August 13, 2026

Pinawa firefighters receive lifesaving award

By Tony Zerucha

The bravery of eight members of Pinawa’s Fire and Rescue Service last summer earned them a Rescue Commendation from the Royal Lifesaving Society and Manitoba’s Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville at a Government House ceremony on July 28.
On Aug. 9, 2025, a family of five ventured onto the Pinawa Channel on a large flotation device. None had swimming training, and they weren’t wearing life jackets.
Once they hit the rapids, the quintet, ranging in age from their 40s to 70s, became distressed. The temperature began to drop, and one person experienced a sugar emergency.

They called 911 and reached a provincial employee. That person called Chief Mike Purtill.

“They told me that five people were in distress on the Channel and (one) was experiencing a medical emergency,” Purtill said. “I paged out the department to meet at the hall to see what we could do.”

Purtill, Robert Petkau, Bryn Wallach, Matt Kryschuk, Wayne Boer, Ivan Nychiai, Joe Stefaniuk and Jeff Harding rushed to the hall. They were immediately faced with a big issue.

“We had no idea where they were,” Purtill admitted. “They could have been anywhere.”
The call came in around 5:30 p.m. and the temperature was falling. Purtill knew they had to act fast. Crew members brought kayaks and reached out to the community for flotation devices. They started at the beginning of the channel.

Purtill had the phone number of the person who originally called 911. He reached her and had her describe her surroundings. The team determined they had reached shore nearby.

“They had no paddles or life jackets, but managed to guide themselves to shore,” Purtill said. “They did the right thing; they found safe refuge and called for help.”
Within an hour of the original call, Pinawa Fire and Rescue Service found the family, got them to shore, and walked them to safety along the Blue Trail.

That quick thinking got the Royal Lifesaving Society’s attention, and they reached out with an invitation in late June inviting them to a ceremony.

“It was pretty special,” Purtill said. “Twelve Manitobans were honoured, and eight were Pinawa firefighters.”

Purtill credited Pinawa’s council for improving medical and water rescue services. He’s been busy developing a water rescue plan that includes a boat and shore-based equipment. 

“Anyone who gets into trouble on the Channel is in good hands,” Purtill said.
Purtill and Kryschuk were also presented the M.G. Griffiths Award, which reads in part, “...with skill and knowledge gained through the program of the Society,  acted with resourcefulness and courage to come to the aid of an individual in distress.”

Springfield speed reduction still in neutral

By Tony Zerucha

The RM of Springfield has failed in its latest attempt to reduce the speed limit north of Oakbank. 

Hoping to drop the limit to improve safety for motorists entering and exiting Oaks North Condos, many of whom are senior citizens, the RM received a letter dated June 1 from Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) director Luis Escobar claiming no change is warranted.

“(MTI) has completed the review. We considered the geometric features of the roadway, the environment surrounding the roadway, operating speeds, traffic volumes, and the recorded collision history,” Escobar said. “The review concluded that there were no technical reasons indicating a need to revise the current speed limit.”

The letter went on to state that when the initial request for a changed speed limit cannot be supported on its technical merits, the request is automatically reconsidered by an Interdepartmental Review Committee (IRC). The IRC upheld the technical recommendation to leave the speed limit unchanged.

Springfield has tried to convince provincial officials to reduce the speed limit north of Oakbank for more than a decade. A steady stream of elected officials and staff have advocated for change. In 2019, municipal officials were told that one reason their request was denied was that a lower speed limit would not make a difference in actual motorist behaviour.

Expect Springfield to continue pressing provincial officials, especially considering Schinkel Properties is in the early stages of building 118 two- and three-bedroom suites at 767 Main St., immediately north of Oaks North Condos. Phase 1 has two buildings totalling 24 units. Phase 2 adds one building with 14 units, while Phase 3 sees three buildings and 40 units. Phase 4 also has 40 units, but across four buildings.

Schinkel Properties’ plans include space for plenty of cars, with an average of more than two per unit. Plenty of construction traffic will be entering and exiting the site over the next few years.

“We did speak with them about future development in the area; however, their studies are based on current conditions,” CAO Colleen Draper said. “We will revisit once more development happens and the extra vehicle traffic is present.”

Whitemouth noise bylaw tickets tossed

By Tony Zerucha

The RM of Whitemouth insists its current noise bylaw is sufficient despite a recent Court of King’s Bench judgement that cited problems with how it was developed, enforced and communicated to area businesses. 

In a decision published on June 8, Justice Angela Kintop found that while Wild Skies Resort indeed breached the bylaw on three occasions in 2024, she threw out the tickets.

