Portage

Schools around Portage la Prairie and surrounding areas were buzzing with excitement yesterday as students from various grades donned their most creative costumes, ranging from beloved characters to spooky themes, all while keeping safety at the forefront of their celebrations.

In a heartfelt ceremony held on Monday October 28 at the Legislative Building, MacGregor Fire Chief Chris Leckie and 134 first responders were recognized for their bravery during a tragic incident in Carberry. The event celebrated the recipients of the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, a prestigious award acknowledging exceptional service and commitment.

Chief Leckie, who was notified by the Premier's office about the recognition, expressed pride in the collaborative efforts of all involved. 

Selkirk RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing man after the report last week.

On October 27, Selkirk RCMP received a report of a missing 32-year-old man.

Patrick Awa was last seen on foot, on Manitoba Avenue in Selkirk and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

The RCMP are concerned for his safety and wellbeing.

Patrick is described as 5’7”, about 180 pounds, with black and blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a green long sleeve shirt, beige track pants with a green stripe and sneakers, and may be in Winnipeg.

The Portage Terriers have won six consecutive games for the first time this year, with wins over the Steinbach Pistons, Niverville Nighthawks, the Winnipeg Blues, Freeze, and a pair of wins over the Virden Oil Capitals.

Portage has gotten tremendous offensive efforts from Cam Bullinger to start the year, as he leads the league in points, and the Terriers in goals.

The Dogs have also gotten solid efforts out of their netminder duo, Mitchell Kathler and Ryan Velan, who have each played three games in the win streak. 

Halloween is in the books and from everything we've heard, trick or treaters flocked to the streets in the region with some areas reporting over 300 kids showing up.

The City of Portage la Prairie is evolving to meet changing needs, including adjustments to some of its committees. Mayor Sharilyn Knox explains that recent changes were discussed at the last council meeting.

"We’ve decided to dissolve a few committees and change the way we operate within the city," Knox said. "These include the Heritage Committee and the Public Art Committee. Over time, committees can complete their life cycle, and the purpose behind them changes. We are very grateful for everyone who dedicated time and effort to these committees over the years."

Maureen Anderson lost both her sons to their overseas service in the Canadian Army, even if they died years later and a continent away from the hot dust and violence of the Afghanistan war.

Growing up, Ron Anderson was more serious, “a little fighter,” his mother recalls. His younger brother Ryan was quieter, softer. Both joined the military before they finished high school, already certain of what their career paths would be.

“My boys were very kind to me, and I miss them terribly,” Anderson said in an interview this week from her home in Oromocto, N.B. 

Mounties have dismantled what they say is the largest, most sophisticated illicit drug "superlab" in Canada that had been acting as a "supermarket" for organized crime. 

Police say the lab mass produced and distributed the powerful opioid fentanyl and methamphetamine across Canada and internationally.

David Teboul, assistant commissioner with the RCMP's Pacific region, told a news conference Thursday that dismantling the lab “undoubtedly saved thousands of lives in Canada and abroad.” 

Thursday, October 31st

Zone 4 High School Hockey League
Morris 5 Portage Collegiate 2

MJHL
Niverville 6 Wpg Blues 2

Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League
Interlake 6 Eastman 4

A roving traffic unit with the RCMP held a traffic stop with a vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway near Carberry.

Thursday, October 24, at 5:10 in the afternoon near Road 84W, in the RM of North Cypress-Langford arrested the driver, a 39-year-old man from Calgary, for the possession of Proceeds of Crime.

The vehicle was searched and a large sum of Canadian Currency was seized. The man was later released from custody and will appear in court scheduled for February 13 of next year in Brandon, to face a charge of Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000.