Portage

The Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA) is gearing up for the seasonal transformation of the Stride Arena as preparations began last weekend to install artificial ice for the upcoming skating season. The process, which spans 10 to 14 days, involves several critical stages to ensure a high-quality ice surface ahead of the arena's reopening on August 25.

Angie Shindle, General Manager of the PRRA, confirmed that crews began the process last week with a thorough cleaning and inspection of the arena's concrete pad. Which is the foundation for the ice surface.

Southern Manitoba saw varied rainfall amounts from yesterday through early this morning, as reported by Manitoba Agriculture.

Below is a list of readings, which includes Thursday up until 7 a.m. on Friday:

25mm = 1 inch

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7TH

CFL
BC 41 Hamilton 38 (OT)

American Association Baseball
Sioux Falls Canaries 3 Winnipeg Goldeyes 1 (11 Innings)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH

CFL
Edmonton at Montreal - 6:30 PM

The family of a First Nations woman who died at the hands of a Winnipeg serial killer hopes a special court hearing will help them heal and move on almost a year after the trial.

The family of 30-year-old Ashlee Shingoose, who was identified in March as the unknown victim in the case, will have the chance to give victim impact statements in court on Aug. 15. 

Métis leaders left a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday saying they're confident they will be included in talks about major projects Ottawa hopes to use to bolster the economy in the face of a trade war with the United States.

"When things really matter, Métis governments come together and we get the work done," said Métis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh.

For 42 years, Elsie Hamm has been a steady, smiling presence at the Portage MCC thrift store, a cornerstone of the community whose dedication to service is nothing short of inspirational. What began as a visit to the Carmen MCC store with her cousin in the early 1980s blossomed into a lifelong mission to give back.

"I loved it. Absolutely loved it," Hamm recalls. "And when they started talking about opening a store in Portage, it was just automatic, I came over to help."

Portage la Prairie is bringing back the Welcome Wagon program to help new residents feel at home and discover local businesses.

The initiative offers newcomers a package of promotional items and coupons from area businesses, aiming to encourage them to explore the community.

Wendy Denbow’s deep commitment to her community has earned her the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a prestigious honour recognizing her decades of volunteerism and public service in Plumas.

Denbow recently received the medal from Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier, who calls her dedication “truly inspiring.”

But for Denbow, the recognition comes with mixed feelings.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says it's time for Ottawa to stop studying the idea of a national forest fire co-ordination agency and take action.

The organization's president wants the federal government to take inspiration from the U.S. Fire Administration to establish a similar office in Canada.

The U.S. office is part of Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, but Ken McMullen says a Canadian version could be simpler and less costly.

A 38-year-old man is recovering in hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds during an incident in Sandy Bay First Nation last week.

The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) says the call came in just after 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31.

Officers and emergency crews responded to a home in the community, where they found the injured man and began providing first aid.

He was later airlifted to Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre by STARS air ambulance. His condition has since been updated to stable.