Located on the Whitemouth River, Wild Skies Resort offers private rentals and a wedding reception site. The RM of Whitemouth issued tickets for alleged breaches of its noise bylaw on Aug. 17, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, 2024.

According to Whitemouth’s bylaw, no person shall make or allow any nuisance noise regardless of the hour “coming from any musical instrument or loudspeaker, when as determined by an officer is audible from a distance of 30 metres.”

While Wild Skies owners Megan Steen and Rene Talbot initially argued that they had not violated the bylaw. Kintop, in her decision, said she could clearly hear specific songs in videos taken from the property line on Aug. 17 and Sept. 28. Kintop agreed with prosecution evidence that the music scared nearby horses and also cited testimony from a municipal employee that they heard music from a distance “with her windows rolled up, heat running and over her loud vehicle.’

“Based on the wording of that bylaw, I am satisfied that all three tickets have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” Kintop wrote.

What was at issue was whether the RM of Whitemouth clearly communicated to Steen and Talbot how alleged bylaw violations would be determined and enforced.

Steen testified that she spoke with municipal officials before buying the property in 2020. She said she spoke with a building inspector and development officer about zoning and permitted uses. The RM of Whitemouth was aware of their plans and granted the appropriate permits.

When developing the business, Steen said she sought a definition of nuisance noise so she could address them.

“They have attended meetings in person with CAO Colleen Johnson, as she then was bylaw officer in Alexander as well as the municipal solicitor for the RM in the summer of 2022,” Kintop wrote. “There were also phone calls, emails, letters and in-person discussions with other bylaw officers. Decibel levels, times of day, difference between residential and non-residential property, where to read the noise levels from and sample by-laws had been discussed.”

Wild Skies representatives met with the RM and its solicitor on June 24, 2024, to discuss a draft bylaw that would replace the existing one. Steen said topics included decibel levels and measurement distances.

Steen said Wild Skies’ rental contracts include multiple steps designed to reduce noise issues, including the owners’ rights to reduce music volume and to turn it off completely and to limit hours. The company retained existing forest and planted additional trees.
In 2023, Wild Skies added curtains and more soundproof siding. Steen and Talbot testified they took hourly decibel readings from the property’s four corners. Kintop noted the basis for taking decibel readings was based on previous enforcement and information from the RM, with Steen testifying they were also told by the municipal solicitor to take decibel readings to protect their business. Steen testified when she has sought clarification from the RM about what an acceptable level of noise is, she has been told that there are no decibel readings in the bylaw or what an appropriate level of noise would be.

While Wild Skies was aware of previous complaints in 2023, Kintop wrote that bylaw officers told Steen and Talbot that they were within reasonable limits. No tickets were issued in 2022 or 2023.

Kintop wrote the RM chose to change how it enforces the noise bylaw. Reeve Walter Amerongen said decibel readings were considered for inclusion in the past but were ultimately left out. 

Enforcement would be based on complaint frequency. Kintop found that at one point, municipal staff were directed to ticket Wild Skies Resort for every noise complaint.

What Kintop could not determine, however, was whether Wild Skies Resort was notified of the change in Whitemouth’s application of the noise bylaw. She did find that Steen and Talbot continued to take noise alleviation steps.

“While I have found that nuisance noise was caused by Wild Skies Resort... I find that the defendant has established the defence of due diligence on a balance of probabilities,” Kintop wrote in conclusion. “All three tickets are therefore dismissed.”
Amerongen said Whitemouth will continue to use the current noise bylaw.

“As our current bylaw is sound, there is no need to change,” Amerongen said. “It will continue to be used to enforce noise complaints.”

Town of Lac du Bonnet seeks new CAO

By Simon Ducatel

The departure of the Town of Lac du Bonnet’s chief administrative officer will leave behind some big shoes to fill. 

Mayor Ken Lodge offered high praise for Marley Seymour, who had been in the position since the summer of 2024. Seymour submitted her resignation letter earlier this month with Lodge referencing that she has made the decision to pursue a new job that wasn’t just a good opportunity for her career, but also her family. 

“It’s kind of a win-win for her in that case, and we certainly don’t fault her,” Lodge said. “She’s a really good person; very honest on how she conducts her work. Totally professional.” 

Lodge added the town has been very thankful to have had her for the period of time they did and lamented her impending departure.

“I have to admit I’m very envious of (Seymour’s new employer) for having gained such a great employee because she’s been like a breath of fresh air for us and really helped us to get everything back onto an even keel,” he said. 

Although Seymour has resigned, she hasn’t ridden off into the sunset just yet as she will be participating in the replacement selection process.

