Athletes beat weather to finish St Malo Triathlon

After years of scorching hot weather, the 2026 St Malo Triathlon provided a little bit of relief this year. Cooler temperatures gave way to a rainstorm, with the top finishers beating the weather, while others completed their run through a downpour.

An afternoon storm didn’t dampen spirits at the event, although many of the participants rushed out of the provincial park before lightning arrived. The triathlon was at capacity, with every available spot filled by an athlete this year.

Terron Baker won the Olympic distance event, which includes a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike ride and a 10 km run. The event appeared on track for a photo finish, with four participants within two minutes following the cycling portion but Baker pulled away with a dominant run.

His 36:46 time in the run was five minutes faster than every other competitor, as he won the event by those five minutes.

Manitoba farmers worried about uncertainty of CUSMA negotiations as deadline looms

Manitoba farmers are increasingly worried about the uncertainty surrounding whether or not the United States will sign the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, (CUSMA), and what impact America’s decision will have on their businesses.

Right now, CUSMA is shielding a lot of Canadian agricultural producers from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“It seems, you know, CUSMA is not that old. When it was signed, the Americans were saying this is the best trade deal ever and it has solved all of the problems. And now, a few short years later, they seem to think that it’s the worst trade deal ever and it needs to be scrapped,” said Kleefeld dairy farmer Stefan Signer.

CUSMA has tripled the value of North American agriculture and agrifood trade between 2005 and 2023, totaling about $400 billion CAD ($285 billion USD), according to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, which represents agricultural producers and agribusinesses across the nation. Manitoba Dairy Farmers, Manitoba Beef Producers, and Manitoba Pork are members.

Vigfusson latest Niverville Nighthawks player to get call to Jets camp

It’s clear the Winnipeg Jets have massive respect for the Niverville Nighthawks, extending to before the Manitoba Junior Hockey League franchise won a national junior A championship this May.

For the past three seasons, just three MJHL players have earned invites to the Jets Development Camp. All three of those players have played for Niverville.

Adam Vigfusson joins Nathan Brown from 2024 and Lorette’s Avery Laliberte from 2025, as the Gimli product was named to Winnipeg’s 32-player development camp roster last week.

Vigfusson will have a familiar face coaching him at camp, with the parade of Niverville content continuing at development camp as Nighthawks’ head coach Dwight Hirst was named as a guest coach.

Mural unveiling of McMunn community completes set for local artist and historian

Community members and historical enthusiasts gathered at the Midwinter Heritage Site in East Braintree on June 27, to share a potluck meal and witness the unveiling of local historian and artist Lorna Feilberg Annell’s latest and possibly last historical mural of the once vibrant village of McMunn.

Exactly one year earlier, Annell had stood on the same stage attached to the old one-room schoolhouse that is now a local museum and revealed her first artwork featuring a meticulously accurate depiction of East Braintree, where she and sister Margaret were raised.

Both sisters are community icons, with Lorna having won awards such as the Lieutenant Governor General’s Award for historical preservation and promotion, and Margaret serving as president of the Midwinter Heritage Association, with their many years of hard work making the site a historical tourism showpiece.

“She’ll tell me what to do and when and where to stand. She’s the boss. She’s my younger sister, but she’s the boss,” laughs Lorna.

Federal government plans forest survey, Piney opens forest tours registration

Canada has 10 percent of the world’s forests, as such, this natural resource is considered important economically, environmentally, and holistically. Now, the federal government is looking to do a tree inventory.

“Private forests have not been under the purview of the Federal Forestry Department (Natural Resources Canada), and there’s a lot of information that seems to be missing when it comes to forest policymaking,” said Bob Austman, Manitoba chair for Canadian Forest Owners (CFO).

“Private forest owners aren’t really aware of the inventory they have on their land and how important it really is to a healthy environment. So, this survey will give the policymakers enough information to figure out, who owns these forests, what are their goals, what kind of activities are happening in (the owners’) forested property, and there’s also a need to provide support from federal forestry departments.”

The national survey of private forests is the first of its kind in more than 20 years in Canada. It is being conducted by the CFO and researchers at McGill University with support from MITACS Canada.

Hanover development plan to promote density, affordable housing, industry

The RM of Hanover is looking to increase residential density and affordable housing with its new development plan and zoning bylaw as its projected population is set to increase by about 10,000 people by 2050.

The municipality held an open house on June 25 in Mitchell for residents to get information and ask questions about the changes the RM wants to make.

“In terms of the development plan, based on population projections, we’re redesignating some new lands adjacent to the LUDs for new residential, commercial, and industrial development,” said Jeff Plette, senior planner and partner with Landmark Planning and Design. “We’ve been working with the province to find policy provisions to allow for Hanover’s economy to diversify going forward.”

Landmark worked closely with council and the RM’s planning manager in developing the changes in the plan and zoning bylaw. The Planning Act dictates that municipalities must keep their development plans for future growth current, reviewed usually every five years, and their zoning bylaw consistently reviewed to keep in step with the development plan.

Carolina picks Ste Anne’s Zach Lansard in third round of NHL draft

All of Ste Anne was on high alert as soon as the third round of the NHL draft started. Zach Lansard, who was ranked as high as 80th in prospect rankings, didn’t have to wait long, with the cup champion Hurricanes jumping the rankings by taking the Regina Pats forward with the 68th overall pick June 27.

The selection was just four picks into the third round, made with a pick the Hurricanes traded into the day before, moving back from 42nd overall and receiving the 51st and 68th picks in return from Calgary. Lansard was the first forward selected by Carolina in this year’s draft.

The selection was a shock to Lansard and his family, who were watching the draft from their home in Ste Anne. There was no pre-selection phone call, with Lansard noting he had his last meeting with Carolina a few weeks ago.

“When my name got called, everyone on the couch blacked out and was silent for a bit and then we realized it happened,” Lansard said in a phone call later in the day.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: June 25th edition

Featuring a U17 AAA Eastman Wildcats softball game June 18, the Summer Skate Series in downtown Steinbach June 19 and a Hanover Kickers match June 22 at the Steinbach Soccer Park.

Long-time Southeast Tabs for Wheelchairs volunteer coordinator looking to retire

It was while on vacation with his wife, that a cup filled with can tabs piqued the interest of Bob Barrow, leading to a decade-long passion of helping disabled children.

For the past 11 years, Barrow has been volunteer coordinator with Tabs for Wheelchairs in the Southeast and now the 81-year-old would like to retire.

“I’d like to get someone else involved that’s younger and they’ll do it for a longer time,” he said.

Barrow’s volunteer journey began on his 50th wedding anniversary when he and his wife were celebrating near Kenora.