Portage

The City of Portage la Prairie announces temporary road closures starting at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, August 20, as construction work begins on two downtown streets.

Prince Avenue and Princess Avenue, between 3rd Street NE and 4th Street NE, will be closed to traffic until the end of Sunday, August 31, weather permitting.

The Operations Department adds that residents and commuters should plan alternate routes while work is ongoing.

The Manitoba government has signed a $30-million contract with the Canadian Red Cross for evacuee support and other services related to this year's wildfires.

The recently disclosed contract is worth more than half the province's total annual budget for emergency services and provides a first glimpse into the cost of the Manitoba's worst wildfire season in at least 30 years.

"We know that we need to continue providing supports to Manitobans who are facing evacuations and are continuing to need support," Finance Minister Adrien Sala said in an interview Tuesday.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19TH

American Association Baseball
Kansas City Monarchs 11 Winnipeg Goldeyes 0

MLB
Toronto 7 Pittsburgh 3

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH

American Association Baseball
Winnipeg Goldeyes at Kansas City Monarchs - 6:35 PM

Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are set to return to the bargaining table today.

Plans to rekindle talks late last week were delayed due to a lack of federal government mediators.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers claimed labour unrest at Air Canada was pulling attention from the postal service's dispute, which has stretched on for more than a year and a half.

Air Canada flights within North America are expected to ramp up this morning as the airline continues its operational restart following a three-day flight attendants' strike.

The company resumed flights Tuesday afternoon after a complete halt to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge routes that began early Saturday morning.

It said it was focusing on outbound international flights to start.

When the Canadian U15 Softball Championships came to Winkler and Morden, Portage’s Larry Dewis found himself right at the heart of the action.

A lifelong fastball player, he volunteered to work as an announcer throughout the five-day tournament.

“Overall, it was a fun experience. Portage la Prairie hosted several similar events in the past, those who have been involved can relate to the feeling of accomplishment when it's all said and done. Volunteering is good for the soul. Good times for sure,” notes Dewis.

Local fire departments are feeling the strain of increased emergency calls as ongoing ambulance shortages across Manitoba and much of Canada are forcing fire crews to step in more frequently. Portage la Prairie Fire Chief Brad Bailey says the rise in ambulance assist calls is stretching resources thin, and he's urging the provincial government to help municipalities shoulder the cost.

Sunset Palliative Care has officially launched its much-anticipated Rainbow Auction this week. The auction runs this week and until August 28 at 8:00 p.m. With over $11,000 in prizes and 16 grand prize bundles up for grabs, this year's auction is set to be one of the biggest yet.

Aldene Moroz, a long-time Sunset volunteer and the executive director board, shared the organization's excitement,

Southern Manitoba has entered the peak season for West Nile Virus. 

Dr. Aly Dhala is Chief Medical Officer for Southern Health-Sante Sud. He says Culex Tarsalis mosquitoes are the ones that carry West Nile Virus, and those species are most active from mid-July through August, especially during warm evenings.

Farm Credit Canada is extending its trade disruption support program for canola producers impacted by the ongoing trade disruptions.

Last week, China implemented a 75.8 per cent tariff on Canadian canola seed imports.

FCC's President and CEO Justine Hendricks says the agriculture and food industry is resilient, but global trade uncertainty can create real pressure on cash flow and operations.