Portage

With the rollout of Portage la Prairie’s new automated garbage collection system this month, some residents may find themselves making more trips to the Portage Regional Landfill. But if you’re planning to haul extra waste yourself, city officials have a clear message: tarp your load or be prepared to pay.

City councillor Terrie Porter, Director of the Portage Regional Landfill Authority, says the rules around landfill use aren’t new, but more important than ever as residents adjust to stricter curbside collection limits.

Portage–Lisgar MP Branden Leslie is encouraging seniors’ groups and municipalities across the riding to apply for funding through the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors program. The annual initiative is designed to increase social inclusion and help older Canadians remain active in their communities. 

A new Habitat for Humanity home in Portage la Prairie is ready to move forward, but organizers are calling on more families to apply.

Christina Falk, manager of chapter support for Habitat Manitoba, works with local groups outside Winnipeg to guide them through the process.

She notes that in Portage, “house plans are all ready to go. They’re ready to get in the ground and build. But we’ve had a bit of a struggle getting applications in.”

Agriculture Canada modelling expects above average yields for most crops

 Agriculture Canada is predicting solid yields for most crops on the Prairies, based on computer modelling that was done at the end of July.

“At the national level, the CCYF (Canadian Crop Yield Forecaster) model predicts above-average yields per unit area for 11 of the 12 spring-planted crops compared to the average yields of 2020-24,” says an executive summary of the Agriculture Canada predictions, published on a website called Canadian Crop Metrics.

World Humanitarian Day is designated as day to honour people who risk everything to do good.

Being a humanitarian should be the world’s safest job, instead, it has become one of the most dangerous.

From conflict zones to disaster-stricken regions, aid workers face increasing threats, including violence, abduction, and harassment. According to the Aid Worker Security Database, 265 aid workers have died this year so far increasing the likelihood that 2025 will surpass 2024 as the deadliest year on record (383 deaths) for humanitarian workers.

Manitoba potato growers have officially started harvesting this year’s crop, with early reports indicating healthy yields across the province.

Susan Ainsworth, general manager of the Keystone Potato Producers Association, says conditions have been favourable for farmers.

“It’s been a really good season. We had good temperatures and moisture to get the crop off to a good start,” Ainsworth notes. “The quicker we can get that crop established, the better the yields, and that’s why the crop looks really good.”

Portage la Prairie city Councillor and Deputy Mayor Joe Masi recently joined the Bear Clan Patrol for the first time, taking part in their weekly walk around the city. Masi says he already knew about the group’s work but saw first-hand how committed the volunteers are. 

“They really are a great group of volunteers that help our community,” notes Masi. “They build relationships, offer support, and create a stronger Portage la Prairie.” 

The Federal Government announced the designated and buffer areas for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Program this week.

The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers in prescribed areas, who are forced to sell all or part of their breeding herd due to drought, excess moisture or flooding, to defer a portion of their income from sales until the following tax year.

The Rural Municipality of Woodlands is alerting residents after experiencing a cybersecurity incident on August 19, 2025.

Officials are working with IT experts to assess the scope of the attack and determine whether any personal or municipal information was compromised.

Residents are urged to exercise caution in the meantime.

“Do not open emails that seem suspicious,” the RM notes. “Watch for strange links or attachments. Contact our office if you're unsure about any message you receive from us.”

A program aimed at protecting seniors from increasingly sophisticated phone scams is already making an impact in Portage la Prairie, and further steps are being implemented to increase that awareness.

Local resident Daryl Gobert says his own family has been targeted multiple times by scammers posing as relatives in distress or offering fraudulent prizes. He credits the awareness campaign, spearheaded by Colin Wilcox and supported by local businesses, with helping his loved ones recognize the warning signs before money was lost.