2025 September Archive

Oakbank RCMP, along with CN Police and an RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, are investigation a collision between a dirt bike and a train that resulted in the death of a Steinbach teen.

At around 1 p.m. on Aug. 31, Oakbank and Beausejour RCMP responded to a report of a collision between a dirt bike and a train at the railway crossing situated on Pleasant Road (Road 38E), located just south of Hwy 15 in the RM of Springfield.

Officers determined the motor bike, travelling south on Pleasant Road, being operated by a 15-year-old male from Steinbach, collided into a westbound CN train. The operator of the dirt bike was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A potentially explosive situation was snuffed out last week when the RCMP and the Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department disposed of a cache of old dynamite found in Rennie.

On Aug. 24, the Manitoba RCMP explosive disposal unit, in partnership with Reynolds firefighters, conducted a controlled burn of a structure containing old dynamite.

Police say Whitemouth RCMP received a request for assistance when someone had bought the property in questions and upon inspection found old dynamite – believed to have been used to destroy beaver dams – in a derelict out building. 

RCMP say they are unsure how long the dynamite was in the structure, but it was deemed old enough that it should not be touched. Old dynamite is prone to accidental detonation because the nitroglycerin can leak, crystallize and become more sensitive to shock and friction over time. Improper storage, age or cycles of freezing and thawing can accelerate this sweating process, creating unstable, volatile pockets of liquid nitroglycerin that are dangerous.

“Burning it is a safe procedure conducted by members of the explosive disposal unit who are trained to conduct this method,” a RCMP spokesperson advised.

Police advise this extremely rare disposal process is executed when the dynamite is very old and potentially volatile. Anyone coming across blasting equipment or suspected explosive ordinance is advised to call local RCMP immediately and to make no attempt to move it on their own.

By Tony Zerucha

The RM of Springfield said it has been taking steps to ensure there is “consistency between policy and legislation” after Manitoba’s Auditor General found unidentified council members wrongly claimed roughly $3,000 in travel expenses between January and October of 2022. 

That period coincides with the last 10 months of the previous council. In the report, Auditor General Tyson Shtykalo said the investigations were initiated following tips from “concerned Manitobans” and issues listed by the Department of Municipal and Northern Relations.

On Aug. 28, the Shtykalo released a 34-page report to Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly that analyzed seven municipalities. It also includes suggested improvements for provincial oversight of municipalities.

The investigation into Springfield takes up a half-page of the report. Auditor General staff reviewed the expense reports of council members from January through October, a period concluding with the 2022 municipal election. They compared those reports to Springfield Bylaw 19-02, which governed council indemnities at the time. That bylaw has since been replaced by Bylaw 23-02. Such bylaws are regularly updated.

“We found that the most common ineligible expense claim was for travel,” the Auditor General’s report states. “The bylaw indicates that only time spent engaged in business is claimable, and accordingly, travel would not be eligible. Using a strict interpretation of how the bylaw is worded, we noted that councillors were overpaid approximately $3,000 for the period January to October 2022.”

Contacted by The Clipper, Shtykalo declined to identify which members of the previous council wrongly claimed the expenses or provide any “additional information beyond what (he) reported to the Legislative Assembly.”

On Aug. 29, Springfield released a statement confirming that, according to Indemnity Bylaw 19-02, only time spent in business, and not travel, was claimable. However, councils for several years have been operating under a Council Expense Policy that states, “council members are entitled to be compensated for travel time to and from the authorized event at the per diem rate as set within the council rates and allowance bylaw.”
“While the expense policy has been implemented and followed in practice, the formal update to the indemnity bylaw has not yet been completed,” the RM statement noted. “This delay is not due to oversight, but rather to ensure that any amendments to the bylaw are comprehensive, legally sound and reflective of the expense policy.” 

The statement went on to say council is committed to undertaking this process with diligence.

“We recognize the importance of consistency between policy and legislation, and we are actively working toward harmonizing the indemnity bylaw with the current expense policy. In the interim, council continues to operate transparently and in good faith, guided by the principles of accountability and service to our residents.”

After council members file reports, they are scrutinized by municipal staff before payment is issued. Staff can deny an expense claim or contact the council member for more information. When new council members are elected, staff explain expense eligibility.
CAO Colleen Draper said an updated indemnity bylaw will be discussed at the Sept. 16 council meeting.

Coun. Glen Fuhl said council’s expense policy provides greater detail on eligible expenses. He added that councillors in other municipalities bill for travel time to events outside the municipality.

“We’re pretty much doing it the same way,” Fuhl said. “Now that we know what the Auditor General is looking for, and we can have the policy in line with the bylaw.”

By Cathy Juskow

Springfield’s Citizens On Patrol Program (COPP) had a changing of the guard recently and paid homage to outgoing coordinator Bernie Litkowich.
On July 30, Litkowich chaired his last meeting as coordinator at the Springfield Public Library. He has been a volunteer with COPP for 26 years, joining the group at its inception in 1999 and becoming coordinator in 2010. 

Litkowich decided that it was time to take a step back and welcomed Robert Schofield as the new lead for the local program developed to assist law enforcement in reducing crime in the RM of Springfield. 

During his years of service, Litkowich has been a staunch advocate of the program and the need for the public to be involved in the patrolling of our communities. Along with those expressing their thanks, representatives from the Springfield Police Service and Oakbank RCMP were in attendance. Litkowich was presented with a Maintiens le Droit (Uphold the Right) plaque from the RCMP in recognition of his service to the community. 

A letter received from Mayor Patrick Therrien, in part, stated, “Your volunteer efforts have made a significant and lasting impact in our community. Through your proactive engagement, problem-solving approach, and commitment to fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and community members, you have helped create a safer and more connected environment for all.” 

Individuals interested in contributing to community safety, COPP are looking for volunteers to join them. The amount of time and when volunteers patrol are up to them. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a criminal background check. No special skills or experience are required as training is provided. 

For more information, visit rmofspringfield.ca/p/citizens-on-patrol-program

By Simon Ducatel

Recognizing the economic benefits of the Lac du Bonnet Regional Airport, RM council has approved a maximum of $50,000 for crack sealing on the runway to ensure the asset is properly maintained and to support continued growth. 

“A lot of people don’t understand the importance of our airport,” Deputy Reeve Greg Mandzuk said at council’s Aug. 12 meeting. “It’s a regional airport that supplies a lot of services, whether it be to Hydro, to tourism, up north to different communities.

“This is a very expensive piece of infrastructure,” he added. “If we don’t take care of our infrastructure there, we won’t have an airport.”
Coun. Cindy Kellendonk agreed. 

“It’s a key component of our economic growth opportunities,” said Kellendonk, adding the airport also acts as a local job creator. 
Council discussed the airport’s land strip needs, ongoing upkeep to preserve its structural integrity and by extension ensure the safe operation of all aircraft. 

Several cracks have developed over time; some were new and needed to be sealed while others required resealing. If left untended, the cracks would further deteriorate resulting in more extensive and costly repairs in the future.  

The municipality’s financial plan includes $50,000 for crack sealing, and the public works department sought three quotes with two vendors bidding. Following a review of the proposals, council approved contracting out the job to Precision Joint Sealing, a company with previous experience working on the runway. 

While the RM owns the property and is also the landlord, the Lac du Bonnet Regional Airport Authority is the lessee.
“We’re at a turning point when it comes to our airport,” Reeve Loren Schinkel. “We’re one of the unique airports because we have both, obviously, water as well as the land based.”

The municipality’s airport master plan is forthcoming, and is earmarked to receive grant funding from the provincial government, he said. 
“That’s coming to fruition here in the next couple of weeks.”

Additionally, the RM has been developing a business park to help foster further economic opportunities.

“We’ve had absolutely... remarkable growth. Since 2001, there was seven initial hangars at that airport,” he said. “And today we’re at 27. There are another four, five different hangars that are going in there this year.”

That kind of growth naturally comes with economic spin-offs such as good jobs, more investment in the community and a bigger tax base, he said.
“The airport master plan will give us a pathway and some guidance into how to proceed in continuing to build that regional asset.”

With students heading back to school, the RCMP and Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) are sending a reminder to all drivers to stay vigilant in watching for children and driving with caution.

