Portage

The Liberal government will table a bill this fall introducing stricter bail conditions and sentencing for some crimes, particularly those involving organized crime, human trafficking, home invasion and car theft, Justice Minister Sean Fraser said in an interview.

"It's perhaps obvious, given the tenor around the criminal justice system, that reforms are in order," Fraser told The Canadian Press.

TUESDAY, JUNE 24TH

Manitoba Junior Baseball League
Winnipeg South Junior 3 Altona 2

American Association Baseball
Sioux City Explorers 7 Winnipeg Goldeyes 6 (10 Innings)

MLB
Toronto 10 Cleveland 6

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25TH

A book event later this morning invites people in and around Portage la Prairie to reconnect with their prairie roots through the lens of local author Douglas Muir. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Pallister Financial will host a book sale and meet-and-greet with Muir, featuring two publications rooted in familiar Manitoba soil.

Ancestry and adaptation

Muir, a retired education specialist, drew deeply on his early life in High Bluff and decades of family research to bring his first book to life.

Diane Wing, a Grade 1 teacher in Portage la Prairie, is preparing for an ambitious run across Manitoba this July to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.

Turning 50 on July 27, Wing says, “I see this as a privilege some don’t get. In recognition of this milestone, I am going to attempt to run across Manitoba (50kms a day for 10 days).” She adds, “I love the idea of ‘improve yourself so you can improve the world’ so that is my goal here.”

Ferdi Nelissen, Garth Asham, and their teammates were recently inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame as members of two dominant squads: the 1983–85 Winnipeg Internationals and the 1987–89 Winnipeg Ashams. The recognition wasn’t just for individual feats, but for what they accomplished as a unit—winning provincial championships, representing Manitoba at nationals, and competing at ISC World Tournaments.

Nelissen brings the sport to life and makes you want to join a fastball team to garner memories, as he explains how that the honour meant more because it was shared. 

A recent provincial survey has revealed widespread mineral shortfalls in pasture forages across Manitoba. That's from Shawn Cabak, Livestock and Forage Specialist with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

He notes the 2024 study, conducted by Manitoba Agriculture, examined a variety of grazing systems and forage types between late August and mid-September.

Copper and zinc levels were consistently low in forages across nearly all surveyed pastures.

Portage la Prairie youth exploring skilled trades careers encounter a landscape rich with opportunity but marked by systemic challenges, according to local business, education, and training leaders.

Interviews with Meghan Shewfelt of Shewfelt's Plumbing and Heating, Guy Moffat of Red River College Polytech Portage, and Jason Green of the Portage la Prairie School Division reveal common themes of registration delays, training bottlenecks, and the critical need for proactive student engagement, alongside strong local potential.

Portage la Prairie youth have access to new opportunities this summer through the Manitoba Youth Job Centre’s local services.

The program helps young people gain employment skills and first work experience, making it easier to find jobs now and down the road.

Helping youth prepare for the workforce

Anna Nikkel, Youth Engagement Leader based out of Morden, serves Portage la Prairie and surrounding communities.

She notes the program runs from May to August and provides assistance with resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, and job searching.

The wind-up of the school year has seen schools getting their students outdoors for sports days, with some occurring last week. 

Yellowquill School Physical Educator Nathaniel Guiboche works with students from Kindergarten to Grade 4, and and says h's excited to see all the kids enjoying the activities he set up outside.

The Canadian Meat Council is warning that the Liberal government’s legislation to ease the movement of goods and services within Canada could actually undermine red meat exports.

Lauren Martin, senior director of public affairs for the organization, says the bill is raising questions about whether it could lead the federal government to recognize provincial rules for inspecting meat processing facilities as equal to federal standards.