Portage

If you’ve been hearing more chirps in your backyard or even your garage lately, you’re not alone. According to John Gavloski, entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, there’s a seasonal reason behind the sound.

Gavloski notes that there are actually 17 different species of crickets in the province.

The dream of an updated training site continues to take shape for members of the Carman-Dufferin Fire Department (CDFD).

It all began about 6 years ago when the old and unsafe facility was demolished, explained Fire Chief Chris Lemky. A grant through the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) also helped pay for the site to be levelled, graveled and fenced in. The department was also able to purchase and set up few sea containers, which are used to light fires and practice different firefighting, search and rescue, high-angle rescue and ladder techniques.

A local hockey coach is receiving national recognition for her dedication to youth sports. Kaley Nicoll Kehler, a longtime coach in the MacGregor Minor Hockey Association and a recent assistant with the Central Plains AA female team, was recently surprised with an award from Hockey Canada and BFL Canada.

Kehler learned about the honour in an unexpected way.

Five-year survival rates for people with lung cancer have doubled since the 1990s, but the disease still kills more patients than any other type of cancer, a Statistics Canada report said on Wednesday.

The report said the number of people living five years after they were diagnosed jumped from 13 per cent to 27 per cent between 1992 and 2021.

Lung cancer is still responsible for almost a quarter of all cancer deaths in Canada, it said.

Farmer Bill Prybylski says China’s planned tariff on canola seed wasn’t factored into his business equations this year.

The president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says the 75.8 per cent preliminary duty, announced Tuesday, has already caused canola prices to fall by $1 per bushel.

That translates to a loss of about $200,000 for his farm. 

“That’s a pretty significant financial hit,” said Prybylski, who farms northeast of Regina near Yorkton.

At around 4:20 P.M. on Wednesday, August 13th, an ambulance, along with at least three police cruisers, was called to the scene at CanadInns in Portage la Prairie.

No word has been given on the reason for the heavy response, and police on scene declined to comment.

If further information is made available, this article will be updated to reflect it.

What began as a deeply personal mission to honour her late husband, Kelly, has ended with a community-wide triumph and a cheque nearly four times bigger than she first imagined.

Portage la Prairie teacher and runner Diane Wing recently presented the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) with $19,436, the final tally from her 500-kilometre run across Manitoba earlier this summer. The donation will support suicide prevention, mental health programs, and help improve access to services for those who can’t afford care.

Portage’s Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment is alive with summer exhibits, music, and creative classes.

In the Prairie Portage Mutual Gallery, Karen Braden’s My Delta Experience is on display until September 4.

Manager of Gallery Operations Lee Beaton notes, “she really hopes that people will come in and purchase some of these pieces because she doesn't want to take them home.”

The collection features pencil and ink drawings, watercolor paintings, and pastels depicting cottages and scenery at Delta before and after the 2011 flood.

The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has a new chair, elected into the position earlier this year. Scott Hepworth, who farms near Assiniboia with his farmer, moved into the role after the previous chair stepped away from the position.

Having previously been the vice chair at the GGC and currently a director with Sask Wheat, Hepworth is confident they'll be able to meet some of the goals he wants to solve.

Arborg’s beloved Street Festival took over the downtown core this past weekend, welcoming hundreds to two full days of homegrown fun, flavour, and free community entertainment. With the streets closed off by Friday evening and fireworks capping off the night, residents and visitors alike packed the sidewalks to take in the sights, sounds, and summer celebrations. 

From food trucks and live music to a parade, market, art show, and games, organizers say this year's turnout may have been the biggest yet.