Local

Fine for dangerous crash after drinking

Chris Gareau 3 minute read Yesterday at 4:17 PM CDT

A Kleefeld man who admitted to drinking before driving 114 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 52 and crashing his van received a $2,500 fine and one-year driving prohibition in Steinbach court.

Branden Giesbrecht, 25, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and avoided going to trial for impaired driving as part of a plea deal. The sentence from Judge Kael McKenzie was more than the $1,500-2,000 fine defence lawyer Michael Dyck asked for when he pointed out that Giesbrecht had no prior criminal record, and that Manitoba Public Insurance will be charging a lot more as it hands him demerits on his licence.

“I sat here about a month ago and I had almost the exact same case. I don’t know what it is and why that is… I thought didn’t I just deal with this matter?

“There has to be a message sent to this community, to you and everyone else out there that if you are going to engage in this type of reckless, dangerous driving, that the consequences are going to be such… that this is meant to be punitive,” said Judge McKenzie.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Weather

Mar. 21, 6 AM: -7°c Cloudy with wind Mar. 21, 12 PM: -11°c Cloudy with wind

Steinbach MB

-2°C, Partly cloudy with wind

Full Forecast

Metis wood plant to boost southeast region economy

Wes Keating 3 minute read Preview

Metis wood plant to boost southeast region economy

Wes Keating 3 minute read Yesterday at 3:35 PM CDT

Following a year of research and planning, a combined effort by the Manitoba Metis Federation and its members from the Vassar/South Junction area has established a business, which is the first of its kind in Canada.

Starting in mid-November, Ardin Lumber & Cut-Stock Limited, managed by Steinbach businessman David Desjardins, will be sawing locally harvested wood into dimensions suitable for crates and pallets, which will be shipped across the border to Polaris Industries in Roseau and Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls, both a short drive into Minnesota.

Desjardins, who was raised ‘out here’, says he will be moving his Steinbach building company to the new location near South Junction and combining it with the new plant.

“I’ve always wanted to see things happen in this particular area and for me it’s like coming back home.”

Read
Yesterday at 3:35 PM CDT

CARILLON ARCHIVES

Manitoba Metis Federation board member Felix Boileau, MMF president Ernie Blais and David Desjardins at the sod turning for a new woodworking plant near South Junction, expected to be open by mid-November of 1993.

CARILLON ARCHIVES 

Manitoba Metis Federation board member Felix Boileau, MMF president Ernie Blais and David Desjardins at the sod turning for a new woodworking plant near South Junction, expected to be open by mid-November of 1993.

Steinbach Pistons ready for a battle in first round of MJHL playoffs

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Steinbach Pistons ready for a battle in first round of MJHL playoffs

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:45 PM CDT

A first-round match-up in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) playoffs has rarely felt so meaningful.

With the league staying in division for their quarterfinals the Steinbach Pistons and Portage Terriers, the second and third best teams in the MJHL this season, will be facing off just to advance into the semi-finals.

While Steinbach had a better regular season, finishing eight points ahead of the Terriers with a plus-123 goal difference compared to Portage’s plus-45, the teams should be evenly matched. In five regular season games, the Terriers battled to a 4-1 record, thanks to some outstanding goaltending performances.

In three of those four victories, the Terriers were vastly out-shot, but were able to hold on for the win.

Read
Yesterday at 2:45 PM CDT

Steinbach's win over the Winnipeg Blues was the first in the brand new Southeast Event Centre. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Steinbach's win over the Winnipeg Blues was the first in the brand new Southeast Event Centre. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Stone Soup fundraiser helps school meal programs

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Stone Soup fundraiser helps school meal programs

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:46 PM CDT

A pair of restaurants in Manitoba’s Southeast are taking part in this year’s Stone Soup Week fundraiser to benefit the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba (CNCM).

From March 17 to 23, the sale of soup from participating restaurants will generate donations that will be used to support school meal and snack programs.