As of Sept. 1, school-zone restrictions in Manitoba have taken effect. RCMP ask all drivers to slow down in these areas and remain alert when approaching school zones.

Along with reduced speeds, parents and motorists need to remember that children are sometimes unpredictable. Drivers are reminded to use extra precautions in and around schools including waiting for children to cross intersections and roadways completely before proceeding.
“It’s important that drivers observe the speed limits and slow down,” an MPI spokesperson advised. “Reducing the vehicle’s speed could save a life. Slowing down allows the driver to react quicker and reduces braking distance.”

“Whether it’s pedestrian traffic or parents dropping off their children, school zones can be very busy. Slowing down can make everyone safer.” 
The province introduced legislation in 2013 to give local authorities the power to create reduced speed zones for schools. As a result, many municipalities throughout Manitoba have taken the opportunity to reduce speed limits in these areas.

Drivers throughout the North Eastman area are reminded to reduce their speeds to 30 km/hr while in designated areas.

MPI advised that over the last five years, more than 5,000 provincial offence notices for various infractions, ranging from speeding to use of a hand-held electronic while driving, failure to stop at pedestrian crosswalks and other traffic control devices, have been issued to drivers.

If You are Taking the School Bus
- arrive at the bus stop early
- wait in a safe place away from the edge of the road
- wait for the bus to come to a complete stop with its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated before approaching

When Leaving the Bus
- always cross the road in front of the stopped bus, never behind
- look all ways and wait for the driver to signal before crossing in front of the bus
- walk – don’t run – across the road

Drivers
- Slow down in school zones and watch for children crossing the road
- Slow down and prepare to stop whether you are behind or approaching a bus
- Stop for school buses when red lights are flashing – it’s the law and it saves lives
- Stay alert around crosswalks, bike riders, and busy pick-up/drop-off areas

The folks of Powerview-Pine Falls, St-Georges and area came together to celebrate the four cornerstone industries that have built their community with the annual 4P Festival.

Those who participated in the events, which began on Aug. 29 and continued to Sept. 1, enjoyed various activities relating to the 4Ps: Paper, Power, Pea and Pickerel.

Festivities included a family fishing derby and slo-pitch tournament, children’s activities, a car show, market square, a parade and fireworks.

By Andrea Geary

Wind and showers with brief bursts of sunshine on Saturday didn’t stop arts aficionados from attending this year’s Beauhead Arts Fest on August 22 and 23.

Festival artist director Brittany Wurch said the festival committee’s decision to begin the event on Friday afternoon proved successful. 
“It was a very good first day,” she said. “Every year we’re trying new things.”

She added that the Friday schedule focussed on entertainment including a magician, Haystack Productions’ showcase, writers circle and local musicians, while Saturday’s line-up was more family friendly. On both days people of all ages enjoyed an arts activity area where they explored their creativity.

Saturday’s performances began with a drumming circle followed by local musical acts.

This year was the Beauhead Arts Fest’s fifth anniversary. Now that the festival is gaining public recognition, artists from across Manitoba are applying to the judging panel in hopes of participating, Wurch said.

Noah Baker, of Tyndall, was one of this year’s 23 artists, and was enjoying the positive comments he was receiving from patrons. The 28-year-old has limited vision and because of this, he mainly focuses on patterns and shapes in his pencil sketches. 

“Lots of people gave me tips on my sketches,” he said, adding this is the first year he’s taken part in the festival. 

Denise Roy, a Beausejour painter and Peguis First Nation member, was displaying her colourful creations in the Pioneer Village Museum’s Seabright School. She said she’s shown her artwork at all five years of the festival and works months ahead to prepare for the annual event.

Wurch said, while the art festival is only held over a two-day period each year,  committee members are planning other arts-related events throughout the coming year. 

“We want to stay art-active in the community.”

The Eastern Manitoba Concert Association (EMCA) is proud to announce Leonard and Joni: The Untold Love Story as the opening concert of its 2025-26 season, taking place Sept. 27 at the Pinawa Community Centre.

This multimedia production tells the story of the brief romance between Canadian artists Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell. Their connection, sparked at the 1967 Newport Folk Festival, influenced several of their well-known songs, including Hallelujah, Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi and I’m Your Man. Through narration, live music and visuals, the show explores their time together in California during the rise of folk music. The performance features Dana Wylie and Joe Nolan, supported by a live band. 

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Cohen and Mitchell or simply love great storytelling through music, this is a rare opportunity to experience their legacy in a fresh and meaningful way.

Doors will open at 6:45 p.m., with the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Attendees with mobility issues are encouraged to use the backdoor closest to the gym between 6:45 and 7:15 p.m. 

Advance tickets are priced at $50 for adults and $25 for those under 30 years of age. They can be purchased online at emcaconcerts.com or at Solo Market in Pinawa. Tickets may also be available at the door, subject to availability.

The Pinawa Foundation awarded its 2025 Thomas Sill Manitoba Grant for $22,903 to the Pinawa Fire Department 

In collaboration with the LGD of Pinawa council, the grant will be to be used to establish a fire-based medical first response program. The plan is to have a medically trained firefighter available to respond within minutes to life-threatening illnesses and injuries in Pinawa. The grant is for equipment required by the first responders.

The Thomas Sill Foundation was founded in 1987 through the last will of Thomas Sill, a chartered accountant from Manitoba. The Foundation provided support for charitable initiatives throughout Manitoba for over 35 years. 

At the end of 2023, the Thomas Sill Foundation ceased operations, but the board of directors wanted to continue supporting Manitoba. The assets of the Foundation were transferred to the Winnipeg Foundation to create funds that would carry on Thomas Sill’s legacy of giving.

 The Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation was established to benefit communities within Endow Manitoba. The Pinawa Foundation receives a grant every year to carry on Thomas Sill’s good work.

The Brokenhead River Community Foundation (BRCF) is thrilled to announce that through the incredible support of donors, it has recently surpassed $2,000,000 in gifted funds to date.

“This milestone is a testament to both community and non-community members recognizing and believing in the good work the community foundation is doing in our community,” said BRCF administration and marketing coordinator Debbie Majeau. “It is so gratifying and rewarding to see what the community can accomplish together.”

The Brokenhead River Community Foundation model is unique in that all funds gifted (donated) to it are never spent. Instead, funds are pooled to various endowment funds and sustainably invested with a portion of the interest earned annually given back to the community every year. That giving back happens by way of grants to local groups for projects to make the community a better place to live, work and play, and to scholarships and bursaries to graduating students from the community going on to post-secondary education.

“Less than 30 months ago the Foundation reached $1,000,000 in gifted funds”, acknowledged BRCF president Reg Black. “Reaching $2,000,000 means the Foundation can double the support it provides to the community. To put the benefit of $2,000,000 into context for the community, it means that approximately $80,000 flows back into the community, every year, forever!”.

Black was quick to add that the improved recognition and growth of the Foundation would not have been possible if not for the ongoing support of both the Town of Beausejour and RM of Brokenhead. 

“Both councils understand and believe in the Foundation and its benefit to the community. The Foundation would not be where it is today without their support.” 

Donations of any size can be made to the BRCF at any time and in several ways. Besides monetary donations, the Foundation recently had a number of donors transfer securities (shares) to it which provide significant tax benefits to the donor. Donations are also received through wills and estates. 

A large number of donations received go to the general community fund which assists in the community’s current needs though granting to local groups. Donors also have the option to choose an area of interest to them such as education, recreation, arts and culture, environment – all areas of the community’s wellbeing – or they can create their own endowment fund. 

“Within the last five years, community members and organizations have created 15 new endowment funds to provide benefit to numerous different causes in the community” offered BRCF treasurer Holly Madden. “Many of those donors are committed to growing those endowment funds, to further benefit the community, and the Foundation is having meaningful conversations with others interested in supporting their community.”

To learn more about the Brokenhead River Community Foundation, please visit www.brcfoundation.ca or call Majeau at 1-431-343-2723.

By Mark T. Buss

Bethany Wielgosh is starting the 2025-26 season with high hopes for her University of Jamestown Jimmies and looking to elevate her game in what will be her fourth season of U.S. college hockey.She is also starting the year as team captain.

