South Mountain P re s s
AT PEACE
VENTON BEATTY/FOR SOUTH MOUNTAIN PRESS
While this long stretch of blistering cold has felt punishing, the rare non-windy day out in the cold almost brings one a sense of peace, as was the case on a recent evening in the Ditch Lake area. The long term forecast now switches from the bitter cold to unseasonably warm temperatures which brings about its own set of challenges, as the fluctuating road conditions present obstacles for travellers. No matter the exact temperature of the day, be sure to always pack a toque and mitts before hitting the highway.
Municipalities unite to advocate for Highway 45
South
Municipalities across the region, including Rossburn Municipality, the Municipality of Russell Binscarth, the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Riding Mountain West, and Waywayseecappo First Nation are coming together to urgently address the future of Highway 45, a key route that connects their locations.
Municipal leaders, along with a
representative from Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure(MTI) gathered on Feb. 11, to tour the highway between Russell and Waywayseecappo and discuss needed upgrades to RTAC (Roads and Transportation Association of Canada) standards, a critical step for improving safety and accessibility.
“The condition of Hwy 45 has become a significant concern for our daily commuters,” said Glenda Lemcke, CAO of the R.M. of Riding
Mountain West. “It impacts everything from healthcare access to the safety of our children.”
She spoke passionately about the long-standing need for provincial attention and action.
For over three decades, local leaders have struggled to communicate to provincial authorities the urgency of the highway’s deteriorating state. About 25 years ago, when the railway was removed, traffic diverted to the highway. On account,
other regions that faced similar shifts received upgrades to their roads, but Hwy 45 lacked the same attention.
“Despite over 30 years of municipal governance, we still face unresponsive provincial leaders,” Lemcke stated. “This highway’s importance cannot be overstated.”
The Hwy 45 corridors have been full of issues, from poor road conditions that make daily commutes often risky to slowing access to health-
care, affecting both residents and the broader local economy. Freight trucks find it challenging, and accidents have become a concerning pattern. Along with all stakeholders, Lemcke is calling for action.
“We’re advocating to upgrade Hwy 45 from Russell to Oakburn. It is necessary to meet the demands of our local haulers and businesses.”
RACHEAL FLINTOFT
Mountain Press
Post office attacks highlight the need to get tough on crime Letter
mailboxes that have been broken into in various communities throughout our region.
Criminals have targeted post offices with break-ins, theft, and vandalism in the communities of Neepawa, Minnedosa, Rivers, Kelwood, Arden, Austin, MacGregor, Carberry, Rapid City, Erickson, Onanole, and Sandy Lake – with more stories emerging every week. This is not a coincidence; this is the work of repeat offenders who have no fear of consequences.
I have been meeting with law enforcement, post office representatives, and my colleagues in Ottawa to address this issue. And while I find it troubling most post offices do not even have security cameras, seeing there is a clear pattern of behaviour from these crimes, I’m confident this series of attacks on our post offices are by the same in-
dividuals who would not be deterred by a camera.
This wave of crime has forced some post offices to lock their doors at night, denying rural Canadians access to their own mail. This is unacceptable. Unlike in urban centres, rural residents do not have home delivery. When these criminals strike, they are not just stealing mail; they are robbing families, seniors, and businesses of their essential services.
Section 356(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada makes mail theft a serious offence – in fact, this offence is punishable by up to 10 years in prison Рyet time and time again, these criminals walk free.
This pattern of repeat offenders is not limited to our post offices though. As I meet with countless victims of crime in my role as your Member of Parliament, it
has become very clear that too many offenders are out on bail, enabled by laws like Bill C-75, which allow criminals to be in jail one day and out on bail the next. We need real consequences for repeat offenders who prey on our communities, not a revolving door that lets them walk free to strike again.
Meanwhile, violent crime is up 50% in Canada, and instead of strengthening our justice system, the Liberal-NDP coalition in Ottawa is putting criminals first and communities second. This must stop. We need stronger enforcement, tougher penalties, and the necessary resources for law enforcement.
There is also a growing number of rural Canadians who are being targeted by criminals simply because of where they live. Criminals deliberately prey on rural Canadians knowing the response time from law enforcement is delayed.
That is why I worked with
my Conservative colleagues to introduce Bill C-364, which would have amended the Criminal Code by adding an aggravating factor for purposefully targeting an individual in a rural area who is far from emergency services.
Bill C-364 would have also changed the Criminal Code’s legal definition of “dwellinghouse” to “place”, because many break-ins happen to barns and sheds. It is no secret that valuables are kept in storage in rural areas. Unfortunately, when Justin Trudeau shut down Parliament through prorogation, he prevented all legislation from moving forward.
The safety of our communities must be protected. The catch-and-release, soft-on-crime policies must be repealed before more harm is inflicted on our communities.
