SMP - June 26, 2026

South Mountain

Press

COME TOGETHER

Friday, JUNE 26, 2026 Vo lum e 18 N um b e r35

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DAR R E L L N E SBIT T / SO U T H M O U N T AIN PR E SS Despite the cool temperatures on Friday, June 19, the sidewalks of Wasagaming still saw the hustle and bustle of visitors, despite requiring an extra layer for warmth. Tourist traffic will surely pick up immensely now that summer is upon us and Canada Day is not that far off. Join the wave of red and white on July 1 by coming together at a local event.

P rovince invests in loca l w a terw a y p rotection RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

The Municipality of Harrison Park and the Rossburn Municipality are among seven organizations across Manitoba receiving provincial funding to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

The Manitoba government announced $410,000 in grants through its Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund this week, with Har-

rison Park receiving $52,000 and Rossburn Municipality receiving $53,500.

“Manitobans care deeply about the province’s beautiful lakes and rivers and working with communities is a great way to protect the waters we cherish from aquatic invasive species,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes. “Our government’s Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund helps deliver AIS prevention re-

sources to partners across the province, extending the reach of AIS prevention through intergovernmental and community collaboration.”

Aquatic invasive species pose a serious threat to Manitoba’s lakes and rivers. Once established, they are nearly impossible to remove and can disrupt ecosystems, crowd out native species, damage infrastructure and affect recreational and commercial water use. Com-

mon invasive species of concern in Manitoba include zebra mussels, spiny water fleas, and Eurasian watermilfoil. Prevention efforts typically include watercraft inspections, public education campaigns and ongoing monitoring programs at boat launches and water access points.

The funding is part of Budget 2026, which invests more than $2.2 million provincewide in protecting aquatic ecosystems from invasive

species.

The remaining five organizations receiving grants through the fund are Citizens for Protecting Our Northern Waterways Inc. ($7,820), Gull Lake Basin Management Board Inc. ($32,073), Hillside Beach Community Association Inc. ($48,500), Norway House Cree Nation ($116,106), and the Rural Municipality of Prairie Lakes ($100,000).

$ Finance a new camper, boat, vehicle, or trip, and you could get up to three months of payments covered.

Connect with a Sunrise lender to enter. *Some conditions apply. Three (3) winners will be selected, one (1) per Sunrise district. Each winner will receive either three (3) months of payments or up to $3,000 in payments, whichever is less. Winner financing must be approved to qualify. Deadline to qualify July 31, 2026. See branch for details.

2

South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

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With boats of various sizes and cruising vessels allowed to enjoy Clear Lake and the views of its shoreline once again, a pair of tourists took advantage of The Martese’s mooring on the dock to snuff out the cool wind on Friday, June 12. Interpretive afternoon cruises aboard The Martese provide unique family experiences and photo opportunities aplenty. The Clear Lake Marina is the place to visit for not only great sights, but also for a variety of recreational boat rentals.

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P M H rem in din g p ublic of the da n gers of drow n in g a n d other risks of the sea son RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

School is out across the region, and Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is urging residents to enjoy the season safely… starting with a sobering reality. Drowning is one of the most preventable causes of death in Manitoba, and summer is when it happens most.

According to the Lifesaving Society Manitoba, 72 percent of drownings in the province occur between June and September. Every year, Manitoba records 30 or

more water-related deaths during those months alone.

And it is not just children. The majority of victims are adults, with men between the ages of 35 and 49 making up the largest group of fatalities. Most drownings happen in unsupervised open water – rivers, lakes, and ponds, not at the pool.

“Drownings happen fast and are often preventable,” PMH said in a recent summer safety bulletin.

Life jackets on the boat, knowing your limits and your environment, and keep-

ing young children within arm’s reach are all part of staying safe near water this summer. In adults, alcohol consumption is a big risk factor as well.

Sun protection is another priority. PMH recommends wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and avoiding extended time outdoors between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Staying hydrated and taking breaks in the shade or indoors can also help prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

For families with kids on

bikes, the health region advises making sure helmets fit properly and that children are on bikes sized right for them. Children should not ride alone until they are 10 years old, and road safety is worth going over before they head out.

“Bring on those warm Manitoba summers we spend so many months waiting for!” PMH said.

Yes, bring it on!

To all the students and families across the region, have a great summer... but stay safe out there, too!

K roeker awarded W C G scholarship Kaius Kroeker from Onanole was one of five students who have been selected to receive a Westman Communications Group (WCG) Technology Scholarship.

Kroeker, who attends Erickson Collegiate Institute, will be heading to the University of Alberta this fall.

WCG says the annual scholarships are aimed to provide a financial boost to students across the 80-plus communities it serves as they enter technology-based post-secondary programs.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

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The study identifies ruralgrocery store succession as a grow ing and largely unaddressed challenge across M anitoba

GROCERY DEEP DIVE

N ew p rovin cia l grocery study, the firstof its kin d in Ca n a da , looks in to p rices on the shelf – from the field to the till RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Whether you’re picking up groceries at Co-op in Erickson, IGA in Russell, Bigway in Shoal Lake, or Rob’s Place in Binscarth… the food bill has been climbing for years.

A new provincial study released this week puts numbers to that reality, and for once, some of those numbers point toward a bit of relief.

The Manitoba Grocery Price Study, released on June 22 by Finance Minister Adrien Sala, is the first provincially led study of its kind in Canada. It does not just look at what groceries cost at the checkout, it examines the full chain from field to shelf, and what it finds will be familiar to anyone living and working in rural Manitoba.

For producers in this region, the acknowledgment is

long overdue. Farm operating expenses across the province climbed approximately 37 percent between 2020 and 2025, with fertilizer prices rising more than 40 percent and fuel costs up 60 to 70 percent. Those are not abstract statistics for farmers, they are the numbers that have been showing up in operating costs season after season. Because those input costs move through the supply chain, they eventually move through the checkout line too.

The rural grocery store piece may hit closest to home for many communities in this region. The study identifies rural grocery store succession as a growing and largely unaddressed challenge across Manitoba. Many independent store owners are approaching retirement, and without succession plans or community ownership options, those stores are at

risk of closing.