A former Beausejour resident who now calls Lac du Bonnet home in the offseason, she was given the ‘C’ just after the Christmas break last year. She relishes the chance to lead the club for a full campaign.

“When Coach Hannah (Griffin) had the conversation with me about wanting to name me captain, I was incredibly honoured and extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent the team in this way,” Wielgosh said.

Wielgosh committed to play for the women’s team at the University of Jamestown, a private university in Jamestown, ND, in 2022. The Jimmies women’s team play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 program as a member of Women’s Midwest Collegiate Hockey (WMCH).

Wielgosh first hit the ice as a ringette player before making the switch to hockey in Grade 8. She described herself as a physical player, one who puts defence first, but who also has a scoring upside. 

With the Eastman Selects U18 squad in 2021-22, she tallied 12 goals and six assists for 18 points in 43 games. She also attended the 2019 and 2021 Hockey Manitoba Programs of Excellence.

In her first three years with the Jimmies, the now 21-year-old 5’9” forward registered 18 goals and 31 assists for 49 points in 92 games.
Since 2022, Wielgosh has grown on and off the ice. She says her ability to read the game at such a high pace has improved, and she prides herself on being responsible and effective in both ends of the ice. 

Now a senior, she has been an Academic All American since the second semester in her freshman year with a GPA of 3.8.
“I’m also here to get a (Bachelor of Education) degree and I’m really proud of how I’ve grown as a student,” she said.

The Jimmies were seventh in the WMCH in 2024-25 with a 8-20-3 record. With the Jamestown women’s program only entering its fourth year, Wielgosh said the goal this year is to make it to the nationals.

“Our program hasn’t been able to accomplish that yet,” she said. “We know it won’t be easy, but we have so much talent and work ethic on our team... so we are confident we will achieve that goal if we stay focused and work on getting better everyday.”
– with files from Tony Zerucha

By Tony Zerucha

Cooks Creek’s Hannah Skrabek, Oakbank’s Gracie Andersen, Sophie Franklin of Falcon Lake and their Eastman Wildcat teammates finished fourth at the Canadian Championships after winning the 2025 Manitoba U15 AAA Softball title. 

The provincial tourney began on July 24 with two shutouts, 11-0 over Smitty’s Terminators and 10-0 over the Interlake Phillies. The scoreless streak continued on July 25 when the Wildcats blanked the Winnipeg Lightning. They surrendered their first runs of the weekend in a 12-4 triumph over the Westman Magic before concluding the round-robin with a 3-0 win over the Manitoba Angels and a 7-0 victory over Central Energy.

In the playoffs, the Wildcats twice faced Central Energy, beating them 5-0 and 10-6 to claim the provincial title.

The Wildcats didn’t have to go far for the national championships, which were in Winkler this year. They dominated their round-robin pool with a 5-1 record, outscoring their opponents 41-11. In the playoffs, they fell 6-2 to Vaughn, Ont., before rebounding with a 9-1 win over the Phillies. Their quest for a national crown ended with an extra-innings loss to Central Energy, leaving them fourth in Canada.

“We had a phenomenal regular season run with lots of close games that we were able to come out on top of,” Skrabek said. “We played incredibly strong defence all season, which really helped us.”

Andersen said the Wildcats’ 21-1 regular season mark was good preparation for provincial and national competition.

“Winning the league was definitely a goal for our team, but not one that was as talked about as winning provincials or nationals,” she admitted. “Our offence and defence were extremely strong this year, allowing us to have a 162-run difference in those 22 games, which seems absolutely insane to say out loud.”

Before the season, the Wildcats set a goal to win the provincial trophy. That was in jeopardy late in the championship game, as they were down 6-2 in the fifth inning. Then the Wildcats scored eight runs to grab a 10-6 lead.

But Central Energy clawed back, putting two runners on base with two outs. Head Coach Russ Kihn called a timeout and brought the infield together on the pitcher’s mound to remind them to focus on the hitter. The players returned to their spots, and Skrabek threw her best pitch.

“I held my breath as the pitch I had just thrown got hit hard, but then started jumping and cheering when it got caught by our shortstop,” Skrabek said. “I ran straight to my catcher, Sophie, to give her a hug, and I don’t remember much after that because I was so happy.”

The Wildcats’ goal for the nationals was to have fun. It was their last week together as a team, and their goal of playing for the Canadian championship was attained. The Wildcats’ trademark strong defence combined with some hot hitting to take them to the top of their round-robin pool.
Andersen sat out the nationals with an injury, but was proud of how the Wildcats measured up against the best. Skrabek did her part, amassing a 0.71 earned-run average with 30 strikeouts and four wins in the round-robin alone.

Skrabek earned Top Pitcher honours. She’s still letting that sink in.

“I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it, to be honest,” she said. “There were so many incredible pitchers there, so I am very honoured to receive it. I am extremely grateful for my coach and teammates for giving me this opportunity and believing in me - I couldn’t have done it without them.”

“Hannah deserved the top pitcher in Canada so much, and our team was incredibly proud and excited for her to have the opportunity to receive the award,” Andersen said. “Throughout the year, Hannah remained such a confident pitcher and playing behind her, you never worried about her having a bad game. Her award was so well deserved. Her pitching allowed our team to win as many games as we did.”

By Mark T. Buss

A Beausejour man has pled guilty to robbing and attacking a Brokenhead senior at an ATM last fall.

In Beausejour court Sept. 2, Alex Allard, 21, pled guilty to one count of robbery with violence for his involvement in robbing a 68-year-old woman of $100 at the Access Credit Union in Beausejour on the afternoon of Sept. 29, 2024. 

Police say at 3:45 p.m. on the day in question, the woman went into the bank to take out money from one of the ATMs when a young man came in to use the next machine. As her funds were being dispensed, she said the man reached over and grabbed the money from her machine before she could react.

Shocked by what happened, she said the man attempted to push the door open to leave when he dropped his cell phone. She quickly picked it up and refused to give it back.

“He asked me to give it back using a few choice words, and I used a few choice words telling him to give my (expletive) money back,” the woman told The Clipper days after the crime had taken place.

In an agreed upon statement of events read into court, Allard admitted to taking the money and kicking the woman when she refused to give the phone back. She eventually turned the cell phone over to police.

With the investigation progressing as authorities had the suspect’s cell phone as well as video footage from the credit union to review, Allard eventually turned himself in to the RCMP. He was arrested and charged.

A pre-sentence report has been ordered for Nov. 25. A sentencing date is yet to be determined.

RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre said people – especially seniors – need to be vigilant at all times when accessing an ATM machine.
“Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night,” Manaigre said. “If you observe or sense suspicious persons or circumstances, do not use the machine at that time.”

Manaigre said other tips include have your ATM card ready and in your hand as you approach the ATM rather than fumbling in your wallet or purse, be careful nobody sees your PIN, always take receipts or transaction records and immediately put your money into your pocket or purse and count it later – do not visually display the cash.

“If you leave your car and walk to the ATM, lock your car,” he added.

The Brokenhead woman who was robbed warned other seniors to be aware of their surroundings as they do their banking or other business while alone.

“Don’t take it for granted that you are in a rural community. It can happen here,” said the woman, who did not want her name published. “I had an awful gut feeling but I thought there is no way I’m going to get robbed in the middle of a Sunday in a small community. In hindsight I should have hit cancel.”

Two people are dead and seven other were injured, including an RCMP officer, after a mass stabbing incident on Hollow Water First Nation last week.

On Sept. 4 at 3:44 a.m., a First Nation Safety Officer contacted the RCMP to advise that 30 minutes prior, an assault had taken place in Hollow Water, 85 kilometres north of Powerview-Pine Falls. The suspect – identified as Tyrone Simard, 26, from Hollow Water First Nation – had fled and emergency medical services were requested to attend. 

Just two hours later, Powerview RCMP responded to a call advising of a possible stabbing in the same community. Upon arrival, officers located a number of individuals suffering from stab wounds.

They were also alerted to a second scene at another residence in the community, where additional victims were located. In total, eight community members, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years old sustained injuries. An 18-year-old female identified as Marina Simard – the younger sister of the suspect – died as a result of her injuries.

