Candace Derksen

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.

Morden police are reminding pet owners of the City's bylaws after an incident reported to the department at the end of January.
    
According to police, the caller noticed someone walking a dog without a leash at Lake Minnewasta. When they indicated to the person that this wasn't the place for that, the caller claimed the person started to yell profanities and threats.
    
According to the City of Morden's bylaw, dogs must always be on a leash of 2 metres, or 6 feet, in length when fully extended, when off their personal property.

RCMP is using the recent apprehension of six people attempting to illegally cross the Canada/U.S. border in southern Manitoba as an example of the technology and other assets available at their disposal to secure the international boundary. 

Last month, we reported that Mounties intercepted the group crossing into Canada from the United States on foot near Emerson on January 14th. 

"We're going to be really wrestling this fentanyl scourge to the ground." That from Federal Public Safety minister, David McGuinty, who made the comment during Tuesday's press conference at the Canada/U.S. border in Emerson.

"We're going to be really wrestling this fentanyl scourge to the ground." That from Federal Public Safety minister, David McGuinty, who made the comment during Tuesday's press conference at the Canada/U.S. border in Emerson.

Failing to stop at a stop sign resulted in much bigger consequences for a driver early Saturday morning in Morden. 
    
According to the Morden Police Service's latest activities report, officers noticed a vehicle, going at a high rate of speed, blow through the stop sign shortly after 3 a.m., nearly crashing into their cruiser.
    
Once pulled over, officers say they noticed the smell of liquor coming from the vehicle. 
    

Manitoba Public Health officials are notifying the public of five confirmed cases of measles in southern Manitoba, all connected to an outbreak in Ontario. 

Manitoba PC leadership candidate, Obby Khan, brought his vision for the party to Morden and Winkler this weekend.
    
Khan fielded a slew of questions as he met with constituents, party members and potential party members at a series of public engagements.

"From economic policies to education, to the party and what I'm going to do to fix that issue, to even some fun personal questions," he said. "But really focused on the vision for the party and how we're going to get back into power, into government."

A 4-million litre reservoir expansion is now up and running at the Pembina Valley Water Co-op's (PVWC) Letellier treatment plant, and members and other dignitaries were recently given a behind-the-scenes look at the finished product.

"There's been a lot of effort that's been put in from everyone in the company - our engineering staff all the way through our operators at the plant, who've probably been the most inconvenienced by the construction - they are obviously excited to have this storage up-and-running," said Matt Jones, Director of operations and engineering for the PVWC.

The Conservative MLA for Borderland is calling on the province's Health Minister to prioritize staffing and resources at the Emerson Health Centre and Personal Care Home amid what he says are growing concerns over vacant suites, staffing shortages, and the facility’s future.

Josh Guenter says he's been approached by numerous families who, he says, are desperately trying to secure personal care for their loved ones at the PCH, only to be told there are no vacancies.