Portage

In the small but lively community of MacGregor, summer has taken on a creative twist thanks to Heartland Recreation's Day camp, a program that's giving local kids a chance to get off the couch, have some fun, explore their creativity, and connect with their peers.

From tie-dye and scavenger hunts to library visits and trips to Splash Island, the day camp offers children more than just childcare. It's a hub of excitement, learning, and friendship, all packed into well thought-out and planned theme days.

The Portage Padres are once again making a strong run for the Santa Clara Baseball League (SCBL) title, and if last year is anything to go by, fans are in for another thrilling series.

Game 1 of the best-of-five final series is set for 6:30 p.m. at Republic of Manitobah Park, where the Padres will once again take on the Plumas Pirates in a similar rematch to last year’s championship battle.

Andrew “Andy” Joseph Stevens

1942 – 2025

It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Andy Stevens, aged 82, on July 25th, 2025, at Portage General Hospital. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend who will be mourned.

Andy grew up in Portage la Prairie and remained in Portage his whole life. Growing up, Andy didn’t care for schoolwork and dropped out of school early in favour of general labour. His jobs included working for Mayfair Glassware, Co-op Bakery, Parrheim Foods, and Nutri-Pea.

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (39-32) defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes (27-42) Tuesday evening at Blue Cross Park by a score of 4-2.
 
After three and a half innings of scoreless baseball, Keshawn Lynch and Matthew Warkentin reached on singles before Roby Enríquez ripped a two-run double off the centre field wall to give Winnipeg a 2-0 lead.

Morning drivers on Highway 26 were treated to a surprise this morning, as three friendly horses decided to go for a walk just outside of town. 

The curious trio strolled along the gravel shoulder, turning a routine commute into a charming, small-town moment. Motorists slowed down and gave the horses plenty of space, keeping things calm and safe. 

TUESDAY, JULY 29TH

Border Baseball League
Playoffs - Best of 5
Game 4
Winkler 2 at Morden 5
Morden wins series 3-1

American Association Baseball
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 4 at Winnipeg Goldeyes 2

MLB
Doubleheader
Toronto 4 at Baltimore 10
Toronto 2 at Baltimore 3

Residents of two communities were preparing to head home Tuesday, while another community was being evacuated, as crews continued to battle wildfires across a large swath of the Prairies.

Some of the 2,400 residents of Tataskweyak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba started making their way back, two months after they were forced to leave by encroaching fire.

"It's very good news this week," Chief Doreen Spence said in a video posted to Facebook on Monday night.

Residents rallied this past weekend at a community barbeque fundraiser, serving burgers and hot dog meals, snacks, and frozen treats to support Arny and Claire Holben as they rebuild after a devastating May 21 fire destroyed their basement and upstairs bathroom.

The heartfelt event drew crowds from Poplar Point and the nearby area, highlighting an outpouring of solidarity for the couple, who narrowly escaped the blaze and now face rebuilding costs without insurance.

A flurry of activity, great deals, and generous hearts filled the Portage MCC Thrift Shop on Tuesday, as the community gathered to support Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) during one of six fundraising days hosted annually by the store.

Shoppers browsed through racks and shelves at both the MCC Thrift Shop and Furniture Plus location, with proceeds going directly to support mentoring programs for children aged 6 to 18 across the region.

Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza is urging the province to reconsider its position on pumping water from the Assiniboine River into Crescent Lake, calling the situation “atrocious” and questioning why the city is being treated differently than other Manitoba communities.

Bereza, who lives along the lake, says the deteriorating state of Crescent Lake is no longer just an eyesore, it’s a growing environmental and recreational issue.