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BLSD plans to cut wards from 7 to 4

Matthew Frank 3 minute read Yesterday at 3:11 PM CDT

Border Land School Division will be cutting the number of wards in its jurisdiction ahead of the fall election season to address the growing population in the region.

The division will go from seven to four wards, merging former areas, according to a March 11 press release. No changes will be made to school catchment areas, bus routes or the number of school board trustees.

Ward 1 will include Sprague, Piney, Sundown and Buffalo Point First Nation. Ward 2 covers Vita, Stuartburn and Sundown. Ward 3 represents Emerson, Ridgeville, Tolstoi, Dominion City, Arnaud, Rosa, Woodmore and Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation. Ward 4 has Rosenfeld, Horndean, Letellier, St. Joseph, Gretna, Rosetown, Halbstadt, Sommerfeld, Altona, Gnadenfeld and Neubergthal.

Five trustees will now represent Ward 4, two trustees have seats in Ward 3 and Ward 1 and 2 have one trustee each.

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Providence makes history in final year of American basketball play

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Providence makes history in final year of American basketball play

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Yesterday at 3:00 PM CDT

The Providence Pilots made sure to exit American basketball play in style.

The program’s women’s team earned their first-ever berth to the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association division two national championships, getting selected as an at large wildcard after getting defeated in the North Region semi-finals.

The Pilots will only be playing a Canadian regular season schedule next season, leaving the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCCAA. The addition of Red River to the basketball ranks in the MCAC means the Pilots can compete for Canadian College championships.

In their final year of American play they not only earned their first NCCAA championship berth but also picked up a victory, defeating Manhattan Christian College 81-58 in a placement game. Head coach Kendall Perpall was named the NCCAA’s coach of the year for the North Region.

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Yesterday at 3:00 PM CDT

Graduating Libero Kade Lepp was named Providence's most valuable player for their victory at the Canadian College Athletic Association men's volleyball national championships. (Providence Pilots Instagram)

Graduating Libero Kade Lepp was named Providence's most valuable player for their victory at the Canadian College Athletic Association men's volleyball national championships. (Providence Pilots Instagram)

La Broquerie $10.7M budget passes first reading

Matthew Frank 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:35 PM CDT

The Rural Municipality of La Broquerie’s $10.7 million 2026 budget passed its first reading last week.

Annual property taxes will be increasing by $32 for rural ratepayers with an average home value of $326,000. Residents in L.U.D.s will pay $44 more with the average home value of $289,000.

Rural commercial properties valued at $602,000 will pay $45 more in taxes, while L.U.D properties with an average value at $647,000 will see a $60 jump.

The mill rate slightly rose for both rural and L.U.D. ratepayers, but well under the provincial 2025 inflation rate of 2.7 percent. The rural mill rate will rise to 14.22 in 2026 from 14.107 in 2025, a 0.8 percent increase. L.U.D. mill rates grew by 1.2 percent, increasing from 14.310 in 2025 to 14.478 in 2026.

COLUMN: Village News – The Russlaender migration

Robert Goertzen 4 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Village News – The Russlaender migration

Robert Goertzen 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:33 PM CDT

Mennonite Heritage Village Auxiliary is hosting a film night on March 26 at 7 p.m., showing the new film, The Russlaender Migration: From Revolution to Reflection. This is a documentary about the 1920’s migration of Mennonites who left the Soviet Union to come to Canada. Several years ago, Mennonite Historical Society of Canada created a cross-Canada train tour to commemorate this event in various Canadian provinces. This film uses the train tour and the accompanying events in each province to tell the story of the thousands of Mennonites who had experienced the First World War, the Russian Revolution and Civil War, and a state of anarchy, before moving to Canada to start a new life.

I have a personal connection to this story, since both sets of my grandparents came from the Soviet Union in the 1920’s to settle in Canada. As a child, I heard stories at family gatherings, of life before the Russian Revolution, as experienced by my relatives. I also heard stories of starting a new life in Canada, including the hardships of starting over in a new country. As a young person, the stories held a sense of adventure, but later on, I began to wonder about the difficult experiences that my grandparents held inside and did not talk about: the family members who died by violence, or those who were taken away, never to be seen or heard from again.

This film is not only for people with direct family connections to the Russlaender story. In our growing and diverse community, we all know someone in our neighbourhood, in our church, or at our workplace who has been uprooted from an established life in another country. They have had to start over in Canada. Remembering the 1920s experience of the Russlaender Mennonites will help us to understand our neighbours and friends who are creating a new home in our community. Although newcomers are assisted by communities and individuals, starting over continues to have many challenges.

Please join us on Thursday, March 26, to watch this relevant and interesting film. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. The MHV Auxiliary will serve fresh coffee and dainties, so enjoy an evening of listening, learning and conversations.

