Portage

Donna Gabriel, representative for the WFNB Portage group, says the forced removal of members from Waterhen First Nation took place on May 19, 1996. She says that RCMP officers, alongside members of the emergency response team, stormed the reserve enforcing a court injunction that named only three individuals. Despite this, she says more than 150 people, including elders, disabled residents, children, and families, were forcibly removed from their homes.

"We were removed wrongfully. This should have never happened," notes Gabriel.

Police and parks officials say one person was killed and three were injured in a rockfall at a remote hiking trail in Banff National Park.

They say the search continues to confirm no other hikers are missing following the early afternoon tragedy at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Lake Louise.

One person had been found dead and the extent of the injuries to the other three is unknown.

Two of the three injured were taken to a Calgary hospital by STARS air ambulance and the third went to hospital by ground ambulance.

Some wildfire evacuees staying at a shelter in northern Manitoba may be moved elsewhere as more communities return home and the government closes temporary evacuation centres.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said roughly 114 people have been staying at the shelter in Thompson for the past three weeks due to a shortage of hotel spaces.

"Folks have been there a really long time, and that was never the intention," Naylor told a wildfire briefing Thursday.

Rescue crews, police and paramedics scrambled to a remote region of Banff National Park late Thursday amid reports that a group of hikers were hit by a rock slide, causing possible injuries and deaths.

“The initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and/or fatalities,” RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney said in a news release.

Parks Canada, in a statement said, it is responding to a report of "a serious rockfall incident with involvement near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park."

The Rotary Club of Portage la Prairie served up community spirit alongside delicious seafood last weekend, marking another successful year for its annual Lobsterfest fundraiser.

Held as a convenient drive-through event, the 2025 iteration allowed residents to enjoy premium East Coast lobster or ribs while supporting vital local projects, with the catch having been caught fresh within 48 hours of the event.

The Central Plains U16 girls basketball club has wrapped up its season following the Central Canadian Championship over Father’s Day weekend.

Coach Dave McLeod says the team put together a strong showing at the tournament but ultimately fell short of advancing.

“We were literally a couple of baskets each way from actually winning the tournament. Certainly right there in the conversation,” McLeod notes. “We went two wins, two losses, and the two losses were really competitive games.”

After a year away from the Portage Terriers bench, Robby Moar is coming back to assist Blake Spiller with the squad.

Moar outlines why he was absent from the bench this past season.

Ottawa is giving no sign that it intends to amend existing legislation on medical assistance in dying — something a UN committee called for earlier this spring.

The federal minister responsible for disabilities spoke at a hearing of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last week, about two months after the committee called on Canada to repeal the 2021 law that expanded eligibility for assisted dying to those whose deaths were not reasonably foreseeable.

A downtown Portage la Prairie business owner and the city’s mayor are both calling for change after another brazen theft left staff shaken and frustrations mounting.

The latest incident took place on June 17 at 3’s Company Boutique, where a known repeat offender reportedly stole $450 worth of denim in under a minute. Store owner Janna Braaksma shares the experience in a public social media post.

“It’s not always sunshine & roses, as much as I truly wish it was,” notes Braaksma. “Enough is enough.”

Excitement is running high in Portage la Prairie as the Portage Stampeders prepare to compete in the 2025 Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games this weekend in Winnipeg. The team, led by head coach Deanna Talbot, was honoured earlier this week at a pep rally that brought together athletes, families, and community supporters in a show love and support.

"I am so proud," Talbot said. "This is my second provincial games as a coach, and I'm just so excited to see these athletes compete, make new friends, and be celebrated by their families and our community."