Candace Derksen

It may not be entirely noticeable, but a dozen dead trees have been chopped down and removed from Altona's Centennial Park. Members of the Public Works team tackled the job in between their regular snow clearing and other responsibilities this past week. 

It is in response to an inventory conducted last year by GreenDrop Tree Care that resulted in about 47 of the 1,313 trees in the park being marked as "'to be removed" or "dead".

The RPGA Planning District is reporting 2024 was a positive year for development permits issued.
    
"When you look back at the averages, 2024 was the same was 2022 and 2021. 2023 was a bit of a spike that skewed the numbers but, otherwise, I would say things are bouncing back and going back to normal," explained Lucie Maynard, RPGA Planning District General Manager.

Collaboration between U.S. Border Patrol and local North Dakota law enforcement is being credited for stopping a recent illegal crossing at the Canada/U.S. border.
    

The community of Altona is mourning one of its most passionate advocates. Former Mayor, Art Dyck, passed away on Tuesday.
    
Dyck was a member of Altona Town Council from 1984 to 1995, serving as Mayor for the last 8 years of that time. 
    
Current Mayor, Harv Schroeder, submitted the following statement to PembinaValleyOnline following word of Dyck's passing.

One man was arrested last week Monday after police officers in Morden were called to a home to check on a woman.
    
In speaking with the woman, police say she had been assaulted by the man.
    
The man was arrested for Assault and released on an undertaking with a future court date.

Click here to view the full Morden Police Service report for February 3rd to 10th.

A portion of Dominion City is under a Boil Water Advisory following a water break earlier today.
    
According to the public notice distributed by the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin, the break led to the loss of water pressure which can compromise the safety of the water supply. 
    
Affected areas include:
Wadell Avenue between Sullivan Street and Scott Street;
Scott Street, including Roseau Valley School and;
Franklin Avenue West from Scott Street to Hunter Avenue

Police have released details from Tuesday evening's crash near Ste. Agathe.

Related Stories:

• Highway 75 at Ste. Agathe reopened after Tuesday evening collision

According to Manitoba RCMP, around 6 p.m., a semi-truck carrying washer fluid drove through the southbound lane of Highway 75 and collided with an SUV. The collision closed the main thoroughfare, near Highway 305, for several hours until around 9 p.m.

Manitoba's Finance Critic says it's time to work together and unleash the province's economic potential.

In an op-ed submitted to PembinaValleyOnline, Lauren Stone, says U.S. President Trump's initial February 1st tariff deadline should serve as a wakeup call, adding it's time to pivot and diversify our export markets and attract investment to Manitoba.

"The United States has shown that with a single stroke of a pen, they can devastate Canada’s economy," said Stone during a follow up interview.

A utility trailer was destroyed after it caught fire Thursday morning in Morden. 
    
According to the city's Fire Chief, Andy Thiessen, the trailer was full of cellulose insulation, and the engine used to run the mixer/blower had caught some loose insulation on fire. 

Altona and Rhineland's economic development officer is working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to kickstart a second federal immigration program for the region.

Last week, it was announced that the area was selected for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), which aims to connect businesses and employers with the skilled newcomers they need to thrive.