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COLUMN: Think Again – Murderers should be locked up for life

Michael Zwaagstra 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:37 PM CDT

Suppose a man brutally kills his pregnant girlfriend by hitting her in the head 20 times with a monkey wrench. To ensure that nothing goes wrong, the man enlists the help of two accomplices, one of whom further beats the woman with a broken hockey stick. They then dispose of her body in a snow-filled ditch in the northwestern edge of Winnipeg.

The boyfriend carefully planned this attack for weeks before carrying it out. He was upset that the woman wouldn’t get an abortion on his terms and didn’t like the fact that the woman kept wanting to be in a relationship with him. So, he murdered her in cold blood.

Sadly, there’s nothing hypothetical about this scenario. Nathaniel Plourde was convicted of first-degree murder in 2009 for killing Roxanne Fernando in the manner described above. He received the maximum sentence for this crime, which is life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 25 years.

And yet, there’s a possibility that you might see Plourde out in public soon. That’s because the Parole Board of Canada just granted him six months of escorted temporary leave so that he can work towards becoming a carpenter.

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Brett Kaiser battles with a Dauphin player in the HyLife Centre in La Broquerie. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Kaiser reflects on 3 eras of Pistons hockey

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Kaiser reflects on 3 eras of Pistons hockey

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

Brett Kaiser wasn’t sure he’d return for his fourth season with the Steinbach Pistons.

The 2005-born forward had been a mainstay on the team’s roster since he joined in 2022, but wasn’t sure he was going to play his 20-year-old season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Coming back to the Southeast Event Centre and the team’s brand new locker room had Kaiser return to Steinbach for his final year of junior eligibility, where he picked up a new career high in points, nabbing 59 across 56 regular season games to finish second on the team.

“Just seeing that facility and the rink and the fan support, it’s like, how can you say no,” Kaiser said after the team’s wind-up banquet earlier this summer.

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Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

Local

COLUMN: Arts and Culture – SAC partners with businesses for membership benefits

Steinbach Arts Council 6 minute read Yesterday at 11:57 AM CDT

The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) has partnered with local businesses to offer exclusive perks and discounts to active SAC members. SAC thanks the following business partners for supporting local arts during the 2026–2027 membership year:

• Chicken Chef (Steinbach): 10 percent off (excluding limited-time offers and coupons)

• Coffee Culture (Steinbach): 10 percent off specialty drinks

• Doener Grill Express: 15 percent off food

Local

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON Hanover School Division

Hanover School Division rescinds mature minor motion, Carillon editorial ‘slander and defamation’: Froese

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 6 minute read Preview

Hanover School Division rescinds mature minor motion, Carillon editorial ‘slander and defamation’: Froese

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 6 minute read Yesterday at 11:41 AM CDT

The majority of the Hanover School Division board voted to rescind its mature minor motion to create a policy that would have removed a mature minor’s right to make their own health care decisions in Hanover schools.

During the first meeting of the year, the board voted nine to one to rescind the motion as directed by the education minister in a July 22 letter to the board.

In the letter addressed to board chair Dallas Wiebe, the minister cited the motion as going against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Health Care Directives Act, the Public Health Act, and common law. She also cited concerns that health-care professionals would be hindered in providing care to students with disabilities, mental health needs and other conditions that would go “without treatment or accommodation.”

Minister Tracy Schmidt also questioned why the board would try to pass such a motion.

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Yesterday at 11:41 AM CDT

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SUPPLIED The union has criticized the provincial government for getting involved.

Dynacare inches closer to strike action

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Preview

Dynacare inches closer to strike action

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Yesterday at 8:52 AM CDT

The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP) hosted an informational picket on Wednesday after taking exception to what they call interference in bargaining by the provincial government.

Minister of Labour and Immigration Malaya Marcelino aske the Manitoba Labour Board to figure out if an essential services agreement was necessary.

Dynacare and MAHCP had agreed in March that Dynacare services are not considered essential under the Labour Relations Act and do not need to continue during a strike.

“These severely underpaid laboratory technicians and technologists thought the Manitoba government had their backs,” said Jason Linklater, MAHCP president. “Instead, the NDP is siding with a private, American-owned company over the rights and interests of Manitoba workers by interfering in bargaining and threatening their Charter-protected right to strike.”

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Yesterday at 8:52 AM CDT

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The Pacers’ Jacques Levesque came through with some timely hits to help his team win games in the playoffs and come home with a bronze medal from the national fastball championships in PEI.

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1983: Pacers win bronze at Jr. fastball nationals

Wes Keating 3 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1983: Pacers win bronze at Jr. fastball nationals

Wes Keating 3 minute read Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

The Steinbach A&W Pacers made good use of their second straight opportunity to represent Manitoba in the junior men’s national fastball championship, moving up the ladder to third place from their seventh-place finish of a year ago.

The Pacers travelled to Summerside, PEI and after a full week of competition, had a 6-2 record, with only Nova Scotia and Ontario proving to be better teams.

The Pacers opened play in the national championships with an extra-inning 4-1 win over Prince Edward Island, scoring three runs in the top of the eighth inning.

