Shannon Dueck

The Mayor of Ritchot says they are extremely grateful for the more than a quarter million dollars in provincial grant money announced for the municipality this week.

Chris Ewen is referring to the Building Sustainable Communities program. A total of 428 community development projects across the province were provided with a grant this week, totalling more than $25 million. Ten of those, worth nearly $260,000 are in Ritchot alone.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says work is now underway as her government begins its next steps of twinning the Trans Canada Highway from Falcon Lake to the Ontario border.

"It is important for Manitobans to have safe and reliable highways to get around this great province of ours and also to get to neighbouring provinces," says Stefanson. "That is why we have prioritized this work as it not only serves as a key trade route but is one of the busiest stretches of highways especially during the summer months for cottagers and travellers."

This May long weekend should see temperatures that are warmer than normal for southern Manitoba. And Justin Shelley with Environment Canada says it will be dry.

Many folks in southern Manitoba would agree that the May long weekend seems to be a magnet for rain. Well, Shelley says it is looking pretty dry for Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday. Any rain that arrives Monday is expected to wait until the overnight hours. 

The hazy sky you are noticing today is the result of forest fires in western Canada.

That is according to Natalie Hasell, Meteorologist with Environment Canada. Hasell says there are fires burning out of control in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and even parts of Manitoba. She notes, unfortunately, the wind flow is such that the smoke from the fires is making its way into Manitoba. 

Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for most of Southern Manitoba. 

Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach has just learned that more than $75,000 in grant money will be coming its way.

Executive Director Gary Dyck says there are actually four different grants that make up that total. 

A number of provincial parks in southern Manitoba will begin welcoming campers this weekend. 

"With the slow start to spring this year, many Manitobans might be more eager than usual to get outside and enjoy our beautiful provincial parks," says Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt. "Manitoba Parks staff can't wait to welcome everyone for the 2023 season and the Manitoba government hopes everyone has the chance to visit their favourite parks and explore somewhere new."

The rebuild of Highway 75 south of Ste. Agathe is expected to begin shortly.

Last summer, Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced plans for the southbound lanes of Highway 75 to be rebuilt from Ste. Agathe to Morris. Work will include 27.7 kilometres of surface reconstruction, as well as shoulder, drainage, and intersection improvements. The surface will be reconstructed using concrete pavement. 

A number of provincial parks in southern Manitoba will begin welcoming campers this weekend. 

"With the slow start to spring this year, many Manitobans might be more eager than usual to get outside and enjoy our beautiful provincial parks," says Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt. "Manitoba Parks staff can't wait to welcome everyone for the 2023 season and the Manitoba government hopes everyone has the chance to visit their favourite parks and explore somewhere new."

A woman from Winnipeg was killed in a multi-vehicle crash Monday near Grande Pointe.

At approximately 5:55 pm, St. Pierre RCMP responded to a three-vehicle collision on Highway 59 at Oak Grove Road.

Police say an eastbound vehicle was crossing Highway 59 when it collided with a southbound vehicle. A third vehicle, also travelling south, rear-ended the second vehicle.

The driver of the eastbound vehicle, a 52-year-old woman from Winnipeg, was pronounced dead on scene.

The other drivers, aged 18 and 24, both males, were treated on scene.

Do not be surprised to hear an emergency test go off on your phone this afternoon (May 10th). That same test will be heard on local radio stations.