The mayor also said he does not anticipate any substantial impact on the upcoming municipal election in October as a result of the transition. 

“Whoever we do manage to hire, they’re going to be in the seat, in a perfect world, well before the election. A good month before,” he said. “(And) the role they play there in the office itself as far as the election (goes) is kind of non-existent.”

“The key factor for us is somebody that’s going to be able to, I think, come in and focus on the directions that we’ve been working (on) over the last four years, roughly, with the RM.”

The town has a lot of plans that will take a long time to get sorted out and organized because of the past situation with the municipality’s finances, he said, adding there was a lack of consistency for many years.

“I think now because of Marley, we’ve taken some major steps... and have all of our surrounding communities and the people in our community understand how things are actually done,” he added. “Now, unequivocally we know exactly where we’re at, and we’re in pretty good shape.”

The mayor said he looks forward to continue working on projects including potential housing developments, infrastructure upgrades and even a new daycare facility. He noted that success will in large part hinge on recruiting the right candidate who is capable of answering questions or finding the information that various parties require to proceed, he said.

“As much as I personally – and the council – don’t want Marley to go, again, we wish her only the very best because she’s been so good to us,” he said. “We just hope that we can find a suitable clone, if you will, that’s going to be able to come in and fill her shoes.”

Senior facing drug, other charges

A Springfield senior is facing multiple charges after police allege illegal drugs fell out of the stolen truck he drove to a rural property that RCMP was actively investigating.
On Aug. 5 at approximately 10:40 p.m., Oakbank RCMP received a report of a possible assault at a residence in the RM of Springfield. Officers attended and searched the property but did not locate anyone who had been assaulted.

As officers were preparing to leave, a male drove onto the property in a truck. The male appeared to be injured, and EMS was dispatched. When the male exited the vehicle, a bag containing illegal drugs fell to the ground. The 66-year-old male was arrested.
Further investigation revealed the vehicle he was driving had been reported stolen. Additional illicit drugs and an undisclosed amount of cash were also located in the vehicle.

Gordon Friesen, 66, of the RM of Springfield, was arrested and is facing charges including possession of property obtained by crime over and under $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking and failing to comply with a release order.
Friesen was remanded and held for court.

Action ahead at Beauhead Arts Fest

By Andrea Geary

Beauhead Arts Festival artistic director Brittany Wurch promises a unique experience for guests at this year’s festival.

“We’re encouraging people to come to the festival to see, learn and do,” she said.

In its sixth year, the annual festival is being held on Aug. 21 from 2 to 8 p.m. and Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Beausejour’s Pioneer Village Museum. Admission is free.
Wurch said arts festival organizers are partnering with several community groups to offer hands-on activities for all ages. One such activity is the Postsecret Project, a collaboration with the Brokenhead River Regional Library. Participants will create a story, memory or message through words and collage on postcard-sized paper. The finished pieces will be displayed in the library this fall.

Ste. Rita writer Sarah-Jane Marquez-Hicks and other members of the Ste. Rita Writers Circle are working with Brokenhead Writers Circle members on an activity called Words in the Wild. The focus is on creativity and prompts will be given to inspire guests.
Marquez-Hicks previously read her written work on the festival’s mainstage as part of a writers circle. She believes the event is a great way to encourage everyone to explore their creativity.

“It helps people in the community to see others creating. To be able to see neighbours and friends participating and be encouraged,” she said, adding that creative writing can be a lonely pastime.

Wurch said Cobra Enterprises is running a build it activity and the Brokenhead River Recreation Commission is giving guests of all ages the chance to create cardboard sculptures using a chomp saw.

Other activities include hide and string art run by the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, rock painting offered by the Network for Change and Recreational Opportunities for Children, and art journals given out by the Brokenhead River Arts Council.

“We encourage attendees of all ages to create while they’re at the festival,” Wurch said.
As in previous years, artists will be stationed inside many of the museum’s buildings with their work on display and for sale. This year, 17 artists are showing drawings and paintings in pencil, watercolour, acrylic, oil and mixed media, photographs, pottery, fused and blown glass and metal sculpture.

Beausejour artist Michele Campbell is bringing her acrylic paintings of animals done on recycled barn board to the festival. 

“The festival allows artists to meet great people for communication and conversation,” she said.

Campbell added that the Beauhead Arts Festival showcases talented artists, writers and performers who live in the area and supports community arts and culture. 

Singers and dancers will take to the stage under the big tent throughout the two days. Beausejour’s Haystack Productions will add drama on Friday evening and École Edward Schreyer School’s literary arts students are giving a reading on Saturday morning.

