Westman

The federal government is setting up a safety net of loans, product-development grants and market diversification plans for Canada’s softwood lumber industry in an effort to shield it from the worst of American duties and fees.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the plan Tuesday, promising $700 million in loan guarantees to address what he called "immediate pressures" and $500 million for long-term supports to help companies diversify export markets and develop their products. 

Carney also promised that future projects will "prioritize" Canadian lumber. 

The Nellie McClung Heritage Site in Manitou has officially reopened its doors after an extensive restoration, and its timing couldn’t be more perfect. The house has been meticulously restored to its 1908 glory, a year that marked the beginning of McClung’s success as a bestselling author, and the museum now houses the largest collection of original Nellie McClung artifacts in the country.

UPDATE ON THE SOUTHWEST BRANDON WASTEWATER SERVICING PROJECT

Public hearing to be held Mon, Aug. 18, 2025 at 7 p.m.

In 2023, the City of Brandon announced that we were moving forward with a major project to support growth in the southwest part of the city: the Southwest Brandon Wastewater Servicing Project. This project includes important upgrades to the wastewater system, which will help new homes and businesses connect to safe and reliable services, as the system was at capacity. 

The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that fire danger remains high to very high across much of the province today.

A number of communities have made the decision to evacuate due to the risk of wildfire, loss of road access due to wildfires or smoke. This includes Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and people with health conditions from Little Grand Rapids First Nation and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (South Indian Lake). Other communities have been able to begin the process of returning home, such as Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) and Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake).

From Friday, August 1, 2025 to Saturday, November 15, 2025 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 Tuesday, August 5, 2025 through Wednesday, August 6, 2025 crop residue burning is NOT AUTHORIZED in all municipalities and zones in Manitoba due to smoke from forest fires contributing to poor air quality.

Our Golden West IT Department is at it again - sharing information on SCAM ALERTS that we all need to be aware of.

This week's SCAM ALERT is about phishing in the Amazon world:

In this week's scam, you receive an unexpected text message that looks like it’s from Amazon. The message claims that an item you bought failed a “routine quality inspection” or has been recalled. The text offers you a full refund, and you don’t even need to return the item. You only have to tap a link in the text message to get your money back.

You can call in to ask host Carla Hrycyna all of your gardening questions live every Saturday morning starting at 9:15am: 1-800-374-3315

Funeral For: Jessie Krahn nee Dyck 
Funeral Date: August 7, 2025 
Jessie Krahn nee Dyck, 90, of Winkler passed away Saturday, august 2nd at Boundary Trails Health Centre. She is survived by her husband Abram and 1 daughter. She was predeceased by 1 son. 
The funeral service for Jessie Krahn will be held August 7th, 2pm at Winkler EMMC with burial at Westridge Memorial Gardens. 
Viewing will be August 6th, 1-9pm at Wiebe Funeral Home Winkler and prior to the service at the church. 
Arrangements made by Wiebe Funeral Home Winkler. 

Funeral For: Katie Ginter 
Funeral Date: August 6, 2025 
Katie Ginter, 75, of Winkler passed away Thursday, July 31st at Boundary Trails Health Centre. She is survived by 3 daughters, 1 son and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Edwin Ginter. 
A memorial service for Katie Ginter will be held August 6th, 2pm at Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church with private family interment prior to the service. 
Viewing will be August 5th, 1-9pm at Wiebe Funeral Home Winkler. 
Donations may be made to Central Station Community Centre. 

Charitable not-for-profit organizations interested in applying for grant funding from the Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) can access a grant application portal on the organization’s website -- www.bacf.ca -- from Tuesday, August 5 until Monday, September 22. 

The BACF Community Grants Program provides funding to qualified applicants from the BACF’s granting area in the following fields of interest: Arts & Culture, Community, Education, Environment, Health and Wellness, and Recreation.