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 76 percent of Canadian small business owners plan to exit their businesses within the next decade. When a smalltown grocery store closes, the study notes, residents face longer drives, fewer choices and higher costs, and the community loses an economic anchor that is rarely replaced.

For many local communities like Elphinstone, Foxwarren, and Saint-Lazare, that is not a hypothetical. It is a pattern people have already watched play out in many neighbouring towns.

The study points to cooperative grocery models – like Friendly’s in Inglis, or Twin Valley, Hamiota or Heritage Co-op – and community ownership structures as potential paths forward, along with technical assistance and financing

tools to help communities act before a store goes up for sale rather than after.

“We’re taking action to lower your grocery bill, with a comprehensive plan that’s going to help families across the province,” said Sala. “We’re using every lever available to us, tackling predatory pricing, eliminating property controls that stifle competition and taking the provincial sales tax off all groceries starting July 1.”

That PST removal applies to everything in the cart including prepared and ready-to-eat foods like rotisserie chicken, soups, baked goods, and snack foods. Between 2020 and 2025, grocery costs for a four-person Manitoba family rose 22 percent, from roughly $9,100 to $11,125. Meat prices climbed 5.2 percent annually over that period, eggs rose six percent, and the province is forecasting gro-

cery inflation at 5.5 percent for 2026.

Even minor in nature, the relief is real, but the pressure is not going away.

Many staple groceries have only ever included GST, but who can really complain when any decrease at the till, even a long-overdue one, is finally here.

On the consumer protection side, the province is also banning surveillance pricing – the practice of using loyalty program data and consumer tracking to charge different customers different prices for the same product. Unit pricing is also coming, which will require stores to display a standardized cost per kilogram or litre alongside the shelf price, making it easier for shoppers to spot shrinkflation and compare value across brands and package sizes.

The $2.5 million investment in Harvest Manitoba’s Food Transformation Cen-

tre addresses the food security side of the equation.

The centre will take donated food from agricultural producers and process it into meals and products that families relying on food banks and community organizations can use.

“Harvest Manitoba is thankful for this important first round of support from the Manitoba government for our Food Transformation Centre, which will help us make better use of food donations, reduce waste and support families who rely on food banks and community organizations,” said Vince Barletta, CEO of Harvest Manitoba.

The study is described as the beginning of a longer conversation, not a finished plan. But for regional families, the light at the end of a long tunnel is still a ways off – some savings at the checkout, however, are already here.

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OPINION

Friday, June 26, 2026

Le tte rs to the e d ito r:

sm pnew s@ m ym ts.net

Sa ying goodbye to h ungry h ockey fa na tics not ea sy Experiencing black dots floating in the air, I had to ask Shoal Lake Communiplex board member, Orest Peech, why I was seeing them, as we worked feverishly within the rink kitchen late in the evening of Saturday, March 7, along with our third party, Sherry Baydak?

“You have reached your peak,” commented Orest, “now you are coming back down.”

“Really, this is the second time it has occurred this month,” I stated. “It must be all the hustle and bustle required thanks to playoff hockey and a much larger, energetic and hungry or thirsty (coffee, hot chocolate, mocha) crowd.”

To say the weekend of March 6 to 8 was “busy as a bee”, was no laughing matter, thanks to the Parkissimo League Tournament being

Darrell

Nesbitt AR OUN D T OW N hosted by the U9 Shoal Lake Eagles, who claimed the championship banner, with a win over the Neepawa Titans, Sunday morning, plus both U15 Yellowhead Chiefs still in the playoffs.

Holding the title of kitchen convener for the second year in a row, I came to learn that it’s not detrimen-

tal if you step away from the grill and fryers, to meet supporters face to face at the counter. Plus when I did, it’s educational in terms of iPad use for card or cash payment, taking in the lowest charge of $1.50 (15 pieces candy) to the highest on the menu chicken fingers at $9, which included sauce. For some odd reason, the youth employed have an easy time of it, in terms of finger movement on the iPad screen than the older generation does, as myself and Sherry, found out that evening, which broke down to more frustration than fun.

Well, I can talk for myself!

Oh yeah, back to those black spots, also known as eye floaters or spots in your vision. According to the Mayo Clinic, they may look to you like black or gray specks, strings, or cobwebs.

They may drift about when you move your eyes. Floaters appear to dart away when you try to look at them directly.

Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes liquifies and contracts. Scattered clumps of collagen fibers form within the vitreous and can cast tiny shadows on your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.

If you notice a sudden increase in eye floaters, contact an eye specialist immediately – especially if you also see light flashes or lose your vision. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention. Mine disappeared as fast as they appeared.

Like hockey, dedication is brought to the forefront on

or off the ice. Last season, as kitchen convener, I had the pleasure of wonderful and young counter personnel who pleasantly served the general public, no matter the age, efficiently and kindly.

Employed, they earned a little spending money for each game worked, an idea of mine expanded on since the 2024-25 season where two students were aided by volunteers.

That was then and this is now. Neither myself, nor the young helpers, will be back this fall, as a personal tender to operate the Communiplex kitchen for the 2026-2027 season was denied by the board.

It will seem weird passing the kitchen door, to take a stand behind the plexiglass with camera in hand, this season. As a true fan of the AAA Yellowhead Chiefs and the Shoal Lake Eagles, my

presence will still be felt but from solely one route.

Everything happens for a reason. That reason causes change. Sometimes it hurts.

Sometimes it’s hard. But in the end it’s all for the best, or so it’s hoped. Thanks to one and all who made my minutes, my hours, my days, my weeks and my months, a challenge with set goals met and grown upon. A special thanks is extended to Myles and staff of The Meat Man in Oakburn, and Gary and staff at Bigway Foods in Shoal Lake, and all others lending a hand for their assistance and passion for community enrichment.

The community rink is yet another reminder of what an exciting neighbourhood we live in. All the best goes out to the new personnel!

P rovince nom ina ted for governm ent w a ste a w a rd by CT F The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) nominated the Manitoba government for a Teddy Waste Award after wasting $90,547.91 of taxpayers’ money on a misleading gas tax ad campaign.

