Portage

The community is being asked to help locate 69-year-old Stewart Campbell, who hasn't been seen since the early hours of July 15 and may need medical attention.

Stewart was last seen around 3:30 a.m. that day near the town of Stonewall.

Loved ones and police say he may be confused or disoriented, and there’s growing concern for his well-being.

Described as 5’8” and about 110 lbs, Stewart has shaggy grey hair, blue eyes, and is clean-shaven.

He was last seen wearing a burgundy sweatshirt, light blue jeans, and black work boots.

Environment Canada meteorologist  Crawford Luke says wildfire smoke can definitely have an impact on the development of thunderstorms — especially when it blocks out sunlight and prevents surface temperatures from hitting key thresholds.

“For not all thunderstorms, but a lot of them, when we’re forecasting, we expect them to form once the temperature hits a certain value,” Luke says. “When the smoke is thicker, we know it can block out some of the sunlight and prevent the heat from getting in.”

A cyclist is facing several charges after throwing his bike at a police officer in Portage la Prairie on July 17th.

Just before 6 p.m. yesterday, a General Investigation Service member was out on patrol when he spotted a man riding a bicycle that seemed far too small for him.

The cyclist veered into the road, forcing a nearby vehicle to swerve. Seeing this, the officer activated his emergency lights and tried to pull the man over. Instead of stopping, the man reportedly tried to leave.

Hold onto your hats, the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition is back. Running July 18 to 20, Morris is once again hosting the only professional rodeo on Manitoba’s leg of the Canadian Tour circuit, and it’s shaping up to be a record-breaking weekend of thrills, community spirit, and cowboy grit.

Portage la Prairie’s housing market faces intense pressure due to critically low inventory, driving competition and price surges—especially for south-side homes and rural acreages—according to local realtors Ryan Espey and Ashley Reid.

While the city core maintains balance, high demand and scarce listings fuel a seller’s advantage, with multiple offers becoming commonplace in coveted neighbourhoods.

Balanced city core, rural rush

Realtor Ryan Espey characterizes the urban market as steady but constrained.

When the current Portage la Prairie council began its term, Mayor Sharilyn Knox made a decision that set this administration apart: each councillor would serve a term as deputy mayor. The idea, says Joe Masi, now serving in that role, was to give every member a chance to understand the responsibilities involved.

“I think it was a really good idea. It gives everybody an opportunity to experience the role of deputy mayor,” Masi says.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging workers to reject Canada Post's latest contract offer.

Union national president Jan Simpson says a strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will hold the vote on the proposed deal starting next week.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks.

THURSDAY, JULY 17TH

Manitoba Junior Baseball League
Playoffs
Game 1
Elmwood Giants 8 Pembina Valley 1

Canadian Elite Basketball League
Calgary Surge 93 Winnipeg Sea Bears 89

American Association Baseball
Winnipeg Goldeyes 3 Sioux Falls Canaries 4

The head of an Ottawa-based Canadian Army regiment has been temporarily removed as part of an investigation into alleged online behaviour that the commander of the army says disgraced the military.

The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been removed from his post in connection with a probe into the "Blue Hackle Mafia" social media group, Lt-Gen Michael Wright said in a statement to army ranks Wednesday and shared with The Canadian Press Thursday.

Systematic government collection and analysis of data about mysterious sightings in the sky could help Canada better prepare for incidents like the sudden appearance of several high-altitude balloons over North America two years ago, says a report from the federal science adviser.

One of the balloons, which wafted above western Canada in early 2023 before being shot down off the U.S. coast, apparently originated from China and carried sophisticated equipment.

The balloon episodes generated intense public speculation before fading from the headlines.