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Yesterday at 2:33 PM CDT

MHV is commemorating the Russlaender migration in the 1920’s from the Soviet Union to Canada.

MHV is commemorating the Russlaender migration in the 1920’s from the Soviet Union to Canada.

enVision celebrates 70 years of working in the community

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Preview

enVision celebrates 70 years of working in the community

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:30 PM CDT

For 70 years, enVision Community Living has been building connections in the Southeast by serving individuals with intellectual disabilities.

“It’s quite an achievement for the organization. I think it’s exciting…But I think that’s the nice thing about anniversaries, it gives you that chance to reflect and be proud of the things that have been achieved,” said executive director Jeannette DeLong, noting the responsiveness of the organization to what was needed by the people it serves was something that stands out in her mind as she looked back on the history of enVision.

The non-profit started as a small group of families who felt that their children should be allowed to enter the public school system, something that wasn’t allowed for people with intellectual disabilities in 1956, and for the next 10 years, the organization functioned as a school.

In 1973, the first residence was established in Steinbach, Kindale Manor. The young adults who lived there were either returning to the community from an institution or were leaving their parents’ home.

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Yesterday at 2:30 PM CDT

CARILLON ARCHIVES

John Barkman supervises a group of older boys as they assemble wooden crates at Kindale School in 1966.

CARILLON ARCHIVES 

John Barkman supervises a group of older boys as they assemble wooden crates at Kindale School in 1966.

COLUMN: Think Again – Focus on recovery, not on enabling addiction

Michael Zwaagstra 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:23 PM CDT

If there’s one thing this NDP government is determined to do, it’s open a supervised consumption site.

It’s become a matter of doctrine that providing a “safe” place to consume illegal drugs is the best way to save lives. The problem with this rigid doctrine is it causes politicians to defend the indefensible.

Consider, for example, the NDP’s proposed supervised consumption site at 366 Henry Ave in Winnipeg. Last week, the Progressive Conservatives tabled documents in the legislature from the province’s 2024 application to Health Canada for the original supervised consumption site.

According to these documents, people who appear to be as young as 16 years old would be allowed to consume drugs in that site. No identification would be required. To make matters worse, family members would not be informed without the drug user’s explicit consent.

Lakeland Rustlers crowned national champions in Niverville

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Preview

Lakeland Rustlers crowned national champions in Niverville

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

The 2026 Canadian College Athletic Association women’s national volleyball championships came down to one key set.

Alberta’s Lakeland Rustlers, locked 1-1 with the Lynx d’Édouard-Montpetit, trailed in the third set of the final 20-13, but managed to battle back to win 28-26, carrying the momentum into the fourth for a championship win over their Quebec-based opponents.

Lakeland head coach Austin Dyer said that third set was the turning point of his team’s whole championship run.

“If we control the ball, we’re really hard to stop,” Dyer said after the final March 15, noting the Rustlers roster had the experience to weather any pressure the Lynx could put on them.

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Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

A Lynx d’Édouard-Montpetit player is blocked by Lakeland during the CCAA finals. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

A Lynx d’Édouard-Montpetit player is blocked by Lakeland during the CCAA finals. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

SCU sees 2025 assets rise to record $11B

Matthew Frank 2 minute read Preview

SCU sees 2025 assets rise to record $11B

Matthew Frank 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:09 AM CDT

Steinbach Credit Union announced a record $11 billion in assets and cited historic growth during its annual general meeting on Tuesday night.

CEO Curtis Wennberg told members at the Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church that despite global economic turmoil and tariffs, the credit union has still operated efficiently.

“When you walk out of here, you should know that you have a very solid credit union that has been strongly performing. Your money is safe here and and things are going well,” he said.

Funds on hand and on deposit rose to $1.3 billion in 2025 compared to $1.03 billion in 2024, according to the consolidated statement. Investments fell from $74.8 million in 2024 to $62.7 million in 2025.

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Yesterday at 11:09 AM CDT

MATTHEW FRANK THE CARILLON

Steinbach Credit Union CEO Curtis Wennberg said the credit union has hit record-breaking numbers and performed strongly in 2025 during its annual general meeting on March 17.

MATTHEW FRANK THE CARILLON 

Steinbach Credit Union CEO Curtis Wennberg said the credit union has hit record-breaking numbers and performed strongly in 2025 during its annual general meeting on March 17.

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: July 15, 1958 – Broiler farm raises carloads of birds

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: July 15, 1958 – Broiler farm raises carloads of birds

Wes Keating 2 minute read Yesterday at 10:29 AM CDT

“Carload Frank” Reimer is certainly living up to his nickname, as the Steinbach grocer launches his latest enterprise, which will see carloads of broiler chickens raised in four state-of-the-art barns at Steinbach Broiler Farms, just south of Steinbach.

