Candace Derksen

An Altona-based company is once again playing an integral part in delivering a free book to every grade one student in Canada. 

In a news release issued this week, Friesens announced its ongoing support and participation in the TD Grade One Book Giveaway, a program of The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Over its 24-year involvement, the book manufacturer has printed and produced about 500,000 - 600,000 books through the initiative.

What started out as a simple way to put a smile on residents' faces, ended up being a huge success. 

In fact, the Altona Tim Horton's Holiday Smile Cookie Week turned out to be the top-selling campaign in Manitoba with 12,131 cookies sold. The year-old location also ranked #6 in Canada.

Two 4-H clubs in the area have been given a financial boost, thanks to Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

Snagging grants of up to $500 each this year is the Elm Creek 4-H Beef Club and the Graysville Light Horse and Pony Club out of Carman.
    
Since 2013, the FCC 4-H Club Fund has contributed over $1 million in funding and supported more than 2,100 4-H clubs across Canada.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province has a moral obligation to prepare for the humanitarian aspect of what a second Donald Trump presidency in the U.S. could mean for the southern part of the province. That's one of the considerations included in his government's beefed-up border security plan ahead of January 20th, noting mass deportations was an election promise reiterated many times by Donald Trump.

Three southern Manitoba farms have snagged Watershed District Awards
    
Doled out annually by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds and Manitoba’s 14 Watershed Districts, the awards recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals directly associated with the growth and success of watershed districts in the province.
    
The Dogs Run Farm, located in Clearwater in the Pembina Valley Watershed District, is operated Colin & Katie McInnes.

A $5,000 donation from the Altona Elks is generating a lot of excitement within the Altona and Area Family Resource Centre (AAFRC).
    
Local lodge members, including Guy Mullen, presented the funds, generated from its latest round of Chase the Ace, this week.

Police say they are once again seeing an increase in graffiti around Altona's business district, following several complaints that have filed in over the past week.
    
These incidents, according to the Altona Police Service, are believed to be linked to several other complaints received earlier this fall. Investigation continues.  
    
Meantime, the Altona Police Service reminds residents to report any suspicious activity by calling 204-324-5353, noting you can remain anonymous.

The public was recently given an all-access pass to Morden's newest daycare facility, Westview. 

About 20 families - kids and parents - were able to explore all eight of Westview's rooms, ask questions of staff and board members and enjoy snacks prepared by the in-house cook during an open house last week.

Site manager, Nancy Davison, said, because the centre is still so new, everyone commented on how bright and fresh it is inside. 

18 residents of Eastview Place in Altona have been temporarily relocated to other facilities in the region following a sprinkler break at the personal care home.
    
According to information provided by Southern Health-Sante Sud, the break on December 3rd flooded 18 rooms and, the next day, it was determined the affected residents could not return to those rooms until the water damage was repaired.
    

We are, again, being urged to be cautious about who we deal with online.
    
The warning from the Altona Police Service comes after a resident reported investing a large sum of money with an online firm, only to later be unable to retrieve any of it.
    
The complainant then searched for online scam recovery companies, and ultimately lost more money as they were also scams. Police note, extra caution is needed as many fake sites exist and say the quality of these sites have greatly improved.