Rural Canadians deserve better.
Dan Mazier
Member of Parliament Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa
Dear Editor:
During the third week in October 2024, I took some items to be donated to Minnedosa’s Heritage Pioneer Village, along with my only Original 1944 Professional Navy photograph of my father D. Roy Baker of Hamilton, ON (1919 – 2017), previous owner of the items being donated. I wished to show his picture as I submitted a write-up.
I was devastated to discover that the photo had disappeared from my vehicle. While walking her dog, and being led to where she didn’t wish to go, Linda Toews of Clanwiliam found the picture, and posted it front and back on the Town of Minnedosa social media site, wondering whose it was?
Twenty minutes later,
Letter
our daughter Laura of Brookdale just happened to be checking out Minnedosa’s site for social activities and noticed the picture, then notified me, and contacted Linda.
Linda personally delivered the picture to me in Neepawa. Both being strangers, Linda tells me that we are both cousins of my cousin Karen (Briese) Janzen, formerly of Neepawa, but we come from opposite sides of the family tree.
The photo was in perfect condition, and I’m truly blessed and grateful to have it found by such a wonderful and caring individual. Thank you Linda!
Barbara J. Jardine Neepawa, MB
LENDING A HAND
The
need for volunteers in our local communities is extremely apparent and that need is continuing to grow
RACHEAL FLINTOFT
South Mountain Press
Over the past few years, volunteering has woven itself into the fabric of my life. Initially, it wasn’t something I ever gave much thought to, but as I have become more involved, I noticed the significant role volunteers play in our communities.
But, if there is one pressing issue that stands out the most, it is the unwavering shortage of volunteers in the community landscape. The need for volunteers is extremely apparent and continues to grow… especially as our population ages and funding for paid positions becomes a rare commodity.
Yes, it is true that volunteering is not always about doing what we love or are passionate about. But volunteers are needed everywhere… in the good, bad, and darn right ugly of positions.
While some opportunities easily attract volunteers, many essential tasks are over-
looked simply because they aren’t glamorous or convenient. This can leave gaps in community services, which are increasingly harder to fill as the older generation, who had volunteerism instilled in them from an early age, are less able to contribute.
Life is unquestionably busy; with jobs, families, and personal obligations, finding time to volunteer might seem impossible. As I personally dive deeper into volunteering, I do witness firsthand the ripple effect volunteering creates.
I have come to realize that even a couple of hours a month can profoundly impact an organization and the entire community in fact.
Importantly, we must recognize and thank those who volunteer. When I see a volunteer, I am thankful. It’s also inspiring to witness the diverse backgrounds and stories volunteers bring to the table. Too often, their efforts go unnoticed when they should be celebrated. Volunteers are the backbone of countless organi-
zations that struggle with limited funding, finding it nearly impossible to hire paid staff. It is crucial that we keep volunteering at the forefront of our minds and recognize volunteering as a necessity, especially in rural communities like those across our region.
Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge commitment; it can be as simple as mentoring a child, helping at a community garden, a hockey rink, a hospital, care home, or even participating in a clean-up at a local park. Each small action contributes to the larger picture…
Personally, I can say that embracing volunteering has been transformative, selfdeveloping, and fulfilling. It has allowed me to contribute to my community in meaningful ways while still managing a busy family life. I’ve gained insights that have been invaluable to me both personally and professionally, including leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups.
The Little Valley Jamboree Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in supporting our 2024 recipients: Isla, Evie and Daphne, as well as many other kids in the Westman area, with their medical needs. Because of YOU we were thrilled to present cheques for $13,000 to each recipient.
To the MC’s & Bands who volunteered to come
Many bands have been coming for several years right from the start, showcasing their amazing talent, and we appreciate you all so much. Both of our MC’s were amazing and took an entire day to come spend with us.
• Quentin Derhak (MC)
• Steve Langston (MC)
• Barnyard Bandits
• Valley Women
• The Steven Smith Trio
• The Bad Marleys
• The New Highway 25
• Better Than
• Brad Johnson & The Talent
• Trevor Crook
• J4K
• Meagan Ferguson & all the kids!
To the JAM committee who volunteer to keep the kitchen, refreshments, support staff, set up and take down running smoothly
• Erickson & District Chamber of Commerce
• Erickson & District Recreation Centre
• Erickson Skating Rink
• Little Hands Early Learning Centre
• Erickson Kiddie Kollege
• Clanwilliam-Erickson Fire Rescue
• Erickson Lions Club
To anyone who sold tickets, helped collect donations, tech support, volunteered, made purchases of tickets and auction items… we need you ALL to make Little Valley Jamboree a success!
In total for 2024 - $42,000 was donated to kids from Westman in need. It is our hope that your medical journeys will be a touch easier because of everyone we just mentioned!
