Candace Derksen

Refurbishment efforts at Carman's Ryall Park have been given a boost, thanks to a decked out night of costumes, lights, decorations and - aliens?! 
    
The second annual 'Table for 300: A Charlie Redstar Dinner', hosted by Boyne River Keepers and Carman Dufferin Communities in Bloom last week Friday, was a huge hit. Ninety per cent of the available tables sold out within the first week that tickets were available, noted spokesperson, Tracy Enns.

Altona's signature giant Van Gogh painting, Sunflowers, is getting redone. Town council made the decision earlier this week.

"With the funds that have been dedicated (through fund raising) and some of the insurance money that's come in, we advised administration to move forward," explained Mayor Harv Schroeder.

A $1.5 million project will double Buffalo Creek Mills' capacity to produce oat flakes for human edible consumption.
    
CEO Ryan Penner says they'll be installing additional state of the art equipment to get the job done in November and December, with hopes it will be ready to go in the new year.

"We process four thousand metric tonnes of raw oats every month, of which a portion of that moves toward a direct human edible consumption product. So, it (the project) doesn't change what we do at the plant but it does change what we produce."

Altona/Rhineland Emergency Services (ARES) has a new piece of equipment and it'll help crews fight grass fires. 

The department was gifted a fire skid by Global Medical, a non-profit agency based in Alberta, earlier this summer. It's one of 32 donated to fire departments across Manitoba to help in the fight against the wildfires. 

As Fire Chief Greg Zimmerman explained, it's a 250 gallon tank equipped with a small pump and a hose reel that fits in the back of a pick up truck.

The dream of an updated training site continues to take shape for members of the Carman-Dufferin Fire Department (CDFD).

It all began about 6 years ago when the old and unsafe facility was demolished, explained Fire Chief Chris Lemky. A grant through the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) also helped pay for the site to be levelled, graveled and fenced in. The department was also able to purchase and set up few sea containers, which are used to light fires and practice different firefighting, search and rescue, high-angle rescue and ladder techniques.

It was a celebration Saturday as friends of The Ice Cream Hut came out to celebrate the iconic Altona burger joint's 50th anniversary.
    
Guests were treated to kid's activities, and deals on ice cream, fries and more!

A local institution

"It's been here forever," said Vanessa when asked why she and Darryl made the move to buy the restaurant just a few years ago. 

"It's an icon in Altona so, why wouldn't you want to be a part of that?" added Darryl.

As wildfires continue to burn in northern Manitoba, our local fire departments continue to send volunteer fire fighters to help out.
    
However, that could change in the coming weeks and months, according to Greg Zimmerman, Coordinator of the Pembina Triangle Mutual Aid District. 

Pembina Valley RCMP are still looking for leads in a gas theft we told you about last week.
    
Sometime between July 16th and the 18th, about 900 gallons of diesel fuel and 250 gallons of gas, worth over $5,500, had been siphoned out of fuel tanks on a rural property seven miles south of Winkler. 

According to Sgt. Darcy Thiessen, no tips have come in so far.

"I know the farmer spoke to some of the neighbours but, so far, we've got no suspects identified and we've got no real leads as to where this fuel ended up," he said.

One person was arrested for assault following a firearms incident last week Friday in Roseau River First Nation.
    
According to Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS), officers were called to a report of a man threatening to shoot at a home. While responding to that call, a report came in of gun shots coming from a moving vehicle. 
    
MFNPS, with the help of outside law enforcement agencies, found the suspect vehicle at a local home and contained the area, and the occupants peacefully surrendered to authorities.
    

A youth and an adult from the Municipality of Rhineland are due in court after a traffic stop in Plum Coulee became so much more on Sunday.
    
It all started when officers on patrol witnessed a near-collision, explained Altona Police Chief Dan Defer.

"They observed a truck come off Highway Avenue onto Highway 306 and it cut off a cyclist. The cyclist then almost turned into the police vehicle to avoid a collision with the truck, so a traffic stop was conducted."