Portage

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Plains is gearing up to host its popular Go Girls! Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds! program this August, offering girls aged 12 to 14 a chance to develop healthy habits and life skills in a fun, supportive setting.

The four-day program runs from August 5 to 8 at the BBBS office in Portage la Prairie, with sessions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and flexible options for early drop-off and late pick-up.

Encouraging active living and balanced eating

Executive Director Dawn Froese says the program is designed to be engaging and interactive.

The Carman Fair was in full swing with three full days of activities for all ages, and the Farmtastic Fun Zone proved to be one of the biggest draws for kids and parents alike. Trish Aubin, treasurer of the fair, says it all began with a few ideas that turned into something bigger. 

“We had the foam party on Thursday, Sleepy the Clown on Friday, and Gel Battles was on Saturday,” says Aubin. “So we had three kids' activities each day, but then we wanted to elaborate on it so we could have something kind of going all the time.” 

A modest Portage la Prairie neighbourhood has a deeper past than many residents might expect, according to local historian James Kostuchuk. 

The Manitoba government has called inquests into the deaths of several men who died while in custody at Stony Mountain Institution and Headingley Correctional Centre, as the province looks to understand better what led to their deaths and explore ways to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The announcement came from Dr. John K. Younes, Manitoba’s Chief Medical Examiner, who directed the inquests under The Fatality Inquiries Act. These reviews are required whenever a person dies while in custody and aim to shed light on the circumstances surrounding each case.

The Manitoba government is promising new financial penalties to enforce rules aimed at removing barriers for people with disabilities.

Nahanni Fontaine, the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, says the NDP government will introduce changes to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act next spring.

In a video posted to social media, she also says the government will work to ensure every public event is fully accessible with participation from sign language interpreters.

A man is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in the town of Teulon.

RCMP say they were called to a home on 7th Avenue SE around 10:40 p.m. on July 13, where they found a 37-year-old man with critical injuries. He was rushed to hospital but later died. Police are treating the case as a homicide.

Not long after arriving at the scene, another officer spotted a vehicle believed to be connected to the incident and tried to pull it over. The driver didn’t stop, leading to a brief pursuit that ended when the vehicle drove into a nearby cornfield.

You can call in to ask host Carla Hrycyna all of your gardening questions live every Saturday morning starting at 9:15am: 1-800-374-3315

As wildfire activity continues to impact northern Manitoba, the City of Portage la Prairie is once again preparing to welcome evacuees if the need arises.

The Portage Curling Club has been outfitted with cots and is ready to operate as a temporary shelter. While no evacuees have arrived so far, city officials say they have not received notification that any are currently en route.

SUNDAY, JULY 13TH

Manitoba Junior Baseball League
Playoffs
Pembina Valley 6 Winnipeg South Junior 5
Elmwood 9 Altona 4

American Association Baseball
Kansas City Monarchs 5 Winnipeg Goldeyes 4

MLB
Athletics 6 Toronto 3

Young entrepreneurs in Portage la Prairie will soon get the chance to turn their ideas into reality at this year’s Kids Biz Camp taking place at Stride Place.

The camp, hosted by Community Futures Heartland, runs July 21st to 25th and is open to children between the ages of 9 and 13.

Ken Reimer, general manager with Community Futures Heartland, says the camp covers the essentials of running a business, including a hands-on sales opportunity at the end of the week.