We are now diving into our 2025 event planning and can’t wait for you to see some amazing changes in the works!
Much love, The LVJ Committee
So, I urge you to consider volunteering some of your time each month. Start small, every action is appreciated. Whether it’s with a local organization, a community group, or any initiative in need, your efforts will be greatly appreciated and needed.
Don’t know where to start?
The first step is often as simple as checking your municipal website, which works as a helpful hub for finding local organizations eager for volunteers. Here are a few options to begin with:
•Consider reaching out to your local health authority, as they often have a variety of roles that need your help.
•The local Lions Club is another excellent organization for community service projects, where your contributions can make a substantial impact.
•Visit local care homes, which frequently need volunteers to enhance the lives of their residents through com-
panionship and activities.
•Organizations like game and fish associations offer opportunities to get involved in conservation efforts, if that’s where your interests lie.
•Volunteering with emergency management teams can provide exciting and essential experiences that support community safety measures.
•Consider joining the local fire department, which makes a huge impact in the greater community’s immediate needs.
Remember, these are just starting points, and there are many more opportunities out there. It’s essential to contact the right people who can guide you, and the municipal website is a key resource in finding those contacts. In the end, even the smallest contributions make the biggest difference. If you have any extra time, consider taking the step to volunteer. You might just find a new passion in the process!
Horod Derby
SUNDAY, FEB. 23
February 21, 2025
Letters to the editor: smpnews@mymts.net
OPIN ION
Former Shoal Lake resident shares funny notes
As a columnist, it’s always grand to hear from subscribers, and receive a little help from friends… among them, Edith Edmundson, a former Shoal Lake resident now calling Langley, BC home. She shared a wealth of interesting information, which will be shared over the coming weeks and months. Thanks Edith, your presence is missed in the old hometown. Here we go…
Heavenly Creatures
One day a cat dies of natural causes and goes to heaven. There he meets the Lord Himself. The Lord says to the cat “you lived a good life and if there is any way I can make your stay in Heaven more comfortable, please let Me know.” The cat thinks for a moment and says, “Lord, all my life I have
‘Why
Why would I want to axe the carbon tax? I can think of a few reasons to support the carbon fee and dividend commonly referred to as the “carbon tax”. Number one, why would I say no to money going into my bank account from the government? I have received three payments last year and another one in January. A family of four is estimated to make $100 a month in 2025, $250 a month in 2030 and $300 a month in 2035. Each year as the carbon
Darrell Nesbitt AROUND TOWN
lived with a poor family and had to sleep on a hard wooden floor.” The Lord stops the cat and says, “say no more” and a wonderful fluffy pillow appears. A few days later six mice are killed in a tragic farming accident and go to heaven. Again the Lord is there to
greet them with the same offer. The mice answer, “All our lives we have been chased. We have had to run from cats, dogs and even women with brooms. We are tired of running. Do you think we could have roller skates so we don’t have to run anymore?” The Lord says, “say no more” and fits each mouse with a beautiful pair of roller skates. About a week later the Lord stops by to see the cat and finds him snoozing on the pillow. The Lord gently wakes the cat and asks him, “How are things since you are here?” The cat stretches and yawns and replies, “It is wonderful here. Better than I could have ever expected. And those Meals on Wheels you have been sending by are the best!”
Wisdom ofProverbs Verily I say… “thou shalt prophet from the wisdom of these proverbs,” as shared once again by my faithful supporters, Dennis and Marlene Basso. The subject is “Getting Older” and may you get a chuckle or two, as on a positive note, you and I are now too old to have a midlife crisis.
When I was young, I was poor. But after years of hard, honest and painstaking work, I’m no longer young.
Note to self: Do not sit on the floor without a plan on how to get back up.
Welcome to the back porch… where wasting time is considered… time well wasted!
If you notice cows sleeping in a field, does that mean it’s pasture bedtime?
Procrastination is totally
a good thing. You always have something to do tomorrow, plus you have nothing to do today.
Middle age is just walking around all day muttering things like: “What was I going to say?” “Why did I come in here?” “Did I already take my pill?” “How did I get this bruise?” “Why am I sore?” “Where did I leave my phone?”
If I dropped something when I was younger, I just picked it up. Now I’m older and I drop something, I stare at it for a while, contemplating if I actually need it anymore.
A Smile for Today
One day, I’m going to judge a spelling bee. I’ll ask one of the kids to spell the word “there”. When he asks for it in a sentence, I’ll say…
“Their car is parked over there and they’re late.”
Nine out of 10 times when I lose something… it’s because I put it in a safe place. Why does the need to pee intensify by a million when you are trying to unlock the door to the house?
All of my childhood punishments have become my adult goals… eating vegetables, staying home, having a nap, and going to bed early.
