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Grads set to bring Niverville to the world

Chris Gareau 4 minute read 11:03 AM CDT

There were more new Niverville High School graduates than ever to bring the town’s sensibilities to the world as 92 teenagers in the class of 2025 chart their course into adulthood.

Niverville class of 1983 alumnus and Canadian diplomat Mark Eichhorst spoke of the importance of roots and exploration on this journey, saying no matter where he was in the world, he was still a small-town kid at heart.

“Don’t forget about this incredible little town. The values and connections… and friendships that you’ve developed in your time here are extremely valuable. They will come in hand down the road.

“For some of you, maybe the idea of staying in this community is what appeals to you the most, and that’s also fine. But my challenge to that group is do not forget about the world beyond Niverville, beyond Manitoba, beyond Canada. The lessons and perspectives that you will gain by expanding your horizons will benefit not only you, but your community,” said Eichhorst, continuing with his advice on expanding horizons.

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Collège Lorette Collegiate sends off 99 grads

Toni De Guzman 2 minute read Preview

Collège Lorette Collegiate sends off 99 grads

Toni De Guzman 2 minute read 8:18 AM CDT

Ninety-nine students from Collège Lorette Collegiate graduated in the hot and packed hall of Transcona Country Club on June 26.

Many people stood along the walls during the ceremony. People used the graduation program pamphlets as makeshift fans in the sauna-like temperature environment.

Principal Kathryn Murison reminded students how graduation is just the beginning.

“Graduation is definitely not the finish line. It’s the launch pad,” said Murison.

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8:18 AM CDT

TONI DE GUZMAN THE CARILLON

Kathryn Brisebois (middle) is wrapped with a star blanket to honour and commemorate graduating and their work with the Indigenous community.

TONI DE GUZMAN THE CARILLON 

Kathryn Brisebois (middle) is wrapped with a star blanket to honour and commemorate graduating and their work with the Indigenous community.

Woman and girl die in St Labre collision

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Yesterday at 3:39 PM CDT

A two-vehicle collision on June 27 at about 12:45 p.m. on St Labre Road, near the community of St Labre, has led to the death of a 39-year-old woman and a 11-year-old girl.

When Sprague RCMP arrived on the scene, EMS and fire personnel were already there attending to the occupants of the vehicles. A damaged truck was on the southbound lane of the gravel road and a minivan was on its side in a small creek.

The initial investigation has determined that the truck was driving south on St. Labre Road when the minivan veered into the southbound lane after a curve in the road and collided with the truck. The collision sent the minivan into the creek.

The woman, who was the driver of the minivan, and the 11-year-old were pronounced deceased at the scene while a 10-year-old girl who was also in the van was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Journalist remembered for her heart

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Preview

Journalist remembered for her heart

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Yesterday at 3:14 PM CDT

Southern Manitoba has lost a dedicated and talented journalist as Lori Penner, 59, died on June 25.

Formerly a reporter and editor of The Red River Valley Echo and the South Central Post, Penner contributed as a freelancer to multiple publications including The Carillon.

She is perhaps best known for her weekly column, Don’t Mind the Mess, where she shared her life and thoughts with thousands of readers weekly. It’s estimated she wrote over 1,500 of those columns.

Penner’s death came after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke on June 20.

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Yesterday at 3:14 PM CDT

SUPPLIED

Lori Penner, author of Don’t Mind the Mess and a gifted freelance journalist, died June 25 at Boundary Trails Health Centre at the age of 59.

SUPPLIED 

Lori Penner, author of Don’t Mind the Mess and a gifted freelance journalist, died June 25 at Boundary Trails Health Centre at the age of 59.

COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – The future is in good hands

Konrad Narth, MLA for La Verendrye 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:17 PM CDT

This month’s report from the legislature comes as kids are finished school, crops are growing, and celebrations have started. As summer settles into our beautiful corner of the province, there is much to be proud of and even more to celebrate here in Southeast Manitoba. I want to take a moment to recognize two truly special occasions that speak to the heart of our communities, the incredible accomplishments of our high school graduates and the celebration of Canada Day throughout the region.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the honour of attending several graduation ceremonies across La Verendrye, and I can say with great confidence, our future is in good hands. Whether it was in Vita, Grunthal, La Broquerie, Sprague, or St Pierre, the pride radiating from these young graduates, their families, and our schools was unmistakable. These students have demonstrated not just academic achievement, but resilience, leadership, and compassion. Many of them faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, navigating disruptions to their learning, extracurriculars, and social lives, and yet they emerged stronger, more adaptable, and ready to take on the world.

