Lexi Olifirowich

The Southeast is looking forward to a brand new 20-room assisted living housing community in Sprague.

The Timberline Community Housing project in Sprague received a $40,000 grant from CMHC earlier this year. 

Monique Chenier from the RM of Piney says what they were able to do with the money. 

Mike Janzen, who spent his childhood growing up in Steinbach, going to high school in Winkler and then studied music at Brandon University, has released his third album of Psalm interpretations, Songs From The Canyon. 

Janzen says the first two Psalms albums were more contemplative, meditative, and lyrical. 

Vita and Area Food Bank just got their charitable status approved. 

Shirley Wiebe from the Vita and Area Food Bank says being an official food bank is a big step forward. 

“That means we can now start handing out hampers, and if people are donating now, they can get a charitable donation.” 

Trail Ambassadors are a great help in keeping trails maintained throughout Manitoba. 

From making sure signage is up to date, to mowing grass, trail ambassadors make sure trail conditions are good for those exploring the trails. 

Crow Wing Trail Ambassador Tara Boulanger says sometimes signs are bent or have been shot by hunters 

The Emerald Ash Borer which was first detected in Winnipeg in 2017, has still not moved our way yet.

This is great news, since the Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species and is highly destructive to ash trees.

Arborist Chris Freund out of Steinbach says they have been confined to Winnipeg. He believes them to be in the Saint Boniface Windsor Park area. 

Cricket populations are a bit higher than normal this year.  

John Gavloski, Entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, says it's normal to see them as we start getting into August. 

“It is starting a bit early. And there are high numbers this year, so we can expect to hear and see quite a few crickets.” 

He says with both crickets and grasshoppers, hotter and drier summers help build their populations. 

Cricket populations are a bit higher than normal this year.  

John Gavloski, Entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, says it's normal to see them as we start getting into August. 

“It is starting a bit early. And there are high numbers this year, so we can expect to hear and see quite a few crickets.” 

He says with both crickets and grasshoppers, hotter and drier summers help build their populations. 

The Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities is receiving $70,000 in support of its Southeast Manitoba Regional Transit Initiative.  

The grant money will go towards a study as to whether it's feasible to bring transportation to the southeast.   

Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein says the project is working to assess regional transit needs and will work to develop solutions to the needs identified. 

MLA for La Verendrye Dennis Smook had the opportunity to nominate 10 individuals for the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. 

MLA Smook says quite of few of the individuals came to mind quickly. 

“Most of them weren't hard to pick because, in the 11 years that I've been on as an MLA, you know who calls you and who's always advocating for their community.” 

He also sought advice from other people in the area. 

Winter can often feel like the cold will never end, and it can be hard to find energy in this season. As we move forward from the holiday season, the sadness often starts settling in, and we start feeling the impact of the short days and cold weather. 

CEO of Eden Health Care, Brad Unger, has suggestions for people struggling with mental health. 

There are a number of strategies he recommends for people trying to improve their energy. One of the things he suggests is trying a new activity or spending more time with loved ones.