“It’s a clear waste of money to advertise a gas tax hike as a gas tax cut,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “The government could have saved itself and taxpayers some money by keeping the gas tax cut instead of wasting it on this ad

Op inion campaign.”

The Manitoba government cut its 14 cents per litre gas tax to zero for the entirety of 2024. The government hiked the tax up by 12.5 cents per litre on Jan. 1, 2025.

In the lead up to the gas tax hike, the government ran a taxpayer-funded ad campaign with billboards featuring slogans such as “Perma-

nent gas tax cut starting January 1st.”

A Manitoba family filling up a minivan and a pickup truck once every two weeks paid about $550 more in gas taxes in 2025 than they did in 2024.

The Teddy Waste Award is the golden pig-shaped trophy the CTF annually awards to governments’ worst waste offenders. The award is named after Ted Weatherill, a former federal appointee who was fired in

1999 for submitting a stack of dubious expense claims, including a $700 lunch for two in France.

This year’s winners include: Municipal Teddy Waste Award Winner: Toronto.

Heritage Toronto wasted nearly $2,000 on a plaque to memorialize a raccoon that died in 2015.

Provincial Teddy Waste Award Winner: British Columbia Premier David Eby. The BC government spent

$354,000 on three “woodleather soccer balls” for display purposes, according to records obtained by the CTF. Federal Teddy Waste Award Winner: The Canada Revenue Agency. The auditor general found that the CRA’s “responses to general individual-tax questions were accurate only 17 percent of the time.” The CRA’s responses on business taxes were accurate just 54 percent of the time. Even then, the auditor general said the

“completeness of response” was 31 percent.

Lifetime Achievement Teddy Award Winner: The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The CTF caught the SSHRC spending $105,000 studying “the birth, life and death” of a grocery cart, $17,500 on a study about “casual sex among young adults living in Jasper” and $17,500 on a study about disgraced former rodeo princesses.

M a n ito b a s m a ll b u s in e s s o w n e rs co n tin u e to fe e l do w n ca s t in Ju n e Manitoba small business confidence saw a slight decrease this month, with the short-term index dropping 4.4 points to 56.3, finds the latest Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Business Barometer.

The long-term confidence indicator fell 1.1 points to 58.5.

“Although early signs from abroad suggest the worst of the fuel shock may be behind us, many consum-

Op inion ers and businesses remain under strain, and the outlook is still uncertain. We see this month marks a low point for confidence heading into the summer but we hope it will rebound in the upcoming months,” said Brianna Solberg, CFIB Director for the Prairies and Northern Canada.

Price plans have held

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near the three percent mark for three consecutive months, at the upper end of the Bank of Canada’s inflation target range.

Fuel costs remain the top cost constraint for 75 percent of Manitoba small businesses, while weak demand continues to weigh on half (50 percent) of small firms.

Meanwhile, the share of businesses reporting challenges with capital equipment and technology costs

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has steadily climbed over the past two and half years, reaching 52 percent of Manitoba small firms.

“Businesses are being squeezed from all sides, including by rising input and occupancy costs, with the shares of affected firms on track to nearly double historical norms. At the same time, their capacity to absorb higher costs is limited, and recent years have taken a toll on overall business

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health, reflected in a net share of just 18 percent of firms now reporting they are in a good general situation,” said Solberg.

Despite summer being the busiest season for tourism and other sectors, hiring plans have turned negative, with just 13 percent of small firms planning to hire full-time staff and 17 percent planning to reduce staffing levels over the next three months.

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“The economy is resilient, but cracks are starting to show. The longer conditions remain weak, the greater the risk for many businesses,” added Solberg.

“One of the most impactful things Canadians can do this summer is shop local and promote local businesses, and CFIB’s upcoming Big Thank You Contest is a great way to get involved.”

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South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

CONCERT SUPPORTS YWCA

Coun try m usic a rtistGord Ba m ford p la ys Virden in sup p ortof W om en ’s Ca m p us

By D ARRELL N ES BITT

So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Abuse can take many forms – physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, digital, psychological, financial, isolation, neglect. Abuse is an attempt to control the behaviour of another person when there are two people in a relationship of trust, and one of those two people takes advantage of that trust to gain a position of power in the relationship. By lifting themselves up, they place the other person in a position of vulnerability.

One’s safety from abuse (domestic, family, intimate partner, or gender-based violence) is a priority of YWCA Westman, a 24-hour, crisis facility providing a safe, emergency shelter featuring seven bedrooms, and 18 beds that can accommodate up to 24 women and children. The facility also has one bedroom that is accessible to people with disabilities or special needs. Male clients and their children are also supported and are housed in a separate, safe place.

In 2023 YWCA Westman assisted 270 women, six men, and 268 children fleeing abusive family situations. Over 2,600 counselling sessions were provided to residential, non-residential, and followup clients, Six hundred and sixty support groups for women and children were facilitated, and YWCA West-

man received 2,797 crisis calls.

Three years ago, YWCA Westman also initiated a bold vision for the future, reimagining a new multipurpose space, to provide shelter and support for those dealing with abuse, as Meredith Place did for more than 100 years at 148 – 11th Street in Brandon. Due to aging infrastructure that was too costly to maintain, the building built in 1917 was demolished in late 2023, leaving a flat lot in downtown Brandon, prompting a new goal for a Women’s Campus to serve southwestern Manitoba.

A conceptual design has been developed, through the completion of a thoughtful and inclusive functional space program exercise. The vision for the YWCA Westman Women’s Campus grew out of a collaborative process of dialogue and discovery with YWCA Westman staff, board members, Elders and community organizations, building on lessons learned from other, similar traumainformed facilities across the prairies. The resulting program brings together priorities of housing, healing and community within a single connected campus. This campus will imagine a space that has never existed for women and their children in our re-

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gion. Not only will it provide immediate and longer term housing, it will support health, education and cultural learning, providing a safe space for women and their children to heal, grow and feel empowered to embrace the future.