Until next week… With high school students completing mid-term exams on Jan. 31, I share… A teacher asks a student, “Do you really think people can predict the future with cards?” He quickly replied, “My mother can. She takes one look at my report card and tells me what will happen to me when my father gets home.”
would Iwant to axe the tax?’
Letter
fee goes up so does the payments into my bank account which is helpful to offset the cost of living for all of us.
I have heard the “carbon tax” being blamed for the rise in the cost of living however according to the Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem, Canada’s price on carbon only contributes .15% points to inflation. There are many other factors causing the increases
that we are experiencing to a much greater degree, for example, jumps in the global price of oil and crazy weather events like droughts, floods, and fires. This carbon tax is one of the most effective economic means of decreasing our carbon output which has been scientifically identified as one of the leading causes of climate change. The way I understand it, would not the price on carbon ultimately help us with the cost of living? As it is designed to de-
crease our carbon output decreasing the risks of more and more devastating weather events?
And what about our health and the health of the world? It is an important move toward living in a much cleaner and healthier environment. Not only does burning fossil fuels cause much of the carbon output that is heating the planet, it is also causing pollution that affects our health. The World Health Organization at COP 24 in Katowice, Poland
New government hires cost Manitoba taxpayers $113 million every year
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is warning the Manitoba government that runaway bureaucratic growth is unsustainable for taxpayers. The government of Manitoba has hired 1,965 new employees in its first year, costing taxpayers about $113 million annually, according to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
“Taxpayers can’t afford the government’s increasing bureaucrat bill,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director.
“Balancing the budget means making the government smaller, not spending more on its largest expense.”
The CTF says that the Manitoba government hired 1,965 new employees from October 2023 to the end of October 2024, at an annual cost of $113 million according to the
Opinion
documents.
Premier Wab Kinew’s government was elected on Oct. 3, 2023.
The CTF also states that documents show that the number of Manitoba government employees earning more than $100,000 per year has increased by 83 percent since 2020, from 12,320 to 22,496 employees, and that the average government employee earns 8.5 percent more than those who work in the private sector. Manitoba government employees also retire 2.1 years earlier and are less likely to lose their job compared to average Manitobans.
Paying employees is the largest line item of the government’s budget.
Documents show that the
government spent $9.2 billion paying employees last year, making up 42 percent of total government spending, and is currently a projecting a $1.3 billion deficit this year. Interest charges on government debt will cost taxpayers $2.3 billion this year.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala maintains that the budget
will be balanced in 2027.
“It’s impossible to the balance the budget while adding hundreds of millions of dollars to the government wage bill every year,” Haubrich said.
“Instead of using taxpayers’ money to hire new employees, the government needs to focus on saving money, not spending it.”
reported that exposure to air pollution causes seven million deaths world wide every year and costs an estimated 5.11 trillion U.S. dollars in welfare losses globally.
Lastly and most importantly! I want to be a good ancestor. Not one who makes a mess and then leaves my decedents the job of cleaning it up.
If you make a mess, shouldn’t you clean it up? Politicians make it harder to teach this family value when they say it’s okay not to pay for our
pollution. We don’t really have a choice between paying or not paying for our pollution. Our only choice is between paying less now, or leaving our kids and future generations to pay later. We pay for our pollution because we love our kids and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. It’s a duty we owe them, and we betray their health and safety when we don’t.
Gaylene Wiebe Onanole,
MB
RCMP investigating attempted murder
On Feb. 15, Thompson RCMP received a report of a shooting at an apartment complex located on Ashberry Place in Thompson. Officers responded and located a 25year-old male who had been shot. He was transported to hospital in serious condition where he was later upgraded to stable. The investigation led to the Feb. 16 arrest of a 24-year-old man, who was charged with numerous offences including Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault and Discharge Firearm with Intent. He was remanded into custody.
On Feb. 13, Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP received a report of a possible impaired driver in Ebb and Flow First Nation. Officers immediately began patrols for the suspect vehicle, described as a pickup truck, and located it near the arena in the community being driven by a lone male. RCMP followed the vehicle to attempt a traffic stop, but the driver abandoned the vehicle at a residence on Lake Road NE and fled on foot heading into the bush. While running away from officers, the suspect removed some of his clothing and left it behind. Officers discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen from
RCMP Briefs
Provincial Roundup
Austin, and upon its search, officers located and seized a sawed-off shotgun. RCMP Police Dog Services, Manitoba First Nation Safety Officers from Ebb and Flow First Nation and the local fire department all arrived on scene to assist in the search, some on snowmobiles. A drone was also deployed by one of the Safety Officers. The suspect was located in the bush in very deep snow by officers on a snowmobile. While trying to apprehend him on foot, the suspect managed to escape on fled the scene on their snowmobile. An RCMP drone was deployed which led to the discovery of the suspect, still on snowmobile, a short distance away. When the suspect became stuck, he began walking towards the road. Officers were finally able to apprehend the suspect, who by this time,
was not wearing shoes and suffering from extreme frostbite. He was transported to hospital by EMS in serious condition. A 33-year-old male of Sandy Bay First Nation has been charged with numerous offences including Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from Peace Officer, and Possession of Firearm. On Feb. 14, officers were advised that the suspect had left the hospital with the assistance of an unknown person. It is believed he fled earlier in the morning.