Steinbach’s newest industry went into production the second week in July, with the arrival of 20,000 chicks from Canada Packers’ Hatchery at Manitou. Between now and finishing time, in just 10 weeks, Peter P. Wiebe, manager of Steinbach Broiler Farms, says he will feed this army of birds about 90 tons of feed. The Cornice X Arbor Acre White Rock Cross is a bird especially developed for broiler purposes, he explains.

The facility, about three miles south of Steinbach on Highway 12, is located on the site of the old Reimer slaughter house. Each of the four barns measure 170 feet by 32 feet and the project represents a record-breaking agricultural construction job for this area.

Steinbach Broiler Farms barns were built by A.K. Penner of Blumenort as the general contractor with the help of local sub-contractors, in just three weeks’ time. Each of the barns cost between $8,000 and $10,000. Steinbach Lumber Yards supplied the material.

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Yesterday at 10:29 AM CDT

CARILLON ARCHIVES

Frank Reimer, president of Steinbach Broiler Farms Ltd. and manager Peter Wiebe, help unload the first batch of 20,000 chicks at the new facility south of Steinbach.

CARILLON ARCHIVES 

Frank Reimer, president of Steinbach Broiler Farms Ltd. and manager Peter Wiebe, help unload the first batch of 20,000 chicks at the new facility south of Steinbach.

COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Easter offers renewed hope

Ron Schuler, MLA for Springfield-Ritchot 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:24 AM CDT

Across Manitoba, from St Adolphe parish to Ste Agathe parish and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Cooks Creek, families gather each spring to celebrate one of the most central moments of the Christian faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is far more than a holiday, it is a time of deep reflection, spiritual renewal and enduring hope.

Observed by more than 2.6 billion Christians around the world, Easter commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus, whose life and teachings continue to shape cultures, communities and individuals today. Born more than 2,000 years ago into humble circumstances, Jesus of Nazareth lived a life defined by service, compassion and truth. Through His teachings, He showed others how to live with grace and how to enter the kingdom of heaven.

His final days were marked by betrayal, suffering and an unjust death. Crucifixion was a punishment reserved for the most hardened criminals, yet Christ, an innocent man, accepted it willingly. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of sacrifice, taking the place of the guilty so that all might find redemption.

Yet Easter does not end in sorrow, as three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating death and forever changing the course of human history. His resurrection represents victory not only over death, but over sin, despair and hopelessness. This is why churches fill with worshippers; homes are alive with celebration and communities pause to reflect during this sacred season.

Five municipalities sign MOU creating economic corridor on PR 210

Matthew Frank 4 minute read Preview

Five municipalities sign MOU creating economic corridor on PR 210

Matthew Frank 4 minute read Yesterday at 8:12 AM CDT

Five southeastern Manitoba municipalities have signed a memorandum of understanding to turn Provincial Road 210 into a bilingual economic corridor.

The Rural Municipalities of Ste Anne, Tache, La Broquerie, Piney and Ritchot partnered to develop the more than 100 kilometres of road and attract industrial investment, a March 11 press release said.

Piney Reeve Wayne Anderson views PR 210 as a direct route and necessary for improving the municipal economies it passes through.

“We’ve made this committee, which will look after regional interests, rather than just the individual interests of each municipality. We look for things that benefit the whole region,” he said.

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Yesterday at 8:12 AM CDT

SUPPLIED

Rural Municipality of Piney Reeve Wayne Anderson said developing Provincial Road 210 is vital for economic development in the Southeast. Piney and four other municipalities signed a memorandum of understanding on March 11 to turn PR 210 into a bilingual economic corridor.

SUPPLIED 

Rural Municipality of Piney Reeve Wayne Anderson said developing Provincial Road 210 is vital for economic development in the Southeast. Piney and four other municipalities signed a memorandum of understanding on March 11 to turn PR 210 into a bilingual economic corridor.

SPORTS FLASHBACK 2011: Swimmer skims seconds off best time

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 2011: Swimmer skims seconds off best time

Wes Keating 2 minute read Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026

Thirteen-year-old Lianne Brunel has an MVP performance in the pool at the Manitoba Junior “A” speed swimming provincials in Winnipeg this past weekend.

Brunel was the only one to reach the finals of the five members of the Steinbach Skimmers Swim Club who competed in the event, but Amy Peters, Emily Bell, Erika Tetrault and Jayda Brandt all earned multiple ribbons for finishing in the top 10.