“Stone soup is a vibrant week-long event where participants can support local school meal and snack programs by purchasing soup from participating restaurants across the province,” CNCM board member Kirsten Mundle said. “Food has a unique way of fostering connection and community, and our annual Stone Soup fundraiser embraces this by combining the power of food with the timeless folktale it’s named after.”

The public can use the online interactive map and voting page to explore a list of participating restaurants and vote for their favourite soup.

Read
Yesterday at 1:46 PM CDT

SUPPLIED

Avgolemono soup available at Santa Lucia in Steinbach.

SUPPLIED 

Avgolemono soup available at Santa Lucia in Steinbach.

Springfield Winterhawks battle back into SEMHL finals

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Springfield Winterhawks battle back into SEMHL finals

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Yesterday at 9:30 AM CDT

Editor's Note: This story was written for a March 19th deadline

The Springfield Winterhawks have turned the South East Manitoba Hockey League finals into a series. Down 2-0 to the Ste Anne Aces, the Winterhawks went into hostile territory March 12 and came away with a big 6-4 victory, before nabbing a 3-1 win on home ice March 15 to tie the series.

Fans who packed into the Maurice Chaput Arena were treated to an instant classic, with the Aces taking an early lead only to have the Winterhawks respond with three first period goals. Ste Anne battled back, tying the game on a Jordan DePape marker early in the third period, only for former Ace Keith Grondin to nab two goals, including the game winner to rescue the series for Springfield.

Several members of the Steinbach Pistons were in attendance at game 3 in Ste Anne, with locker room bragging rights on the line. Ty Paisley’s brother, Caleb, suits up for the Aces, while Reece Gault’s father is the general manager for the Winterhawks.

Read
Yesterday at 9:30 AM CDT

Steve Christie looks to corral a lose puck during game three of the South East Manitoba Hockey League finals. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Steve Christie looks to corral a lose puck during game three of the South East Manitoba Hockey League finals. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

A season of sacrifice (and chocolate withdrawals)

Lori Penner 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

Every year, without fail, Lent sneaks up on me. Just when I’ve finally recovered from my New Year’s resolution flop, along comes another season of self-improvement disguised as sacrifice.

Lent, for those unfamiliar, is the 40-day period leading up to Easter, meant to mirror Jesus’ time in the wilderness. It’s a time of reflection, repentance, and often, giving something up as a personal challenge. In theory, this practice strengthens faith and discipline. In reality, it also strengthens my craving for whatever I’ve sworn off - particularly if it’s chocolate.

Now, let me be clear: I love the idea of Lent. A time to step back, take stock, and let go of the things that have an unhealthy hold on me. That’s noble. But somewhere along the way, it’s turned into a season of personal deprivation games. Every year, I try to identify that one thing I’ve grown a little too attached to - be it sugar, caffeine, social media, or my insistence on staying up late reading “just one more chapter.” Then, for 40 days, I attempt to prove that I am not, in fact, ruled by my vices.

Some years, my sacrifice has been commendable. Other years… well, let’s just say my commitment wavered around day three, when a dear friend surprised me with a bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs. The rest, as they say, is history.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: March 13th edition

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Preview

Carillon Sports Second Shots: March 13th edition

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

Featuring photos from the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association National Men's Volleyball Championships, hosted in Niverville March 5 - 8, the 55+ Games curling events in Steinbach, Games one and three of the Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA semi-finals between Eastman and Yellowhead, game five of the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League East Division finals in Oakbank between Springfield and Steinbach, an MJHL game in Niverville March 9 and game two of the South East Manitoba Hockey League finals between Ste Anne and Springfield.

Read
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

Winnipeg-based Canadian Mennonite University nabbed a victory in the quarterfinals of the CCAA national championships. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Winnipeg-based Canadian Mennonite University nabbed a victory in the quarterfinals of the CCAA national championships. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

$235-million RSR Wastewater project going to tender with tariff contingency

Chris Gareau 4 minute read Preview

$235-million RSR Wastewater project going to tender with tariff contingency

Chris Gareau 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

The final contracts and cheques are being signed as the $235-million Red-Seine-Rat (RSR) Wastewater Cooperative project approaches tender this spring and start of construction this fall.

