Candace Derksen

The mild weather has prompted the Town of Altona to issue a thin ice warning for the pond at the Buffalo Creek Nature Park.
    
Signs warning of the danger are now up throughout the park.
    
In an email to PembinaValleyOnline, the Town's Rec department urges people to stay off the pond for everyone's safety.

Branden Leslie, the current Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar and Conservative candidate in the 2025 Canadian Federal Election was quick out of the gate, immediately announcing his intentions to run in the federal election now underway.

Leslie outlined his vision for a stronger, more self-reliant Canada. Leslie discussed improving water infrastructure, modernizing workforce training, tackling economic challenges, and enhancing public safety, all while defending the values of rural communities.

There is no new information regarding the search for Jayden Lawrence Banman.
    
The Altona Police Service turned to the public on Sunday, looking for help in locating the missing Plum Coulee teen. In an update to our newsroom, Police Chief Dan Defer said they now believe Jayden is in Winnipeg but cannot confirm that information.
    
Altona police continue to work with other police agencies and are following up on tips.
    
Anyone with information on Jayden Banman is asked to call the Altona Police Service at 204-324-5353.

The Province is out with its March Flood Outlook, and the risk is reported to be low to moderate for most Manitoba rivers throughout the Spring. 

According to the Manitoba Hydrologic Forecast Centre, most lakes are expected to be within their desired operating ranges after the spring runoff and the risk of flooding along Manitoba lakes is low. 

A moderate risk of flooding is in effect for the Assiniboine River main stem from Russell to Brandon, Souris River, Qu'Appelle River and Interlake region (including the Fisher River and Icelandic River). 

No charges were laid after Altona police were called to an assault in progress in Plum Coulee on Friday.
    
Before arriving, officers were told the victim had locked themselves in the home's bathroom, with the alleged assailant still inside and armed with a knife.
    
Once on scene, police took the subject of the complaint, an adult woman, into custody. A second woman, the victim, was found in the bathroom.
    

Altona's recognizable giant Van Gogh painting has come down. 

Crane crews arrived early Monday morning to dismantle the piece which had been declared unsafe after years of wear and tear, combined with recent high wind events that resulted in heavy damage. 

Related stories:

• Altona's giant Van Gogh painting is coming down, for now

Check out the video below.

"I am extremely disappointed." That from Lauren Stone, PC MLA for Midland and Opposition Finance Critic for Manitoba, following the NDP Government's 2025 budget announcement on Thursday. She believes the government missed the moment in what she referred to as uncertain economic times, pointing to the ongoing threat of U.S. and Chinese tariffs.

"You can't stay stagnant. You have to keep pushing and developing," says Cst. Jonathan Goertzen, Team Leader of the Regional Support Tactical Team (RSTT), which is coming up on 11 years since its formation. "There's always new tactics to learn and, if we sit back on our heels, it's not the right thing to do."

The team gathered in Altona on Wednesday for one of its regular training days - this time the focus was on bus assault procedures and how to diffuse high risk situations that may take place on them. 

Trustees for the Border Land School Division (BLSD) have approved a $2.2 million increase in spending for 2025/26. In total, the Board has approved a $43.1 million budget for the coming year. 

Splitting half of the added spending 50/50 is operating expenditures which increased 3.63% over 24/25, predominantly due to salaries, and capital expenses that more than doubled. That, according to Board Chair Steven Wiebe, is mainly because the Division is setting aside $450,000 into a bus reserve account that was depleted down to zero last year.

Time, the elements and recent high winds have taken a toll on Altona's giant Van Gogh sunflower painting, and the recognizable symbol is coming down. 

In 2017, the painting was taken down and refurbished by artist Cameron Cross. 

"It, apparently, was supposed to last seven to ten years. But looking back, the backing of that painting was not treated lumber and has caused some rotting," explained Mayor Harv Schroeder. This, in turn, has caused some of the paint on the piece to peel away.