What struck me most was the diversity of dreams and ambitions among these grads. Some are heading off to post-secondary studies, others to trades, agriculture, business ventures, or to serve their communities right here at home. They are musicians, athletes, volunteers, entrepreneurs, and above all, they are thoughtful, driven citizens. These young people reflect the very best of rural Manitoba, and I couldn’t be prouder to represent them at the Manitoba Legislature.

To every graduate in La Verendrye: Congratulations! You’ve worked hard, you’ve grown, and you’ve already made your families and communities proud. The path ahead may not always be straight or easy, but your roots here in Southeast Manitoba will always serve you well. Keep striving, stay humble, and never forget where you came from.

Red River College celebrates Steinbach convocation

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Preview

Red River College celebrates Steinbach convocation

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:14 PM CDT

Steinbach’s Red River College campus celebrated graduation at the Southeast Event Centre on June 26, becoming the first group to hold a grad ceremony at the new facility.

A total of 119 graduates from business, community services, education, health sciences and adult learning streams walked the stage in front of friends and family.

They had plenty to be proud of. A full 46 percent of those accepting their diplomas or certificates graduated with honours.

President and CEO of RRC Polytech, Fred Meier, told grads to be proud of what they’ve achieved.

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Yesterday at 2:14 PM CDT

CHRISTIAN JADE SICAT THE CARILLON

A group of friends celebrate after completing their RRC Polytech graduation in Steinbach.

CHRISTIAN JADE SICAT THE CARILLON 

A group of friends celebrate after completing their RRC Polytech graduation in Steinbach.

Football Manitoba rounds out high performance rosters

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Football Manitoba rounds out high performance rosters

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Yesterday at 1:09 PM CDT

There will certainly be a Steinbach Regional Sabres flavour to the Manitoba U18 High Performance Football team’s offensive line this year.

The team, which is set to head to Nationals later this month, features four Eastman players and will be coached by Stephen Fedus, the leader of Steinbach Regional’s varsity squad.

Steinbach Sabres Eric Barnard and Ryder Wallace will be joined by Springfield’s Ethan Weibe and the Eastman Raiders’ Kadez Penner. Players from Grant Park (Sebastien Weisgerber), Vincent Massey (Nic Arsenault) and Dakota (Christ Slipec and Brenden Baer) round out the position group.

Fedus is considered one of the best offensive line coaches in the province.

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Yesterday at 1:09 PM CDT

Steinbach Regional Secondary School Varsity football head coach Stephan Fedus, seen here coaching up his team during a spring game against Grant Park earlier this year, will be leading the offensive line for team Manitoba at the upcoming Football Canada Cup. (Cassidy Dankochik Carillon Archives)

Steinbach Regional Secondary School Varsity football head coach Stephan Fedus, seen here coaching up his team during a spring game against Grant Park earlier this year, will be leading the offensive line for team Manitoba at the upcoming Football Canada Cup. (Cassidy Dankochik Carillon Archives)

Plenty of local connections at NHL development camps

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Plenty of local connections at NHL development camps

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:00 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets are making a habit out of inviting Niverville Nighthawks to their development camp.

Last year forward Nathan Brown got the call, and this year Lorette’s Avery Laliberte will be in attendance.

The defenseman had 39 points in 53 games for the Nighthawks, taking on a massive defensive burden. He also won a bronze medal at the World Junior A Challenge while playing for Team Canada West. He’s set to join the University of Northern Michigan.

He joined Niverville strength and conditioning coach Rob Pambrun at the Jets camp, which kicked off July 1.