But it won’t be an easy task, as the flat lot will remain until the $40 million required for the project is raised, which was assisted by the Virden Chamber of Commerce promoting the Celebration Tour of Gord Bamford, an outstanding Canadian country artist, and special guest Dallas Alexander from an intimate setting platform. Approximately 150 people showed their support to the cause on Friday, May 15, at the Sunrise Banquet Hall located in Tundra Oil & Gas Centre, where a special blend of the traditional and modern country music, evoking the warmth and comfort of an old friend, was shared wholeheartedly.

“Taking a walk down memory lane, we honour the journey, the hits, and the memories that have made the past quarter century un-

forgettable,” shared Bamford. “Here’s to the music, the fans, and the moments that brought us here!”

The evening was more than a concert for family and friends of Brendon Lyons who grew up in Brandon, and rolled into Virden as Gord Bamford’s drummer.

Music has taken Lyons to Australia, Spain, Mexico and coast to coast across Canada, playing with numerous country music artists, and appearing on the Canadian Country Music Awards broadcast with Meghan Patrick, Dallas Smith, Dean Borody, and Bamford.

Sharing hit after hit, the celebration for a great cause, was definitely a happening place, with a down home country feel, of which Gord Bamford and his band fit really well into sharing positivity for the cause and in doing so, building community connections.

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Municipality of Harrison Park UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PLANNING ACT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On the date and at the time and location shown below, a PUBLIC HEARING will be held to receive representations from any persons who wish to make them in respect to the following matter:

MUNICIPALITY OF HARRISON PARK BY-LAW NO.168 being an AMENDMENT to the MUNICIPALITY OF HARRISON PARK DEVELOPMENT PLAN BY-LAW NO. 138, as amended.

HEARING LOCATION:

Municipality of Harrison Park Council Chambers at 43 Gateway Street Onanole, MB R0J 1N0

DATE & TIME:

July 22, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

GENERAL INTENT The development plan amendment OF BY-LAW intends to re-designate Pt. of NO.168: NW 10-18-20 WPM and SW 15-18-20 WPM in the Municipality of Harrison Park to facilitate a proposed subdivision for the establishment of new cottage lots and/or a campground.

From: General Agricultural Area To: Rural Recreation Area

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FOR INFORMATION Robert Ewashko CONTACT: Building & Development Officer Municipality of Harrison Park Ph: 204-848-2561 E-mail: robert@harrisonpark.ca A copy of the above proposal and supporting material may be inspected at the location noted above during normal office hours, Monday to Friday. Copies may be made and extracts taken therefrom, upon request.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

A FOND FAREWELL

M in n edosa sa ys goodbye a s dem olition of old a ren a closes a cha p ter of com m un ity m em ories a n d history D O N ALD BERGER So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Minnedosa has said goodbye to the old arena, a building that held generations of local memories, as it was recently demolished to make way for a parking lot.

For many residents, the loss of the old arena is about much more than the removal of a building. It marks the closing of a chapter tied to first skates, early morning practices, packed stands, community dances, hockey championships, winter carnivals, Fun Fest celebrations, and decades of small-town gathering.

Minnedosa CDC + Tourism shared a public tribute to the arena as demolition moved forward, describing the building as a place where “skates were first laced, friendships were formed, championships were celebrated, and countless memories were made.”

The arena had a history that reached beyond hockey.

According to Minnedosa CDC + Tourism, the structure originally began as an aircraft hangar connected to the former RCAF Station in Portage la Prairie. It was relocated to Minnedosa in 1947 and transformed into a community arena, where it would serve generations of families for decades.

That long history was reflected in the memories

D em olition work continues to progress at the site ofthe old M innedosa arena shared by residents following the CDC + Tourism post.

Community members recalled learning to skate there, watching siblings and children play hockey, attending winter carnivals, rodeo dances, wedding dances, Fun Fest events, beer gardens and concerts.

Others remembered the old rink as a place of hockey pride, from Minnedosa Bombers memories to minor hockey championships and provincial wins. Some recalled the simple details that stay with people for a lifetime: older players helping younger children tie skates,

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT GW Y ER

scorekeepers climbing carefully to update the board, push boards used to clean the ice, and the familiar sounds of a rink full of families.

The old arena also served as a reminder that rural community buildings are rarely just one thing. Over the years, it was a rink, a dance

Planning a

NOTICE OF REGISTRATION OF PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE FOR GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION Prospective municipal election candidates must register with the Senior Election Official (SEO) during the registration period before they may begin to accept contributions, incur expenses, fundraise or borrow money for their campaign.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that I will be receiving candidate registrations:

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Through advertising, you are building a network of potential event attendees. Take this opportunity to let everyone know what you have planned for them!

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Please be advised that a general municipal election will be held on Oct. 28, 2026.

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hall, a concert venue, a winter gathering place, a sports

landmark and a backdrop for countless family stories.

For many, the building’s demolition brought sadness and nostalgia. But it also brought a wave of gratitude for what the arena gave to Minnedosa.

While the walls are gone, the memories remain in the stories of players, coaches, volunteers, parents, fans and residents who spent part of their lives inside the old arena.

As Minnedosa CDC + Tourism stated in its tribute, “While it is difficult to say goodbye, we can take comfort in knowing that the memories made within these walls will never be demolished.”

A new arena now carries the community forward, ready to host the next generation of players, families, fans and celebrations. But for those who knew the old rink, its place in Minnedosa history is secure.

It was more than boards, ice, bleachers and steel – it was where winter came alive, where community gathered, and where generations of Minnedosa memories found a home.

For the office of head of council: Between May 1, 2026 and Sept. 22, 2026 For the office of councillor: Between June 30, 2026 and Sept. 22, 2026

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South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

7

Oh honey, p lease just b ehave Rae and I have been proud honeybee producers for over 25 years, off and on, and I can say with some confidence that my knowledge of bee management has barely increased over that time. Bees are a mystery.

For example, we had a hive that turned vicious this spring. In early May we opened up the hive, searching for the queen to ensure that she was healthy and laying eggs. The bees didn’t take kindly to our intrusion and basically found every possible way to access my bee hood and sting me. I have never been stung so many times.

