Candace Derksen

New safety features have been installed in an effort to increase visibility at the intersection of PR201 and PTH306. 
    
Motorists are now warned of the upcoming intersection by red flashing lights that have been mounted atop the stop signs at the east and west sides of the crossing. This, according to Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI), is just one of the new safety measures planned following a review of the intersection shortly after a fatal two-vehicle collision in November that claimed the life of a mom and her young daughter.
    

Another year is in the books for the Altona Police Service (APS) and Police Chief Dan Defer is ready to slap the cuffs on the challenges of 2024.

Overall, Defer says the last year was a good one, but admitted that returning the department to a full complement of officers took up a lot of time and required patience. Two constables left the team earlier in the year and that, noted Defer, left the team with two options on how to move forward. 

It'll be $15.9 million in spending for the Municipality of Rhineland in 2025/26.
    
According to Reeve Don Wiebe, any increases are due to growing operating costs and the Municipality's first installment in a 10-year funding commitment to the Pembina Valley Water Co-op.

"Our operating costs are up over five per cent," he explained. 

The best of the best has once again been singled out and selected for the Altona & District Chamber of Commerce annual awards.

The Business Excellence Award for companies with eleven (11) employees or more is proudly awarded to Bunge. 

Kevin Larson is the People’s Party of Canada candidate in Portage‑Lisgar this federal election.

The nephew of former Reform Party MP, Deborah Grey, answered questions on tariffs, local infrastructure, immigration, and the influence his aunt has had on his political perspective.

Tariffs and trade

Q: “The top of a lot of folks’ minds is tariffs. What is your, and the People’s Party’s, stance right now in terms of where you stand on the whole tariff issue with the US?”

Some exciting news from the Premier regarding water treatment capacity in the Pembina Valley.

Sharing with the public for the first time during the latest episode of the Premier's Report, Wab Kinew announced his government has set aside another $2.5 million dollars for a planned expansion to the Pembina Valley Water Co-op's Letellier treatment plant. He shared the news after there was some initial disappointment locally for what appeared to be a lack of support for the effort in the Manitoba Government's latest budge, despite years of lobbying. 

It'll be a 6.7% decrease in spending for the Town of Altona in 2025/26. Council has approved its latest budget, ringing in at $11.1 million, for the year.

According to Mayor Harv Schroeder, a big difference is not having a $1 million road renewal project on the books for 2025. 

Overall operating expenses are down 6.7% with fluctuations throughout the various budget lines. 

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.

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).