The suspect fled the community in a stolen vehicle, which was located near Black River First Nation, travelling south on PR 304. 
At 6:53 a.m., the suspect collided with a RCMP cruiser that was driving northbound to the scene. Police estimate the suspect was travelling around 180 km/h at the time of the collision. He succumbed to his injuries on scene, but the female police officer who was injured was transported to hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries. She is expected to recover.

PR 304 was closed in both directions south of Black River First Nation for some time.

Court records show the suspect was out on bail. In mid-June he was charged with assault with a weapon and mischief for alleged offences earlier that month. He was granted release on both matters with various conditions, including a curfew and an order not to possess weapons.

Powerview RCMP, along with RCMP major crime services, forensic identification services, forensic collision reconstructionist and the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba continue to investigate.

By Morgan Maguet

Parents and students in Beausejour and Lac du Bonnet are scrambling after a long-standing bus route serving students in specialized academics and trades was cancelled due to a shortage of bus drivers.

The route, which has run for about 40 years, carried students from Beausejour, Tyndall, Garson and Lac du Bonnet to Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School.

A group of concerned parents worry that their children may be forced back to local schools, losing the chance to graduate with trade diplomas or specialized courses they have been working toward. The loss of the route has left 17 students without transportation, pushing parents to take their concerns to the division.

Sunrise School Division stated that the route had to be cancelled as there was no driver available. The division opted to issue families a $375 travel allowance for the year to help cover expenses. The official announcement was given to parents on June 27.

Parent group spokesperson Ed Turnbull, who has been leading discussions with Sunrise, prepared a cost breakdown outlining his concerns and sent it to the division. Parents say that a $375 allowance falls short and does not adequately cover the loss of a bus route.

“Based on mileage I tracked, the average cost worked out to 16 cents per kilometre,” said Turnbull. “From Lac du Bonnet to Selkirk, that’s about 32,000 kilometres a year – more than $5,100 in gas alone. The $375 the division is offering covers only about seven per cent of the cost,” he said.
“For families in Tyndall, the annual cost is about $1,536, and the $375 only covers 25 per cent of their expenses. However, they are receiving the same amount as those in Lac du Bonnet, which makes the allotment of money unequal,” said Turnbull.

Turnbull and parents found a driver willing to take the route but claims Sunrise refused because of administrative and seniority rules.

At the Aug. 26 Sunrise School Division board meeting, Turnbull outlined the financial burden families are facing and warned that without a solution, some students may be forced back into their catchment schools, losing access to the programs they have pursued for years. 

Students also submitted impact statements to the school board describing how the cancellation could derail their education.

“This bus route has allowed me and so many other kids to find a place where we can better prepare for our future, and finally feel like we belong,” said Grade 12 student Alexis Christie.

“I was really excited to be accepted into Lord Selkirk, only to find out our bus had been cancelled,” said Grade 10 student Cheyenne Turnbull. “I’ve been praying every night for a bus so we can attend a new school with new friends, teachers and a fresh start.”

The division acknowledged that sourcing bus drivers remains a continuing challenge. They stated that they would get back to parents with more information but stopped short of offering an immediate solution.

According to Turnbull, Lord Selkirk School Division has offered to pick up Beausejour area students in Tyndall and Lac du Bonnet students on PR 317, as well as offering $100 per month to transport students there. While a positive step, there are still parent work schedules and vehicle availability to get students to and from the pick-up locations.

Sunrise secretary treasurer Jody Thiessen explained the Division’s position, stating there would be an issue filling the route when the original driver for the route retired in May. She said the division says it has been looking through the summer for an eligible driver to fill the route.

“We have seen a decline in applications for routes and spare bus driver vacancies earlier in the year,” Thiessen said. 

The division is still considering re-establishing the route as early as mid-to-late October, pending staffing, and is working to expand its driver pool by enhancing the Bus Driver Referral Program with a $1,000 reward, while also advertising and placing signage at local hockey and curling rinks to raise awareness of driver recruitment.

When asked why the driver suggested by parents was not accepted for the route, Thiessen explained the individual was advised they would need to complete Sunrise School Division’s training to qualify as a driver, and that the route would have to be posted. 

“Bus drivers are part of a union, and the collective agreement requires that consideration be given to applicants with seniority,” she said. “As a result, there was no guarantee they would be awarded Route 131, but they were welcome to apply.”

The division said the reimbursement plan is tied to provincial grants and allowances, noting the $375 reimbursement came from the provincial transportation grant provided for each eligible student. 

“When a bus isn’t available for a particular area or route, the division has often passed that funding on to families... sometimes equal to or even more than the grant. In certain cases, we also compensate families $100 per month, depending on various factors.”
The division has faced shortages before.

“The impact of having a small pool of spare bus drivers to pull from did result in eight days where one bus run was cancelled last school year,” Thiessen added. “Unfortunately, neighbouring divisions have also been facing this challenge and have been cancelling daily bus runs frequently.”
Thiessen said no further discussions are scheduled at this time, but trustees will continue to receive regular updates on new hires, training progress and applications for bus driver positions.

By Simon Ducatel

A Reynolds councillor is encouraging Prawda residents along PR 506 to get on board with a proposed water line extension project from Whitemouth that she says could potentially be “life changing” for the community

Reynolds Coun. Kim Gesell, a director on the Prawda Water Co-op, said providing Prawda residents with potable water was among her primary goals of seeking office. With the community being under a boil water advisory for over 30 year, she remains committed to presenting a persuasive case to convince people to support such a effort.  

“We have been fighting to get better water for eons, and it’s going to be my goal here,” Gesell said. “I’m hoping we have some progress in the next six months to a year.”

Although Prawda has a water system that draws from the Birch River, the water is not potable as it does not meet Manitoba Water Services Board standards. A well had been drilled along Zamec Road, but the cost of constructing a treatment plant proved financially unfeasible, she said.  
“It’s definitely out of reach for the residents who are part of the Prawda Water (Co-op).” 

The RMs of Reynolds and Whitemouth conducted a feasibility study that identified an opportunity to extend a line from a treatment facility in Whitemouth all the way up PR 506 to Prawda, she said.

“The costs are definitely cheaper than building our own treatment plant, but of course with our small area and our handful of residents, it’s still a lot of money,” she said. “We’re looking to see who along the 506 would be willing to help hook into this project and get the cost down.”
Two-thirds of the approximate $5.25 million cost would be covered by the province’s Water Services Board, leaving the remaining $1.75 million to be borne by residents.   

Gesell expressed full confidence in the proposed project and called it a “fantastic idea.”

She said she knows many people in the community, some of whom are still getting water from the river. 

“(And) with the drought the last couple of years, people’s wells have been deteriorating,” she noted. “They don’t have the substantial water that they used to have.” 

Gesell said being connected with an extended water line would be a boon for Prawda, adding there is a narrowing window of opportunity to convince enough residents to get on board. 

“It’s just to get people to put their foot in the door to give the chance for this to happen,” she said. “Of course, it’s the dollars that scares everybody. But at least if we can get a good population that are wanting it, it will definitely bring down the cost quite a bit.”

Reynolds also conducted a survey, with 20 eligible residents expressing interest and 10 opposed. However, 81 eligible residents did not provide a response. 

“The RM is giving us until Sept. 23 to get more people on board,” she said. “If we can’t, then basically I’d say the project is going to be dead in the water.” 

If residents along PR 506 fail to act it could negatively impact the values of people’s homes and community health.

“They are already paying for the water that they’re getting from the Prawda Water, but it’s not potable. So they’re either boiling it or they’re also buying water for drinking and cooking,” she said. “People just need to speak up and not be so scared about seeing the dollar signs. If we could all work together, it could be quite an affordable project for everybody.”

There is also the possibility of covering the project’s up front costs through debenture borrowing through the RM of Reynolds.
Although the project is not yet shovel ready, next steps could be taken if enough people are in favour. Those interested in the project are encouraged to contact either Gesell at 204-426-5556 or Dave Hood at 204-396-3678.

By Tony Zerucha

The RM of Springfield wants to ensure every family is kept ‘SAFE’ from fires.