On Feb. 12, an officer with the Lynn Lake RCMP was awoken in his residence by intense banging noises from outside. The officer received a call from another officer that someone had tried to kick in his residence door. The officer scared off the suspects and when he went outside, discovered extensive damage to his police vehicle. Through their initial investigation officers were able to identify two suspects. Lynn Lake RCMP were able to arrest a 16-year-old male suspect but are still searching for another male suspect. The 16-year-old was charged with Mischief under $5,000 and Breaking and Entering with Intent and was released on conditions. Lynn
Municipality of Clanwilliam Erickson
TIPPING FEES BY LAW
Tipping Fees By law No.97 24 passed by Council on Feb. 12, 2025
Due to the changing rules surrounding solid waste in Manitoba, our municipal landfill has been closed and we are now operating a transfer station. Operational costs have increased as a result, and tipping fees have been updated to reflect this increase. Beginning Feb. 24, 2025, fees will apply, including but not limited to:
a) Construction and Demolition Waste
b) Excavation Material, Fill, Rocks
c) Household and Outdoor Furniture
d) Large Appliances
$240/tonne
$15/tonne
$180/tonne
$10 each
Loads must be separated at time of scaling. Mixed loads will result in the disposal fee for the most expensive material being applied to the entire load. Additional fees shall apply for cooling appliances requiring removal of freon/coolant.
The operator shall have the authority to refuse large loads where the hauler did not make prior arrangements.
Waste diversion options such as scrap metal, tire, and used oil recycling, composting, and burning yard waste will not be charged a fee. We encourage you to continue recycling household plastic and metal containers using the South Mountain Waste Facility in Erickson.
For more information, please email cao@ericksonmb.ca or call (204) 636 2431.
Email us at smpnews@mymts.net
Call 204-759-2644
Lake RCMP continue to investigate.
On Feb. 12, Pembina Valley RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision involving a school bus and pickup truck, in the Rural Municipality of Lorne. Officers responded immediately along with Emergency Medical Responders and the local Fire department. A school bus was on its passenger side in the southeast ditch at the intersection of Road 28 North and Road 66 West, along with a pickup truck. All 14 children on the bus had already been evacuated. Officers determined that the pickup truck was travelling southbound on Road 66 West when it collided with the rear driver’s side of the school bus that was heading East on Road 28 North. The 17-year-old male driver of the pickup truck sustained
minor injuries and was transported to hospital where he was treated and released. The children on the bus ranged in age from kindergarten to grade 11 and sustained minor injuries. All students were transported to hospital as a precaution with some of the victims transported to Winnipeg for further assessment. Charges under the Highway Traffic Act are pending for the driver of the pickup truck. Pembina Valley RCMP continue to investigate.
On Feb. 7, Gypsumville RCMP responded to a report of a house fire at an address located off highway six in Pinaymootang First Nation. RCMP attended the scene, along with the local fire department, and observed that the house was fully engulfed in flames and was subsequently destroyed by the fire.
21,
Road safety is a significant concern
Lemcke emphasized that safety is a significant concern.
“Upgrading Hwy 45 will enhance safety by reducing the number of accidents,” Lemcke explained. “Our community deserves safer travel conditions.”
She noted that smoother roads would allow emergency services, like ambulances, to reach those in need faster.
Beyond improving local safety, there are economic stakes. According to highlights from the recent meeting, a more reliable route connecting their locations would support better trade, especially for haulers navigating road bans and spring months. Lemcke described this upgrade as an economic catalyst.
The primary parties advocating for these upgrades include municipal leaders, councillors, and Alyssa Montsion, the liaison officer for the Western Region MTI. Montsion is tasked with coordinating efforts to bring these critical issues to higher authorities, including planning meetings with ministers or possibly organizing a cabinet meeting in Russell to provide firsthand experience of the cur-
from page 1
rent road conditions.
Community engagement remains key, with plans to circulate a petition, and rally the local support need to see this endeavour come to fruition.
“We plan to engage with the community by sharing updates and encouraging everyone to be involved,” Lemcke said.
Looking ahead, the potential benefits are truly transformative.
Project timelines have not been detailed, but the next steps involve MTI’s Montsion to coordinate with higher authorities, with a tentative meeting in the immediate future.
