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1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Barkman set for major expansion

Wes Keating 2 minute read 11:29 AM CDT

NOVEMBER 4, 2010—Barkman Concrete is in the final planning stages of a major expansion to the company’s main manufacturing plant in Steinbach.

Preparation for the expansion is well underway, with construction expected to be completed next summer. Plans call for a 34,000-sq.-ft. addition to the west side of the main building for production along with a separate 12,000-sq.-ft. storage building.

The company recently changed its name to Barkman.

With the expansion, there will also be a redesign of the yard space to accommodate the new buildings and new landscaping along the front of the property facing Brandt Street.

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Local

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback October 7, 2021 – Former tractor mechanic enjoyed retirement hobby

Wes Keating 4 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback October 7, 2021 – Former tractor mechanic enjoyed retirement hobby

Wes Keating 4 minute read 8:37 AM CDT

Six decades ago a young tractor mechanic spent 10 years working on the latest Allis Chalmers models for a Steinbach implement dealer. Back then, the tractors were almost all brand new. In 2021, when Ben Unger finished working on one of those vintage orange tractors, it still looked like it had just rolled off the assembly line.

Still active in his eighties, (two years before his death in 2023) Unger told The Carillon he expected some of the dozen tractors he still had in storage, awaiting his attention, may have to be restored by the next generation. In the meantime, he spoke enthusiastically about his retirement hobby and his latest project.

He was in the midst of converting a gas job into a diesel model, creating a hybrid restoration of the Allis Chalmers WD 45 that came out in 1956, with a choice of motors.

The WD 45 gas model and WD 45 diesel models are virtually the same tractor, with the exception of the motor, he explained.

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8:37 AM CDT

Local

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback October 1, 1980 – Richer playground gets second upgrade

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback October 1, 1980 – Richer playground gets second upgrade

Wes Keating 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:58 PM CDT

The Richer School has done it again. Last September, students in kindergarten to Grade 3 were treated to new playground equipment erected in front of the school at a cost of about $4,000. On Friday, an open house and extended recess for students marked the official presentation of another $4,200 worth of playground equipment for older students at the back of the school.

Construction of both playgrounds is unique in that parents, teachers, school division representatives and the school principal, volunteered to organize and finance the purchases, assembly and installation of the equipment.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony the last week in September, speakers included Seine River School Division board chair Gerard Archambault; school trustee and committee member Gilles Saindon; Grade 5 parent representative and playground committee member Joyce Korman; Richer School principal George Prescott, and two Grade 4 students, who won an essay contest on the topic of the new playground.

Wanda Warksdale read her essay in English, followed by Joanne Daigneault, who read her essay in French.

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Yesterday at 5:58 PM CDT

Local

SPORTS FLASHBACK OCT 1985: Wheelers win 14 straight

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK OCT 1985: Wheelers win 14 straight

Wes Keating 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

October 9, 1985

The Steinbach Wheelers spotted the L.A. Electrics a touchdown in the early going but then roared back to score a 52-12 victory in the 1985 championship game of the Steinbach and Area Touch Football League.

The Electrics picked off an errant Gary Unger pass early in the first quarter and a play later, George Loewen connected with Roger Taillefer for a 40-yard pass-and-run play to make the score 6-0.

Mark Kornelson got the first of three majors for the Wheelers before the first quarter ended and another long pass to Rod Reimer gave the Wheelers a six-point lead. The convert pass to Rod Thiessen made it 13-6 for the Wheelers at that point.

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Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

Local

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Barkman Concrete founder remembered

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Barkman Concrete founder remembered

Wes Keating 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:13 PM CDT

APRIL 7, 2016—One of Steinbach’s foremost businessmen and philanthropists died Sunday. Peter L. Barkman was 88.

Barkman molded a plumbing and heating business into a successful concrete enterprise that has proven to be a major player across the continent.

Guided by Barkman’s steady hand until his son Alan took over the reins, Barkman Concrete has become one of the leading manufacturers of precast concrete products in North America. The Steinbach-based business employs approximately 250 seasonal and full-time employees.

Despite stepping aside in the late 1980s, Peter Barkman remained abreast on the growing business’ triumphs, as chairman of the board.

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Yesterday at 2:13 PM CDT

Sports

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: AI’s increasing impact on sport

James Loewen 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

AI, the abbreviation for Artificial Intelligence, is omnipresent in our lives. We encounter it frequently in our everyday life and in the media we frequently see red flag warnings about the dangers of AI.

