Portage

As Portage la Prairie advances into the first year of its three-year paving plan, additional projects are also moving ahead, including upgrades at Simplot Park and shared infrastructure work in the city’s northeast.

Director of operations Jocelyn Lequier-Jobin says that alongside regular road renewals and the expanded reconstruction of Crescent Road West and Lorne Avenue, the city is adding new features to Simplot Park.

Portage la Prairie residents can look forward to ideal weather for Father’s Day celebrations, with sunny skies and summer-like warmth in the forecast.

Environment Canada meteorologist Shannon Moodie says the weekend starts off mild on Saturday with a high of 22 and some hazy conditions, but things really warm up on Sunday.

“We’re looking at quite a nice day with a high of 28 and some light southerly winds,” she notes.

Moodie adds that smoke and haze could still linger through the weekend, but overall, conditions stay dry and stable.

Members of the Association of Nigerians in Portage la Prairie recently joined evacuee support efforts at CanadInns, focusing their energy on a critical behind-the-scenes task: packing blankets for those displaced by regional wildfires.

A change in task, but not in plans

Their original plans had been to help give back by serving food, but the group adapted their plans after learning sufficient staff were already on hand for food service.

Adebola Adesanya, Secretary of the association, explained the shift in duties.

The MJHL's all-time winningest coach has decided to continue his run with the Portage Terriers, without much deliberation.

Blake Spiller and his staff are now set for Blake's twentieth season as the team's bench boss and General Manager, and twenty-fifth season total.

Spiller says it's nice to have the deal done and that he has high hopes for the team's return this fall.

The Ste. Anne Aces continue to do what they can to remain in the Southeast Manitoba Hockey League, and after raising concerns to Hockey Manitoba, a re-vote has been ordered. 

In an email from Hockey Manitoba, "(Ste. Anne) brought up concerns regarding the voting process and surrounding circumstances that were used to remove them from the SEMHL, and they are contesting that the SEMHL By-Laws and Regulations do not identify a clear process to remove a team from competition."

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious and severe disease that affects cattle, sheep, swine, and other cloven-hoofed animals making it hard for them to eat and walk, leaving them weak and sick.

The FMD vaccine bank builds on existing protections for the livestock industry and equips producers with another tool to control and eliminate the disease should an outbreak occur.

Budget 2023 committed $57.5 million over five years, with $5.6 million ongoing, to the CFIA to establish the FMD vaccine bank and response plans.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12TH

CFL
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34 BC Lions 20

NHL
Stanley Cup Finals - Best of 7
Game 4
Edmonton 5 Florida 4 (Overtime)
Series tied 2-2

AAAA Varsity Boys Soccer
Portage Collegiate Trojans 1 Oak Park Raiders 0 (Playoffs)

The Winnipeg Goldeyes (13-17) were held off the scoreboard Thursday evening, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Chicago Dogs (15-16) at Impact Field in the finale of a three-game series.
 
After scoring 19 runs and hitting nine home runs over the first two games of the set, the Goldeyes were shut out for the second time in four contests.
 

Two years ago, more than 120,000 federal public servants went on strike after negotiations broke down.

Now, the union representing those workers is going back to the bargaining table with the government with the goal of securing greater job security and remote work options for its members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says next week's initial meetings offer its first opportunity to present priorities identified by members, such as better wages, greater job security and stronger provisions for remote work.

This year's wildfire season in Canada is shaping up to be the second-worst on record and federal officials are warning of a dangerous summer in parts of British Columbia.

Officials with several government departments held a technical briefing Thursday in Ottawa with an update on the state of multiple wildfires and its forecast for the coming months.