Together with the Manitoba government, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Manitoba Firefighters’ Burn Fund, Springfield is offering the SAFE Family Program to eligible homes. Older adults, newcomers to Manitoba, young children, people with disabilities, and families with low incomes are eligible.

SAFE is a Manitoba-wide initiative that protects residents with working smoke alarms. It also encourages families to create and practice a home fire escape plan.

Eligible residences will receive up to two 10-year, lithium battery-operated smoke alarms installed by Springfield Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The SFRS will also provide general fire safety information and tips on how to prevent fires, along with a home fire escape plan template.

To find out if you qualify for the SAFE Family Program or to request an installation, please contact Fire Chief Brian Seaton at bseaton@rmofspringfield.ca or call 204-444-3321. The program will run as long as supplies last.

“They contact the fire service and will book an appointment and install them for you,” Seaton explained. “These detectors come with a lithium battery, which is not hard-wired. It’s mounted on the wall, and you don’t have to change the batteries. It’s highly recommended because this lithium battery is good for the life of the smoke alarm. The smoke alarm is good for 10 years, and so is the battery.”

The SAFE Family program has seen more than 7,200 smoke alarms installed across Manitoba since 2015. Seaton said it, along with the publicity surrounding it, is important for the community.

“This is 100 per cent safety education,” Seaton said. “If we can educate these people and put safety measures in place, the department will be quiet, which means people are safe.”

People can have as little as one minute to escape a fire. Ensure they are in working order by testing them monthly and replacing the batteries (if they are standard and not lithium) once yearly. Never disable a smoke alarm if it goes off when cooking or in the shower. Consider moving it to a more suitable location or get an alarm with a pause button.

Only owner-occupied homes qualify, as landlords are expected to provide them in rental units.

Visit manitoba.ca/safefamily for more information on the SAFE Family program.

By Tony Zerucha

Springfield council unanimously passed a revised unsightly properties bylaw at its Aug. 19 meeting. 

First discussed in May, then-Springfield Police Service Cst. Jesse Zillman said the current bylaw was 10 years old. However, enforcement was not possible for several reasons. It prescribes higher amounts than allowed by Manitoba’s Municipal Act. The bylaw was also incompatible with the Manitoba Bylaw Enforcement Act and related administrative penalty notice procedures.

On May 20, Mayor Pat Therrien said a properly worded bylaw is an important law enforcement tool.

“We need something that we can say is unsightly,” he explained. “We need something tangible for our officers to take a look at.”

“We are complaint-driven only,” CAO Colleen Draper added. “We don’t have the manpower to go looking for these issues. If the neighbours don’t have a problem, we typically don’t have a problem.

“We try to work with the property owner to comply without sending our staff in.”

The bylaw prohibits rubbish, unsafe structures, unsightly property and outdoor appliance storage. Weeds must not become a nuisance to neighbouring properties. Grass must be kept below a length that a designated officer could deem unsightly.

Also taboo is the outdoor storage of motor vehicles capable of registration under the Highway Traffic Act or the Off-Road Vehicles Act, but not registered under either. An exception is made if the property is lawfully used to sell motor vehicles.

Property owners may park or store two motor vehicles capable of registration under the acts if they are in a side or rear yard and covered by a tarp in a good state of repair.

Should an officer inspect a property, they must give reasonable notice to the owner or occupant as defined in section 19-12 of the Enforcement Bylaw. If that notice has been provided, it is illegal to obstruct an officer.

Should violations occur, any recipient of an order to remedy has 14 days to submit an appeal to the CAO. The CAO has 30 days to schedule a hearing. Fines range from $100 to $500 for individuals and $150-$750 for businesses. Those given a remedy to order have 14 days to appeal.

The Double B Agricultural Festival’s live entertainment, agricultural features and semi-pro rodeo excitement brought massive crowds to the Co-op Community Complex in Beausejour from Sept. 5-8.

The Brokenhead Agricultural Society sponsored event, anchored by Canadian Cowboy Association and the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboy Association rodeo action, also boasted a carnival and midway run by Select Shows, Saturday morning parade, chainsaw carvers, face painting and pony rides, a six-horse hitch team demonstration and legendary fireworks display thrilled young and old alike.

By Morgan Maguet

AJR Haul offers residents a new way to clean up their properties.

Started by Springfield residents John and Andrea Richter in 2021, AJR Haul is a recent start-up focused on removing junk, garbage and materials from homes and yards. The business has grown in popularity over the past few years and now serves a variety of communities.

“After being laid off during the pandemic, John started to think about other work ideas,” Andrea said. “We had recently purchased a dump trailer that we thought would be for farm use. We had been living in Springfield for around a dozen years and saw an opportunity to provide junk removal services locally.”

The Richters decided there was a need for cleanup and removal services in the area and began offering a range of pickup and removal options, as well as regularly scheduled garbage pickups.

“We can now remove anything from a single piece of furniture to full house and property cleanouts, renovation debris and yard waste – basically anything that fits in our truck and trailer. We also provide weekly or biweekly garbage and recycling pickup to rural residents in the RM of Springfield,” John said. 

AJR has expanded some of its services well beyond Springfield. 

“We provide full-service junk removal to residents and businesses in the RMs of Springfield, Brokenhead, St. Clements, Lac du Bonnet, Selkirk, Beausejour, Tyndall, Garson, Oakbank, Dugald, Anola and surrounding areas,” Andrea said.

The Richters pride themselves on offering services to many communities while maintaining a small operation. 

“We are truly a small business. For the most part, John works by himself on the truck,” she added. “We are fortunate to have a few amazing casual employees who assist with larger jobs and fill in when needed, and I handle the back office on evenings and weekends.

“We are still small enough to be flexible in our services and being fully independent and locally owned allows us to serve our communities more affordably,” John said.

AJR is able to run its operation with just one vehicle – a one-ton pickup truck with a caged eight-foot box and a seven-by-12 dump trailer. 
“We charge for junk removal based on the required load size — a pickup box load, trailer load or both,” John said.

As AJR continues to grow, the couple remains focused on continuing their level of service and working to close the garbage and recycling removal service gaps for people in rural areas.

“Our goal is to continue to provide our services to our communities for the coming years. We will continue to listen to our customers, neighbours and friends to ensure we do everything we can to satisfy their needs and to be of value in our communities,” John said.

“We truly have the best customers. Their kind words, recommendations and continued support have been our lifeline. They have shaped the business to meet community needs, and we are very grateful for everyone we have the opportunity to work with,” Andrea said.

For pricing, estimates and more information, contact Andrea or John at 204-798-5205 or AJRhaul@gmail.com. Details are also available on their website, AJRHaul.ca

The winner of the 2025 Winnipeg River Burger Trail is Starlette’s Burger Saloon with their Big Wild West Burger.

In what was their first year participating, the Elma restaurant won the two-week hamburger competition with their entry, which included two house-made patties, loaded up with chilli, double cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles, and smothered in their signature cowboy sauce on a sesame seed bun.

From Aug. 20 to Sept. 3, the Winnipeg River Burger Trail featured 10 restaurants from Pine Falls to Elma. Each made unique and original hamburgers with customers voting for their favourites. After sampling all of the specially created burgers, diners were asked to vote for their favourite. Guests were encouraged to visit as many places as they could.

According to Lac du Bonnet and District Chamber of Commerce administrator Cathy Gregg, the participating restaurants sold a whopping 2,711 burgers combined with Starlette’s Burger Saloon selling 301 burgers and receiving the most votes.

Second place went to River Front Convenience with The Juicy Lucy – a smoked ground chuck burger stuffed with a blend of sharp cheddar cheeses and caramelized onions along with homemade burger sauce, crispy bacon, leaf lettuce and tomato, stacked on a sturdy cheese bun.

Third was The Spicy Radish Cafe and their Steakhouse Burger – a ground chuck beef patty, roasted mushrooms, crispy onions, tomato pepper jam, horseradish sauce, monterey jack cheese and greens on a house made garlic buttered bun.

The Winnipeg River Burger Trail is a fun social experience while promoting the participating communities to residents and visitors. It is a great event to get people in the region out and exploring other communities, and to learn about some of the fantastic restaurants. The event also attracts people from other areas who are burger aficionados.

In 2024, participating restaurants sold a total of 2,624 burgers combined with Otter Falls finishing first.

“Thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm and for travelling the burger trail with us,” Gregg stated.

A Lac du Bonnet fundraiser for guide dogs, which was cancelled this past spring due to wildfire smoke, is back on for this weekend.

The Lac du Bonnet Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is taking place on Sept. 14 behind the Lac du Bonnet Food Bank at 55 McArthur Ave. Registration is at 1:30 p.m. with the walk to start at 2 p.m. Proceeds are going to the seven dog guide programs: Canine Vision, Hearing, Service, Seizure Response, Autism Assistance, Diabetic Alert and Facility Support. 

The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (LFCDG) is an accredited not-for-profit that relies on its largest fundraising event, the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, to empower Canadians living with disabilities by providing dog guides at no cost and supporting them in their journey together.

“With one in five Canadians living with a disability, dog guides are in high demand,” explained Andrea Stevens, manager of events at LFCDG.
She said each dog guide team costs $35,000, however none of that cost is passed down to the applicant. LFCDG relies on the success of all Pet Valu Walks for Dog Guides that take place across Canada, to continue to create an impact for Canadians through dog guides. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the dog walk.

The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is a national fundraising walk that is held in communities across Canada. It raises funds to help train dog guides for Canadians with visual, hearing, medical or physical disabilities. Each walk is organized by local volunteers with support from LFCDG. 
To make an impact, register or donate to the Lac du Bonnet Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides at www.walkfordogguides.com

St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Beausejour and Our Lady of Hope Church in Anola welcome Father Rajan Thomas, IVDei to their parishes.

A dynamic and committed priest, parishioners are fortunate to have Father Rajan, who comes from Tamil Nadu, India. He is fluent in English and Tamil. Father Rajan acted as parish provider from April 5 to May 1, when he was then appointed parochial administrator for both parishes.

Father Rajan was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest under the Voluntas Dei Institute on May 19, 2018 after this seminary studies.  His ministerial experiences have included pastor and co-pastor in two parishes, a vocation promoter and two year mission visit in Italy. 

Prior to entering the priesthood, Father Rajan was an assistant professor at Loyola College in the Department of Social Work. He holds a Masters of Social Work. He also is close to completing his Ph. D in Social Work, as he placed his studies on hold to follow his calling and mission at Our Lady of Hope and St. Mary parishes.      

Since he has arrived, Father Rajan has shown to be committed, hardworking, inclusive and a relationship builder. He has spearhead visits to parishioners who are homebound to provide spiritual care. As well, he has visited many parishioners to get to know them and bless their homes. He has also shown that he meets a person where they are at in their spiritual journey and all are welcome. He also has an innate ability to remember faces and names.

Father Rajan has quickly come to appreciate local parishioners, churches, cemeteries and also the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Beausejour. In particular, the St. Mary Church and Rectory are impressive monuments to faith, determination and hard works of the pastors and parishioners over the past 100-plus years. Examples are the beautiful wall and ceiling murals completed by artist Leo Mol in 1952 and the Shrine Of our Lady of La Salette. At the same time, he tactfully integrates subtle enhancements to the established but growing parishes.

The communities within the Parishes of St. Mary and Our Lady of Hope are very diverse. They all bring their own cultural characteristics and gifts. His unique background will be very welcoming and meaningful to Christians of such diversity. 

Father Rajan invites the communities to mass. In Beausejour, mass is celebrated on Saturday at 5 p.m., Sunday at 9 a.m. and weekdays Tuesday to Friday at 9 a.m. In Anola, mass is celebrated on Sunday at 11 a.m.

For further mass times, church bulletins and more information go to www.stmarybeausejour.com and www.ourladyofhopeanola.com

The Lac du Bonnet Slo-Pitch League closed out their 2025 season in thrilling fashion Sept. 8 with Gazelles defeating Southern Comfort 8-7 to claim the league title.

A new team in the Lac du Bonnet Slo-Pitch League, Gazelles finished the season with a 13-8 record and in second place behind No.l ranked Southern Comfort, who lost just one game in regulation play to claim the league pennant.

Whipmasters won the consolation event.

The Clipper/Lac du Bonnet Clipper earned national recognition this week at the Canadian Community Newspaper Association (CCNA) Newspaper Awards competition for 2024.

Announced by the CCNA on Sept. 22, Clipper Publishing President/Editor-In-Chief Mark T. Buss won second place in the Best Local Editorial (Circulation 10,000-plus) for Ratepayers In Alexander Deserve Better. The editorial was about that council’s questionable decision to stop recording their meetings and prevent the general public from viewing the live events online while the meetings continued to be held digitally to accommodate councillors at home, delegations and other participants. 

Editorials from the North Shore News (North/West Vancouver, BC) finished first with The Lake Report (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON) third.

Clipper Publishing contributing reporter Simon Ducatel also earned a second place in Best National Editorial (Circulation 10,000-plus) for his column, The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same, referencing the demonization of LGBTQ people and how grifters peddle manufactured outrage to divide the masses.

The Lake Report (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON) finished first with St. Albert Gazette (St. Albert, AB) third.

“Clipper Publishing has received numerous Manitoba Community Newspaper Association awards for editorial and design excellence over the years, but this is just the second time we have ever been recognized on the national stage,” said Buss. “To win two awards this time around is a real feather in our cap and a testament to the hard work done at our Lac du Bonnet and Beausejour offices.”

North Eastman’s leading news source, The Clipper/Lac du Bonnet Clipper’s coverage area encompasses virtually all of North Eastman – from the Trans Canada Highway in the south to Powerview-Pine Falls in the north and from Birds Hill Park in the west to the Ontario border.

According to the latest available newspaper database numbers, Clipper Publishing has the highest community newspaper readership in Manitoba topping out at 83 per cent – higher than the Winnipeg Free Press  (56 per cent) and Winnipeg Sun (39 per cent) in The Clipper/Lac du Bonnet Clipper’s coverage area – and reaches 30,000 readers in print and online on a weekly basis.

The Canadian Community Newspapers Association is dedicated to the excellence, credibility and economic well being of Canadian community newspapers through leadership, education, and communication. The community press is recognized by the public, business and government as a powerful, effective and dynamic medium for news, opinion and advertising.
The CCNA fosters freedom of the press, credibility, co-operation, growth and profitability. Their logo currently appears on the masthead of over 670 member newspapers across Canada.

By Morgan Maguet

Those in attendance at the community safety open house held Sept. 18 at Beausejour’s town office heard this past summer was a busy one for criminal activity, and more people are needed to step up to make a difference.

The event was an opportunity for council, RCMP and representatives from the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) to hear concerns about growing crime rates and safety.

The meeting gave residents a chance to learn about COPP’s role in town, including how to volunteer for the province-wide neighbourhood watch program with more than 40 groups and 500 volunteers across Manitoba. 
COPP groups log thousands of patrol hours each year, supporting police and increasing community visibility. In Beausejour, the program is coordinated by Paul Meads.

“We want to focus on the root causes of crime and build a community where everyone feels safe,” said Meads, who has been involved with the patrol program for several years.

Murray Luschinski, provincial COPP liaison, also spoke at the event. He previously helped establish the West St. Paul COPP group, which he said successfully reduced crime.

“Our program worked by educating the community on ways to promote safety as well as performing routine patrols,” Luschinski said. 

Patrollers work in pairs, using personal vehicles or a town-owned van. They do not intervene directly, but they report suspicious activity to police dispatch. Patrols are often guided by RCMP priorities and community tips.
“A lot of crime and COPP patrol activity happens between midnight and 3 a.m.,” Luschinski said.

Currently, eight volunteers are patrolling Beausejour two to three times per week. The group hopes to increase patrols to more nights as membership grows.

Patrols cover all of Beausejour and now reach areas such as the Beausejour golf course, campground, Sandy-Salteaux and St. Ouens. No patrols are active in Garson or Tyndall yet, but COPP is exploring partnerships with the RM.

Meads noted that COPP has already made an impact in town.

“There was lots of drug-related activity at the Nolan Thomas Playground and the cemeteries, but now we’ve seen huge improvements thanks to COPP,” he said.