Steinbach then ran their record to 2-0, with a 10-inning victory over Alberta, highlighted by Randy Dutiaume’s solo home run that sent the game into extra innings. Jacques Levesque scored the winning run in that game, when he singled to lead off the 10th inning.

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Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

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Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Sports Jets Dressing Room scrum Connor Hellebuyck answers questions from the media on ong embrace with Mark Scheifele at the end of the series, his motivation for next season as players pack up for the season Tuesday. See Mike’s story. May 20th, 2025

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Good riddance Connor Hellebuyck

James Loewen 4 minute read Preview

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Good riddance Connor Hellebuyck

James Loewen 4 minute read Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

So Connor Hellebuyck, a goaltender known for spectacular regular season play and embarrassingly horrific post season play, finally went public with his demand to be traded from the Winnipeg Jets.

Nobody should lament the loss of a goaltender who has continually broken the hearts of Jets fans for many, many years.

Let’s leave aside the whole idea of him dishonouring the contract he willingly signed three years ago, when he promised Winnipeggers, Manitobans, the franchise, Jets fans and his teammates that he would play in Winnipeg for eight more years. He’s an American prima donna who clearly has no integrity and no desire to live up to the terms he negotiated and to which he signed his name.

We’ll leave his selfish, American entitlement on the shelf and discuss his trade request solely through the prism of his play on the ice.

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Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

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COLUMN: Grey Matters – Why recollecting is important

Gary Dyck 4 minute read Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

“The hard truth is that the most basic aspect of our humanity is not our determination, our talents, or whatever we accomplished during last year’s resolutions. We are united by our fragility. We all need shelter because we are soft and mushy and irritable in the elements—and we will need so much more than a bank loan because, sooner or later, we are left exposed.” – Kate Bowler

When I was executive director at Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV), I had two types of people asking me about leaving a legacy. “What is the best way to leave a legacy?,” asked the first camp, while others asked, “Should we even try to leave a legacy? Isn’t that prideful?”

If it is about our individual efforts and heroics, then I would agree that sounds prideful. Further, it is extremely rare that a person carves out a legacy that lasts beyond one or two generations (why even try so hard, for something so fleeting). However, if we build into a communal legacy, it becomes much more certain to last as it will then be carried by the group to the next generation. Finally, if the focus of the legacy is on how God has helped our family, clan and people in the recent past and over the centuries while acknowledging our human shortfalls it fulfills what we see written throughout the Scriptures (see below).

Done well, there are several benefits in recollecting and commemorating our past:

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GREG VANDERMEULEN THE CARILLON Wind flies through the mane of Nathan Driedger's horse as he participates in the 22nd annual Sundown Gymkana on Aug. 29, 2026.

Sundown Gymkhana supports victims of child abuse

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Preview

Sundown Gymkhana supports victims of child abuse

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

The 22nd annual Sundown Gymkhana was another success, not just for organizers and the horse-loving public but for a non-profit that has a mission of helping children.

The Guardians of the Children makes it their mission to recognize and react to child abuse and educate the public to do the same, to serve as advocates to provide strength and stability to families in crisis, and to answer the prayer of an abused child or teen for courage, support, and protection.

For the third year, they have been the charitable organization that the gymkhana event helps promote and support.

Carla Campbell, one of the event’s organizers, said they were pleased with how the two-day event on Aug. 29 and 30 went.

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Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

Local

Cassidy Dankochik Carillon Archives Connor Hellebuyck confirmed he requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets Aug. 27 through his Steinbach player agent, Ray Petkau. Cassidy Dankochik Carillon Archives Connor Hellebuyck confirmed he requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets Aug. 27 through his Steinbach player agent, Ray Petkau.

Hellebuyck demands trade from Jets

2 minute read Preview

Hellebuyck demands trade from Jets

2 minute read Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026

Steinbach-based player agent Ray Petkau ended months of speculation Aug. 27, releasing a statement from Connor Hellebuyck confirming the goaltender had requested a trade after the end fo the season.

“With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request,” Hellebuyck said in the statement.

“My position has not changed and and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.”

The goaltender signed an seven-year extension with an average salary of $8.5 million in 2023 with the Winnipeg Jets. That contract included a full no trade clause but TSN Hockey insider Chris Johnston reported Hellebuyck has a large list of teams he would accept a trade to.

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Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026

Local

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON ARCHIVES Artista Academy’s Lumina production of Mamma Mia! has put out a casting call to all Grade 9 to 12 actors, singers, and dancers. In 2024, Artista held a production of The Lion King.

Mamma Mia! Here they go again!

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 1 minute read Preview

Mamma Mia! Here they go again!

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 1 minute read Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026

Artista Academy is at it again as it has opened auditions for its production of Mamma Mia!

The Lumina production is open to performers in Grades 9 to 12 to audition for major and minor roles as well as the chorus in this production set in Greece to the music of 70s iconic band ABBA.

“It is a great honour to bring Mamma Mia! to the stage,” wrote artistic director Gabriela Gallo, founder of Artista Academy, in a press release. “This wonderful musical is a celebration of love, friendship, family, and the joy of life brought together through the unforgettable music of ABBA.”