Later, we determined that they were likely on the verge of running out of food.

Who knew that bees could be “hangry”? The reason for the food shortage was that the hive’s queen bee was very healthy and able to lay lots of eggs this spring, which in turn meant that the hive was very active.

With lots of bees in the hive but no sources of flowers due to the late spring, the hive had used up most of their honey stores, despite the fact that we fed them multiple times in the fall and again this spring.

Now that the dandelions are finally flowering, along with a staggering number of other plants that had obviously been waiting for 30C temperatures, the bees are busy collecting fresh pollen and nectar and the hive is much better behaved. Thank goodness as I was starting to take it personally.

I know readers will know the basics about bees. They are hardworking, of course, and are important pollinators of flower plants, including canola and most of our fruit crops. In this article, instead of hoeing that same old row, I thought I would concentrate on the process of swarming, a small but interesting part in the world of honeybees.

Ken

Kingdon M OM EN T S IN R M N P One spring, our elementary class took a tour of a local apiary. In hindsight, I kind of wonder whether the teacher had done much in the way of risk assessment given that there were 25 excited kids and about a thousand excited bees hanging around a small area. Luckily, no bees or students were damaged by the visit, but I can well imagine the mayhem that would have unfolded once one kid got stung, with the resulting follow-up conversations with parents (but then again, it was the 1970s and parents were generally ignorant of what went on in school)!

Anyway, one lasting memory of that field trip was the presence of a swarm. I assume that the beekeeper explained the intricacies of the behavior related to the cluster of bees hanging on a willow branch, but it was lost on me as I stared at the living ball of bees.

I now know that swarming is the way a beehive, as a single unit, reproduces to create a second hive. What surprised me, though, is that the decision to swarm is a democratic one, with the worker bees, not the queen, signaling it’s time to reproduce.

Once the workers feel that the hive is too crowded, they start the process of making new queens by feeding royal jelly to larva in an

extra-large egg cell. One of these larvae will grow into the new ruler of the hive.

But what happens to the original queen? At some point, the old queen leaves the hive with about half the worker bees, creating a swirling mass of flying and buzzing worker bees, hence the name swarm.

Whenever the old queen lands outside the hive, a ball of worker bees encases her, presumably to protect her from harm. In the meantime, scouts are sent out in search of a new suitable home, often in hollow trees, but occasionally in chimneys and other human structures.

Once a site is chosen, the workers will begin to build honeycomb, and the queen will begin laying eggs.

As for the situation back in the original hive, events unfold like a made-for-TVmovie full of drama, murder, and sex. It takes just over two weeks for any of the new queens to develop and leave their cell. It’s a race for survival, as the workers wait to see which of the cells will hatch first, releasing the first virgin queen. That’s the drama part.

Why the drama? Timing is everything, as the first queen to break free of her cell will quickly search out

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the other unhatched queens and kill them. That’s the murder part. The sex part is just as intriguing. On a sunny calm day, the virgin queen will leave the hive, and in order to avoid mating with any drones from her hive (which are effectively her half-brothers), she will fly 7.5 km or more to areas called “drone congregating areas.” As the name suggests, these are hangout spots for hundreds of male bees (drones) from local hives, waiting for an unmated queen to show up.

The queen releases sex pheromones that get the waiting males all fired up.

Mating takes place on the wing, and the queen doesn’t mess around, mating with 10 to 15 males during the afternoon. Alas, the successful males don’t get to see their offspring as they die in the process of reproduction.

Once mating is completed, the now fertilized queen flies back to her original hive and will likely never leave it again until the next time the hive decides to swarm, in which case she will be expected to leave the hive in search of new digs.

See what I mean? Bees are fabulous. And I haven’t covered several other superpowers that they have, suggesting that I will be writing more about them in the future.

On signing off, I want to mention the plight of wild bees and other native pollinators. Declining due to loss of habitat, wild pollinators need our help. One way to support these species is to provide temporary patches of habitat in the form of your lawn. “No Mow Mays,” in which homeowners and Municipalities pledge to leave grassy areas unmowed for the month of May, pro-

vide important early season nectar and pollen sources in the form of dandelions, creeping Charlie, and other early flowering “weeds.”

If the thought of untidy lawns makes you a bit jittery, consider planting a garden featuring early flowering perennials instead. This will serve the same purpose by increasing the biodiversity in your yard. Thanks to Donna Maria Yaskiw from Hamiota for reminding me of this important initiative.

Ken Kingdon lives in the heart of the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve. Send him a text at 204.848.5020 if you have stories to share.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

Anglers sh ow ca se skills in p ursuit of w a lleye Paper Clips News from MB/SK weeklies Grounds.

Killarney: The Guide – Work has begun on reconstruction of the 30-year-old outdoor basketball court at Killarney School. Once the community project is completed, it will measure 60 feet by 100 feet.

Moosomin: The WorldSpectator – Saskatchewan Highways Minister Kim Gartner officially opened the new truck pull out rest area expansion at the Moosomin Weigh Scales east of town.

The expansion is to provide easy access for breaks while travelling along the TransCanada Highway or Highway #1 near the Manitoba / Saskatchewan border. The rest area expansion was built at a cost of $3.1 million.

Neepawa: The Banner & Press – A Neepawa business spanning three decades is continuing on under new ownership and moving to Dauphin. The operation known as the Lily Nook has been sold to Misty Herman and Caleb LeMarquand, a wife and husband pair from

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Dauphin. The couple is hoping the lily fields, which will be located near Pine River, will be ready for people to visit in a year or two.

Kamsack: The Times – Town council passed a motion that KamKids will receive free access to the pool twice a week. KamKids, the only regulated childcare facility registered with the provincial government in Kamsack, will bring infants, preschoolers and elementary age children to enjoy the pool. Children will need to bring their own life jackets, except for older kids who have taken swimming lessons.

Baldur / Glenboro: The Gazette – The Cypress River Lodge hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new carport. Opening in 1977, the lodge was modified in 2000 resulting in a total of eight single suites and three double suites. The new carport represents a significant improvement with construction commencing mid-month.