“The collaboration and unity shown by the various municipalities and leaders during the meeting are commendable,” Lemcke said. “It is crucial to continue these collective efforts and partnerships to achieve the desired infrastructure improvements and support the community’s growth and well-being.”
Open House
MELITA Legion Memorial Hall
DELORAINE Community Hall
VIRDEN New Horizons Centre
STRATHCLAIR Community Centre
OAK RIVER Memorial Hall BALDUR Argyle Drop-In Centre March 05
Email us yoursports news: smpnews@mymts.net
U15 Chiefs fall to last in division
The Yellowhead U15 Chiefs picked up one of a possible six points in their three games played in the Winnipeg AAA Hockey League over the long weekend.
The Chiefs currently sport a 3-22-2-2 record and fell to last place in the league’s West Division with their loss to Parkland on Friday, Feb. 14. The Rangers and Chiefs are tied with 10 points apiece.
THRASHERS WHITE 4
CHIEFS 2
Camden Lesuk scored a pair of goals to lead the Winnipeg Thrashers White to a 42 win in Shoal Lake on Monday, Feb. 17.
Braxton Taylor and Reid Toporoski also scored for the Thrashers, who led 1-0 and 21 at the intermissions.
Malcolm McArthur and Lane McDonald each had a goal for Yellowhead.
Aaron Cormier made 19 saves between the pipes for the Thrashers White while
Ben Anderson made 31 saves for Yellowhead.
CHIEFS 2
INTERLAKE 2 (OT)
Overtime solved nothing as the Yellowhead Chiefs and Interlake Lightning battled to a 2-2 tie on Saturday, Feb. 15 in Shoal Lake.
Interlake took the lead through the first after a goal by Ty Kopys, before Yellowhead tied things on a second period goal by Jordan Gambler. The teams traded third period goals – Carter Brown for the Chiefs and Kane Manningway for the Lightning –forcing overtime.
Ben Anderson made 40 saves for the Chiefs while Connor Lemieux had 48 stops for the Lightning.
PARKLAND 4 CHIEFS 3
U15 females
The Yellowhead Chiefs will finish third in the regular season standings of the Manitoba U15 Female AAA Hockey League.
The Chiefs have just one game remaining and are three points back of Pembina Valley and Eastman, who are tied for first place. Yellowhead is four points ahead of
The Parkland Rangers got goals from four different players as they moved past the Chiefs in the standings and snapped their 12-game losing skid with a 4-3 win on Friday, Feb. 14 in Shoal Lake.
Parks Gardner, Madden Atkinson, Cole O’Connor, and Tucker Derkach scored for the visitors, who led 3-2 through two periods after the teams went scoreless in the first.
Carter White, Brody Lane, and Carter Brown replied for the Chiefs.
Benjamin Gardner stopped 39 shots in the Parkland net while Noah Wohlgemuth made 22 saves for Yellowhead.
NOTES: The Chiefs will hit the road for a pair of games in Winnipeg this weekend, taking on the Wild Green on Friday, Feb. 21 before meeting the Thrashers Blue the following day – Saturday, Feb. 22.
on Friday,Feb.14
will finish third in league standings
fourth place Westman.
PEMBINA VALLEY 5 CHIEFS 4
The Hawks scored four consecutive third period goals to erase a 4-1 deficit as
they edged the Chiefs 5-4 in Carman on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Sinead Connery opened the scoring in the first period for the hosts, but that was all the league leaders could muster until the third when Gillian Rose, Madilynn Frey, Mia Brass and Claire Boyd scored in just over four minutes.
Haley Chipelski with a pair, Hayla Matheson and Chloe Facey replied for the Chiefs, who held period leads of 2-1 and 3-1.
Charlie Fust made 22 saves to earn the win in goal.
Pyper Rapley blocked 29 shots in the Yellowhead net.
PEMBINA VALLEY 5 CHIEFS 3
The Hawks outscored the Chiefs 3-1 in the second period for a 5-3 victory in Carman on Saturday, Feb. 15. The teams were tied 2-2 after the first period before the Hawks went to work.
Payton Manness, Allie Luck, Ariel Rondeau, Bree Pearce and Claire Boyd scored for the hosts.
and Averi Jury were the Yellowhead goal scorers.
for
NOTES – The Chiefs will close out the regular season in Brandon when they take on the Wheat Kings on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Lightning edge Chiefs in offense-heavy affair
The Interlake Lightning edged the Yellowhead Chiefs 7-6 in a wide-open, highscoring Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League game in Teulon on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Blake Farthing scored three times for the hosts, who held a 6-4 lead after 40 minutes. The teams were tied 2-2 after the first period.
U18 females will take on Brandon in first round playoff matchup U18 C Y U18
Drew Russell, Talon Hogg, Mason Bernier and Lucas Spencer each added a goal for the Lightning.