Fire bylaw changes address false alarms

By Tony Zerucha

The RM of Brokenhead and the Town of Beausejour are taking steps to reduce the number of false alarms caused by repeat offenders wasting department resources and funds.

Over the summer, one change introduced into the Fire Prevention and Emergency Services Bylaw provides the fire chief with the discretion to fine a property owner $500 should more than two false alarms emanate from a location. That fine can be levied for every incident beyond the first two.

A second change is that all multi-family dwellings “sharing a common hallway within the structure shall independently monitor their fire alarm systems and ensure compliance with the code.”

Brokenhead Coun. Luke Ingeberg, who serves on the joint fire committee, said the department responded to 45 false alarms in 2025. Several were repeat offenders.
“As this has been an increasing concern, discussions were held at the fire committee looking to make some changes to the bylaw to provide the opportunity for the municipality to address repeat offenders for faulty equipment,” Ingeberg said. 
Ingeberg said each call costs roughly $1,700 in wages and equipment costs. It also takes an emotional toll.

“In reality, this number is nothing compared to the effect on the members... leaving family and friends during special events or in the middle of the night to respond to a false alarm has very demoralizing effects, especially for repeat offender properties,” he added.

Ingeberg said he hopes the bylaw persuades property owners to maintain their equipment.  

“It’s the least we can do,” Ingeberg said. “To be clear, the concern isn’t the one-off calls. The amendments are to address repeat offenders.”

Ingeberg said the change on common hallways in multi-family dwellings is a safety measure to address department concerns about alarms in common areas.

Sultans collect silver medal at nationals

By Tony Zerucha and Mark T. Buss

The Carillon Sultans parlayed a third consecutive Manitoba Junior Baseball League championship into a silver medal over the weekend at the U22 Canadian Junior Baseball Championships in Tecumseh, Ont.

Despite finishing the national tournament ranked No. 1 with a 4-1 record in round robin play, Carillon – powered by Beausejour’s Cody Wielgosh, Ryan Powers, Carson Janzen and Great Falls’ Brady Papineau – fell 5-0 to the defending champion Windsor Selects on Aug. 9.

Down 1-0 to Windsor after six innings, a four-run seventh – sparked by a controversial bases loaded balk – ended the Manitoba champions’ chance for a gold medal.

The final game was not a reflection on how Carillon played in the series. They followed up a 6-3 win over Ontario Aug. 6 with a 5-4 victory over the host Tecumseh squad later that day. 

Their only blemish in the preliminaries was a 7-4 loss to Nova Scotia Aug. 7. They rebounded later in the day by toppling Windsor 7-6 in extra innings.

Aug. 8 saw the Sultans whip the other Nova Scotia team 13-8, giving the Manitoba squad a spot in the gold medal final.
Box scores, individual stats and all-star selections were not made available at press time.

In provincial play, Carillon won back-to-back-to-back titles in convincing fashion by sweeping the Elmwood Giants in three straight games. Carillon clinched the title on July 28 with a 12-2 victory.

The Sultans opened the series with a 15-5 win at A.D. Penner Park on July 24. They pulled away in the bottom of the third inning with five runs, thanks to Powers’ two-run double. They added six more in the fifth, with two coming from a Wielgosh double. 
Wielgosh finished with three hits, two runs and three runs batted in. Papineau contributed a hit and run, while Powers had two hits, two runs, and two runs batted in. Janzen pitched a clean sixth inning.

Carillon whitewashed the Giants 12-0 on July 26. Powers had two hits, a run and a run batted in, with Papineau posting two hits, two runs and two RBI. Wielgosh added a sacrifice fly, a run and a hit.

The Sultans took early control on July 28 as they amassed a 5-0 lead after two innings. Batting second and playing second base, Wielgosh had three hits in four at-bats, along with two runs and two runs batted in. Papineau batted fourth and had a run-scoring hit. 
Powers earned the win by striking out eight in five and one-third innings pitched. Janzen got the last two outs in relief.

“Sharing that moment with my teammates doesn’t compare to anything else,” Wielgosh said.

Wielgosh credited the Carillons’ camaraderie for making them special.

“You can see how much each guy is fighting for each other throughout the lineup,” he said. “Nobody points fingers or places blame. We just play hard for each other.”

Sagkeeng welcomes Indigenous Summer Games athletes

Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation is proud to welcome youth athletes, families, coaches and visitors as the 2026 Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games begin this week. 

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games provide a space for young athletes to come together through sport while strengthening connections between First Nations from across Manitoba. 

