Robyn Wiebe

All the chairs in the public gallery were filled with business owners and community members regarding the pilot project announced this year to close 8th Street just south of the Stephen Street intersection, the only one controlled by lights. Council held a special meeting in May to close the section between the intersection and the back alley north of the Post Office from May 17 - Sept 17th as a trial for the public to gather during the day and evening, with the ability to book the space for parties, concerts, fundraisers and other gatherings.  

When Winkler's Brenda Fehr made a heartfelt plea on Pembina Valley Online for her ill-husband's E-bike to be returned after it was stolen, Pembina Valley Online received a few calls from people wanting to help. The first call came from a business who had experienced its own hardship and didn't want Frank to go another day without a bike and offered to donate a new E-bike to him. Over the weekend, Frank got his taste of freedom back. 

Former Winkler resident Melanie Friesen and her husband Jason have been living in West Kelowna for 19 years. Melanie was born and raised in Winkler, her parents are Ken and Carol Neufeld and her brother is local musician Link Neufeld from Link and the Moustaches. While Forest Fire season is somewhat normal, even to be ready for evacuation during that time can be as well, Friesen said this is the worst she has ever seen it because it is so close to home. 

Winkler's Brenda Fehr is desperate to get her husband, Frank's, E-bike back after it was stolen on the weekend. 

"I am just putting out a plea to the community of Winkler, and maybe the surrounding area, I'm not sure. I'm looking for help. My husband is very ill. He has kidney failure and Parkinson's disease.  He had an electric bike that he had got, we had saved up for. Early Sunday, late Saturday into Sunday, somebody stole the bike. That was really his only way of getting around." 

Morden'S Bill Gray went to work in Yellowknife setting up a work accommodation camp for the Giant Mine. Wildfires were burning in the area with smoke clouding the city during the day and blackening the sky with dark smoke at night. 

Gray described what he saw when he was there. 

As a result of Morden Mayor Brandon Burley's time on the Federal Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors, the city has been selected as one of three Canadian cities to take part in a unique opportunity.  

Burley explained.

It's a problem across Canada and the U.S., according to Pembina Valley Humane Society (PVHS) Shelter Manager Jennifer Young, people surrendering or abandoning their cats or dogs due to the inability to financially care for them any longer. 

The community of Morden gathered at the Suncatch Park for the "Get to Know Your Community" event where non-profit organizations were on hand to talk to community members with the goal of recruiting more volunteers and to inform and inspire people by the work they do.         

Morden Activity Centre Manager Wendy Dyck organized last year's volunteer fair as a spin-off of the Morden Sports and Leisure Drive. This year, 500 Stephen Street and the City of Morden joined the organization team to put on this year's event. 

Bring your lawn chairs, a blanket, and a friend to the Altona Gospel Festival (AGF) this Saturday afternoon and evening to the Altona Centennial Park. 

Committee chair, Ernie Buhler, said there is no admission cost. 

Andrew Greene's parents Michaeal and Jodie Greene moved to the Pembina Valley when he was 6 years old. He grew up in the Winkler/Morden area, and moved to Hawaii when he was 24 years old. He has been living in Hawaii for 15 years and recently married his wife Maylene. They live on the south side of Maui, with many of Maylene's family members residing in Lahaina, where fire quickly swept through the city burning 2,000 acres of land last week, catching many people by surprise, some unable to escape its path.