Rural Roundup – Dec. 31, 2025

NEEPAWA

Neepawa’s newest hotel made another splash this month, with the opening of its pool area to customers.

The area features the L-shaped indoor pool, as well as a spray fountain, lounge chairs and a hot tub. The management and shareholders for the Neepawa Best Western Plus celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Murray Parrott, who has publicly represented the local shareholders group on the project, served as the emcee for the day. He thanked everyone involved for their commitment to the project, the builders as well as the employees and management for their efforts during the build.

He noted it has been quite the journey to get to this day, and that the support of the local investors on this project made it possible. After the ribbon cutting ceremony was completed, Neepawa Best Western Plus General Manager Trish Hall provided the Banner & Press a chance to see the finished space, just before patrons arrived.

Hall noted this addition ensures that Neepawa’s Best Western is providing the best possible experience to guests, who are arriving to our community. The completion of the pool was the primary focus of phase two of Best Western’s plans for Neepawa. The first phase involved the opening of the hotel itself to the public back in July. The exact cost of this portion of the project has not been made public.

» Neepawa Banner & Press

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CANUPAWAKPA DAKOTA FIRST NATION

Controlling dogs in Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation has become a matter of public safety and responsible pet ownership, and yet Chief Brown said he’s not finding consensus within his community, nor full support from the elected council.

When two children in Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation were attacked by a dog, their aunt felt she needed to do something. Tybie Brittany Brown reached out to several media outlets including the Empire-Advance. Her Letter: ‘Dangerous dog on the loose’ was published on page 8, Nov. 21st.

Chief Raymond Brown, in an interview, said there is no existing policy regarding the care and control of dogs within the Canupawakpa community. He confirmed that a child was recently bitten and says the incident is part of a much larger and ongoing problem with uncontrolled dogs on the reserve.

» Virden Empire Advance

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KENTON

The Kenton 4-H members packed 50 backpacks full of needed items for the homeless in Brandon this holiday season.

Their communities helped by donating items. This club has been doing a ‘Make a Difference’ project in their club for over 16 years at Christmas time. The backpacks contain hygiene items, socks, mitts, and toques and other such practical items to gift to folks in need.

They were set to be handed out Christmas morning, because everyone needs a gift Christmas morning at Samaritan House Ministries. This is such a thoughtful way to show folks who visit Samaritan House a safe and warm community truly cares.

“I believe introducing the youth to volunteering and making a difference in the lives of others at a young age shows them how important it is. And it then becomes a part of their lives as they become adults. I have witnessed members grow and are now adult leaders in our communities and continue to volunteer.

“It warms my heart every Christmas knowing our little club has helped make someone’s day better,” says Candace Tolton, Kenton 4-H Head Leader.

» Virden Empire Advance

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CLEAR LAKE

A critical decision on whether to restore or permanently ban motorized boats on Clear Lake is expected from Parks Canada by February 2026.

The pending announcement arrives as the park confirms that the invasive zebra mussels have successfully established a reproducing population in the lake, forcing a

major shift in the park’s management strategy for one of Manitoba’s most treasured waters.

The final ruling on watercraft management for the 2026 season will mark the conclusion of a high stakes review process. This process has included weighing the damaging results of 2025 monitoring, examining a third-party study on how boat traffic impacts fresh water lakes, and incorporating feedback from the public and Indigenous communities.

The decision is necessary because the effort to eradicate the mussels is now over. Monitoring confirmed the population is reproducing, with the first-ever detection of the microscopic larvae, called veligers, found alongside small adult and juvenile mussels.

» Minnedosa Tribune

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GRANDVIEW

The first in a series of announcements was made by the provincial government about critical infrastructure project funding through the Manitoba Growth, Renewal, and Opportunities (Manitoba GRO) for municipalities here on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.

For the first time, the province has allowed municipalities to submit joint applications with neighbouring communities, to allow municipalities to pool resources and receive project funding for shared regional resources. Grandview Municipality received $1,262,314 for the Grandview Community Sustainability Initiative, which enabled the installation of a new ice plant in the Grandview arena and upgrades to the curling rink.

Mayor Lyle Morran said Grandview Municipality was very excited to hear about this announcement and is pleased that the province is partnering with the municipality on a major update for both rinks. “We want to thank Premier Wab Kinew, municipal and northern relations minister Glen Simard and agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn for supporting our community and the entire Parkland region,” he said.

» Roblin Review

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HARTNEY

On Dec. 3, 2025 at approximately 9:45pm, Deloraine RCMP were dispatched to a report of shots fired at a business on River Avenue in the town of Hartney.

It was reported a male suspect had discharged a firearm at another male outside the business and fled in a vehicle. The two males were known to each other, and no one was injured in the incident.

Deloraine RCMP along with assistance from Killarney, Carberry, Virden, and Brandon detachments began a search for the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located not long after parked on a property outside of town.

The vehicle was empty, and Manitoba RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) was called to assist in the search for the suspect. The 37-year-old suspect was located in a field north of Highway 2, about a half mile east of the property where the vehicle was abandoned.

The firearm was later located hidden outside at a residence in Hartney. Mitchell Briggs, from Hartney, was remanded until his court appearance and charged with the following: Discharge firearm while being reckless; Fail to comply with undertaking condition x2; Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose; Using firearm in the commission of an offence.

» The Boissevain Recorder

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BOISSEVAIN

Boundary Co-op’s expansion of its Parade of Lights to Deloraine was a successful addition to the Yuletide season.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, the cooperative held their inaugural parade in Deloraine, following their second one in Boissevain on December 1. According to Boundary Marketing Manager Cheryl Rushing, all was positive.

“The parades went very well,” Rushing stated. “This was the second year for Boissevain and the first year for Deloraine.

We had 24 participants in Boissevain and 13 in Deloraine. There were a lot of people present to watch and they seemed to be well-received.”

She said they were very pleased with the numbers. As it was the first go round in Deloraine, they were not sure how it would go over, but they were thrilled with the participation and creativity.

In both towns, there were a great range of participants, including the municipalities, credit union, businesses and fire departments. Rushing said they were very impressed to see the lab and x-ray staff from Boissevain Health Centre and the Deloraine nurses.

» The Boissevain Recorder