Portage

Portage la Prairie council heard heated discussion Monday night over a proposed eight-unit rental building on 125 8th Street SW.

The City hosted a public hearing during its regular meeting, where residents voiced concerns about parking, traffic, access, and the size of the proposed structure.

Cheerleading is making its debut in Portage thanks to a new partnership between the Portage Gymnastics Club and Cheer Manitoba, and the community has responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Kristen Nicoll, President of the Portage Gymnastics Club, confirmed the initiative after receiving multiple inquiries from families about the sport.

Families, friends, and neighbours came together this past weekend for the 2025 Gladstone Fair, a three-day celebration that blended summer fun with heartfelt community spirit and record-breaking fundraising. 

Held from August 8 to 10, the fair once again delivered a full slate of events ranging from foam-filled kids’ activities and sizzling smoker auctions to classic live music and a relaxed Sunday picnic atmosphere. Organizers say this year’s turnout was one of the best in recent memory. 

Air Canada says it will begin a gradual suspension of flights to allow an orderly shutdown as it faces a potential work stoppage by its flight attendants on Saturday.

The airline says the first flights will be cancelled Thursday, with more on Friday and a complete cessation of flying by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge by the weekend.

Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines will continue to operate as normal. 

Air Canada says customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and they will be eligible for a full refund.

China has hit Canada with a new round of canola tariffs, threatening one of Western Canada's biggest cash crops and causing potential issues for farmers looking to sell their crops. The tariffs were announced overnight Monday in China, meaning that people watching the agriculture markets were in for quite the shock Tuesday morning.

Chuck Penner, founder of Left Field Commodity Research, was watching the markets and says much of the agriculture sector saw this coming.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12TH

American Association Baseball
Winnipeg Goldeyes 2 Cleburne Railroaders 0

MLB
Toronto Blue Jays 5 Chicago Cubs 1

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13TH

American Association Baseball
Cleburne Railroaders at Winnipeg Goldeyes - 6:30 PM

National galleries and museums across the country have seen a 15 per cent increase in attendance so far this summer, after the federal government introduced free or discounted admission through the new Canada Strong Pass.

The Canada Strong Pass, which took effect on June 20 and is available until Sept. 2, offers free national museum admission to children 17 and under, and a 50 per cent discount for those aged 18 to 24.

The pass also offers free admission to national parks and sites maintained by Parks Canada.

Portage la Prairie faces a pressing need for new single-family homes, creating a competitive seller's market where demand far outstrips supply, according to local realtors.

City Councillor Preston Meier, Chair of City Planning and Economic Development, outlines the municipality's role and limitations in spurring new construction while highlighting upcoming efforts to attract developers.

Portage and District Recycling Inc. (PDRI) has unveiled a refreshed look and significant convenience upgrade at its 24/7 recycling drop-off depot.

The facility's large collection bins now sport a fresh coat of paint, old sorting labels have been removed, and a prominent new sign stands above them, clearly outlining acceptable materials. The most notable change, however, is the shift to a single-stream system, eliminating the need for residents to manually separate their recyclables before dropping them off.

For more than two decades, The Cellar Door has been a fixture in Portage la Prairie, offering hair, skin, massage, and nail services in a space that feels both stylish and comfortable.

Owner and stylist Chelsea Lewis, who took the reins in 2011, says the salon’s heart lies in its people.

“We’re a team of 14 talented women – an all-female crew who genuinely love what we do and the people we serve,” she says. “We believe in creating an inclusive, respectful space where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated.”