Ringing in the Christmas season

The Steinbach Mennonite Handbelles were one of three featured performers at Melodies of Christmas, a Mennonite Heritage Village musical showcase on Nov. 27.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: Dec 4th edition

Featuring photos from a Steinbach Pistons game Nov. 26 and the MHSAA boys varsity semi-finals at the University of Manitoba.

Winnipeg Metropolitan Region releases survey to get public opinion

The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) has released a survey aimed at finding out from stakeholders, municipalities, and the general public, what their concerns are and what they would like to see in regards to regional planning.

“So, in December of 2024, the board decided not to move forward with Plan 20-50. So, the board recognized that a different approach was needed, and one that better reflects what’s going on in these municipalities and what the priorities are today. We decided to reset our approach to regional planning,” said WMR executive director Jennifer Freeman.

“We’re currently developing this new plan, we’re working with the municipalities in the region to understand what those priorities are. Now, because this is a new plan, we want to consult with boards, councils, stakeholders, as well as the public, so they can weigh in on what they prioritize, like what some of these key regional issues are.”

The Capital Planning Region, which was established by the province and operates the WMR, is mandated by the government to create a regional plan by Jan. 1, 2027.

Nighthawks, Terriers sweep MJHL players of the month

It’s no surprise to see the Niverville Nighthawks all over the Manitoba Junior Hockey League players of the month.

The Nighthawks have dominated the early part of the season, with an outstanding 21-1 record and a plus-51 goal difference. That includes a perfect 9-0 record in the month of November.

Adam Vigfusson was named the league’s player of the month, Austin Dubinsky was awarded the goaltender of the month, with Hayden Wheddon recognized as the “peak performer.”

Portage’s Wyatt Dreger (1G 10A) is the league’s defenseman of the month and Trevor Hill (9G 7A) is the rookie of the month.

School trustee calls actions of parents group pathetic, questions existence

A Hanover School Board trustee has called a parents group “pathetic” and questioned whether the group even exists and its integrity.

During Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting, Trustee Brad Unger challenged the Hanover Parent Alliance for Diversity (HPAD) to come and meet with the board and share its concerns. HPAD was contacted by The Carillon in November to get its views about the lack of documentation regarding the provincial advisor’s findings about the board to the office of the minister of education. In April 2024, HPAD had also voiced its concerns regarding diversity and inclusion in the division for staff and students in a letter to then Minister of Education Nello Altomare. That letter led to the appointment of the provincial advisor.

The group has spoken to The Carillon on the condition of anonymity in order to protect their children who attend Hanover School Division.

“Now that’s ironic, an anonymous group complaining about accountability. So finally, I will put up a little challenge. I would like to challenge HPAD, if you actually exist, if you want to hear this challenge, I would like to challenge you to show that you are a people or a person of integrity…,” said Unger.

Niverville’s planning session covers housing, daycare, health, recreation

Niverville council held its planning session for 2026 in late November and council plans to make improvements to the town’s health care, housing, daycare needs, and recreation budget.

The first item discussed was a lower municipal tax increase of 2.5 percent in 2026 from 2025’s four percent.

“Yeah, COLA, or cost of living, is 2.9 (percent). Right. Again, just recognizing where people are at. I will say that we’re able to do this thanks to growth,” said Mayor Myron Dyck.

“So, when people talk about growth, we wouldn’t be able to boost our budget. So, we never account for the growth in a given year. So whatever 2025 has brought us now, we know that we have that obviously for 2026 with assessment….If it wasn’t for growth, that number, we’d either have to do less or that number would have to be higher.”

New catchment areas for Hanover School Division due to overpopulation of SRSS

The Hanover School Division is moving next year’s Grade 9 students in Kleefeld, New Bothwell, and Blumenort to neighbouring high schools due to overpopulation at Steinbach Regional Secondary School.

“This is something that’s been in discussion,” said board chair Dallas Wiebe. “And talking with principals, talking with students, talking with communities, and with our admin, and just looking at the numbers, and it’s full.”

SRSS is currently at or near capacity, with enrolment projected to exceed 2,300 students by fall 2026. Rising student numbers have led to limited course availability and concerns about overcrowding, building congestion, and traffic around the campus, according to the division.

Beginning in the new school year and in subsequent years, Grade 9 students from the Kleefeld catchment area will attend Green Valley School, while students from New Bothwell will attend Niverville High School. Students from Blumenort will go to Landmark Collegiate, subject to enrollment capacity and overall interest, as a minimum number of 10 students is needed to support program delivery and bus scheduling.

Tree lighting kicks off Christmas season

The Bethesda Foundation Gifts of Light tree lighting event kicked off the Christmas season on Sunday in front of Bethesda Regional Health Centre.

The annual tradition once again featured caroling, horse drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa and fireworks.

Board chair Chris Goertzen began by thanking contributors to the event and to their various projects.

“Our community and health care is better in Steinbach because of many people,” he said.

Area athletes recognized by MHSAA

Two of the recent Manitoba High School Athletic Associations athletes of the week came from the region, as Springfield Collegiate and Morris School volleyball players were honoured.

Zach Hamblin was recognized Nov. 19. The Mavericks won the Zone 4 championship this year, with Hamblin playing a key role.

“Zach is a dynamic volleyball player and a key contributor for the Morris Mavericks. He is a tremendous attacker, blocker, and passer,” a release reads

“He leads the team offensively and can be counted on to get a kill in key situations.”

Manitoba creates mandatory Holocaust curriculum for schools

Manitoba has made learning about the Holocaust a mandatory part of education in classrooms.

The provincial education department announced the decision on Nov. 1o that Grades 6, 9 and 11 will all be taught about the Jewish genocide.

Nazi Germany systematically killed six million Jews and others across Europe during the Holocaust from 1941 to 1945.

Including the Holocaust as part of required teaching in Manitoba has been a 50-year push, said Belle Jarniewski, executive director for the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada.

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback April 12, 1957 – Ste Anne welcomes gas pipeline crew

Chamber of Commerce president Robert Arbez, welcomes Majestic Contractors to the village of Ste Anne, where the company has set up an operations’ base on the Ste Anne Legion grounds, before beginning to lay 85 miles of pipe for Trans-Canada Pipeline.

“We know the task ahead will be difficult and will demand a great deal of your time and effort, yet at the same time, we hope that you will not be so busy that we cannot get to know you personally. The doors of Ste Anne are open to you and we sincerely hope your stay will be pleasant through the months ahead.”

A soft southern drawl has invaded the quiet village, along with more than $2 million worth of pipe-laying equipment. The Majestic pipe-laying company is one of the many companies working on one of the most ambitious projects in North America. The $280 million Trans-Canada Pipeline, following a 2,250-mile route through four provinces, will carry natural gas all the way from Alberta to Montreal.

Majestic has the responsibility of laying 85 miles of 30-inch pipeline between the Red River and the Ontario boundary. Key personnel moved into Ste. Anne late in 1956 and soon machinery began to arrive, a radio tower was set up and trailers appeared overnight.