It has replaced human receptionists at many businesses. AI manages our online searches, tracks weather patterns, monitors traffic conditions in our navigation apps, translates text into other languages in almost real time; in short, AI is everywhere.

And now, AI has entered the realm of sports.

Exhibit A - If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve seen the square strike zone on your TV screen. With the help of 16 cameras, Major League Baseball (MLB) has instituted a system called ABS, where balls and strikes are called based on a player’s height that has been pre-programmed into the system.

Local

COLUMN: View from the Legislature – Antisemitism grows in wake of terrorist attack

Kelvin Goertzen, MLA for Steinbach 3 minute read Yesterday at 11:20 AM CDT

Wednesday was the third anniversary of the horrific attack in Israel that killed at least 1,200 Israelis. The Oct.7 assault was led by the terrorist organization Hamas, and it resulted in not only the deliberate targeting and killing of hundreds of civilians, hundreds more were taken captive and held for months, and in some cases years. Those that were fortunate enough to survive the captivity have told of the horrendous conditions they were forced to endure.

It is important to remember that the attack of Oct. 7, 2023, was targeted at innocent civilians. The purpose was to instill fear in the Israeli population. In homes, at the Nova music festival, in area Kibbutz’s and on highways, innocent people were killed and captured.

Three years later it is important to remember this attack. For Israelis, it was the equivalent of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On Wednesday evening, I joined Manitobans from the Jewish community along with others from many different faiths and traditions in a walk of remembrance. Remembering is important to honour those who were killed and to also show support for the Jewish community.

And that support is needed in Canada as well, as acts of antisemitism rise sharply. Hateful acts that specifically target the Jewish community are not only on the rise in Canada but around the world. Here at home, Statistics Canada recently reported data that indicated that while the Jewish community only accounts for one percent of the population, a Canadian of Jewish heritage is 22 times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime than any other Canadian.

Local

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Perilous times call for prayer

Mary Friesen, Steinbach, MB 1 minute read Yesterday at 8:02 AM CDT

I just thought of writing to you concerning the massive economic turmoil which we are seeing in our country and worldwide.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 make it very clear and plain that we are entering the beginning of perilous times. This being so, it is easy to complain a lot and criticize our leaders.

St. Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 exhorts Christians to use their lips and tongues to pray, intercede and give thanks for all people, especially for kings and for all that are in authority, that in return we may lead quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and honesty.

If the Christian does not pray for the government and the state, who will?

Local

Man, dog flee from police after single car crash in Tache

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

A man RCMP say was intoxicated, with several outstanding warrants, fled police with his dog after crashing his car in the RM of Tache on Sept. 28.

At 6:03 a.m., St Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a single-vehicle-collision near the intersection of Prefontaine Rd and Gendron Rd in the RM Tache.

Police arrived to find EMS and the fire department already treating the man, who was the lone occupant in the car. He was found unconscious in the passenger seat. It is unknown why the man was in the passenger seat and not the driver’s seat when he was found by first responders, according to police.

As EMS was working on the man, he woke up and fled the scene along with a dog when he saw police lights approaching.

Local

COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – Why are Canadians paying so much for diesel?

Ted Falk, MP for Provencher 3 minute read Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

Canada is one of the world’s largest oil producers globally and possesses some of the largest proven oil reserves on the planet. Diesel fuel should not cost this much in Canada.

Yet, Canadians are paying the highest price ever for diesel fuel under this Liberal government.

When Prime Minister Mark Carney was given a minority government mandate by Canadians on April 28, 2025, Manitoba diesel was averaging $1.38 per litre. By the beginning of October 2026, prices in Manitoba are averaging $2.48 per litre— about $1.10 more per litre from last year. That’s an increase of approximately 80 percent.

This isn’t a minor increase; it is a significant cost inflicted on hardworking Canadians that keep our economy moving.

Local

Providence Pilots sweep MCAC cross country opener

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Providence Pilots sweep MCAC cross country opener

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

The Providence Pilots made conference history last weekend, sweeping the first-ever Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference cross-country meet, hosted at La Barriere Park in Winnipeg Oct. 3.

The Pilots dominated the women’s event, with Amariah Zult leading teammate Hailey Sawatzky over the finish line for a first/second finish.

Providence finished with just 14 points in the team event, 10 ahead of Canadian Mennonite University. In cross-country meets, lower scores are better in the team portion. Zult finished the six-kilometre run in 26:23, nine second ahead of Sawatzky.

