UN committee called for earlier this spring.

The federal minister responsible for disabilities spoke at a hearing of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last week, about two months after the committee called on Canada to repeal the 2021 law that expanded eligibility for assisted dying to those whose deaths were not reasonably foreseeable.

Statement from Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates:

"As the search for Owen Bedford continues, I want to assure the public that we are using every available resource in our efforts. Our Major Crimes Unit remains actively engaged, investigating with urgency and care. Today, K9 teams are on the ground again and officers are operating drones in new areas as we follow every possible lead.

Funeral For:  Katherine Bartsch 
Funeral Date: June 25, 2025 
Katherine Bartsch, 94, of Gladstone passed away Saturday, June 14th at Gladstone.  
The celebration of life for Katherine Bartsch will be held Wednesday, June 25th at 2pm at Gladstone Christian Fellowship with burial at Austin Sommerfeld Cemetery. 
Viewing will be at the church one hour prior to the service. 
Donations may be made to MCC Manitoba. 
Arrangements by Clarke’s Funeral Home, Gladstone/MacGregor. 

The Sioux Falls Canaries (20-16) evened their series with the Winnipeg Goldeyes (16-19) Wednesday evening, using a nine-run fourth inning and five total home runs to secure a 15-2 win at Blue Cross Park.
 
The Canaries opened the scoring in the first inning after a dropped fly ball in left field allowed Mike Hart to score. The Goldeyes answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame, as Tanner O’Tremba delivered a two-run double to left-centre, scoring Ramón Bramasco and Roby Enríquez to briefly put Winnipeg ahead 2-1.

Killarney's Services for Seniors and the Bayside Personal Care Home have partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba to coordinate this morning's Alzheimer's 3rd party walk starting at 9:45 am.

After an incredible season on the ice, in the classroom and in the community, U18 AAA Yellowhead Chiefs goalie Clair Merckx has been awarded the R.A. "Sam" memorial scholarship.

"It was pretty exciting," Merckx says when thinking back to when she got the news. "I was just finishing up one of my classes at schools, I looked down and saw the email. I texted my mom and it was a pretty exciting feeling."

The scholarship comes with some money as well. "$750", the star netminder says with a smile. 

The Christian Heritage School is adding a new feature to their school grounds; one that will instill learning, mental health and wellness, reading and enjoying the beautiful outdoor for their students and staff ... and for their neighborhood.

The K-Grade 8 Brandon school is building a storybook orchard, which will feature ten apple trees and a pathway to this special green space with storyboards lining the way.