Racist banner hung on overpass

The RCMP is investigating a white-nationalist sign near Steinbach with racist messaging and alleged links to a known Canadian far-right group.

A sign hanging on an overpass at the intersection of Highways 1 and 12 read: “STEINBACH VOTES WHITE NOT BROWN,” according to photos posted on social media.

Also written was the name Nationalist-13, a men’s-only neo-Nazi group, also known as NS-13, primarily based in Hamilton, Ont. The Free Press couldn’t independently verify if the group is associated or who hung the sign.

“On Oct. 13, the Steinbach RCMP were made aware of this sign and have opened an investigation,” a spokesperson said in an email statement. They also said the sign has been removed.

MJHL/SJHL young player showcase returns this season

The best young players in the Manitoba and Saskatchewan junior hockey leagues will once again face off against each other, as the two leagues announced the 2026 Western All-Star Challenge.

Each league is sending a 20-player team to the event, which will feature the best players born between 2008 and 2010.

“Our partnership with the SJHL in this and other ventures stems from the ongoing, fruitful spirit of cooperation between our two leagues, a mutual desire to showcase our players to the best of our abilities, and a desire to provide creative entertainment to fans new and old,” a league news release reads.

The release added last year was a strong year for advancing players to the post-secondary level.

Hanover trustee candidate running on respect, students first

A Hanover school board candidate is running for trustee after being angered over the current board’s recent policies and motions.

“For some time, I’ve been very unhappy with what I’ve seen coming out of the (current) Hanover School Division board. There’s been too much of a focus put on, for lack of better words, culture wars and a lack of focus on putting our students first,” said candidate Jeremy Neufeld.

One action that he would like to take, should he be elected, is a review of policies that this board and previous boards have passed with a perspective of putting students first.

“All students, not just certain students, not just the ones that we agree with or who look like us or who think like us. Part of being a school trustee, part of being any public official, means representing everybody and being a voice for the voiceless,” he said.

Hanover trustees’ posts on social media has expert calling them incredibly immature, irresponsible

As election day for Hanover school trustees nears, some trustees have made posts on social media that in some cases bait other users and mocks the education minister, leading one expert to call their actions immature and irresponsible.

Current trustee Brad Unger has posted to social media his personal beliefs and values and has asked for trustee candidates to share their beliefs and values, trustee Jeff Friesen has argued with and insulted other candidates and voters online, and trustee Shayne Barkman has posted a cartoon mocking the minister of education.

“It’s incredibly immature. It’s very irresponsible. It severely degrades our civic culture. It’s an incredible disservice to the people they’re supposed to be representing. They set a very bad example for young people,” said Jason Hannan, a professor at the University of Manitoba who has been studying social media for the past 10 years.

Hannan wrote the book, Trolling Ourselves to Death, about people, especially public figures, resorting to “a very juvenile form of communication online.”

SPORTS FLASHBACK OCT 2002: Shevchenko Sabres win soccer title

There are celebrations this week at Vita’s Shevchenko School. The Shevchenko Sabres claimed the Provincial Rural High School Boys’ Soccer Championship last weekend at St Laurent.

Shevchenko lost the provincial final to Zone 4 rival Garden Valley of Winkler last fall in Winkler and went through a so-so season this fall, compiling a 3-2-3 record in league play, finishing in sixth place overall.

But it was in the zone play-offs the Sabres found their mark. In the quarter-finals, Shevchenko got by Altona 1-0, as Kris Driedger scored the winner in overtime. This set the stage for the semi-final match-up against the defending champions and heavily favored squad from Winkler. With only 125 students from grades 9-12 at Shevchenko, Garden Valley had a decided advantage with 950 students from 9-12 to select a soccer team from.

Undaunted, Shevchenko battled the powerful Zodiacs from Winkler to a 1-1 draw after regulation, with Tim Thiessen scoring for the Sabres. Fifteen minutes of overtime didn’t settle it and the game was decided on penalty kicks, as Shevchenko outscored Garden Valley 3-2. Penalty kick goal scorers for Vita were Brad Waldner, Jeff Penner and Italian exchange student Alessandro Bondivalli.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: The ongoing humiliation of Connor Hellebuyck

At press time Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was (a) still a no-show, (b) still choosing to go back on his word with the contractual promise he made to Jets fans and the organization by signing a long-term contract and (c) still turning his back on his teammates.

You know what else is still happening?

NHL general managers are still not making any decent offers to the Jets to acquire Hellebuyck.

What does that absence of a good trade offer mean?

Sue Jolicoeur said she is ‘stepping up to the plate’ as she runs for council again

Suzanne Jolicoeur is running again for council in St Pierre-Jolys two years after she quit, but she said this time things are different.

“I think why I decided to run is, first of all, I know what I’m getting involved with…I think the community deserves to have a partnership based on clear communication. And I think I’m tough enough right now. I think I can be… Let’s put it that way for resigning again – it’s not in the picture,” she said.

Jolicoeur held office for two years last term before leaving citing issues of transparency, respect, and integrity in regards to dealings between herself, Mayor Raymond Maynard, and CEO Tina Bubenzer. She said what made her want to come back to council was her love of the community and the possibility that she might not be working with Maynard after the election as a new council will be formed.

She said the decision to come back was done because she loves the community and the people. She said her work and volunteer experience, as well as her municipal experience as a councillor, “bring something to the table” that resembles her values, which are integrity, respect, and transparency.

SSC’s longest serving CEO retires at 74

Schizophrenia Society of Canada honoured its retiring CEO Dr. Chris Summerville on Oct. 2 at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach.

SSC moved from Winnipeg to Steinbach in March 2020 during the pandemic, when it downsized and cut costs. Summerville became SSC’s CEO about 20 years ago in 2007 when it was financially struggling. Under Summerville, SSC grew significantly and became financially stable.

“After over 31 years as a leader in what I call, ‘the Schizophrenia- Recovery Movement,’ yes I will be retiring as the longest CEO at age 74 on Dec. 31 of this year,” Summerville said at MHV.

SSC executives, family members and prominent figures like Ed Schreyer and Kelvin Goertzen attended the event. Many of Summerville’s friends including former Liberal Senator Michael Kirby also joined in virtually.

PHOTO GALLERY: Threshing tradition continues in RM of Hanover

Peter Wiebe, 99, operated a 100 year old Twin City 1220 tractor as he and family members threshed grain on Oct. 10. Others spent time using antique tractors to plow while the work continued.

Steinbach firefighters welcomes community to annual open house

Steinbach Fire Department held its annual open house on Oct. 6 at the fire hall on Main Street where visitors explored fire trucks, met firefighters and learned about lithium-ion battery safety.

Fire Chief Kelvin Toews said the department generally holds the event on the first Tuesday of October, close to Fire Prevention Week. He said the tradition has continued throughout his 35 years with the department.

“We encourage people to come and get in the trucks, sit in the trucks, ask as many questions as you like,” Toews said.

The department also played short videos in its classroom about this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, Charge into Fire Safety, which focused on using lithium-ion batteries safely at home.

SRSS girls varsity volleyball looking to build through season

It took a few games of South Central Athletic Conference play, but the Steinbach Regional Sabres varsity girls volleyball team has found the win column.

The Sabres defeated Léo-Rémillard 3-1 (25-20, 25-13, 23-25, 25-20) Oct. 7 in Steinbach to record their first victory in league play.

“We had a bit of a slow start and we’re progressively getting better,” head coach Amy Toews said after the win.

“The girls are excited about the win today. We’ve got a young group this year.”