Residents also raised concerns about street racing. COPP reports have helped the RCMP and the town identify hot spots, which led to new speed bumps and vehicle enforcement.

“Lots of recent reports from patrols have led to arrests,” Mayor Ray Schirle said.

RCMP Cpl. Pete Baxted attended the meeting and said police also utilize the program to help track crime patterns. COPP reports help officers, who are covering a large area, know when and where to be, in order to catch criminals.
“This past summer has been one of the busiest on record for crime,” Baxted said. “The biggest issues Beausejour is seeing are drug-related offences, mental health crises and property theft.”

Schirle said the town is also working with Manitoba Justice and Manitoba Housing to improve coordination, particularly around how individuals on bail are released back into communities.

He added that Beausejour is not alone in facing these challenges. Municipalities across Manitoba are dealing with similar issues and are increasingly turning to COPP for support.

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is currently drafting a petition calling for federal and provincial governments to address repeat offenders, bail reform and release practices.

Baxted said stronger partnerships and more volunteers will make a difference.
“Together we are going to make it as difficult as possible for people to get away with crime,” he said.

Meeting organizers encouraged residents to step forward, noting that even a few hours a month can make a big difference in keeping the community safe. Some people signed on with COPP after the meeting, but more are needed
For information about volunteering with COPP, contact Meads at 204-688-3908 or beausejourcopp@gmail.com

By Rick McGregor

The afternoon of Sept. 20 was a time for reflection, gratitude and acknowledgement of the heroic efforts of those involved in saving the RM of Lac du Bonnet from the forest fires of 2025.

The Hearts and Heroes event took place at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre, a formal afternoon of speeches and the presentations of tokens of gratitude to the many organizations and people who led the fight against the fires and those who participated in supporting them behind the scenes.

Reeve Loren Schinkel served as the master of ceremonies and provided a recap of events starting the morning of May 13 that would affect the lives of thousands of people over the next few weeks, the a whirlwind of steps taken to fight the fires, help house evacuees, set up coordination sites and call in additional help. Fire fighters from Pinawa, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Whitemouth, Sagkeeng, Tanco Mines and other areas arrived to help. Water bombers from Gimli, The Pas and Kenora were also called in.

Conditions were horrific and while some cottages and homes were sadly lost in the blaze. The efforts of all involved saved forty-five cottages on Grausdin Point and over six hundred homes in the Cape Coppermine and Granite hills area. 

Tragically the lives of local residents, Richard and Sue Nowell were lost that day and they were fondly remembered by many in attendance. 

Schinkel presented plaques and certificates to the various fire-fighting groups, the local RCMP, Emergency Measures personnel, area reeves and mayors from assisting communities, RM council and staff, local businesses who helped in many ways, contractors involved in clean up and rebuilding, and volunteers who opened their homes and prepared meals. Manitoba Hydro was praised for their quick restoration of power including the replacement of hundreds of hydro poles, restoring power to the region within five days. 

Glenn Miller, Director of Manitoba Wildfire Services, was one of a few people receiving standing ovations from the crowd. He thanked his team of 135 firefighters, 22 Conservation officers and his staff for their contributions to the fight. Lac du Bonnet Fire Chief Earl Simmons and his team were similarly honoured.

What struck many, if not all in attendance was the depth of the gratitude and the sincerity of the appreciation of all of the efforts expended by all to those making speeches during the event. Schinkel himself was quite emotional and moved to tears at times, recounting the heroism and acts of unselfishness performed by so many.

Lac du Bonnet Emergency Coordinator John Fleming spoke about his team spending years planning for such an emergency, never wanting it to actually happen. And then it did. He praised his team for putting all that practice into action and added that “leadership and calm led us through this tragedy.”

Deputy Reeve Greg Mandzuk closed out the formal part of the afternoon by thanking Schinkel for his leadership, calm and communication throughout a time that will never be forgotten in this area.

Lyons William (Bill) Dowbyhuz, a longtime Whitemouth volunteer, community leader, municipal councillor and reeve passed away peacefully on Sept. 11. He was 74.

Born and raised in Transcona, Dowbyhuz made a 37-year career for himself with the City of Winnipeg, ending his time as Supervisor of Fleet Management.
Building a home and raising a family with his wife Cathy in Lorette and Winnipeg, they moved to Whitemouth where he began an impressive history of community service and volunteerism. Voted in as a councillor and later the reeve of the RM of Whitemouth, he took on numerous committee roles including time with the Whitemouth Recreation Association, Community Futures Winnipeg River, Whitemouth Health Foundation, Whitemouth Museum and the Whitemouth and District Lions Club.

Former Whitemouth Lions president Shannon Malkoske said Dowbyhuz was actively involved in the community, striving to protect and improve services the residents. Just to mention a couple of his accomplishments, while reeve, Dowbyhuz played a significant roll in replacing the old Whitemouth fire hall. As president of the Whitemouth Recreation Association, he played an instrumental part in ensuring the medical clinic, the lab and the clinicians remained in Whitemouth while their facility was being repaired after being flooded. 

“The proposed plan was to relocate the medical staff to an existing medical facility in another municipality. Fearing the possibility of the medical services not being returned to Whitemouth, Bill, along with other community members, fought this plan and enabled the Whitemouth medical teams to continue to serve residents in Whitemouth by using the WRA’s community hall for many months,” Malkoske said. “Through the years, Bill volunteered for several community organizations and if at all possible, he would not turn down a request for assistance.”

She said the Lions were fortunate to have Dowbyhuz as a friend and a volunteer. A couple of years ago, he approached the group about volunteering to look after Lions Park, including being the groundskeeper, cleaning and repairing the washroom facilities. She said he continued to do this through most of this past summer, until  he no longer had the strength to continue.    

 “Bill was a dedicated volunteer, always doing his best while expecting absolutely nothing in return,” Malkoske said. “We felt honoured to welcome Bill as a member of the Lions Club earlier this year and he will be greatly missed by our members as well as the Whitemouth community.”

Dowbyhuz is survived by Cathy, their four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren along with other family and many friends. A celebration of life is being held Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. at the Whitemouth Hall.

By Tony Zerucha

The RM of Springfield is being urged to follow the Winnipeg Humane Society and Winnipeg Animal Services in adopting a more humane way of dealing with the growing number of unwanted and feral cats.

On Sept. 16, council heard from Meghan Main, the director of Rural Animal Management Services (RAMS), which is contracted by 10 municipalities to deal with animal control issues. Main encouraged council members to support trap-neuter-return and community-supported intake policies, two methods shown to be successful in addressing the problem of unwanted and feral cats.
RAMS’ updated intake policy has it accepting stray cats under a “capacity for care” model, where it will only accept cats if it can provide appropriate housing, medical care and adoption support. People must bring stray cats to RAMS; Main said that the policy is used by the Winnipeg Humane Society.

“Many lost and stray cats actually live near a finder and will simply go home if left alone,” Main wrote in a submission to Council. “Lost cats in an animal shelter rarely get reunited with owners when compared to dogs.”

Main also urged council to support trap-neuter-return, which costs less than half of the $205 municipalities currently pay for boarding and euthanizing a cat. Under the new plan, the RM pays $90 towards neutering and $130 for spaying, with the person bringing in the cat covering the remainder.

Following sterilization, the cat is returned to where it was found. Main said this is important because cats are territorial; removing a cat encourages another to take its place.

“This season is cat season,” Main said. “Everyone is worried about the cold, and they’re coming in. We are packed and we end up having to euthanize a lot of animals. We are trying to find a better way.”

Main said cat overpopulation has grown since COVID-19. The problem with cats, and also with dogs, has become so acute that emergency rescue organizations recently urged the Province of Manitoba to declare a state of emergency.

Cats, especially feral ones, have little chance of finding new homes. Under the current bylaw, owned cats are held for seven days. The owner is contacted before the cat becomes shelter property. Feral cats have 72 hours. Main said many are scared and may be owned animals who were lost or dumped. Staff have to quickly make critical decisions about life and death.

Council will discuss the changes at a future meeting.

Sagkeeng billboard advises no trespassing, hunting or fishing without permission

By Mark T. Buss

A sign erected last week in the Municipality of Alexander, without consultation of the RM, has area residents and council asking questions about its purpose and message moving forward.