RSR community consultant Gordon Daman was at the March 11 RM of Tache meeting to get final documents approved. He said approval of a contractor for the wastewater plant should come this June and site preparation start this August.

“Quite frankly, we’re ready to go,” said Daman after meeting with Tache council.

He said the plant is planned to be built by 2026, with everything connected and running well before the end of 2028 in order to adhere to the funding and loan agreements with other levels of government and the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Read
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

The capital and operating cost shares with maximum usage by the member municipalities for the $235-million RSR Wastewater Co-op project.

The capital and operating cost shares with maximum usage by the member municipalities for the $235-million RSR Wastewater Co-op project.

COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – Carney’s coronation / four words

Ted Falk, MP for Provencher 5 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

On March 9 the Liberal Party overwhelmingly elected central banker Mark Carney to be their new leader.

Four words come to mind as I consider Mr. Carney’s victory and his premiership to be (however brief): coronation, continuity, opportunism, and history.

Coronation.

Was there ever any doubt?

Local takes the lead in MTC production King James

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Preview

Local takes the lead in MTC production King James

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

It seemed as if Justin Fry was made for the stage. The 34-year-old actor took to drama at an early age which evolved into roles at Steinbach Regional Secondary School and university to eventually walking the boards at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, where he is playing one of the leads in King James.

“This (play) is about basketball, about LeBron James. My dad’s a really big basketball fan so he was really happy to hear I was going to be doing this. It’s just been a real fun experience to combine my love of theatre and sports together in a play. It’s been a great experience,” said Fry.

King James follows Matt (played by Fry), a sports fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers with season tickets, and Shawn (played by Eric Miracle), who buys Matt’s tickets so that Matt can pay off a debt. The fast-paced comedy sees an evolving friendship between Matt and Shawn as it also highlights the career of LeBron ‘King’ James.

“In preparing for the role, I did a lot of research on the different basketball players that are mentioned and basketball teams that are mentioned and LeBron James, as well. I wasn’t incredibly familiar with LeBron James before this play and now I am and I’m completely mesmerized and I would say I’m a fan,” said Fry.

Read
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROYAL MANITOBA THEATRE CENTRE

Justin Fry (right) acts out a scene with Eric Miracle in the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre production of the sports comedy King James.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROYAL MANITOBA THEATRE CENTRE 

Justin Fry (right) acts out a scene with Eric Miracle in the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre production of the sports comedy King James.

Red River Valley SD raises special levy 11.3%

Chris Gareau 4 minute read Preview

Red River Valley SD raises special levy 11.3%

Chris Gareau 4 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025

Some property owners living in Red River School Division (RRVSD) will be paying more school tax due according to the $41.23-million proposed budget presented at Rosenort School March 10.

It is some and not all because the Province changed its school tax rebate formula to a flat $1,500 for home owners, instead of a percentage. That means the lower the property value, the less you pay. Residential properties valued at under $294,000 in RRVSD will not be paying any school tax, with the mill rate at 11.316 charged on 45 percent of the value.

But with the property value assessment in division communities increasing 18.118 percent, more properties will pass that threshold. Farms continue to get a 50 percent rebate.

The budget is up $2.42 million, or 6.2 percent from last year. RRVSD got a lower provincial funding increase than most: 1.2 percent. Money from the province makes up 35.3 percent of the division’s revenue, and $160,000 of it must be spent on the new province-wide nutrition program.

Read
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Incoming Red River Valley School Division superintendent Dan Preteau (left) with current superintendent Brad Curtis at Curtis's last public budget hearing March 10 in Rosenort. Preteau takes over the job in August.

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Incoming Red River Valley School Division superintendent Dan Preteau (left) with current superintendent Brad Curtis at Curtis's last public budget hearing March 10 in Rosenort. Preteau takes over the job in August.

Koop, rookie of the year Dick, help Wesman to CanadaWest title

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Koop, rookie of the year Dick, help Wesman to CanadaWest title

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025

The University of Winnipeg claimed their first CanadaWest men’s volleyball championship on their home court March 8, sweeping the national number one University of Alberta 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21).

