Portage

Portage la Prairie celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day today with official recognition and community festivities. Mayor Sharilyn Knox and City Council issued a formal proclamation honoring the day, followed by public celebrations starting at Stride Place.

City officially recognizes significance

Mayor Knox and Council formally proclaimed June 21st as National Indigenous Peoples Day in Portage la Prairie. Lori Anderson, Administrative Assistant at the Portage Friendship Centre, attended the signing and shared her appreciation.

Portage la Prairie residents and visitors alike were invited to enjoy lunch for a cause this week at Douglas Campbell Lodge, where a hot dog sale brings together sunshine, community spirit, and support for local seniors. 

Fundraiser fuels summer fun at Douglas Campbell Lodge 

Corrine Pratt, the recreation coordinator at the lodge, says the event is part of their annual efforts to improve the quality of life for the residents. 

Contrary to recent online speculation suggesting a downturn, the Portage Clinic is preparing for significant growth, announcing the addition of seven new physicians between July and September 2025.

After months of dedication and hands-on experience, young members of the Portage and Oakville 4-H Beef Clubs are preparing for one of their biggest events of the year, the annual 4-H sale.

The sale takes place on July 4 at 2 p.m. at the Portage Ex fairgrounds, inside the 4-H barns. A complimentary beef-on-a-bun lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. for buyers ahead of the auction.

Scientist Daniel Shugar says images of the aftermath of Thursday's deadly rockslide in Banff National Park provide evidence of its cause — water flowing through the interior of the mountain.

“You can actually see some springs coming out of the cliff and actually coming out exactly from the scar itself,” said the University of Calgary professor of geomorphology.

He described how water from a lake above the cliff at Bow Glacier Falls had been seeping through rocks for decades before it eventually provided enough force to dislodge a boulder, triggering the rockfall.

Portage la Prairie business owners say theft is a growing challenge that’s taking a heavy toll, not just on their bottom lines, but on staff safety and community morale.

Three local store owners describe the stress and frustration of dealing with repeat offenders, the limits of current law enforcement, and the urgent need for change.

As the academic year draws to a close at La Verendrye School (LVS), students and staff alike are celebrating growth, reflecting on change, and preparing for a new chapter of leadership. Vice Principal Alan Patterson, who will step into the role of principal this fall, shared his thoughts on a year full of student development, community building, and meaningful transitions.

One of the two people killed in a rockfall in Banff National Park has been identified as 70-year-old Jutta Hinrichs of Calgary.

The University of Alberta, in a statement, says Hinrichs was an educator in the department of occupational therapy in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. 

She retired last summer.

Her body was found shortly after a slab of mountain suddenly gave way Thursday afternoon, collapsing on hikers at a popular trail near Bow Glacier Falls, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary.

Update:

Manitoba Major Crime Services and Powerview RCMP continue their investigation into the double homicide of a 29-year-old Winnipeg man and a 41-year-old Victoria Beach woman, following the discovery of their bodies on June 20 in Victoria Beach.

Since Friday morning, investigators from RCMP Major Crime Services, Forensic Identification Services, Powerview Detachment, and Victoria Beach Police have been at the scene, canvassing for witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and searching for evidence to assist the case.

Search teams located a second body Friday following a massive rockfall off a hiking trail in Banff National Park.

“RCMP are notifying their next of kin and no further information is available at this time,” read a statement issued by Mounties and Parks Canada.

A 70-year-old woman from Calgary was first found dead at the site of Thursday's rock slide at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Lake Louise.

Three others were taken to hospital and were reported in stable condition.