CARILLON SPORTS SECOND SHOTS: September 17th edition

Featuring Eastman Selects AAA training camp, a Hanover Kickers game in Winnipeg, the SRSS Sabres football home opener, Providence Pilots soccer games in Otterburne and the final pre-season game for Niverville and Steinbach in the MJHL.

RCMP presence increases in Steinbach

Steinbach residents will notice a more visible RCMP presence in the community, according to Staff Sgt. Mike Maxwell who presented their annual report to city council on Tuesday.

He said they are fully staffed, something that has not been true in the community for years.

Staffing challenges impact how people see police since the local traffic unit was not present at all times.

The policing report dated, Sept. 15, showed that calls for service this year total 4,716. That’s on pace with recent years that had year-end totals ranging from a low of 6,365 in both 2022 and 2025 and a high of 6,949 posted in 2021 at the municipal level.

Piney chamber celebrates 10 years

They’ve come a long way since the 2016 founding of the Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce, but the organization maintains the same mission.

That mission is to support economic development, provide value to members, strengthen partnerships and enhance the region as a place to work, live, raise families and do business.

The chamber celebrated the last decade of existence with an event held Sept. 10 in Vassar.

President Jason Ginter said the milestone is a big one.

CCAA men’s soccer nationals coming to Brandon

The wait will be much shorter than last time for the Brandon University Bobcats to host another national championship.

Less than 18 months after BU welcomed the top U Sports men’s volleyball teams in the country to the Wheat City and ran the table to their first national title, the Bobcats men’s soccer team was named host of the 2027 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championship on Thursday.

It’s BU’s third national tournament, after staging the 2016 women’s volleyball one. It’s just the third time Manitoba has hosted a CCAA national championship after Niverville welcomed men’s and women’s volleyball in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

“This is an incredible opportunity. It gives us more motivation and fire as a team to improve as a group, work harder on those off-the-field things, scouting, preparing,” said Bobcats head coach Diego Rodriguez Jr., who helped BU win its first Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference title as a player in 2019, and defend the crown in 2021, becoming the first MCAC team to attend nationals.

Three local organizations get this year’s Chrysalis Fund grants totaling $13,000

The Chrysalis Fund held its annual general meeting last Tuesday where seven of the eight organizations were on hand to pitch their projects for funding. Members choose three non-profits to donate to with grants totaling more than $13,000.

“Since the Chrysalis Fund began in 2009, we have supported a variety of organizations and projects (primarily focused on children, youth, and families). And it just always surprises me and delights me to see how much good is being done in this community,” said chair Debbie Krahn.

The female driven non-profit started in 2009 with only 11 members and has now grown to 89. Each woman donates a one-time gift of $1,000, which is then given to the Steinbach Community Foundation, which gives it to the Winnipeg Foundation to invest and grow. The interest earned on the investment is used to fund local projects.

This year there were eight local projects that applied for Chrysalis funding, but only three were voted by membership as being the most in need.

COLUMN: On the Fence Line – Holding a horse: Small decisions can prevent big problems

Horse shows, trail rides and recreational gatherings are great opportunities to connect with other horse enthusiasts. It’s common to ask a friend to hold your horse while you retrieve tack, park a trailer or take care of another quick task. Even so, a horse can react unexpectedly to unfamiliar sights, sounds or activity. Taking a few simple precautions can help prevent accidents and property damage.

Before asking someone to hold your horse:

Choose an experienced and confident handler whenever possible.

Use a properly fitted halter and a lead rope in good condition.

Truckers join forces to raise funds

The Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Manitoba Trucking Association have once again made a big difference for Special Olympics Manitoba.

The annual truck ride left Ile des Chenes on Sept. 12, circling the perimeter highway in a bid to raise awareness and funds.

This year’s event raised more than $42,000 as of press time, just short of their $45,000 goal.

Special Olympics Manitoba said this event is important.

Steinbach Fire hosts second annual stair climb

In what’s been described as a physical and mental challenge, first responders helped honour those who died in the World Trade Centre on Sept. 11, 2001, by climbing the stairs at Steinbach Credit Union.

Steinbach Fire Department assistant fire chief Russ Toews organized the second annual event and said he was inspired to continue after the 2025 event commemorating 9/11 was a success despite a lack of advertising beforehand.

Just over 100 firefighters took part in the first event representing about seven fire departments.

This year those numbers are up, and Toews said it’s seeing the different fire departments come together that means the most.

Bike Mayor makes way to La Broquerie to promote trails

Winnipeg’s official Bicycle Mayor made her way to La Broquerie on Sunday to promote the RM’s network of trails.

Patty Wiens rode her bike with her partner and a friend almost five hours from Winnipeg to the LUD of La Broquerie and she said she enjoyed the ride.

“We took our time. We were lucky we had the wind on our back. So it was really great,” she said, noting drivers were very respectful.

Wiens, who is originally from Brazil, began her bike journey in Canada after not wanting to pay for her car and all the costs that come with owning a car, such as parking, maintenance, and gas.

Steinbach Pistons bolster line-up with blockbuster trade

One of the Manitoba Hockey League’s best young talents is coming back to the province, and he’ll be wearing Pistons blue.

Steinbach traded the rights to 2007-born forward Noah Paulsen and future considerations for Rohan Guevarra and Griffin Krone Sept. 9.

Guevarra, who was also born in 2007, was on pace for an MVP-season when he left the MJHL for B.C. last season. He had 27 points in just 13 games before the move.

“He’s one of those players, if you’re an offensive guy, you want to play with,” Steinbach head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said.