Linden’s Easton Dick and Steinbach’s Paxton Koop suit up for the Wesmen. Dick was named the conference rookie of the year just before the CanadaWest final four.

Playing middle, he made appearances in all 20 of the university’s conference matches, racking up 93 kills on a 0.352 attack percentage. Dick added 52 total blocks, with 12 solo efforts, leading all freshmen in the conference and U of W.

In the final, Dick was a leading contributor to the Winnipeg defense at the point of attack. The Wesmen held Golden Bears hitters, including conference player of the year Isaac Heslinga, to just a 0.293 hitting percentage, finishing with five block assists and a solo block to lead U of W.

Read
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS
The University of Winnipeg Wesmen play host to the Canada West Men's Volleyball Championship gold medal game for the first time in their program history at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, March 8, 2025. The No. 1 seeded U of W Wesmen won the CanWest championship title against the No. 2 seeded Univesity of Alberta Golden Bears 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21). Pictured: U of W Wesmen middle Easton Dick spikes the ball as U of A Golden Bears outside Isaac Heslinga (left) and middle Owen Harris (right) go up for the block during first set action.

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS
The University of Winnipeg Wesmen play host to the Canada West Men's Volleyball Championship gold medal game for the first time in their program history at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, March 8, 2025. The No. 1 seeded U of W Wesmen won the CanWest championship title against the No. 2 seeded Univesity of Alberta Golden Bears 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21). Pictured: U of W Wesmen middle Easton Dick spikes the ball as U of A Golden Bears outside Isaac Heslinga (left) and middle Owen Harris (right) go up for the block during first set action.

COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – We can weather the economic storm

Konrad Narth, MLA for La Verendrye 4 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025

I think it is safe to say that everyone getting tired of the rollercoaster ride of tariff threats being thrown around for the last couple months. Since president Trump’s inauguration, we have seen serious threats to our cross-border trade and relationship with the United States in general. Since the first threat we have heard many commitments and comments from political leaders across our country including our premier and prime minister. We do need to act but I am convinced that we will not be able to trade retaliate our way out of this mess. Donald Trump is in office for four years and he has set the stage for our relationship during that time. The only way to combat the effects on our economy is major deregulation and economic incentives in sectors that are most dependent on U.S. trade.

Instead of retaliation on the trade of products that substantially affect our citizens and insignificantly affect theres, we need to instead give our economy the tools to compete. The most certainty that we can see from retaliation is that it is going to push the president to increase tariffs in the days to come, which could outright cripple our economy. We instead need to remain competitive with U.S. companies making it harder on the people of the United States and their economy. This will in turn force them to put pressure on their government and the president. We see substantial regulation and taxation in each of the main trade sectors within our economy. Our region of the province is significantly based on agriculture and manufacturing. Within these two sectors of our economy, we can easily see far more than a 25 percent government burden on production as well as significant opportunity for government to enable growth. This same approach can be seen and used across all major sectors of our economy.

Examples of these taxes and regulation that make up more than 25 percent of the costs of production are things like the carbon tax, production levies, payroll tax, corporate tax and income tax. If we can cut taxes and regulations by more than the 25 percent for our local businesses and manufactures it will allow them to not only compete but also provide them the flexibility to react to ongoing market changes while keeping their employees working and happy. This not only will allow the economy stability but avoids the alternative government reaction which is debt driven subsidies which we have recently learnt the devastation that it can have on inflation and the stability of our economy.

We are an economy heavily dependent on exports of raw or near raw materials that our effect of retaliation is insignificant in the grand scheme of our trade position. Government should never get into business or in the way of business. It should be governments position right now to step out of the way of business and the economic growth of our province and country by allowing businesses the tools they need to remain competitive. The more money left in the pockets of Manitobans is more money into our economy. This trade war can be won with less government involvement instead of more.

Cinderella’s Wardrobe a fairy godmother for graduates

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Preview

Cinderella’s Wardrobe a fairy godmother for graduates

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 12:20 PM CDT

For more than 10 years, Cinderella’s Wardrobe in Steinbach has been providing free attire for teens who are looking for an affordable way to dress themselves for graduation day.

