New residents join PFMRU

Photo courtesy Prairie Mountain Health

Six new residents have recently started their two-year training period through the Parkland Family Medicine Residency Unit.

Started in 1991, and based out of Dauphin, the PFMRU has already enjoyed a great history of training rural family medicine students.

83 per cent of previous graduates are practicing in rural settings.

The new residents will spend the next two years working in a variety of clinical settings in Parkland communities such as Dauphin, Ste Rose, and Grandview.

They follow in the heels of recent graduates that are now working in Manitoba and Ontario, with the exception of one resident who decuided to take a third year of the program in order to focus on care of the elderly.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 18, 2025 - 2:00 pm

Photo courtesy Town of Swan River

A combined total of over six thousand dollars in one-time grants were handed out this week by the Town of Swan River to several organizations in the community.

The Valley Stage Players received $1,500 in funding, while the Swan Valley Kinsmen Club was also presented $1,500

$787.50 was awarded to the Swan River Golf and Country Club, while $750 was accepted by Swan Valley Youth Baseball

$393.75 awarded to the Heyes School Parent Advisory Council, and $1,204.88 awarded to the Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement group.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 18, 2025 - 11:45 am

The province has announced it's adding 10 new doctor training seats at Brandon University, along with renovating the Brodie Science Centre, to put more students on a career path to medicine.

The 10 additional training seats will bring the total number of spots up to 20 in Brandon.

The students will complete their training at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

The government says major upgrades to the Science Centre at Brandon University will include new science labs.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 17, 2025 - 5:15 pm

Photo courtesy Dauphin Rotary Club Facebook page

This year's Lobsterfest event was another sold-out, smashing success.

Earlier this week, the Dauiphin Rotary Club presented a cheque to Countryfest Community Cinema in the amount of $10,874 - the final proceeds from the event.

Co-organizer Lindsay Dingwall had a number of thank yous that she wanted to extend.

"The Lobsterfest Committee was just so easy to work with and made things happen. All of the sponsors, because events like this do not happen without sponsors, they just step up and believe in what we are doing. And, then there are the people that bought tickets and showed up. When we have a sold-out event, that tells us to keep doing it."

Dingwall also thanked all of the volunteers that helped stage the event.

She says they exceeded their goal of raising $10,000 through the event for our local cinema.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 17, 2025 - 2:39 pm

The town of Neepawa has a new member of council.

Dave Clark won a two-person by-election on Wednesday, collecting 272 of the 360 votes cast.

Sheri Grant finished a distant second.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 17, 2025 - 12:29 pm

Good news for those wanting to get their driver's licence. Manitoba Public Insurance is opening registration to its popular high school education program, Driver Z, next Wednesday.

The registration will open at 8:00 a.m. on July 23rd.

Driver Z will be offered in communities throughout Manitoba, using a mix of e-Lessons, virtual, and in-person classes.

One of the main components of the program is the in-car learning sessions that give students the time they need behind the wheel to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to drive safely and prevent collisions.

To start the process of registration, parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to complete the first two steps of the registration process before registration day by Visiting an MPI Service Centre or an Autopac broker with the new driver to set them up as a customer.

Further details and a list of required documents that you must bring with you to verify their identity is available on MPI’s website. Prospective drivers can also call the MPI Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-665-2410.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 16, 2025 - 6:00 pm

Elizabeth Woddason. Photo courtesy Manitoba Crop Alliance

Manitoba Crop Alliance has handed out $1,000 bursaries to six high school graduates, including one in the Parkland region.

Elizabeth Woddason of Erickson was one of the recipients.

The MCA established the bursaries to assist graduating high school students who are planning to attend a Canadian college or university in a field that will benefit the agriculture sector.

Woodason will be attending the University of Manitoba in the fall to begin work on obtaining a Bachelor of Science, which she plans to combine with her interest in genetics towards developing better crop varieties.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 16, 2025 - 4:00 pm

Another week of high temperatures helped crops progress in the Northwest region.

But despite some rainfall over the past seven days, the latest Manitoba Agriculture Crop report, more rain is needed as many crops, particularly those in lighter soils, are starting to show signs of moisture stress.

Herbicide applications have wrapped up for the most part in the region, while fungicide applications continue in most crops that have reached appropriate stages.

Fall rye and winter wheat crops continue into the late milk/early soft dough stages, while spring wheat moves into the flowering stage, while the most advanced fields are in the grain filling stage.

Field Peas range from R3 to R4 while Soybeans are in the R2 to R3 stage.

And Canola crops continue to vary across the region, depending on seeding date and moisture levels for germination.

While most fields are in the flowering stage, some are in the rosette stage while others are starting to bolt.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Jul 16, 2025 - 2:00 pm

Ochre River is getting set to host it's Family Fun Day this Saturday.

A ball tournament, children's activities, community-wie yard sales, and an evening dance are all highlights of the day.

Lakeshore Recreation Director Marie Sorlie says it is important to them to have activities for every member of the family.

"We want to make sure that the bouncy castles are up for the kids. If it is a hot day we will maybe have sprinklers set up. The adults, while the kids are bouncing around, can play ball and have a great time with their family and friends. And then in the evening, since it is old-time Bluegrass music, we have the older generation that is really going to enjoy that."

This is the 5th year for Family Fun Day in Ochre River