Virden: The Empire-

Advance – Graduating from the U18 AAA Yellowhead Chiefs Female hockey program, Kirby Gray of Elkhorn, enjoyed many aspects of her first year competing for the Mount Royal University women’s hockey team. The daughter of Dawn-Rae and Jim Gray helped her Calgary school finish atop Canada West’s East division standings in the regular season.

The Cougars compete in U Sports, Canada’s highest level of university athletics.

Gray said university hockey is different from U18 AAA in

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nated to the CancerCare Neepawa Branch. CancerCare was chosen this year because cancer has affected many individuals within the community including their own family members.

Pilot Mound: The Hometown View – The Manitou Agricultural Society has completed construction on a brand new multi-purpose facility at the local fairgrounds.

Measuring 40’ x 144’ the structure will provide reliable shelter for not only the fair, but also for additional community activities.

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Neepawa: The Banner & Press – For Kyra and Hanna Kaspick, this year’s Rally for a Reason was about a lot more than just a fun day of volleyball – it was about honouring loved ones and supporting those affected by cancer. The event hosted by the sisters on May 30 at two Neepawa schools brought together eight teams for a co-ed adult volleyball tournament.

By the end of the day, just over $4,500 had been raised, with all the money being do-

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Rivers: The Banner – The central region of Canada unveiled a thrilling new addition to its outdoor experiences with the inaugural Central Canada Kayak Trail, launched on Lake Wahtopanah. The highly anticipated Wahtopanah Walleye Tournament saw kayak anglers showcasing skills in pursuit of the largest walleye, creating a perfect blend of competition and adventure.

Out of 28 competitors, tasked to catch their five largest walleye, Daniel Stagg topped the leaderboard with an impressive total weight of 36.85 pounds. As competitors left the pristine setting, the spirit of adventure and camaraderie lingered in the air, solidifying the Central Canada Kayak Trail as a landmark event in the outdoor community.

Boissevain: The Recorder – Eighty-one 4-H members, representing six clubs attended and celebrated the 90th 4-H Rally held on June 5 in Boissevain. As well as the usual shows and awards, the organizers were pleased to be able to show some of the remarkable history of Boissevain Rally at the Turtle Mountain Ag Society

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Friday, June 26, 2026

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Po n ds a ct a s a vita l SUDOKU CHALLENGE e co s ys te m - p a rt 2 6

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Hanbidge in bright light. They reproduce exponentially via vegetative budding, and can double their population in just one or two days. Thriving in nutrient-rich freshwater environments, they form dense, green mats across the surface of lakes and ponds. There are almost a dozen species within the genus and I believe our major species in Lake Omar is Wolfia columbiana. This Indigenous species is an entirely spherical transparent- green plant.

This plant is a super-food and a viable alternative to animal protein and soy. It contains up to 40% protein by dry weight and is packed with essential amino acids, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Cultivating this plan is incredibly environmentally friendly, as it requires a fraction of the land and water that traditional crops demand.

Our world is experiencing global population growth and in emerging countries the demand for meat has triggered a “protein crisis” as the demand for protein has exceeded the supply. By 2030, the imbalance between demand and supply is projected to become critical by 2030. Our duckweed (and other Wolfia species) right here on Lake Omar could stand ready to solve this global crisis. This fast-growing crop is enjoying rising expectations as an alternative protein source to meat and soybeans.

In Hokkaido, Japan, the Floatmeal Company is a startup business in Japan’s largest food production region, which is hoping to promote duckweed as a solution to the global protein crisis. The environmental impact of Wolfia is remarkably low using only 1/ 230 the water and 1/63 the land required for soybean production. The protein content is also high – 36 to 40% compared with about 34% for soybeans and 28% for broccoli.

Also rich in vitamins and minerals, wolfia could be the next focus of attention as a potential super food to replace conventional protein sources.

Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture.

Find us at www.orchidhort.com; email at growyourfuture@gmail.com or on facebook @orchidhort.

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Two weeks ago, the focus was all about a catchment or retention pond (Lake Omar) that I overlook while I am working on Vancouver Island.

This body of water is teeming with life and is an endless source of entertainment. What is even more amazing is what a catchment pond can do for the local environment. This pond has a function to hold rainfall run-off on a temporary basis. But actually, the work of these water bodies is so much more than that. A permanent retention pond, acts as a vital artificial ecosystem that provides significant environmental benefits. Water that is sustained throughout the year supports complex aquatic life and this biodiversity creates a thriving habitat oasis.

Last summer, we had an uncommon influx of aphids, which particularly impacted the native water lilies that are growing in Lake Omar. It was odd as I was reading about many other aphid infestations that were happening in many places. Most of these infestations were attributed to climate change with a slight increase in the overall mean temperature. Soon after the water lilies had a dormant phase in early summer, I noticed a greening up on the pond. It was not algae but in fact duckweed that was rapidly turning the surface water green. There was the regular duckweed I have seen countless times, but it was the first time I had ever seen mealy duckweed.

Wolfia spp. is an Indigenous species of duckweed that first showed itself last summer on Lake Omar. This genus (Wolfia) contains a number of rootless aquatic plants that are considered the smallest flowering plants on Earth.

They have a very cosmopolitan distribution so can be found in many nutrient-rich and still bodies of water. Each individual plant is a tiny, bright-green oval about the size of a grain of salt or cornmeal, giving it a unique texture. Students who were helping with the Coho salmon and Rainbow Trout release at the beginning of May had the opportunity to view this tiny plant through a compound microscope.

The plant body of water meal is entirely free-floating, branchless and lack both roots and true leaves. They consist of a simple, oval vegetative body called a thallus. They are technically a flowering plant, but the flower itself is quite unique. It has only one stamen and one pistil and forms in a tiny depression on the top of the plant’s frond. So the smallest flowering plants in the world are definitely not too showy!

The ideal place for Wolfia to grow is warm water bathed

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South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

Com b at fam ilial high cholesterol Dr.

Roizen H EALT H Y LIVIN G els is being developed. A preliminary study in the New England Journal of Medicine says that the highest dose of an experimental gene-editing treatment lowered cholesterol levels by 78 mg/dL, perhaps permanently. One and done.