Cooper McColl, Ethan Bray, Alec Strachan, Grady
C Y Brandon on Saturday, Feb. 22, with game three back in Shoal Lake on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The playoffs are set in the Manitoba U18 Female AAA Hockey League. The Yellowhead Chiefs were slated to host the Brandon Wheat Kings in game one of their best of five quarter final series on Thursday, Feb. 20. Game two was set for
McNish, Nolan Kozak and Colby Asselstine all potted singles for the Chiefs.
Seth Schaeffer, who was replaced by Dylan McFadyen after the fifth Yellowhead goal, combined to make 38 saves for Interlake.
Cole Lelond blocked 37 shots for the Chiefs.
NOTES – The Chiefs will
Games four and five, if necessary, will be played in Brandon on Thursday, Feb. 27, and in Shoal Lake on Saturday, March 1. The Chiefs finished in fourth place in the regular season with a record of 17-141, while the Wheat Kings were fifth with a record of 15-15-2.
FRIDAY, FEB. 21 7:00 P.M. vs .CALGARY WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 7:00 P.M. vs .EDMONTON FRIDAY, FEB. 28 7:00 P.M. vs .LETHBRIDGE
Haley Chipelski, Chloe Facey
Hannah Bannister made 19 saves to earn the netminding win
Pembina Valley.
close out their season this weekend as they play host to three games in Shoal Lake.
The Central Plains Capitals visit on Friday, Feb. 21, followed by a pair of games
against the Interlake Lightning on Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23.
Forward Parker McArthur of Birtle takes aim at the Parkland net during action in ShoalLake
PHOTO BY DARRELL NESBITT/SOUTH MOUNTAI N PRESS
All America Selections for 2025 – part II
All America Selections (AAS) is a non-profit trialing organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties of plants for the home gardener.Last week we covered some of the All America Selections 2025 ornamental winners and now we move onto my favourites – the edible plants that also add beauty to your garden.
Snapdragon DoubleShot™ Yellow Red Heart F1 is the prettiest snapdragon ever! You may remember her sister Orange Bicolor from 2023. Both snaps bloom early and hold up extremely well through the hottest summer heat. This beautiful double, intermediate height snap is perfect for the garden or as a cut flower. Yellow Red Heart also has a lovely candy-like scent.
Two zinnias made the list this year. Zinnia Crestar mix is the best of crested zinnias known for their distinctive semi-double blooms with a pronounced central disc. Colours of pink, orange, red, white peach and yellow in a stunning display for your garden or as cuts. The Zydeco Zinnia™ Fire has fiery orange fully double long-lasting blooms on disease resistant foliage.
For those that are kohlrabi fans Konstance F1 gives a longer harvest window and is a beautiful purple colour with smooth skin. The bulbs are crack resistant and the leaves are highly flavourful roasted or sautéed when they are young and tender.
Cauliflower Murasaki Fioretto 70 F1 is a culinary and visual delight. With vibrant purple florets and long, tender stems with a sweet, mild flavour that are easy to harvest. This is one to grow and enjoy. It has a compact habit, early maturity and excellent field holding capacity.
Basil Piedmont brings the flavours of Italy home to your garden. It has exceptional Downy Mildew Resistance meaning weeks of extra harvest and forms a dense, bushy plant. This might become my favourite basil to grow!
Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1 grows cute, snack-sized mini peppers that are extra sweet. The plant is moderate sized with outstanding bacterial leaf spot resistance while
Patricia Hanbidge GARDENING
producing a prolific number of canary yellow, uniformly shaped peppers.
Squash Green Lightning F1 is early, fast and is pretty enough to use as a decoration! When cooked, it has a nice robust flavour and the rind is medium and light green. Another favourite for the garden. Another squash made the list as well. Squash Thriller F1 brings psychedelic colour patterns, which matures in 75 to 80 days from planting. The semi-bush plants of the 1 to 2-pound dumpling squash with shallow vertical ridges that alternate between a variegated cream and green with a bit of bright orange built in.
The last veggie winner is Tomato Tonatico F1. This high-yield cherry tomato is delicious, has great texture, less fruit splitting and great disease resistance.
In the trials, judges were very pleased with the superior sepals andpedicels, the taste and texture, and the uniform fruit clusters that held on long, easy-to-harvest trusses. Venture out and try something new when it comes to cherry tomatoes! It is indeterminate, but the fruit forms on long, easy to harvest trusses.
I hope you have enjoyed learning about the AAS Winners of 2025. If you are interested in other winners from the previous years just have a look at https://allamericaselections.org/. AAS was founded in 1932 and the first winners were shared with the world in 1933.
Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us atwww.orchidhort.com; by email atinfo@orchidhort.com; or on facebook @orchidhort.