The men’s individual event was won by CMU’s Luke Townsend, who edged out Pilots runner Owen EisBrunner by 20 seconds in the eight-kilometre race.

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Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

Local

Hanover School Division says goodbye to trustee Ron Falk

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 6 minute read Preview

Hanover School Division says goodbye to trustee Ron Falk

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 6 minute read Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

Trustee Ron Falk had his last school board meeting on Tuesday where he said goodbye after 34 years in the Hanover School Division.

“I know you don’t think I have much of an emotion, but I do. I’ll be careful here that I don’t say too much, because I don’t want a breakdown or something unbecoming,” Falk told fellow trustees jokingly during the meeting. “I have enjoyed my time on the board.”

Falk noted that during his tenure, he has worked with 35 trustees, five superintendents, two secretary treasurers, and a lot of administrative staff. He said everyone works really hard for the students and families in the division and as board chair he strove to make life easier for everyone.

Trustee Charmaine Toews did the opening remarks for the board, where she praised Falk and asked former trustees and superintendents to give their accounts of working with him.

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Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

Local

Steinbach comes together for Orange Shirt Day

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Preview

Steinbach comes together for Orange Shirt Day

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

Eunice Harrison, a member of the Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation, spoke about reconciliation and family connections on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NTRC), at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach.

Orange Shirt Day is held on Sept. 30, to honour Indigenous children who were separated from their families and placed in residential schools.

In a room of about 30 people, Harrison discussed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Calls to Action. She said the commission’s calls to action include the rights and the treaties, and have led to changes in Canada’s citizenship oath and several initiatives.

Harrison said reconciliation begins with listening and learning the truth.

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Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

Agriculture

The governments of Canada, Manitoba help farmers with changes to AgriStability

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Preview

The governments of Canada, Manitoba help farmers with changes to AgriStability

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

The governments of Canada and Manitoba have made changes to the AgriStability program in order to make it easier and faster for farmers to get support for flood damage.

Farmers in municipalities and residents in First Nations communities who live in areas that declared a state of emergency for the June and July 2026 flooding, will not be penalized for late filings for AgriStability insurance.

Farmers who live outside of those areas who missed the filing deadline because of flooding impacts can appeal for a waiver.

The governments are also increasing the maximum interim payment available to farmers enrolled in the 2026 AgriStability program year from 50 percent to 75 percent of the estimated final payment. This change will improve cash flow for farmers by allowing them to receive a larger interim payment within weeks of completing their application forms. Farmers who have already received interim payments will automatically receive a top-up to the 75 percent level.

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Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Local

Culture and heritage part of new Niverville project

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Culture and heritage part of new Niverville project

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

What started with a display celebrating artistic portrayals of Niverville on the side of a picnic shelter has changed into a seating area that represents Indigenous and Metis traditions as well.

Communities in Bloom hosted a ribbon cutting along the Trans-Canada Trail in the community on Sept. 25.

Cory Enns smudged the site with sage and presented an offering of tobacco, aligning with Indigenous teachings.

Project manager Terry Martin walked the small group in attendance through the stages of creating the seating area that includes the infinity symbol used by the Metis and a medicine wheel.

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Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Agriculture

Weed hunters reloaded: scientists targeting troublesome weeds with grit and innovation

Brett Van Heyningen 3 minute read Preview

Weed hunters reloaded: scientists targeting troublesome weeds with grit and innovation

Brett Van Heyningen 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

What if a simple kitchen staple like baking soda could help Canadian farmers tackle stubborn weeds? Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientist, Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill recently completed innovative research that explored an alternative method for controlling weeds.

This “weed hunter,” investigated a technique called abrasive or projectile weed control. Using a sandblaster, Dr. McKenzie-Gopsill “shot” natural materials like corn cob grit and baking soda at weeds and found that they can knock back even the most stubborn plants, like lamb’s quarters and wild buckwheat, without damaging potato plants or reducing potato yields. This provides farmers with new tools for fighting invasive weeds in high value crops where herbicides are becoming less effective due to resistance.

Next generation weed control

Early research for the project combined abrasive grits, like corn cob, with reduced herbicide rates. The simple idea was to weaken weeds with a “blast” of grit, then finish them off with herbicide. It worked, but results came with a catch. Using lower herbicide rates can actually encourage herbicide resistance. That’s a risk that Canadian farmers and weed scientists have spent decades trying to avoid.

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Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

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