Portage

Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox is applauding the Manitoba government’s recent announcement to expand its electronic monitoring program, which will add up to 100 new ankle monitors to track offenders released on bail across the province.

“We are very glad to see the province expanding the ankle monitoring program. It’s definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to keeping our communities safe and especially holding those repeat offenders accountable here in Portage,” Knox says.

A long-awaited resurfacing project is now underway on Highway 26 between the junctions of Meadows Road and Highway 248, covering an 18-kilometre stretch west of St. François Xavier. 

While it’s been a dry year across much of southern Manitoba, local vegetable growers near Portage la Prairie say the 2025 harvest is holding up surprisingly well.

Rebecca McKay, who helps run Kyle’s Fresh Vegetables just outside of Austin, says the growing conditions have been challenging, but manageable.

“Our slough is a little bit drier than normal, so we’re definitely battling with that,” she remarks. “But we’re managing.”

McKay notes that the plot used for vegetable production covers about seven acres, and the growing season so far has been steady.

Producers are being urged to monitor livestock closely during hazy days as we've had in the Portage la Prairie area for several days due to wildfire smoke.

Saint Claude-based veterinarian Marc Philippot with the Saint Claude Veterinary Clinic says there is no formal alert or advisory from Manitoba’s livestock authorities regarding smoke exposure in cattle, but he confirms it is a concern that vets are watching.

The Bank of Canada has largely kept to the sidelines as it tries to get a sense of how U.S. tariffs will impact the economy — and some economists think it might just stay there.

After a quarter-point cut in March, the central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75 per cent in April and June.

With last month's jobs figures showing a surprise gain and core inflation levels holding steady at around three per cent, economists now broadly expect the central bank will continue its holding pattern at its next decision on July 30.

Drivers in Portage la Prairie should prepare for a full road closure on a busy stretch of Crescent Road West.

The City says starting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2025, both eastbound and westbound lanes of Crescent Road W between 4th Street SW and 12th Street SW will be shut down for road construction.

The section is currently limited to eastbound closures only.

According to the city, the intention is to reopen the road by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 2.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and follow all signage in the area.

Cornhole, a game quickly gaining popularity across Portage la Prairie, is bringing the community together for a good cause this summer.

Organizers Colin Doyle and Tara Hayes are joining forces to host the second annual cornhole tournament fundraiser, supporting Prairie Harbor, a local shelter for women and children fleeing violence.

From campground pastime to community event

Colin Doyle explains how the game started as a casual activity at a campground.

“Cornhole is a game that we play every weekend at our campground,” he notes.

What began as a routine response to an assault call in downtown Portage quickly took an unexpected turn when officers stumbled upon something far more serious.

Just before 5 p.m., on July 10th, officers responded to a report of an assault on Saskatchewan Ave. W.

While speaking with witnesses at the scene, officers noticed a man walking nearby who matched the description given.

Police spoke with the man and informed him that he was being detained as part of their investigation.

A personal mission 500 kilometres in the making came to a joyful finish Friday afternoon, as Portage la Prairie teacher Diane Wing wrapped up her 10-day run across Manitoba in support of mental health and suicide prevention.

Wing celebrated her final stretch at Falcon Lake around 2 p.m. with friends, family, and a well-earned slice of pizza.

Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke says air quality warnings and special air quality statements may seem similar, but they represent different levels of risk.

“The air quality warning is more serious than the special air quality statement… it's posing a bigger threat to your health. That kind of idea.”

He adds that this tiered approach applies across the board: warnings always indicate a more serious or immediate danger than statements.