Portage

The City of Portage la Prairie has extended the operational hours of its Community Safety Officer (CSO) program, offering broader coverage and enhanced visibility throughout the city.

Colin Doyle, Portage city councillor and chair of the Public Safety Committee, says the new schedule represents a major step forward.

Ryan Ness of the Canadian Climate Institute says he's been following the "terrible tragedy" of deadly flash flooding unfolding in Texas, where more than 100 people have died.

But he's also worried Canada isn't doing enough to prevent such disasters here, saying the country needs to invest in flood mapping, infrastructure and early warning systems.

"Luckily, there are many ways that we can protect ourselves, but we have to make the effort," said Ness, who is the research director for adaptation at the policy research organization.

The 2026 Census of Agriculture questionnaire has now been published on the Statistics Canada website.

The census is conducted every five years with the last Agriculture Census being done in 2021.

For the 2026 Census of Agriculture, new categories have been added under the commodity questions to identify emerging agricultural products. 

Questions on agricultural practices have been expanded to include environmental practices and environmental sustainability.

The Calgary Stampede is officially underway, along with the rodeo, midway and live entertainment... the event also showcases agriculture and Alberta's ranching history

It's a chance to step back in time and experience life on the farm and ranch, with the Vintage Tractor Pull and Blacksmith showcase;  to the Heavy Horse, Cutting Horse, and Team Cattle Penning competitions; Chuckwagon races, to the Junior Steer Classic, the International Youth Livestock Supreme Championship and Scholarships, the World Stock Dog Championships, and International Livestock Auctioneer Championships.

Waterhemp has been changed to a Tier 2 weed in 28 Manitoba municipalities where the invasive weed is now too established to eradicate

There’s too much waterhemp in parts of Manitoba for total destruction to be feasible in those areas, according to Manitoba Agriculture.

The invasive species has been downgraded from a Tier 1 to a Tier 2 noxious weed in 28 municipalities where it has dug a foothold, Manitoba Agriculture has said.

Industry is applauding the federal government’s progress toward a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank after it awarded supply contracts to two companies.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Biogenesis Bago SA will supply vaccine products and develop the vaccine bank.

Canadian Cattle Association Saskatchewan director and former Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association president Garner Deobald, who formerly worked for Boehringer, said both companies are well respected and were good choices.

“I think it is important, for sure, to be ready,” he said.

Wildfires that had receded in northern Manitoba have begun to roar back, forcing a wave of new evacuations and a major hub for people living in the north to declare a state of emergency. 

The province reported 81 active fires on Monday with 16 of those threatening communities, leaving some residents to leave their homes immediately, flee a second time or prepare to leave on a moment's notice. 

Fire is threatening the northern city of Thompson and its 13,000 residents, resulting in officials declaring a local state of emergency effective until Aug. 6. 

Some of Canada’s best show dogs took centre stage at Canad Inns in Portage la Prairie on Friday, as the Portage Kennel Club hosted its summer event on July 4.

With hundreds of entries and several national titleholders in attendance, the show featured confirmation, obedience, and rally obedience competitions, along with plenty of proud owners and tail wags.

Elyse Fernets travelled from Calgary with Frankie, a two-year-old pug earning top honours.

“She’s two years old and number one pug in Canada,” Fernets says.

Two Selkirk men are facing a string of charges after RCMP executed separate search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking in the community.

On May 29, 2025, police searched a home on Morris Avenue, where they seized approximately 30 grams of cocaine, Canadian cash, prohibited weapons, and other evidence consistent with drug trafficking.

A 15-year-old girl from Gimli has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred late on June 30 in Selkirk.

Selkirk RCMP say the 39-year-old female victim was found with critical injuries outside a business on Manitoba Avenue just before midnight. She was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.

Police confirm the two individuals were not known to each other.