Judy Peters

Cooler weather is pushing people toward finishing up yard work and cleaning up gardens.  
 
Carla Hrycyna, from St. Mary’s Nursery and host of the Lawn and Garden Journal, recently fielded a question about proper storage for seed potatoes.  
 
She suggests keeping them cool, perhaps in a refrigerator.  
 

Skywatchers are marveling at the sight of a bright comet this fall. 

Astronomy enthusiast Kenton Dyck says the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet can easily be spotted. 

The Manitoba 4-H program was able to revive their Japanese student exchange program this past summer through the York-Benimaru Foundation. 

“This was our first year back since 2019, so we were happy to send ten 4-H members over there and two chaperones,” reports Shannon Carvey, Executive Director for 4-H Manitoba. “And then in August, we had 20 Japanese students arrive in Manitoba and they were all hosted in homes of 4-H families.” 

Carvey says they are really grateful for the return of this exchange program and the unique experience offered to these students. 

Some Manitobans are noticing more boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles these days. 

John Gavloski is an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture. He says populations of boxelder bugs will depend on what kind of trees are growing nearby.

"Areas where there are a lot of maple trees, particularly Manitoba Maple, you'd have more boxelder bugs," Gavloski points out. 

Some Manitobans are noticing more boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles these days. 

John Gavloski is an entamologist with Manitoba Agriculture. He says populations of boxelder bugs will depend on what kind of trees are growing nearby.

"Areas where there are a lot of maple trees, particularly Manitoba Maple, you'd have more boxelder bugs," Gavloski points out. 

A special event took place in Steinbach, unveiling a plaque that honours award-winning and best-selling author Miriam Toews. 

The plaque sits along the sidewalk on Brandt Street at the home where Toews grew up as a teenager. It’s also the house Toews mentions in several of her novels, says Andrew Unger. 

He spearheaded the project. 

The former President and CEO of Loewen is being remembered as an incredible person. 

Al Babiuk died in a two-vehicle collision on Saturday which occurred just east of Ninette on Highway 23.

Jon Sawatzky, Director of Product and Marketing, says Babiuk made a huge impact in the business. 

Even though the school year only begins next week, the reduced speed limits are now in effect within school zones. 

RCMP Community Constable Dennis Redikop says there will soon be a lot of young pedestrians to watch out for, and motorists should now be prepared to slow down and help keep the children safe as they walk or ride bicycles to and from school. 

Much of Southern Manitoba is under a heat warning for the next two days. Environment Canada issued the warning Friday evening, and expects it to be in place through Sunday.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming heatwave:

An 10-year-old hero from Sprague is encouraging kids to learn about fire safety. 

Lochlon Blatz's quick reaction to a smoke alarm at home saved his siblings and their home. 

A plastic container on the stove had caught fire while their mom was mowing the lawn, and their dad was at work. 

He recalls some tips he learned from the open house at the Steinbach Fire Hall.