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Yesterday at 1:00 PM CDT

Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon

Avery Laliberte battles for a loose puck during MJHL action against Steinbach

Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon 

Avery Laliberte battles for a loose puck during MJHL action against Steinbach

From the Selects to the Jets: Oakbank’s Martin selected by hometown team at NHL draft

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Preview

From the Selects to the Jets: Oakbank’s Martin selected by hometown team at NHL draft

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 3, 2025

Owen Martin joined an exclusive list of players when the Winnipeg Jets took him in the third round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft June 28.

Since returning to the province in 2011, just two other Manitobans have been selected by their hometown team (Jason Kasdorf in 2011 and Jordy Stallard in 2016).

“It’s just super-cool to be drafted by the hometown team,” Martin said in a virtual media availability hosted from his home in Oakbank.

“I grew up always going to the games, it’s just an unbelievable experience.”

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Thursday, Jul. 3, 2025

Owen Martin was one of three Eastman Selects taken in the WHL 2022 Bantam Draft. Martin was taken in the second round by the Spokane Chiefs. (Darryl Gershman photo submitted by Owen Martin)

Owen Martin was one of three Eastman Selects taken in the WHL 2022 Bantam Draft. Martin was taken in the second round by the Spokane Chiefs. (Darryl Gershman photo submitted by Owen Martin)

Steinbach Community Foundation lists 2024 as most grants given

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 4 minute read Preview

Steinbach Community Foundation lists 2024 as most grants given

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 4 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

Since 1998 when the foundation was started, Steinbach Community Foundation (SCF) has handed out more than $1 million and in the last two years has granted $500,000. This year alone SCF will have given out from all funds a total of $212,538, the largest annual payout ever handed out by the foundation.

“It’s very exciting and part of that is because we earned more of course so we can only give out a portion of the money that we earn and it’s very exciting that we are able to grant out more this year,” said chair Mary Jane Hiebert.

“The other thing is because of the new spend down fund that we received, we can go to that anonymous doner and they could decide if they wanted to donate more in a one year or not. That was also done. We could meet with them and go over the applications that we thought they would be interested in and we were able to give out more money.”

The Anonymous Spend Down Fund is a new option for donors. The fund is a limited time spend down fund, meaning it is created with a single large gift that is spent annually within a set time frame. This new strategy at SCF is for donors to provide a greater benefit in a shorter amount of time.

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Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Eight-year-old Olivia Priebe poses with Children's Rehabilitation Foundation fund development officer Mia Dunn and her father Viktor during the Steinbach Community Foundation AGM on June 18, 2025 in Steinbach. Olivia was one of two children to receive an enhanced tricycle from funding from SCF.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Eight-year-old Olivia Priebe poses with Children's Rehabilitation Foundation fund development officer Mia Dunn and her father Viktor during the Steinbach Community Foundation AGM on June 18, 2025 in Steinbach. Olivia was one of two children to receive an enhanced tricycle from funding from SCF.

Brunch service with a side of drag queens

Toni De Guzman 5 minute read Preview

Brunch service with a side of drag queens

Toni De Guzman 5 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

A sold-out event with over 90 people and five drag queens packed in a tight hall to celebrate the Drag Brunch’s third year at Steinbach’s United Church on June 21.

Leading up to the event, the location was kept private due to safety concerns for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The first Drag Brunch event had protestors outside of the building.

Drag is a performance art combining lip syncing, dancing, personas, and over-the-top clothing and makeup. Drag queens are performers who partake in drag, often with a specific persona and name.

Most of the queens are using their drag names to protect their identity and safety.

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Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

TONI DE GUZMAN THE CARILLON
Salem performs to a quirky upbeat song for the 2025 Drag Brunch.

TONI DE GUZMAN THE CARILLON
Salem performs to a quirky upbeat song for the 2025 Drag Brunch.

PHOTO GALLERY: Notre-Dame-de-Lorette anniversary celebrations

Chris Gareau 1 minute read Preview

PHOTO GALLERY: Notre-Dame-de-Lorette anniversary celebrations

Chris Gareau 1 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

Tours of the Notre-dame-de-Lorette drew in people from as far as BC to the 125-year-old church. The parish saw its first residential priest 150 years ago and its first appointed missionary 160 years ago, marking the beginning of the community of Lorette as it is known today.