Approximately 450 youth athletes are registered to compete in five sports: golf, track and field, basketball, archery and ball hockey. Lacrosse will also be featured as a demonstration sport. 

The games officially commenced with an Opening Ceremony Aug. 10 at the Sagkeeng Arena Multiplex. Youth athletes will took part in a grand entry led by Sagkeeng Elder and former Front Runner Patrick Bruyere. Sagkeeng High School drummers and dancers also participated in the ceremony. 

Sagkeeng is honoured to recognize Bruyere and his connection to a significant chapter in First Nations sport history. In 1967, Bruyere was one of 10 First Nations athletes selected to carry the Pan American Games torch on an 800-kilometre journey from St. Paul, MN to Winnipeg.  

For Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation, hosting the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games is about creating opportunities for young people to compete, build relationships and take pride in representing their Nations and communities. 

“We are proud to welcome young athletes from across Manitoba to Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation. These Games belong to our youth. They are an opportunity for our young people to compete, make new friendships and see what they are capable of,” said Chief E.J. Fontaine. “We also want every athlete and family who comes to Sagkeeng to feel welcomed here. Our Nation has worked hard to prepare for these games, and we look forward to seeing our young people take the field, the court and the track with pride.” 

The games also leave a lasting benefit for Sagkeeng youth and families. In preparation for hosting, Sagkeeng has invested in a new track and field area, as well as resurfacing and upgrades to the lacrosse rink. These facilities will continue to support recreation, sport, health and wellness in the community after the games conclude. 

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games returned in 2026 after the planned 2025 Games were postponed because of the widespread wildfire emergency affecting First Nations across Manitoba. Sagkeeng and Norway House Cree Nation are hosting the Games in two phases. Norway House hosted the first phase in July with Sagkeeng hosting the second phase now. 

Throughout the week, Sagkeeng will also host cultural and community activities alongside the sporting competitions. These include a traditional sweat held on Aug. 11, a Round Dance on Aug. 12 and a Much Dance organized by the Kookums Lodge on Aug. 13.

Comets add pair of local defencemen

By Tony Zerucha

While training camp is still weeks away, Beausejour Comets’ general manager Curt Ramsden is working the phones like it’s the middle of January.

Ramsden is pleased to add two former Eastman Selects defencemen to the roster. Originally from St. Georges, Finley Titterson is a 6’-3”, 180-pound veteran who played 40 games for the Selects and six for the MJHL’s Portage Terriers in 2023-24, scoring five goals and five assists and registering 111 penalty minutes. He split 2024-25 between the Terriers and the MMJHL’s Stonewall Jets and St. James Canucks.
Last season, Titterson played for the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Chase Heat and Quesnel River Rush and the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s Aldergrove Ironmen.

“He’s a big, strong defenceman,” Ramsden said. “We’re really excited to bring him in, and he’s really excited to be coming.”

Titterson’s acquisition is a testament to the Comets front office’s ongoing tracking of potential future recruits. Ramsden has spoken with Titterson for several years and showed interest in his development. When Titterson expressed an interest in coming home, Ramsden welcomed him with open arms.

“Titterson’s grandma lives in Pine Falls and wants to come to watch him,” Ramsden said. “It’s nice and close for her.”

Ramsden may have found a future leader in Eastman Selects’ veteran rearguard Kellen

Sichewski. Over three seasons with the U18 program, the Garson native suited up for 129 games. He scored 11 times and chipped in 23 helpers.
“He’s a great kid with a good attitude,” Ramsden said, adding that Sichewski had offers from the Centennial Cup champion Niverville Nighthawks and Transcona Railers.

Sichewski was a Comets AP and attended last season’s team windup. He’s familiar with the organization and knows he’ll get a good opportunity.

“It gets back to trying to do it the right way; show kids respect and treat them fairly,” Ramsden said.

Ramsden’s still recruiting a few forwards but admits he’s generally pleased with those already signed. While the Comets are allowed six 21-year-olds, they have eight on the roster. Tough decisions await Ramsden and head coach Troy Kennedy this fall.
Camp opens Sept. 3. Email bcometsgm@gmail.com for more details.

Golf Tournament

Ramsden is also preparing for the inaugural Beausejour Comets Golf Tournament on Aug. 21 at Rivers Edge Golf Course near Beausejour. Registration is $150 per golfer or $600 per team. Get your foursome in early, because there are only 72 spots available for the 18-hole scramble.

While you’re supporting the Comets, you could also come out ahead, as anyone sinking a hole-in-one wins $10,000. Email bcometsgm@gmail.com to register. Breakfast and lunch are included with your registration.

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