The program started when three Steinbach Regional Secondary School students came to their guidance counsellor and said they weren’t going to their graduation because they couldn’t afford it. The guidance counsellor and some teachers took it upon themselves to get dresses for the students.

“That’s how it started. Three students came forward and it’s been going ever since,” said Ashley Booth Gingras, a teacher at SRSS who has been involved with Cinderella’s Wardrobe for a number of years.

The closet currently has 500 dresses as well as two racks of suits. The program usually sees between 30 and 45 students come to get clothed.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 12:20 PM CDT

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Ashley Booth Gingras (left) and Katrina Drinevski help students get dressed for their graduations at Cinderella's Wardrobe.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Ashley Booth Gingras (left) and Katrina Drinevski help students get dressed for their graduations at Cinderella's Wardrobe.

COLUMN: Village News – Neighbours: The Red River Métis

Edward G. Krahn and Ernest N. Braun 7 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Village News – Neighbours: The Red River Métis

Edward G. Krahn and Ernest N. Braun 7 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025

The exhibit “Mennonite Reflections: Arriving in Manitoba 150 Years Ago” is currently featured in the Gerhard Ens Gallery at Mennonite Heritage Village. This article is the ninth in a series highlighting the seven themes presented in this exhibit.

Theme 7 – Neighbours: The Red River Métis

Some of the first people the Mennonites encountered in Manitoba, already at the time of the visit by the Mennonite delegates in 1873, were the Red River Métis, who constituted the majority of the population at the time. This was about to change as European immigration surged in the next decade, and as many resident Métis left the province, disillusioned at the inept implementation of the Manitoba Act of 1870.

At the time of the visit by the delegates, the population of Manitoba was over 25,000. Of that number, the majority were of mixed First Nations and European ancestry. Fear of American expansionism had forced the British Crown to turn Ruperts Land over to Canada in 1869. The existing settlement of farmers and hunters, most of them Métis, feared for the loss of their livelihood and culture. The Canadian government exacerbated the situation in August of 1869 by re-surveying the land, including existing river lots, and appointing William McDougall, a Canadian expansionist as the first Lieutenant-Governor. With support from both English and French-speaking Métis, Louis Riel stopped the survey, barred McDougall from entering the province, conducted an election, and proclaimed a provisional government led by Riel. Push-back from the Anglo-Ontarians from Portage la Prairie in particular, who opposed the provisional government, apprehension about American expansionism, and public outcry in Eastern Canada, led to the federal Wolseley expedition, which arrived in Upper Fort Garry on August 24, too late to put down the opposition, for the Manitoba Act was already in effect as of July 15, 1870.

Read
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025

ERNEST N. BRAUN

Red River cart at Lower Fort Garry.

ERNEST N. BRAUN 

Red River cart at Lower Fort Garry.

Agape House Purple Gala sees large turnout, dollars raised

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Preview

Agape House Purple Gala sees large turnout, dollars raised

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 17, 2025

March 7 was a night to remember as 158 people came to support Steinbach’s women’s shelter, Agape House.

Executive director Tracy Whitby said the evening raised $20,000, twice the amount raised last year and the most from any gala prior.

“We’re super excited about that and we couldn’t be more grateful for the overwhelming support that we received,” she said, noting the sponsors this year were overwhelming in their generosity.

The evening had music, food, live entertainment and a positive atmosphere. One of the main fundraisers that night was a round trip for two to anywhere WestJet flies, which continues to April 17.

Read
Monday, Mar. 17, 2025

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Tsungai Muvingi, provincial coordinator for the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters, spoke about the work that Agape House is doing and domestic violence during Agape's Purple Gala on March 7, 2025 at the Friedensfeld Community Centre.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Tsungai Muvingi, provincial coordinator for the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters, spoke about the work that Agape House is doing and domestic violence during Agape's Purple Gala on March 7, 2025 at the Friedensfeld Community Centre.

LOAD MORE