Southport marks significant Aviation history with new commemorative plaques

In a heartfelt ceremony in Southport on Tuesday, the community unveiled two new plaques dedicated to the legacy of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) just outside the Southport Aerospace Centre where they were mounted under a vintage Musketeer Trainer. This initiative, driven by local historian Hugh Arklie and supported by community leaders, aims to honour the contributions of aircrew trained during World War II.

Hugh Arklie, whose father was a fighter pilot during the war, shared his passion for preserving air force history.

FCC releases 2024 Mid Year Farmland Values Report

Submitted by noah.fuchs on Fri, 10/18/2024 - 01:00

Farm Credit Canada's mid-year report shows cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 5.5 per cent nationally for the first half of 2024.

Over the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024, there was a 9.6 per cent increase, representing a slowdown compared to the previous 12-month period (January to December 2023).

FCC's Vice President and Chief Economist J.P. Gervais says for the second consecutive year, Saskatchewan recorded the highest average six-month increases at 7.4 per cent, Alberta was at 4.6 per cent, and Manitoba 3.9 per cent.

Canadian Grain Commission dipping into surplus to keep fees steady

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is going to be reaching into its surplus for the first time in a while in order to cover its cost.

That comes as grain volumes are falling for Canada, and the commission needs more funds to keep up with their costs.

That's why they're dipping into their surplus, with Head Commissioner David Hunt explaining that came from their most recent financial review.

Roadwork wraps up on Saskatchewan Avenue; businesses celebrate return of regular traffic flow

Earlier this month, traffic pylons and construction cones were removed from Saskatchewan Avenue as an almost 4-year project winds down. While the work isn't 100% complete, traffic is flowing normally once again much to the excitement of the businesses along the one and a half kilometer stretch of Portage's main thoroughfare.

City Hall renovation update

City Hall is currently closed for renovations, with plans for completion by November. During this period the city says the public can visit them at the temporary office at 60 Saskatchewan Ave E (Community Safety Office), directly across from City Hall, where they have been operating since July 2. The temporary office will be open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., where frontline staff will assist with in-person inquiries and services.

While the office location has changed, they're mailing address, email, and phone contacts remain the same. 

Pitbulls advance to semi-final after thriller against Eastman

The Portage Pitbulls U14 squad narrowly defeated their opponents, the Eastman Raiders, in Steinbach on the weekend, in their playoff quarter final.

Head Coach Luke Irwin says it was nice to get back at a team who gave them trouble in the regular season.

"It was a rematch of one of our games that we played already this season, where we had a tight game against them, and ended up coming on the wrong side of a victory, so we knew it was going to be a tough game going in. It was kind of back-and-forth all game. Final score was 66-62, I believe, so it came down to the wire."

AFN head urges support for child welfare deal, says they won't get better from Tories

Submitted by mike.thom on Thu, 10/17/2024 - 12:04

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is urging chiefs to vote in favour of a landmark child welfare deal with Ottawa, saying she doesn't think a better agreement would be possible under a different federal government.

Some chiefs are campaigning to vote down the $47.8-billion child welfare reform agreement at an assembly in Calgary this week.

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