Robyn Wiebe

Families of two allegedly murdered women from Long Plain First Nation, Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, are pleading for the Winnipeg Police Service to reconsider their findings to deem a search for the bodies of their loved ones, believed to be in the Prairie Green Landfill, unfeasible. Chief Danny Smyth said this week it's believed the remains of Harris and Myran ended up in the landfill in the spring and the chances of finding them are very low.

A year ago, the Province of Manitoba put out a call for applications for the “Creating Opportunities for Affordable Homeownership Via Homebuyer Assistance Program” through Manitoba Housing.  Manitoba Housing was seeking Proposals from qualified organizations interested in creating homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families in Manitoba. 

After five years of waiting to make big changes to LA Gold in Winkler, Owner and Manager Karen Kehler's plans paid off. The grand re-opening of the new location on the corner of Roblin and Main Streets, in the former bowling alley building, took place on Wednesday. 

Kehler looked back to when they opened the jewelry store in the Southland Mall after Krahn's Jewelers had closed down and the space was empty for two years. 

Saturday night the Unmasking Domestic Violence Gala in support of Genesis House (GH) took place with guests donning masks and Mardi Gras attire to take part in an intimate gathering filled with fun and entertainment.  

GH Executive Director Ang Braun described the evening held at Mulligan's in Winkler. 

Three local farmers recently returned from a mission trip to Malawi, Africa, where four wells have been dug, and a drip kit program is helping people feed themselves, their families and their communities. Morden's Harry Dalke, Ben Friesen and John Dyck belong to a group of local farmers called SHARE (Sharing Hope with Agriculture Resources of the Earth.)  

Dalke found out about the opportunity through a friend he went to agriculture diploma school with in the late 1970's, Doug Dueck, who moved from his farm around Winnipeg to Abbotsford, B.C.

Food security efforts at Morden's Many Hands Resource Centre (MHRC) have been fortified, thanks to a recent $1.1 million financial investment to the Manitoba Community Food Currency Program from the Manitoba Government.

The Manitoba Community Food Currency Program is administered by Direct Farm Manitoba, and provides 'community food currency’ to participants to spend directly on Manitoba farm products at their local farmer's markets in order to increase access to healthy, local food.

Thanks to a recent announcement, Many Hands Resource Centre (MHRC) can move ahead with plans for a Holiday Celebration in Morden on December 20th at 500 Stephen Street. MHRC received $2000 through the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund, allotted for Community Celebrations from the Provincial Government. Recipents were announced earlier this week. 

MHRC Program Coordinator Tracey Krause said the Community Meal will celebrate more than Christmas, noting Morden has changed a lot in the last few years. 

Monday night, Brian Fransen was reelected as Board Chair for Western School Division. 
        
Fransen, serving in his fifth term, was acclaimed to Ward 2 of the division representing the rural community, shared these thoughts in a press release.

"There are many exciting things happening in Western School Division that have been building momentum for years. I am honoured to have been asked to chair the new Board of Trustees in our first year together as a group. I look forward to leading together with our Board."

Born in Narcisse Manitoba, John Sandulak was one of nine surviving children of twelve in a family that moved to a farm near Sperling, MB when he was young. 

He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at a young age and, shortly after his training, was called to go overseas. 

His daughter, Dianne Sandulak of Carman shared his story. 

A group of Ukrainian women gathered at Morden's Westside Community Church to bake cherry pies to deliver to their host families who opened up their homes and hearts to them to provide a safe and caring home for them when they arrived in Morden.  

The initiative came through conversation with the Ukraine to Morden 2022 Committee to show appreciation for these hosts.   

The committee shared this statement.