Portage

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Plains is hosting a Big Spike Volleyball Tournament on May 3 at Southport Rec Plex, and it’s shaping up to be a fun-filled day for all participants. This is the first time Big Brothers Big Sisters has hosted a mixed volleyball tournament. Each team is required to have at least three women on the court and promises to provide at least three games for every team involved.

Laura Spelliscy, Mentoring Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters, shared that the tournament is not only about friendly competition but also about supporting a great cause.

Canadian producers will have a new way to make sure they can say their product is upholding sustainability, as the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) is unveiling their participation in the Protein PACT Sustainability Framework. The initiative will look to uphold sustainability standards across the country for Canada's beef producers.

Lauren Martin, the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Corporate Council for CMC, says that it was made in cooperation with our southern neighbours.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH

MJHL
Semi-Finals - Best of 7
Game 3
Portage 2 Dauphin 1
Dauphin leads series 2-1

MLB
Toronto 6 Boston 1

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9TH

The Manitoba government says adding officers to a police emergency team will help address crime.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says $3.3 million is being directed to double the RCMP emergency response team's current roster of nine full-time positions.

The money is part of a $5.3-million plan announced in last month's budget to boost policing in rural and northern areas.

The province has seen a series of high-profile crimes in recent months, including three break-ins west of Portage la Prairie last weekend that involved armed suspects stealing all-terrain vehicles.

The leaders of the top three federal parties were campaigning Tuesday in Western Canada, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to crack down on offshore tax loopholes by appointing a tax task force.

The Conservatives said the task force would be asked to make the rules simpler and more fair and would ensure large companies can't "stash their money in offshore tax havens."

As the snow continues to melt and the temperatures rise, soccer fields in Portage la Prairie will soon be buzzing with excited children of all ages. Brittany Boschman, board member and level convener for The Portage Youth Soccer Association (PYSA) is excited for the season ahead. 

“Registrations have been going good so far,” Boschman notes. “We have 834 kids registered which is slightly down compared to last year when we had 851 kids. However, that's due to Sandy Bay not having a team this year, so I would say our numbers are up."

Last week, 4-H Manitoba confirmed it will continue receiving $300,000 in annual provincial funding—a commitment unchanged since 2016. President Greg Penner formally accepted the renewed support during a presentation at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon, as noted by Executive Director Shannon Carvey.

Funding agreement origins

Carvey explained the financial partnership traces back to when agricultural programming shifted from federal oversight to provincial management.

There has been a steady rise in the number of people seeking asylum at a major border crossing south of Montreal, border officials said Tuesday amid concerns that Trump administration policies could drive another massive influx of migrants to Canada.

The rise in would-be refugees at the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle crossing coincides with the looming expiration of the temporary status of hundreds of thousands of migrants in the United States.

The Portage Terriers picked up their first win of the second round on Tuesday night, beating the Dauphin Kings 2-1 on home ice. 

Terrier goalie Ryan Velan played the hero, stopping 39 shots including a highlight reel sprawling glove save in the third period.

For Velan, it was his first start of the post-season, "It felt awesome. I feel like I was ready for it. I think I did a good job in practice, staying right for the opportunity, so I was happy to be able to capitalize on it and it was a much-needed win, so I'm happy that we were able to pull it out."

In a recent visit to Portage Evangelical Church, Joy Smith, founder of the Joy Smith Foundation and a 78‐year‐old former MLA and former Member of Parliament from Winnipeg, speaks directly to members of the church’s Trusted Faithful Love program about protecting children from the dangers of sex trafficking. The session comes at a time when digital threats are intensifying, with previous reports highlighting concerns—from allegations around Oak Tree Towers to last year’s Portage trafficking ring bust.