Candace Derksen

It's been decided. Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) is permanently closing its doors.
    
In June, the board of directors announced it was pausing operations of the private school in Gretna. That led to a meeting with the school's society church delegates earlier this month where a motion to permanently close the school and liquidate all assets passed with a majority vote of 26-21 with four abstentions.

This decision ends a 136-year legacy of developing young peoples’ God-given gifts in an Anabaptist Christian setting 

Local fire fighters have once again answered the call and have packed up and headed north to help in a new round of wildfire fighting efforts. 
    

The numbers are in, and the second annual hog roast in support of South Central Cancer Resource (SCCR) turned out bigger and better, just as organizers had hoped. 

Around 145 people crowded into the Commons Barn in Neubergthal for the June 21st event which featured a pulled pork dinner and all the fixings, live music courtesy The Pylons and the chance to go home with some big-ticket silent auction and raffle prizes. 

It was a chance to say 'thank you' to those who supported Morden Handi-Van's efforts to bring a new vehicle into its fleet as board members, drivers, and sponsors gathered recently for a small reception, celebrating the addition.

It was a rare opportunity, meeting Premier Wab Kinew, and Aqeelah Daibu was determined to make the most of it. 

The grade 11 student at Morden Collegiate Institute was one of three rural youth council members invited to the Manitoba Legislature to meet the Premier and get a better understanding of government and ask questions. She says it was an honour to get the invite for the visit, which included a tour of the Legislature and the chance to sit in the Premier's chair!

Health officials in Manitoba remain on high alert as the number of measles cases continues to grow in the province. 

As of June 28th, 116 cases of measles have been identified in Manitoba with a majority of them here in Southern Manitoba. 

Dr. Aly Dhala is Vice President of Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer for Southern Health-Sante Sud. He says a majority of the cases are the result of child-related transmission.

Dr. Dhala stopped by our studios this week to raise awareness of the concerning trend.

Reconstruction of the new clubhouse has started at Minnewasta Golf and Country Club.

This is just the first step of giving hope to the community after fire ripped through the previous clubhouse that was nearly ready to open this past winter, after the prior building also burned to the ground a few years ago.

The Altona Community Foundation (ACF) was able to dole out more funds than usual during its recent 2025 spring granting period.

In total, ACF reinvested just over $70,000 to 11 area organizations and projects.

Vic Loewen sits on the granting committee and explains why there was more money this time around.

RCMP are turning to the public to help find three suspects involved in a robbery in Virden on Monday.
    
According to police, a 61-year-old woman was approached by a man and two women who offered to help her with her shopping bags while inside a business on princess street. Then, one of the suspects stole the woman's wallet, which had a large amount of cash in it.
    
The suspects fled before the victim was aware of what happened.
    

The results are in for a professional energy modeling study conducted on the Millenium Exhibition Centre (MEC) in Altona.

The study was the final phase in a three-year community climate project between a local working group and industry experts to identify climate actions and opportunities in the community, and funded, in part, through a $50,000 grant from the Manitoba Climate Action Team. 

The focus was to uncover future opportunities for geo-thermal integration and energy capture from the hockey arena and curling rink.