Wow! Further research is in the works, so stay tuned! Until then, get regular check-ups to monitor your LDL levels, work with your doctor to discover which current treatments are most effective for you, and adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Q: My pediatrician said I should work on laughing with my 7-year-old daughter as much as possible to help her develop resilience, manage stress and be more open to learning and exploring.

Sounds kind of like a TikTok trend instead of a medical fact. What do you think? – Sheryl, M., Shaker Heights, OH A: Your doctor isn’t kidding around. The power of laughter has some serious science behind it. We’ve known

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for a while that it helps ease depression, anxiety, insomnia and memory in older folks and upgrades the overall health of folks in their 20s and 30s. And now extensive studies by the director of Tomorrow’s Child at Middlesex University in the U.K. lay out just how laughter contributes to children’s healthy brain growth, emotional well-being and social bonding.

Babies laugh before they can speak, and that stimulates the development of areas of the brain that control movement and speech. In older

children, it encourages creative thinking and improves reading skills. It also helps them feel attached to their parents by stimulating the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should zing one-liners at your child. Reading humorous books together, enjoying a funny movie, and sharing amusing observations while you play in the park are great ways to bring enjoyment and glee into everyday life as you help encourage social development and brain power.

And you’ll benefit enormously, too. Whatever challenges you’re dealing with, at home or work, with friends or family, or with the world at large, laughing frequently can make your RealAge eight years younger! And if you have coronary artery disease, one study found that watching two funny movies or comedy shows a week can measurably increase your oxygen uptake, improve vascular health and reduce inflammatory markers.

For more info on how enjoyment of friends, and a sense of purpose can improve your

well-being, sign up for my free newsletter at michaelfroizen md.substack.com

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers.

Check out his latest, “The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow,” and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

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Q: I have genetically caused high LDL cholesterol – it hit 200 mg/dL before I started treatment with atorvastatin and ezetimibe when I was 34. (I’m 52 now.) But it’s a battle to get it in a safe zone and keep it there. Do you have any info you can share that would help me protect my heart more effectively? – Gracie Y., Mobile, AL A: You’ve been diagnosed and are receiving treatment, making you one of the lucky ones! Only about 10% of the more than 660,000 Americans who have familial hypercholesterolemia (aka high cholesterol) know it. They include adults with an LDL that’s 190 mg/dL or higher and children with LDL levels above 160 mg/dL, and who also have a family history of premature heart disease and heart attacks. One review of health records showed that untreated familial hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of coronary heart disease by more than 400%. Fortunately, there are ways to lower genetically boosted LDL levels and reduce the risks.

Statins slash the liver’s production of cholesterol by 35% to 55% – and can benefit both adults and children as young as ages 8 to 10. Ezetimibe blocks LDL absorption in the intestines by around 18% to 25%. And if more powerful treatment is needed, injections of PCSK-9 inhibitors can slash LDL levels by up to 65%. Every 40 mg/dL reduction in your LDL-C levels reduces your risk for heart disease by 21%.

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O BIT U AR IE S

LEDERHAUS (Nov. 23, 1932 to June 7, 2026): It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Elsie (Rystephanuk) Lederhaus, aged 93 on June 7, 2026 at the Sandy Lake Personal Care Home. Mom was born in her parent’s home near Horod, MB to Joseph and Effie Marcischuk. Her family moved to Sandy Lake in 1944 where she continued her education. As an older teenager she found seasonal employment at Clear Lake resort working in the hospitality industry.

It was near this time that she met Lawrence Rystephank from Sandy Lake, and they married on Oct. 25, 1951. Mom and dad moved to Brandon, MB in 1953 and mom worked at the Commodore Bakery and then became a homemaker and mother. Lindsay – her first born in 1954 and Sherrel in 1956 and Beverly in 1961. In 1961 the family moved to a farm near Wawanesa. Mom was a hardworking woman. She always had a huge garden and a great work ethic.

They farmed until 1974 and sold the farm after enduring a house fire and years of hard farm life. They moved back to Brandon where mom had hobbies such as volunteering for various health organizations, ceramics, gardening and preserving – making borscht, pickles and bread, card games and entertaining family and friends.

Mom’s proudest achievement was when she organized the Marcischuk family gathering in 1987. She dedicated months of correspondence organizing a very successful reunion. It was important to mom in keeping traditions such as preparing meals for the Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinners with the 12 meatless dishes including Kutia – a wheat dish not favored by all in our family. We enjoyed and miss the many family get togethers and dinners with our mom. Mom leaves to mourn, her son Lindsay (Vickie), Sherrel, Beverly (Ray), grandchildren Steven (Tara), Becky, Jehn and Corey, Kyle and Kendra (special friend Steph), great grandchil-

dren Ava, Madison, Starlit, Fyodor, Xzavier and Liam. Mom was predeceased by her father Joseph, mother Effie, six brothers, Frank, John, Leonard, Roger, Allen, Patrick and two sisters, Mary and Anne and three children at birth as well as our dad, Lawrence and her second husband Wilf Lederhaus.

Mom spent the last few years at the Sandy Lake Personal Care Home where she received excellent care. She will be sadly missed by all that loved her. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Sandy Lake North Hall and Church, officiated by Father Gregory Scratch. If desired, donations can be made to the Sandy Lake Personal Care Home, 106 First Street West, Box 7, Sandy Lake, MB, R0J 1X0. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.raesfs.ca. Rae’s Funeral Service of Erickson and Shoal Lake were in care of arrangements.

