Rural Roundup for Aug. 6, 2026

NEEPAWA

The final hurdle in the return of a Practical Nursing program to Neepawa in 2027 has been cleared.

In July, Neepawa Town Council approved signing a new lease agreement with Assiniboine College for the rental of the Neepawa Training Facility. The agreement, which begins Aug. 1 and runs until Sept. 30, 2028, will see the facility used as a base for the college’s Licensed Practical Nursing program, which is scheduled to begin in January.

The space, located in the former RCMP building at 239 Mill Street, will also be used for an adult learning centre. Under the terms of the lease deal, the Town of Neepawa will receive $5,000 per month. This marks the return of Assiniboine College to Neepawa, as the inaugural two year program launched back in early 2024. During its’ year hiatus from Neepawa, the program was taught in Steinbach.

Practical Nursing is Assiniboine’s single largest program and is currently being delivered in 11 communities across Manitoba, including permanent sites in Brandon, Winnipeg, Dauphin and Portage la Prairie

» Neepawa Banner & Press

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ONANOLE

A student from Onanole Elementary School was congratulated by local Legion branch personnel, along with school staff and fellow students, for being among the 2026 national winners prior to the end of the school year.

Meadow Smid, the 12-year-old daughter of Borden and Gwen Smid, submitted her poem entitled ‘For My Country’ in the Intermediate category (Gr. 7-9) as a grade 7 student in the fall of 2025. It won second place in the National Youth Remembrance Contest.

The student has taken part for the past three years. Her first time entering was when she was in grade 5. Over the last three years she has submitted posters and poems to the same contest.

“This is my first year winning at the national level, however, I have won provincially for my poem once before in grade 5,” Meadow said.

She said she wanted to express gratitude for the people who fought for peace.

» The Minnedosa Tribune

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BOISSEVAIN

Boissevain’s Kara Paradis was honoured for her commitment to hockey with a prestigious national award.

Paradis was named the 2026 recipient of the BFL Canada Women in Coaching Award in the Community Category for Manitoba. Hockey Canada and BFL Canada recognize the best women behind the bench with these awards, with one for Community and one for Competitive in each province.

“It was a pretty cool surprise,” Paradis stated. “I found out in May, Hockey Canada connected with me over Zoom, pretending to reach out to me about something else and then completely surprised me.”

She said it was special because she was nominated by people in her community and co-workers.

The BFL Women in Coaching Awards are given to the best behind the bench. They lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship, promote equitable participation and demonstrate a commitment to development of all players. The Community Coach is for a woman coaching athletes at any age who compete in divisions where there is not a national championship identified as a culminating event.”

» The Boissevain Recorder

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SOURIS

Two signs honouring a local female rugby player have been erected near the community of Souris.

Emily Tuttosi has been a great source of pride in her home community, bringing Souris positive attention on the national and international stage. The first sign, raised in May, was placed east of Souris along #2 Highway.

The second sign was put up at Souris School on the rugby pitch. It was a natural place to honour someone who got her start at that spot.

Tuttosi has had a great career on the rugby pitch and that is continuing. She starred for years with the University of Calgary Dinos, earning four Canada West All Star recognitions and was named All Canadian in 2016.

She has represented Canada internationally, starting in 2018. She scored a hat trick against Japan in the 2021 World Cup and was part of the Team Canada team that won silver in 2025. Tuttosi also played professionally as part of the Exeter Chiefs of the Women’s Rugby Union in England.

Barb Murphy, an organizer of the sign fundraising, said it was simple to set up. She partnered with the Souris rugby program and coach Brian Yon, and began appealing for funds for a sign honouring Tuttosi. Starting last summer/fall, they were hoping to raise about $3,000 for one sign. With local individuals and businesses chipping in, they eventually raised around $5,470 In the end, they decided to do two signs.

The unveiling happened while Souris celebrated the 25th anniversary of the local rugby teams on July 17 and 18, which has been a big part of their local sports scene.

Tuttosi herself was out for the event, which made it extra special.

She is moving on to a new challenge, taking on the role of assistant coach with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s rugby team, who start their season in August.

» The Boissevain Recorder

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VIRDEN

Town of Virden CAO Neil Smith advised in July that the Round Building located at the Virden Ag Grounds will be demolished following the 2026 rodeo season.

The iconic structure, adjacent to Tundra Oil & Gas Place on 5th Avenue South in Virden, is scheduled for demolition later this summer. It was determined last year that the interior of the building had degraded beyond the point of repair regarding safety and general financial feasibility for any future use.

As cost estimates to repair the building were nearly $300,000, the structure will be demolished after this year’s rodeo, potentially making way for future projects.

» Virden Empire Advance

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KILLARNEY

A local sportswoman cranked up her personal achievements another notch in the powerhouse Highland heavy games.

Stephanie Outhwaite competed in Winnipeg in July in the Cuthbert Grant Day Highland Challenge 2026, and came home with not just the top title, but her own new records.

“I won in the Women’s Master Age Category, which is done by points,” said Outhwaite. “There were seven events, and competitors competed in all seven, and in three of them I achieved my own personal bests.”

Outhwaite is training hard to improve both her style and strength in the heavy games, because she is slated to perform in the Netherlands in September, as she will be representing Canada in the Masters World Championship Heavy Games.

Stephanie will be attending the World Games along with her husband and trainer, Terrill Outhwaite, and fundraising has now begun to help cover the costs, she said.

“The goal is to raise $6,000 to help with the flights and the costs for the two of us,” she said.

» The Killarney Guide