Portage

As five former Canadian world junior hockey players await a ruling in their sexual assault trial, legal experts say videos shown in court of the complainant saying she was OK with what had happened highlight a broader misunderstanding of consent and sexual assault law in Canada.

Two cellphone videos in which the woman says she’s “OK with this” and that “it was all consensual” were presented as evidence during the trial of Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote.

Several Conservative MPs are criticizing the Crown's approach to prosecuting two key organizers of the Freedom Convoy protests, with the party's deputy leader calling it an act of "political vengeance."

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were convicted of mischief in April for their roles in organizing the demonstration, which blockaded streets around Parliament Hill for more than three weeks in early 2022.

Barber was also convicted of counselling others to disobey a court order.

For most golfers, a round of 18 holes is a solid day on the links. But for Brett Janz and his friend Nathan Zadorozny, 117 holes in a single day was just the start of something bigger.

The pair joined this year’s Marathon Monday, a golf fundraiser that has raised nearly $200,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society over the past 13 years. On July 14th, they played their marathon round at MacGregor Golf Club, teeing off around 6 a.m. 

Martin Moody, of Miami, MB, formerly of Portage la Prairie, passed away in Morden, MB on June 30, 2025 at the age of 76 years.

He is survived by Spouse Jan Moody, Daughter Jennifer Westfall, Son Scott Moody, Sister Iris (Gordon) Sapinski and Brother Cameron (Denise) Moody

Martin is predeceased by Father Jim Moody, Mother Anne (Love) Moody, Sister Marion Horinek and Brother Brent Moody

Cremation has taken place

Memorial Service will take place on July 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM in Miami MB

The RM of St. Laurent has declared at state of agricultural emergency as drought conditions continue to take a toll on farmers across the Interlake.

Reeve Richard Chartrand says the declaration comes after hearing concerns from producers and the head of the local Cattlemen’s Association.

“It was something that was brought to our attention by some farmers,” says Chartrand. “Basically, they're saying, with the amount of dry weather that we had, the yield grass for feeding our livestock was really depleting and our dugouts were getting empty.”

Construction season continues throughout Portage la Prairie and Central Plains.

Crews this morning were seen moving, filling, and levelling gravel and dirt along 24th St near Sisson's Drive and the Golden West Radio station here in Portage la Prairie.

Workers told PortageOnline that they're planning to lay down a first layer of asphalt today to improve the driveability of the road section. A second layer will be laid at a later date.

Lorne Hulme of Hulme Agra Products, located south of MacGregor, says Monday’s rainfall delivered a much-needed boost to crops following a long stretch of dry conditions.

“We were getting pretty dry,” Hulme says. “It was a nice rain this morning. It’s certainly going to help a lot.”

He explains that although light showers had passed through the area in previous weeks, they offered only minimal benefit.

The summer continues to roll on, with schooling announcements and awards being announced. 

Just last week, the Portage la Prairie Rotary Club announced on Facebook the winners of their annual bursaries, with Taylor Klaassen, Sam Hillier, and Teagan Lusignan-Cromarty each being honoured.

Klaassen says it was unexpected, noting she only found out she received the award at PCI's graduation.

Portage la Prairie residents gathered on Friday, July 18, for a community barbecue at Don’s Direct Deals, raising funds in support of Central Plains Cancer Service (CPCS).

The event drew a steady and enthusiastic crowd of about 125 people, raising just over $2,000.

The barbecue featured food prepared by ARC Industries, while representatives from Central Plains Cancer Services organized prize draws. Volunteers also distributed beam bracelets designed to remind people to protect themselves from ultraviolet rays.

If you’ve never stepped inside the Portage la Prairie Regional Library, tomorrow is your chance to explore it, with a little guidance and a lot of community spirit.

The Portage Learning and Literacy Centre (PLLC) invites newcomers and long-time residents alike to the upcoming library tour, which Clyde Tagalog, Communications and Events Coordinator, says is designed to introduce participants to the many free resources and programs the local library has to offer.