Robyn Wiebe

Earlier this month, June 2-5th, The Federation of Canadian Municipalities held their first member gathering in Regina, since pandemic restrictions have loosened.  Mayor Brandon Burley, 4 Councillors and CAO Nicole Reidle attended the event. 

Burley noted there was a lot of engagement and Morden City Council found some neat ideas to bring forward to the City of Morden, along with helpful resources for future project ideas and connections for infrastructure projects. 

Last week, City Counsellors, City Staff, Morden Fire and Rescue team members, and Morden Police Service staff and family members gathered in the Morden Civic Centre to recognize the retirement of a special member of the Morden Police Service.   

Police Service Dog (PSD) Chase served the community for twelve years and was commemorated with a small, intimate ceremony where she actively greeted each guest with a sniff, receiving a rub or pat on the head from almost everyone in attendance. 

Heading into the summer months, Morden Police Chief Brad Neduzak shared a bit about a rising trend in the Pembina Valley. 

"Over the last several months, we have seen an increase in the number of impaired drivers and alcohol-related offences, and for this, there could be several different reasons for it, and different influencers when it comes to these incidents." 

In 2010, Morden Park saw the renovation of the wading pool area, transformed into a refreshing and colourful Spray Park.  As the community has grown, wastewater management is something the community has been aware of and has looked for efficiencies to alleviate the strain on the system.  Over the years, Morden's Parks and Urban Forestry has reused some of the water from the Spray Park to water trees and flowers in the community, but not all the approximately 20-40 thousand gallons a day. 

The City of Morden is supporting a resolution that the City of Winkler is presenting at the Association of Manitoba Municipality's (AMM) Central District meeting this month. The motion asks AMM members to rally the federal and provincial governments to adjust their contribution to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICP) and cover their portion of increased project costs.

With Morden's Patrol Service Dog (PSD) Chase retiring soon, a new dog and handler were needed to fill the vacant roles.  Thanks to funding from the Province through Property Forfeiture Act, and a donation from the Morden Thrift Store, a new dog was purchased, and was matched with Constable Curtis Warkentin, the new K-9 Handler.  PSD Ice is a sister from the same line as Chase, purchased from the Winnipeg Police Service.  

Recently, Constable Warkentin and PSD Ice took an eight-week drug detection and obedience course.  

A great show of community support for the Morden Legion Branch 11 took place on Saturday with a Cancer tattoo fundraiser put on by the Neonothing Studio in Morden supported by The Commandos Canada Motorcycle Club (Red River Division) and The Gatemen Riding Club. 

The Commandos Canada Motorcycle Club is comprised of Canadian Veterans who have served their country and ride bikes, support veterans and their families.  The Gatemen are a club that works alongside them with the same goals, but are not veterans.   

59 members participated in the Provincial 4-H Communications Extravaganza last month in Winnipeg. These members had risen to the top through a series of competitions from club level to area levels across the province. 
    
James Kestirke from Morden Achievers took first place in the Cloverbud Speech Category, and Eden Lepp from Elm Creek 4-H Activity Club was also first in Junior Speech.

Associate Professor of Veterinary Entomology at The University of Manitoba Kateryn Rochon said tick season is a bit delayed this year, due to cooler temperatures.  She said peak season is in June and July with a cooling-off period over August, reminding us black-legged ticks return at the end of September into October and stay until the snow falls. 

Associate Professor of Veterinary Entomology at The University of Manitoba Kateryn Rochon said tick season is a bit delayed this year, due to cooler temperatures. She said peak season is in June and July with a cooling-off period over August, reminding us black-legged ticks return at the end of September into October and stay until the snow falls.