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Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Parish committee member Lucille Brunette points to original baptismal and death records that date as far back as 1877. They were part of the display for the parish's anniversary events on June 21-22.

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Parish committee member Lucille Brunette points to original baptismal and death records that date as far back as 1877. They were part of the display for the parish's anniversary events on June 21-22.

COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – PCs left NDP with surplus

Wayne Ewasko, MLA for Lac du Bonnet 4 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

The beginning of June saw the end of spring session at the Manitoba Legislature which began on March 5. I had the privilege of being the interim PC party leader during a good portion of this session and was pleased to welcome MLA for Fort Whyte, Obby Khan into the legislative chamber as the elected Leader of the Official Opposition on May 6.

Highlights from the spring sitting include the Public Accounts Committee approval of the 2023 audited statements, that confirm our former PC government left the Kinew NDP with a $373 million surplus. This disproves the NDP’s ongoing claims that they were left in a poor fiscal position, and using it as an excuse for their government’s growing deficit that could reach as high as $1.9 billion. Public Accounts is an independent all-party committee that examines the province’s audited finances and it includes members of the NDP.

Even though the NDP waited until the final days of spring session to introduce Bill 47 – Fair Trade in Canada Act, our PC Party voted to pass the bill as it is legislation that benefits Manitobans by reducing the interprovincial trade barriers between provinces. PC MLA for Midland, Lauren Stone had originally introduced similar legislation in mid April with Bill 227 – The Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act. However, the NDP voted against Bill 227 in order to make it their own, running a serious risk that the legislation might not pass before the summer and would have to wait until October 1st when the fall legislative session resumes.

Throughout the spring Manitobans continued to express their concerns regarding the NDP’s Budget 2025 tax hikes that show a significant increase to their education property taxes, and a crafty bracket creep that will cost Manitoba taxpayers $82 million.

Carillon Sports: June 26th Second Shots

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Preview

Carillon Sports: June 26th Second Shots

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

Featuring photos from a Hanover Strikers match in Steinbach June 17, a U17 AAA Eastman Wildcats game against Smitty's Terminators June 18, the St Malo Triathlon June 21 and games from the Prairie Basketball League spring league finals at Steinbach Christian School June 21.

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Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

The annual St Malo Triathlon was held June 21 in the provincial park. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

The annual St Malo Triathlon was held June 21 in the provincial park. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Class of five celebrates grad in Sprague

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Preview

Class of five celebrates grad in Sprague

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025

A small graduating class allowed an intimate and personal ceremony for Ross L. Gray School in Sprague on June 20.

Principal Jared Baines and guest speaker Krystina Bouchard both were able to include personal addresses to each graduating student.

Forty percent of the graduating class was represented in their valedictorians who were Julia Van Osch and Mollie Zimmerman.

The close-knit graduating class has largely been together since kindergarten with four out of five graduates having made the entire education journey together.

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Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025

GREG VANDERMEULEN THE CARILLON

Principal Jared Baines presents Julia Van Osch with the Governor General Bronze Medal.

GREG VANDERMEULEN THE CARILLON 

Principal Jared Baines presents Julia Van Osch with the Governor General Bronze Medal.

Ste Anne Co-op grand opening includes new pharmacy delivery

Chris Gareau 3 minute read Preview

Ste Anne Co-op grand opening includes new pharmacy delivery

Chris Gareau 3 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025

The home of the co-op’s first gas station celebrated the home of its first brand new grocery store with a grand opening June 20.

It also touted some features added since the Ste Anne food store first opened its doors last October.

General manager Martin Trudeau acknowledged the history of Clearview Consumers Co-op, which got its start in Ste Anne 94 years ago and was soon called Ste Anne Co-op until 2018.

“This is more than just a building. It’s a long-term investment in the people in this community, an expansion of our promise to serve with quality, care and co-operative values,” said Trudeau, surrounded by co-op board members, store staff, dignitaries, and locals waiting to get their barbecued hotdogs, chips and Co-op brand drinks.

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Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Ste Anne's Clearview Co-op food store grand opening June 20.

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Ste Anne's Clearview Co-op food store grand opening June 20.

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