SOLONYCZNY: Peter passed peacefully with family by his side at the Minnedosa Health Centre on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the age of 93. Peter is lovingly remembered by his wife Muriel of 65 years, daughter Sylvia (Blake) and Michelle (Jeff), sister Kay Luba, many nieces, nephews and cousins. Peter was predeceased by his infant daughter Sandra, his parents Nick and Mary Solonyczny (nee Hryciw), sister Patricia and brother-in-law John Souchuk, brother Fred and sister-in-law Lovey and brother-inlaw Paul Luba. He was also predeceased by his in-laws Carl and Mary Solotky (nee Sapischuk), sister in-law Rose, brother-in-law Peter Nechwediuk, sister-in-law Jean, brother-in-law Orest Citulsky and sister-in-law Anne, brother-in-law Roy Richardson. Peter was born on Oct. 1, 1932, in Wawota, SK. In the Spring of 1940 Peter moved with his family 1 1/2 miles south of Sandy Lake, MB. During the winter months in the late 1950s Peter worked with the ice gang unloading ice for the CN Railway in different parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In 1958 Peter worked for a window firm in Winnipeg. Peter

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met Muriel in Sandy Lake in 1959, and they were married on Oct. 15, 1960, in Sandy Lake. In the Spring of 1961 upon his parents retiring to Sandy Lake, he took over the family farm. During the winter months logging permits were issued at the Riding Mountain National Park where Peter cut trees and worked at the sawmill. Peter continued grain farming and raised various farm animals. In 1982 Peter and Muriel moved into their current home in Sandy Lake but continued to grain farm. In 2003 Peter sold the farmland but kept the family yard where he enjoyed making sheds until he cleaned up all the neighbours wood granaries that he converted into sheds. In 2015 the home place was sold, and Peter enjoyed many happy and healthy retirement years. In Peter’s younger days he was an avid curler where he participated in many bonspiels in neighbouring communities. He was very involved in the community lending a helping hand wherever and whenever needed.

Peter and Muriel enjoyed camping with family and friends. They were fortunate to have travelled to Alaska, the Maritimes, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, Portugal and Florida.

Peter was a proud and devoted Charter Member of the Sandy Lake Lions Club since April 1982 (44 years). In December 2025 Peter was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship which is the highest honour awarded by the Lions Club International Foundation. Peter was a devoted Christian and a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Above all, Peter will be remembered for his warmth, kindness, generosity, gentle smile and an unwavering devotion to his family. His legacy will live on in all who knew and loved him. The family extends a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Onyshko and staff of the Minnedosa Health Centre for their unwavering care, support and compassion. The funeral was held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Sandy Lake, with Father Brent Kuzyk officiating. Interment followed in the Sandy Lake Municipal Cemetery. If friends so desire donations may be made to Sandy Lake Lions Club, Box 232, Sandy Lake, MB, R0J 1X0. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.raesfs.ca.

Rae’s Funeral Service of Shoal Lake and Erickson were in care of arrangements.

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12

South Mountain Press

Friday, June 26, 2026

R ussell R CM P a rrest tw o a fter officer p unch ed On June 17, RCMP responded to a report of an assault occurring at a residence on Augusta Street East, in Russell. Officers learned that a 20-year-old female had attended a party at a nearby home when she was repeatedly punched and kicked by another female. Paramedics subsequently treated the female for her injuries. RCMP went to the home where the party was still in progress and were greeted by a 29-year-old male who was known to police. After initially trying to shake an officer’s hand, the suspect punched the officer in the side of the head. The officer took the suspect to the ground and arrested him. Officers then located the female suspect in the initial assault and took her into custody. A 29-year-old male of Dauphin is charged with: Assaulting a police officer; and Resisting a peace officer. A 25-year-old female of Waywayseecappo First Nation is charged with assault. Both were released, with a future court appearance scheduled.

On June 22, Portage la Prairie RCMP received a report of a single-vehicle collision on Highway 50, in the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of

RCMP Briefs Provincial Roundup Westlake-Gladstone. Officers, along with paramedics and the local fire department, responded to the scene and located an SUV in the ditch off the highway, its wheels in the water. RCMP learned the SUV had left Duck Bay and was headed south towards Portage la Prairie when the vehicle struck a bird, causing the 76year-old male driver to swerve and hit the ditch. The driver was not injured. However, a 71-year-old female who had been in the back seat died at the scene. RCMP are investigating. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor.

On June 20, RCMP responded to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 24, in the R.M. of Oakview. RCMP learned a westbound vehicle struck the gravel shoulder,

over-corrected and crossed both lanes before rolling in the ditch. A 35-year-old male who was found inside the vehicle died of his injuries. A 39year-old male who was ejected from the vehicle was taken to hospital in Winnipeg with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the collision is being investigated.

On June 20, Pukatawagan RCMP were advised of a possible drowning which had occurred out on the lake. Officers attended to the Nursing Station and were advised that a 51-year-old male had been brought into the Nursing Station after being pulled from the water. It was reported that the victim had been participating in a canoe race when he fell into the lake. The victim, who was wearing a life jacket, was quickly pulled from the water and transported to the Nursing Station where he was later pronounced deceased.

heavy smoke were observed and the fire department made entry. They located a 29-yearold female unresponsive. Resuscitation was attempted and was transported to hospital where she was pronounced deceased shortly after. At this time, the fire appears to be accidental. Selkirk RCMP, with the assistance of the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner, continue to investigate.

On June 15, Selkirk RCMP received a report about an unknown male who was driving a white vehicle and exposing himself to a female walking on River Road in the R.M. of St.

Andrews. The male had stopped his vehicle in front of her. The female advised police that the incident occurred the previous night at approximately 9:30 p.m. On June 16, the same female observed the same male parked in a church parking lot in the R.M. of St. Andrews, inside the same white vehicle. This time, the female was able to relay a description of the suspect to police, including the vehicle he was driving and his license plate number. Later that same evening, at 8:24 p.m., Selkirk RCMP received another complaint from a different female regarding the same white ve-

On June 20, Selkirk RCMP responded to a residential fire on Clandeboye Avenue in Selkirk. Police, Fire and EMS attended immediately and learned that there was a female resident inside the building. At the time, flames and

Municipality of Harrison Park’s

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hicle in a car wash located in Selkirk. The male was observed to exit one of the wash bays and leave the building, only to reappear and park in a wash bay next to the complainant. The male exposed himself several times while watching the complainant wash her car. Following these incidents, Selkirk RCMP, Selkirk RCMP General Investigation Section and the Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit were engaged to locate the suspect. On June 18, a 21-year-old male from the R.M. of St. Andrews was arrested for two counts of Indecent Act.