For Brunel, it was a memorable weekend, as she earned a bronze medal in the 50-metre freestyle, a fifth place finish in the 200-metre freestyle, and seventh place finishes in the 50-metre breast stroke and the 100-metre freestyle.

In her bronze medal swim, the 50-metre freestyle final, Brunel managed to shave three seconds off her qualification time from four weeks earlier, putting her into the standard time for ages 15 and over.

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Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026

Lianne Brunel wins a bronze medal at 2011 provincials. (Jennifer Stahn Carillon Archives)

Lianne Brunel wins a bronze medal at 2011 provincials. (Jennifer Stahn Carillon Archives)

DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: MJHL musings after the regular season

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Preview

DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: MJHL musings after the regular season

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026

The worries I had about the Manitoba Junior Hockey League standings in January came true, with very little to play for in the final months of the regular season.

No playoff seeding battle was close, as at least five points separated every team this season, and more than 10 points separated playoff teams from non-playoff teams. It would be great to shave off a few games from the regular season schedule, but the league is at the mercy of what players, their advisors and scouts think.

The format of the league needs to be what will attract the best players, which are more important to generate fan interest than a friendlier schedule, especially in hockey where the post-season matters way more than the regular season. If players and scouts want more games, then the MJHL should give them what they want.

The lack of standings battles really laid out the difference between the good and bad teams in the league this season. The Winnipeg Blues, Winnipeg Monarchs and Norman Blizzard all finished with a goal difference well under minus-100.

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Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026

Goaltender Austin Ball had a strong season for the Winnipeg Monarchs. (Cassidy Dankochik Carillon Archives)

Goaltender Austin Ball had a strong season for the Winnipeg Monarchs. (Cassidy Dankochik Carillon Archives)

Pat Porter celebrates with annual gala

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Pat Porter celebrates with annual gala

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026

The Pat Porter Active Living Centre is a thriving hub of activity, something that was on display and apparent to all guests at the annual gala held March 13.

A full house gathered to learn about the success and challenges of the facility and enjoy the music of Don Amero.

Pat Porter Active Living Centre executive director Audrey Harder shared the numbers with the crowd.

In 2025, their meal program served 12,333 meals.

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Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026

GREG VANDERMEULEN THE CARILLON

Program and volunteer coordinator Carla Walker and executive director Audrey Harder shared their thoughts on another busy year and the need for funds.

GREG VANDERMEULEN THE CARILLON 

Program and volunteer coordinator Carla Walker and executive director Audrey Harder shared their thoughts on another busy year and the need for funds.

The Steinbach Arts Council’s Backyard Theatre Company (BTC) is thrilled to present its final production of the season, Uncoordinated Battles. This high-energy action comedy combines big laughs, interesting characters, and an important message about teamwork. Written and directed by Jeremy Plett, with production direction by Akecia Peters, the production will take the stage on April 14 at 7 p.m. at the SRSS Theatre. Performers from BTC’s Intermediate and Advanced theatre programs will showcase their theatre skills on stage, with special performances by BTC Musical Theatre and Dramatic Discovery students.

About the play: When three rival villains launch simultaneous attacks on the city, the world’s most confident spy team is forced to split up — and everything goes wrong. Outmatched and out of sync, the elite agents must team up with the overlooked newbies they’ve been ignoring if they hope to save the day.

Tickets are $10 for youth and adults. For tickets, visit SteinbachArts.ca or call 204-346-1077.

The Steinbach Arts Council thanks Nature’s Farm for sponsoring the Backyard Theatre Company program.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Run — don’t walk — to see the Jocelyne Larocque play this weekend

James Loewen 4 minute read Preview

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Run — don’t walk — to see the Jocelyne Larocque play this weekend

James Loewen 4 minute read Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

If you don’t already have tickets to see Richer’s Jocelyne Larocque on the ice with her Ottawa Charge teammates against the Montréal Victoire in PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) action this Sunday, get your tickets fast.

This will be the last chance for Manitobans to say goodbye to a genuine hometown hero.

Despite the fact that Jocelyne has represented Canada with distinction, pride and honour for nearly 20 years, this Sunday’s game might be the first (and last) time to see the pride of Richer live and in person.

Jocelyne is the niece to a well-known hockey player in southeastern Manitoba. Her late uncle Guy played Junior B with the Steinbach Millers and senior hockey with the Ste. Anne Aces in the HTHL. (Full disclosure: Guy was my winger and teammate on the Millers.)

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Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

The PWHL regular season game between the Ottawa Charge and the New York Sirens at Prudential Center on March 8th, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. (Photo by Alex Wohl/The PWHL)

The PWHL regular season game between the Ottawa Charge and the New York Sirens at Prudential Center on March 8th, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. (Photo by Alex Wohl/The PWHL)

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