Portage

The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) has confirmed three weak tornadoes touched down in southern Manitoba during severe storms on Aug. 5 and 6.

"All three tornadoes were weak by EF-scale standards, but still capable of causing minor damage," NTP noted in its event summaries.

The first occurred the evening of Aug. 5 near Grande-Clairière, southwest of Melita. NTP assigned it a "default" EF0 rating, the lowest on the Enhanced Fujita scale, as no damage was reported. A witness captured video of the twister, and satellite imagery analysis is still pending, according to NTP.

Westman Wildcats coach Karissa Kirkup, was named the BFL Women in Coaching Award, the national competitive winner, and on top of that, she's looking forward to tryouts and camp, which is right around the corner.

Kirkup grew up playing minor hockey in Portage la Prairie before her family moved to Virden for high school.

From there, she would play U18 with the Wildcats of the Manitoba Female Hockey League before moving on to a successful career with the U of M Bisons.

Along with coaching, she is a Grade 6 teacher and is working on a master’s degree in education.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes (36-46) combined dominant pitching with a power surge at the plate to claim a 7-2 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs (31-49) Sunday afternoon at Blue Cross Park, securing the three-game series win.
 
Winnipeg struck early in the bottom of the second inning. Matthew Warkentin launched his 12th home run of the season over the right-field wall, and moments later, Keshawn Lynch delivered a two-run blast to left with Tripp Clark aboard to make it 3-0.
 

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Audrey McCormick on August 9, 2025 at Portage District General Hospital.

Peacefully on August 5, 2025, David Hulme passed away at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 85 years.

With his family by his side, Brian Kitson passed away on August 7, 2025, at his home. He will forever be missed and remembered by his wife of 49 years, Elaine (Bernhardt); son Michael and wife Delka; daughter Laura and husband Scott; grandchildren Toren, Tabitha, and Daphne; sister Myrna and husband Ted; along with many friends, family, and others he met along the way.

He was predeceased by his parents Thomas “Bud” and Margaret Kitson (Coubrough). Brian was born and lived his entire life in Portage la Prairie, helping build a community he loved.

The Portage Golf Club has crowned its 2025 champions after a competitive weekend on the course.

Lindsey Jordan took top honours in the Ladies division with a score of 154, while Melanie Dickenson won the Senior Ladies title with 198.

Brooke Henderson captured the Junior Girls championship at 186.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10TH

Manitoba Double-AA Provincial Tournament
Elmwood 1 Portage 0
Portage 7 Cartwright 6
Oak River 7 Portage 6

Canadian Elite Basketball League
Edmonton Singers 97 Winnipeg Sea Bears 77
*End of regular season

American Association Baseball
Winnipeg Goldeyes 7 Lincoln Saltdogs 2

With harvest just getting underway across the Prairies, farmers are being reminded to think about safety when working with grain. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is urging farmers to prioritize safety around grain handling with the launch of its fifth annual Be Grain Safe Week.

The Portage la Prairie Lions Club collected essential donations for the local Salvation Army Food Bank during a Sunday food drive at the Portage Homestead Co Op.

Club President Robert Martin oversaw the four-hour effort from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM yesterday, where community members dropped off non-perishables and cash donations.

Regular support for essential services

The Lions Club has organized these drives every few months since launching them in 2020 to address pandemic-era food insecurity.