Portage

 Communities in Bloom judges Kathy Shaluk and Shirley Kalyniuk experience the blossoming partnership between Portage la Prairie and the Southport Aerospace Centre firsthand this week, touring both locales as a combined entry in the provincial beautification contest.

Their visit yesterday included a morning assessment of Portage's urban landscape, followed by lunch and presentations at Southport’s Alpha boardroom, culminating in an afternoon tour of the aerospace community.

Judges immediately noted significant progress in Portage la Prairie.

Portage la Prairie is continuing to support wildfire evacuees from northern Manitoba, although an exact number of individuals currently staying in the city has not been confirmed.

Some families and individuals remain in the area, with accommodations now being coordinated by the Canadian Red Cross.

The congregate shelter at the Portage Curling Rink, which was opened earlier to temporarily house evacuees, has now been decommissioned.

The focus has shifted to providing hotel accommodations wherever possible to improve comfort and privacy for those displaced.

The City of Portage la Prairie says traffic is now moving again on Road 34W between Lincoln Avenue and Assiniboine Trail.

In an update shared Monday, officials confirm phase 1 of the road construction project is finished and the section has reopened.

The closure, which began Thursday, July 17th, was part of a larger, phased project aimed at improving infrastructure in the area.

Today marks the start of AgSmart 2025, the educational agriculture expo is now being held at Olds College.

The event falls under the direction of the Agri Trade Equipment Expo Group. Show Manager Tracy Gardner says this year's event is going to look a little different. 

MONDAY, JULY 28TH

Santa Clara Baseball League
Semi-Finals (Best of 3)
Game 2
Portage 7 Carberry 6
Portage wins 2-0
Plumas 6 Neepawa 4
Plumas wins 2-0

American Association Baseball
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 5 Winnipeg Goldeyes 4

MLB
Baltimore 11 Toronto 4

Reproductive health advocates say the federal government's failure to commit to funding pharmacare in all provinces and territories is leaving people with a lot of uncertainty, and could create inequality across the country.

"It's really disappointing, honestly," said Liz Thompson, advocacy lead for Cover Contraception.

"It seems like they don't really know what they're going to do."

Residents in Portage la Prairie are starting to see their new solid waste carts arrive this week, with deliveries beginning for Route 1.

The first automated pickups for Zone 1 begin August 1st.

The Community Foundation of Portage & District has received a second generous donation from the estate of the late Richard (Dick) Lynwood Street.

Lorna Knight, executive director of the foundation, notes, “This donation was $61,250. This was the final payout from the late Richard Lynwood Street’s estate. We had received funds from this estate before, but this is the final payout as per his wishes.”

The foundation previously received $50,000 from the estate in 2023.

Peter Bracken, Realtor with RE/MAX Valleyview, knew early on that his future would be built on more than just bricks and boards. After 30 years in construction, several doctors advised him that his hands could no longer withstand the physical demands.

“I went home. Felt sorry for myself for about six hours,” Bracken says. “But I realized I did not have time for that.”

Vehicle theft continues to challenge communities across Manitoba, including Portage la Prairie, where residents are reminded to take precautions as Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) reports stolen vehicles cost the province around $40 million annually.

Tara Seel, MPI’s Media and Public Relations Lead, says the theft problem isn’t just in big cities; it’s province-wide.