On Sept. 17, a sign put up at the turnoff intersection of PRs 313 and 315 advises motorists they are “entering unsurrendered territory” of Sagkeeng First Nation. It goes on to say individuals wanting to enter, hunt or fish must have prior approval of Sagkeeng’s chief and council. 

According to locals however, the property in question is a mix of Crown land and private property with cottages.

Alexander Deputy Reeve Mac Kinghorn said the only information he had on the sign was that it was put up that Wednesday afternoon by “persons unknown” and that the municipality had yet to hear anything from Sagkeeng on the matter.

“The RM was not contacted prior to it being put up and admin was not aware that this was going to happen,” Kinghorn stated. “Council meeting is Tuesday and I am sure that it will be a topic of discussion.”

Alexander resident Aaron Wiebe said his home is two minutes from the sign. He is concerned for the thousands of property owners to the north to Bird River and Nopiming and east to Pointe du Bois and speculated this may connected to a Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) claim – intended to settle the land debt owed to those First Nations who did not receive all the land they were entitled to under historical treaties signed by the Crown and First Nations. The fulfillment of Treaty Land Entitlement agreements spurs economic development on reserves and in surrounding communities.

“There are Crown lands earmarked by Sagkeeng all over the place here and around town to be included in Sagkeeng’s eventual TLE settlement,” said Wiebe, who stated he reached out to Sagkeeng’s chief and council with no response. “Norway House and Brokenhead (Ojibway Nation) have both settled their TLE claims and own large areas of land on the lake.”

Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko forwarded an email to Minister of Northern Relations Ian Bushie on Sept. 19. In it, he said restricting access is an infringement on the legal rights of Manitobans to hunt and fish on Crown lands.

“The area in question is heavily used by local residents and cottage owners as well as tourists,” Ewasko stated. “Your office must immediately take steps to have these signs removed, in the name of clear communication and the rule of law.”

Contacted by the Lac du Bonnet Clipper, a spokesperson for Bushie’s office confirmed all licensed hunters have the right to hunt in Manitoba.

“The minister will continue to work closely with local First Nation leadership, the Wildlife Federation and Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters to ensure that we are all moving toward the same goal: a stable, growing wildlife population that benefits everyone,” the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman MP James Bezan said he would not comment at this time.

Sagkeeng First Nation and the Manitoba Wildlife Federation did not respond to requests for comment.

It’s that time of year again where you will soon see businesses in Beausejour and Lac du Bonnet lit in purple and blue lights to draw awareness for another historic night!  

Light It Up! for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is back and bigger than ever. Supported Employment Options (SEO) – a division of the Association for Community Living – has been partnering with businesses to draw recognition to the many ways people who have a disability contribute to businesses being successful and competitive; spotlighting the economic importance of the disability talent pool and inclusive hiring.  

This special lighting event started in Ontario six years ago and spread across the nation. This coast-to-coast collaboration not only illuminates our towns and cities but continues to ignite conversation about disability inclusion in employment, in business and in our communities.

Please be sure to check out this year’s event taking place the evening of Oct. 16. We want to give a special thank you to all businesses that have chosen to highlight inclusive employment. 

Any businesses in neighbouring communities that want to participate are encouraged to register with SEO via email at larissa@myseobb.com or call Robyn or Larissa at 204-268-4653. The list of businesses are required by coordinators to know who is participating and for others to begin this positive conversation.

Springfield Seniors Living will be recognizing both Arline and the late Norv Christopherson as the Outstanding Volunteers of the Year Award recipients at our President’s Gala on Oct. 4 at the Elmhurst Golf and Country Club. 

Arline and Norv were born and raised in Oakbank where their shared love of music brought them together. Both were actively involved in the United Church which they attended. Together they entertained in Oakbank and surrounding communities in a band. Their friendship and love of music blossomed into marriage in 1955. 

Their volunteer work has been instrumental not only to the church, but also to the broader community. Their impact of volunteerism extends far beyond a single organization. Over the years they dedicated many hours with the community club, Oakbank fall suppers, Springfield Country Fair, Oakbank Beautification Committee, Oakbank Dinner Theatre, Springfield Food Bank, seniors volunteer driver, Winnipeg Cheer Board, Operation Red Nose, as well as volunteering at the Pam Am Games in 1999.

Arline and Norv committed their lives to serving their community. They loved sharing their time and energy and Oakbank has been the beneficiary of their commitment.

The President’s Gala event is now sold-out. However, your support can be made by a monetary donation with 100 per cent tax receipt or by purchasing a raffle ticket. Raffle draw will take place Oct. 4 at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club. For raffle tickets or donations and/or if you would like to send congratulatory wishes to be shared at the event, please contact Clare Reimer at 204-444-3132 ext. 3.

By Tony Zerucha

The Carillon Sultans U15 AAA baseball team was rewarded for a strong season with a trip to the Western Canadian Championships.

After a 10-5-1 regular season, the Sultans – which included Beausejour’s Luke Janzen and Jayke Witzke – began the Provincials with a 9-2 win over Bonivital and a 6-4 triumph over Pembina Hills on Aug. 1. They split two on Aug. 2 and began Aug. 3 with a 5-3 loss before topping Winnipeg South 15-3 to earn their spot in the Western Canadians.

“I knew we had a strong group heading into the season,” head coach Clinton Brandt said. “We had five returning players and high expectations from some of the new ones.”

The Sultans began slowly, but the bats warmed up in June. Brandt said everyone got hot at the same time.

“I don’t think we lost a game in June,” he said.

The Sultans fared well in tournaments in Brandon and West Winnipeg. That boded well for the playoffs, where they entered as the second-place team in the rural division.

While the Bonivital score was lopsided, Brandt said it was close throughout until a big inning. The Pembina Hills game was another nail-biter. That first game on Aug. 2 saw the Sultans amass a big lead before South Central chipped away. Janzen came in for the save.

With a strong team, Brandt said that everyone knew the goal was to win the Provincials. With that in mind, he constantly had the players focusing on processes. Every successful play inched the Sultans closer to the provincial title.

While the Sultans went winless at the Western Canadians, Brandt said it was a fun experience for the team, who competed against the best in the west. They held several leads and played their best games against the two eventual finalists.

“Some of those games could have gone either way,” Brandt said.

Brandt said Janzen, who pitched and played outfield and third base, was very consistent as a leadoff hitter. He was key to the Sultans’ attack.

“Luke is a tremendous leader,” Brandt said. “He leads by example but also through his words in how he encourages his teammates.”

Witzke was both new to the Sultans and AAA baseball. Brandt said he constantly improved during the season, even as he adjusted to playing outfield for the first time.

“Jayke got a bunch of important extra-base hits for us,” Brandt said.
Brandt said the Sultans were a close-knit group. He’s glad they got a few days of extra baseball in before they go their separate ways.

“I told them to be proud of themselves,” Brandt said. “Enjoy your time together building friendships and making memories.”

By Tony Zerucha

A The Springfield Xtreme have been feasting on Gators in Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League preseason hockey action as they chewed on the East St. Paul club twice in one week

A rookie-laden squad sought to impress the Xtreme coaching staff in the club’s first exhibition game Sept. 7, skating to a 9-1 win at the East St. Paul Arena.
Springfield Sabres teammates Cam Osborne and Parker Fazio both scored, with Fazio adding two assists. Both had cups of coffee with the Xtreme last season. Former SCI Sabre Evan Suchar posted two helpers.

They were joined by two graduating College Pierre Elliot Trudeau stars, as Ethan Da Silva and Owen Chemelnytzki also lit the lamp.

The veterans also contributed. John Pelletier registered two goals and one assist, while Seth Klepatz fired two scores. Eric Bartel had one goal.
Springfield continued with a 9-0 trouncing of the Gators Sept. 13.

Assistant captain Mike Jette scored twice. Seven players scored one each, including Fazio, Suchar,  Da Silva, Evan Jasper, Taigan Newton, Chase Janas and Brady Heilman.

The Xtreme host the Steinbach Huskies in their final tune-up on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. 

Springfield opens the regular season at home with a Saturday night special on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. against the Niverville Clippers. The homestand continues when the Macdonald Swarm buzz into town on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m.