Portage

After a sweltering start to July, southern Manitoba is getting relief from the summer scorch. Environment Canada issued a heat warning earlier this week, with daytime highs soaring into the mid-30s and humidex values pushing it well into uncomfortable territory. As we head into the weekend, Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, says cooler temperatures are on the horizon, though the reprieve will be short-lived.

The Portage la Prairie Fire Department is celebrating a successful fundraising effort, presenting a significant cheque to the Manitoba Burn Fund following their annual Firefighters Golf Tournament.

The Interlake region is preparing for pancakes, parades, and plenty of rodeo dust with the return of Eriksdale Creamery Days Fair & Rodeo this weekend, promising a full schedule of family-friendly fun.

Cauy Kinkead, with the Creamery Days Fair & Rodeo, says the annual event kicks off this Saturday (July 5th), and runs through Sunday, bringing together everything from antique tractor pulls to heart-stopping rodeo events.

Jonathan Toews is officially back.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion, who last played an NHL game more than two years ago, was introduced Friday as the newest member of his hometown Winnipeg Jets, donning a jersey with his signature No. 19 at a team press conference.

The Jets announced their intention to acquire the 37-year-old centre last month, but it only became official this week with Toews signing a one-year deal worth US$2 million, plus performance bonuses tied to games played and playoff success.

In an exclusive interview, Shindico Realty Inc. Founder and Chairman Sandy Shindleman reflects on the logistics real estate company’s most significant acquisition to date—one that spans nine of Canada’s most active industrial markets but traces its origins back to Portage la Prairie.

“This all started with a Manitoba-based entrepreneur who passed away four or five years ago, Louis Tolaini,” notes Shindleman. “He started in rural Manitoba, I believe it was Virden.”

County of Newell takes over Crop Diversification Centre South and hopes to attract dozens of tenants for the $100 million facility

Like the mighty Phoenix, the County of Newell is hoping the Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks, Alta., will rise from the ashes and regain the prominence it once had in agricultural research.

As the heat continues across southern Manitoba, local pet care expert Rachelle Dion is urging dog owners to take extra steps to keep their animals safe and cool.

Dion, who owns The Farm Pet Retreat just outside Portage la Prairie, says dogs can overheat quickly, even during everyday routines.

Watch for signs of heat stroke

“Just remember that the dogs are always more sensitive to heat than we are,” Dion notes. “They cool themselves mainly by panting and through their paw pads.”

The controversy over plans to redesign the dangerous Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5 intersection near Carberry shows no signs of easing.

Ray Muirhead, mayor of Carberry, stands firmly against the province’s preferred Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT) design, echoing growing public frustration with the proposal following a public meeting held June 25.

The province has earmarked $12 million for improvements following a tragic 2023 crash that claimed 17 lives, but Muirhead and many residents remain unconvinced the RCUT is the right solution.

June brought its share of thunderstorm activity to the Prairies.

The Canadian Crop Hail Association says mid-June thunderstorms damaged crops across Western Canada, dropping pea- to toonie-sized hail.
 
CCHA member companies are investigating more than 900 claims of crop damage from hailstorms that occurred June 13-20. The majority of the claims were filed in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Farmers have been out evaluating crop damage to determine the impact, as some crops can recover depending on the damage and the stage of the crop.

A section of 7th Street NE in Portage la Prairie is closed as of Friday, July 4, due to a watermain break.

The road is shut down between Lorne Avenue and Fisher Avenue, with water service in the area also temporarily disrupted.

City crews are on site working to complete the watermain repair and restore services.

Both the road closure and water outage are in effect immediately, impacting residents and drivers in the surrounding area.

The City of Portage la Prairie intends to have the road reopened and water service restored by the end of the day Friday.