Cauliflower MuraskiFioretta 70 F1 culinary a visualdelight
Increasing the pace of your routine
Q:
A:
inflammation and manage glucose levels, you want to adopt some simple techniques that allow you to build your endurance and increase your pace. And you want to avoid a common mis-step: taking longer strides. That actually slows you down! So, here’s how to speed up your stride. Check your posture. You want to stand tall, shoulders back and core engaged. (Pull your belly button in toward your spine.) At first, practice walking slowly with this improved posture. Get the hang of it so it becomes automatic – this may take you a week or so. Standing tall, take shorter, quicker steps. Harvard Medical School says to put your front leg almost right under you as you fall into your next step. You will have a smoother, rolling stride and a faster pace. Push off the ground with the ball of your foot, raising your heel. Then land on your heel and roll through to step forward on the ball of your foot. Feel how that propels you forward faster.
Bend your arms, like you would do when running, at an 85 to 90-degree angle and swing your arms forward and backward.
As your technique improves, you’ll be able to do intermittent walking that combines four or five minutes of walking at a moderate
Dr. Roizen
HEALTHY LIVING
pace (whatever that means for you) with 30 to 60 seconds of a brisk pace (again, you determine that) -- repeated five to 10 times. Don’t push it, just let it increase steadily. And for more help, check out our audio book “YOU: On a Walk.” It makes a great companion as you work to pick up your pace.
Q: Can you update me on the latest information on how to live younger longer? –Steph Y., Lexington, KY
A: There’s so much exciting research going on that reveals how we can slow down aging and live longer and healthier. Three innovative approaches appear to be especially effective: Therapeutic plasma exchange, cell rejuvenation using exosomal mRNA and extending the length of telomeres.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange removes and replaces your body’s plasma in order to purge malformed, damaged proteins that can lead to cell mutations (cancer), disrupted metabolism and damaged immune responses. One large and one smaller human study, plus many animal studies, have found plasma
exchange even improves memory, language, processing speed and quality of life in Alzheimer’s patients.
Exosomal mRNA is responsible for managing cellto-cell communication and that can help rejuvenate cells that are worn out and malfunctioning (as happens with age). By extracting it from body fluids, it appears possible to harness the power of these molecular messengers to effectively reboot internal systems and improve skin quality. One study found that mRNA extends lifespan and
improves physical ability and cognition in mice.
Extending Telomere Length helps repair aging and damaged cells and stimulates the production of stem cells. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of your chromosomes and the shorten over time, limiting the body’s ability to regenerate cells needed to replace damaged ones. The great news is that you can protect telomere length by eating a diet high in fiber, soy protein, vitamins, micronutrients and healthy fats from ol-
ives, avocados, salmon, anchovies, seeds and nuts. Plus: There are drugs in development that extend life by elongating stem cell telomeres in animals.
Combine these three techniques and you may have a younger actual age for much longer!
Other ways to engineer your own rejuvenation include taking bovine colostrum, getting plenty of foodsupplied vitamin C and taking in curcumin through turmeric or supplements. It helps delay the demise of
cells and combats cellular damage. Also use a zinc oxide sunscreen with SPF of 35.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of longevityplay book.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world’s leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1’s).
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South Mountain Press
Manitoba government makes improvements to chronic wasting disease surveillance program
Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures is highlighting the success of the 2024-25 chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance program, in order to stress the importance of increased participation in the program for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
This past year saw success in the program’s efforts to streamline processes, reduce staffing requirements and cut testing times significantly, while expanding li-
censed hunting opportunities. The average turnaround time for test results was 22 days this year, compared to 37 days in 2023-24 and 77 days in 2022-23.
With the conclusion of the 202425 hunting season, the program has processed approximately 3,100 samples.
CWD is an incurable, fatal disease that affects members of the deer family (cervids) including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Animals infected with CWD may appear
The province has also expanded licensed hunting opportunities for 2024-25 including mandatory testing for licensed deer hunters in target areas. A second white-tailed deer hunting season opportunity was expanded to game hunting areas (GHA) 5, 6, 6A, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 15A, 17B, 25B, 23. GHA 23A was also added for CWD sampling this past year.
healthy until the later stages of the disease. If CWD spreads and becomes endemic to Manitoba, there is a serious risk that CWD will threaten the health of all cervid populations in the province.
First detected in the province in 2021, a total of 30 positive cases of CWD have been detected to date. This includes four positive cases identified during the 2024-25 hunting season. Cases were identi-
fied from mandatory biological sampling submissions of animals as well as animals harvested by department staff as part of ongoing CWD management efforts to reduce the spread.
Hunter-directed sampling is key to engaging the hunting public and integral to increasing the speed of the program. The province thanks everyone for participating in efforts to manage CWD.
