Candace Derksen

Altona and area students were treated to a bit of Indigenous culture during a pow wow demonstration Wednesday afternoon. 

Set to beats provided by Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation's (RRAFN) Sons of the Drum group, First Nation dancers - young and older dressed in full regalia - showcased different styles of dance and song significant to their culture. It's something the group has been doing for several years now; working with school divisions and other organizations, all in the spirit of reconciliation.

The Municipality of Rhineland has opted to use the same enzyme treatment to de-sludge the Gretna lagoon as it did at the Plum Coulee facility last year. 

The biological method, used by Clean Water Pro, utilizes a special formula of beneficial bacteria and enzymes to break down the material.

According to Reeve Don Wiebe, the 20-week process resulted in the sludge being reduced at the Plum Coulee lagoon by 12 to 14 inches. 

**Updated at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 29th**

In a notice sent out early Thursday morning, the Altona Police Service indicated that 27-year-old Dennis Mirau had been found safely.

The department issued a call for the public's help in locating Mirau, noting they were concerned for his well-being. 

Police thank everyone who assisted in the investigation.

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Altona police are concerned for the safety of a missing man from Plum Coulee and is looking to the public to help find him. 

Altona police are cautioning people against playing on or near local rail cars, noting it is always a dangerous move. 
    
The warning comes after a concerned citizen reported seeing kids play on the top of parked rail cars in town, however, officers didn't see anyone when they arrived. 
    
Police say, even if rail crews aren't actively working on the line, Bunge still has its own track mobile and rail cars can be moved or shuffled around without notice, quickly injuring anyone on or near them. 

There's been a delay in the Altona Aquatic Centre's start to the season.
    
Originally slated to open this Saturday, the Town says unexpected mechanical issues have changed those plans.
    
During preparations, staff discovered that several pipes had cracked over the winter and, while repairs are nearly finished, more time is needed to finish filling the pool, balance the chemicals and conduct water quality testing.
    
The Town thanks the public for patience and understanding as it works to open the pool as soon as possible.
    

Staying safe was the focus during the annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Day in Altona on Friday.
    
About 150 grade 5 students from the area participated in the trade show style event, moving from booth to booth learning the many ways to stay safe this summer and in life. Topics ranged from drug, pet, lawn equipment and electricity safety, to name a few. 

The Town of Altona is embarking on a project that seeks to uncover and exhibit key themes and moments in the community's history.

The aim, explained Mayor Harv Schroeder, is to celebrate Altona's past by highlighting specific moments that have contributed to the existing fabric of community and place.

The project will focus on themes of land, Indigenous history, immigration, religion, economics and recreation and culture, and tell the story of how Altona has evolved from the 1870s to the present day.

A new measles exposure site has been named in the area. 

In an update sent Friday afternoon, Manitoba Public Health listed Prairie Dale School in Schanzenfeld. According to officials, the exposure happened May 12th from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the school. 

Public health is asking individuals who think they may have been exposed, but have not been directly, notified to contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 toll-free in Manitoba.

Two more flood-damaged sites are getting fixed in the Municipality of Rhineland. 
    
"Finally!" exclaimed Reeve Don Wiebe. "On Road 7 (West) and Road 9. I've talked about this project a number of times but now, I can say that we are going forward."

At its most recent regular meeting, Council approved the project tender to Tri-Core Projects Ltd.

"The project on Road 7 is just a simple repair. But on Road 9, it's a new three-span bridge. This crosses the South Buffalo (Drain)," explained Wiebe. 

"It's been an awesome year to contribute to something like this," said Levi Taylor, President of the Plum Coulee Community Foundation at the organization's annual general meeting this week. 

The occasion kicked off with a soup and pie fund raiser, one of two the Foundation hosts every year, which are always a success, noted Taylor, to the point where the soup pots sometimes run dry!