City of Portage shines a light on FASD

Submitted by tylor.baer on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 20:50

Portage la Prairie's Mayor, Sharilyn Knox, officially proclaimed September 9, 2025, as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day in the City of Portage la Prairie, drawing attention to a lifelong disability and raising awareness for prevention and support.

The proclamation highlights the city's commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by FASD and educating the public about the disorder. It’s a significant step in recognizing the importance of awareness and providing resources to the community.

Portage la Prairie truckers share vital safety tips for National Trucker Week

Submitted by tylor.baer on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 20:50

This National Trucker Week, Burbank Express is reminding motorists in the Portage la Prairie area how to share the road safely with semi-trucks.

Tyler Robertson, a dispatcher and truck driver with the company, and General Manager Marshall Hagborg are both emphasizing key safety measures to prevent accidents and protect both drivers and roadside workers.

An important reminder for motorists

"Visibility is key. Making sure that your lights are on so truck drivers can see where you are at all times," says Robertson.

Rented farmland jumps 3.4 million acres in Saskatchewan and Alberta

Submitted by gvossler on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 20:18

About 3.4 million acres shifted from owned and operated to the “rented” land category from 2011 to 2021

The amount of rented farmland in Saskatchewan and Alberta shot upward in the 2010s.

Farmland rented or leased in the two provinces went from 25.7 million acres in 2011 to 29.1 million in 2021, says Census of Agriculture data.

So, in a decade, about 3.4 million acres shifted from owned and operated to the “rented” land category. The 3.4 million acres includes cropland and ranchland.

Prairie Agriculture Ministers pleased with FPT discussion

Submitted by gvossler on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 18:15

As farmers work on the harvest, agriculture ministers from across Canada gathered in Winnipeg this week for the annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) meeting. The annual event hosted by Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald provided a key platform to discuss shared challenges, policy priorities, and the future of Canadian agriculture. 

Leckie leads the charge as MacGregor Collegiate’s new student council president

Calli Leckie is settling into her new role as student council president at MacGregor Collegiate Institute, and she’s already making moves to boost school spirit and student engagement.

“It’s been a pretty exciting week. Lots of new stuff around the school. It’s been going good.”

The council has held two meetings so far; one ahead of the Grade 9 students’ first day, and another on the first Monday of the school year to begin planning the year’s events.

Jo-Hannah Atchison’s voice lights up the airwaves with her debut song for dad ▶️

At just 11 years old, local singer, songwriter, and voice actor Jo-Hannah Atchison is already turning heads with her voice and heart. The Grade 6 student from Yellow Quill School returned to the Country 93.1 studio this week to debut her first original song, 'Threads of Our Love,' and to talk about an exciting month filled with performances and a Nova Star award nomination.

Portage councillor pushes for federal housing and safety support 

Joe Masi, Portage la Prairie City councillor and advocacy chair board member with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), says municipalities need reliable federal investment if Ottawa expects to meet its housing targets. The federal government has pledged 500,000 homes annually over the next decade, but Masi says local governments cannot achieve that without support. 

Arthur Ammeter

Arthur Ernest Ammeter

With great sadness, we announce that our husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, Arthur “Art” Ammeter, left us at the age of 82 to be with his Saviour and Lord on September 2, 2025, at the Portage District General Hospital.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Debbie Ammeter (Mostowy) of Elie, Manitoba; his children: Carly (Glen) Nowell of Bedford, NS, and Rebecca (Mark) Corrigan of Saskatoon, SK; his grandchildren: Sylvia and James Nowell and Keziah, Nizanna, and Biruk Corrigan.

Ted Goveia, former Winnipeg Blue Bombers executive, dies after cancer battle

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are mourning the loss of their former assistant general manager and director of personnel.

Ted Goveia, who spent 11 years with the Blue Bombers before becoming the general Manager of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Dec. 5, 2024, passed away this week following a months-long battle with esophageal cancer.

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