Portage

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) has closed its investigation into the death of a man following a police shooting on Sandy Bay First Nation in April, announcing no charges will be filed against the involved officer.

The Portage Terriers staved off elimination on Saturday night, beating the Dauphin Kings 3-0 on home ice. Penalty trouble cost the Terriers early in the series, but on Saturday night they locked it down giving up four power plays to Dauphin but they killed them all off.

Portage came out firing in the first period and scored in the first three minutes. Adam Belzil was left alone in front of the net and he was able to deke past Dauphin goalie Cole Sheffield to open the scoring. The Dogs outshot the Kings 16-9 through 20 minutes.

The Rural Municipality of Rockwood is advancing a decade-long development project to add 1,700 residential units and 290 acres of industrial/commercial space near Stony Mountain. Infrastructure like lift stations is already in place, but Reeve Wes Taplin says provincial and federal funding delays have slowed progress.

Infrastructure ready, funding lags

Reeve Wes Taplin notes the project’s phased approach.

The Portage Terriers dropped a heart breaker on Friday night 4-3 in double overtime to the Dauphin Kings.

The Terriers started the game strong until a penalty derailed their momentum. Matthew Thomas then scored on the power play to make it 1-0 Kings. Rylan Gage made it 2-0 late in the period for his second of the playoffs. After letting in 2 goals on 14 shots, Terrier goalie Ryan Velan was done for the night, and Mitchell Kathler came into the game in relief.

After several efforts to resolve the horrific situation for residents of Oak Tree Towers in Portage la Prairie, spearheaded by Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza, something has finally been done. The Mantoba Housing facility is setting up for 24-hour security in place.

Bereza has addressed the Manitoba Legislative Assembly about the ordeals experienced by residents, having paid visits to the site and personally consulted residents about the circumstances under which they're living.

Dakota Tipi First Nation Chief Dennis Pashe condemns federal changes to Jordan’s Principle, a program mandating equitable access to health, education, and social services for First Nations children. The cuts, implemented without consultation, impose stricter eligibility criteria and reduce funding for sports, educational supports, and land-based healing programs.

Spring is in the air and the city saw students shine with their generosity and strengths. Read below to see all of Portage's biggest news stories this week!

A group of Portage la Prairie seniors gathers weekly at the Herman Prior Activity Centre for casual snooker matches, blending friendly competition with social connection during the winter months. The league, which runs from October to April, attracts nearly 50 players aged 55 and older, many of whom return year after year for the low-stakes camaraderie.

The Manitoba government and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are allocating $2 million to enhance the province’s Operational Communications Centre, aiming to improve emergency response efficiency during violent crimes and critical incidents. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced the funding Thursday, emphasizing its role in equipping law enforcement with “resources needed to respond to emergencies in the moments when it matters most.”

Southern Manitoba is getting a spring preview this weekend, with sunshine and mild temperatures expected through Saturday — but rain, wind and even a touch of snow could return by Sunday night. 

Stephen Berg, meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says the warm-up is thanks to a front that moved in from the west.