Gallo is looking for a dynamic and diverse company of performers who can bring the story to life with energy, heart, and plenty of personality. Singers, actors, and dancers are encouraged to audition.

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Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026

Local

MENNONITE HERITAGE VILLAGE MHV school trips encourage experiencing early Mennonite settler life, guided by costumed interpreters.

COLUMN: Village News – September moments you won’t want to miss

Jaysa Thiessen 6 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Village News – September moments you won’t want to miss

Jaysa Thiessen 6 minute read Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026

September at the Mennonite Heritage Village is both a celebration of the wonderful summer season we have had and the launch of our amazing fall and winter programming that is yet to come. Our event calendar for September is full of fascinating events for people of all interests and all ages. Memory-making at MHV isn’t relegated to the summer months – come make some wonderful memories at MHV this fall.

Fall on the Farm – Sept. 7

Our Fall on the Farm festival is an excellent way to get one last taste of summer while also participating in classic fall activities. We’ve got an amazing lineup of fall themed activities including fresh corn on the cob, a seed-saving demonstration, a hog butchering demonstration and a pork auction. Alongside this, we are excited to host cultural performances and cultural food vendors in the Peter Barkman Summer Pavilion. Of course, what would an MHV event be without our classic pioneer demonstrations? It’s such an honour for us to be able to keep history alive through demonstrations and interpretation. If you’ve always wanted to see a threshing machine in action, a blacksmith working in the forge, or a printer working on a 1909 printing press, step back in time and come to the village.

We will also be hosting our first ever Old Tyme Parade at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 as a part of our Fall on the Farm programming. This parade will feature our amazing volunteers dressed up in costume, the steam engine, a team of horses, and some other fun features. The parade will run down the Main Street of the Mennonite Heritage Village. Fall on the Farm is a great way to celebrate the last weekend of summer and the start of fall and we hope to see you there.

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Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026

Local

Honk challenge celebrates truckers

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

A Morris insurance company is continuing a local tradition to honour truckers and make National Trucking Week one to be celebrated.

Rempel Insurance is hosting a honk challenge on Sept. 11.

From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the special event takes place outside Rempel Insurance.

“Come hock, cheer, and thank our incredible truck drivers,” they said in a Facebook post advertising the event. “Let’s fill the street with noise and appreciation.”

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Futsal returned to Providence College's campus last season, with Pilots volleyball and basketball games coming back to the school this year after years at the Niverville Resource and Rec Centre. (Cassidy Dankochik Carillon Archives)

Providence athletics set for campus return

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Preview

Providence athletics set for campus return

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference volleyball and basketball action is returning to Otterburne.

Providence College is planning on bringing athletics back to their campus on a full-time basis. For the past five seasons the college has hosted volleyball and basketball games at the Niverville Resource and Rec Centre.

Last season saw the return of futsal (a soccer-like sport played on a basketball court) to campus. Pilots soccer plays on fields in Otterburne (season opener Sept. 12).

Providence’s volleyball teams will make their return Oct. 23 and the basketball team will be in action Nov. 7.

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Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

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SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON RM of Stuartburn Reeve Michelle Gawronsky is running for re-election as reeve during this year's election on Oct. 28, 2026.

Stuartburn reeve seeking re-election, Gawronsky: ‘This isn’t a job for me. This is a passion.’

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Preview

Stuartburn reeve seeking re-election, Gawronsky: ‘This isn’t a job for me. This is a passion.’

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

RM of Stuartburn Reeve Michelle Gawronsky is running for re-election and she says there are projects she wants to see completed going forward and that being reeve is more than a job for her.

“This isn’t a job for me. This is a passion,” she said.

Gawronsky wants to run again because she said council is in the middle of getting work done that she wants to see come to completion, such as paving the roads so that semi-trailers can travel down them which will bring in business and with that tourism.

She said the re-paving of Highway 209 is complete and people can now travel over the bridge.

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Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

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CARILLON ARCHIVES In this 1991 photo, George Gershman of the Manitoba Hotel Association, presents a plaque and a framed watercolor of the historic Tolstoi Hotel to Elsie Kolodzinski.

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback August 17, 1983 – Elsie’s Tolstoi Hotel no longer ‘men-only’

Wes Keating 4 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback August 17, 1983 – Elsie’s Tolstoi Hotel no longer ‘men-only’

Wes Keating 4 minute read Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

Another stronghold of traditional male dominance fell, as women’s liberation scored a long-awaited victory at the old Tolstoi Hotel.

Owner Elsie Kolodzinski invited friends, family and visitors to her hotel bar for a three-day “opening.” Although the small, homey facility has housed one of the province’s few remaining men-only beer parlors for the past 41 years, it was finally reintroduced as a mixed beverage room last Tuesday.

The historic, quaint and picturesque establishment, complete with its old-fashioned beer parlor, has been written up in numerous travel brochures and guides, newspapers and books. Elsie and Walter bought and moved into the hotel a year after they were married and have been operating it ever since.

Although Elsie experienced a difficult emotional and physical setback after her husband of 43 years died suddenly of a massive heart attack a few days before his 69th birthday, she has now decided to carry on the business with the help of friends and family.

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Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

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