Portage

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.

A Portage la Prairie teen is back from a memorable summer adventure after completing a cadet training course in Ontario.

Cadet Sergeant Geri Orchard, 14, just returned from the Royal Canadian Air Cadets’ Introduction to Fitness and Sports course, held at Blackdown Cadet Training Centre (CTC) in Borden.

The two-week camp offered a mix of classroom learning, physical activity, and new friendships; all part of her first-ever summer cadet experience.

The provincewide state of emergency declared last month in Manitoba will be extended until Aug. 22, as wildfires continue to rage across the province, displacing thousands and stretching emergency resources.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Emergency Management Organization made the announcement on Thursday, noting the original order, put in place on July 10, was set to expire after 30 days. 

The former Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC) in Portage la Prairie is set to temporarily reopen to house wildfire evacuees from across the province and according to Portage Mayor Sharilyn Knox, the first arrivals could come as early as the end of this week.

"It's going to be a slow rollout," Knox told PortageOnline. "It all really depends on the First Nations who decide that they want to come here. We do know that the site can hold quite a few people, but we're not so sure on exactly how many are coming at this time."

It's a big night at Rotary Republic Park here in Portage la Prairie, as two industry giants, McCain and Simplot, go head-to-head in the long-running charity soft ball game known locally as the 'Battle of the Tater Titans'. But this isn't just about bragging rights. It's about community, compassion, and a cause close to many hearts in the community, supporting Central Plains Cancer Services and their Kids Fighting Cancer programs.

Started in 2004 by Gary Bergson and Mark Morgan, the annual game has become a staple event in Portage la Prairie.

A former Winnipegger and cancer survivor attempted to swim across Lake Winnipeg on August long to support others battling cancer. 

"It was tough to decide which day to go as every day was windy," says Jonathon Fenton. "We had a little opening on Sunday, where it was windy for the first three hours. I was swimming in the chop, like a cork in a washing machine, just bouncing around."

The 61-year-old, two-time cancer survivor ventured out on Lake Winnipeg at Grand Beach and started to swim the long way across to Gimli on Aug. 3. 

A frightening situation unfolded in Lake St. Martin First Nation late Friday night, but thanks to quick action, two young children are now safe and back with their family.

Around 10:30 p.m. on August 1, a man reportedly broke into a home and threatened the people inside with what has been described as a homemade weapon.