Portage

Though rain streaked down on Long Plain First Nation on Monday, the weather couldn't dampen the sense of optimism as community members gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new 40-bed transition centre, which leaders say will provide support and hope for those experiencing homelessness.

The head of the Canada's police chiefs association says they are guided by "outdated and inadequate" laws that were never designed to take on the current criminal landscape that no longer respects international borders. 

Thomas Carrique, president of the Association of Chiefs of Police, said police would have been in a better place to "disrupt" transnational crime, if the federal government had listened to his group in 2001, when it last proposed legislative changes. 

Images from space and artificial intelligence can help detect areas prone to extreme wildfires, researchers suggest, after satellite photos showed dry parts of Manitoba ahead of its devastating wildfire season.

Scientists from the University of Ottawa and Université Laval in Quebec used data collected by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Drought Monitor to review areas hit by fast-moving blazes in late spring.

Shaelen Gabriel of Portage la Prairie is grateful for the swift action of lifeguards at Splash Island Waterpark after a recent medical emergency involving her family.

The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Sunday when Shaelen’s sister experienced a seizure while at the water park.

“I didn’t know what to do," said Shaelen. "I was just freaking out, so I was just calling for help.”

Shaelen noted that a young boy quickly alerted the lifeguards when he noticed what was happening.

China announced a 75.8 per cent preliminary tariff on Canadian canola on Tuesday, following an anti-dumping investigation launched last year in response to Canada's tax on Chinese electric vehicles.

China's Ministry of Commerce published the details of the plan on Tuesday, claiming the "dumping" of Canadian canola into the Chinese market is hurting its domestic canola oil market.

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is inviting producers to take part in their Harvest Sample Program, letting them send in samples from their grain harvest to be graded. The no-cost grading helps farmers know exactly what they've got in their fields, letting them easily market their grain to sellers.

Kerri Pleskach, the program manager of analytical services at the CGC, explains how producers can take part.

The Ofty's Riverside Campground Cornhole Tournament saw plenty of participants and weather was mostly co-operative, according to Portage Cornhole Club founder, Colin Doyle.

Doyle says this year's tournament was focused on raising money for a great cause.

WestJet says some personal data, including information about travel documents such as passports, was stolen in a cyberattack earlier this year, but credit and debit card numbers as well as user passwords were not compromised.

In a note to customers, WestJet says the personal information taken varies from person to person but may include name, date of birth, e‑mail address, mailing address, phone number, gender and recent travel booking history, including travel booking numbers.

Portage la Prairie is moving ahead with a major water treatment plant upgrade after City Council gave second and third reading to its Utility Borrowing Authority By-Law No. 24-8772 on August 11, 2025.

The bylaw authorizes the city to borrow up to $55.2 million in debentures over 30 years to help fund the $100.46-million project, which also includes $40.25 million in provincial funding and $1.75 million from the city’s utility reserve. 

Several businesses along Saskatchewan Avenue East in Portage la Prairie are closed today due to a water shutoff required for municipal repairs.

Karly Friesen, director of utilities for the city, notes, “The water works crew needs to repair a valve that’s located in the intersection of Royal Road and Saskatchewan Avenue, so to make sure that their work area is safe, we do need to close Saskatchewan Avenue for westbound traffic.”