Angela Brown, Portage Daily Graphic

Stories

Staff photo by Angela Brown... Southern RHA is seeing an increase in human cases of West Nile virus.

Province reports more West Nile cases in region

West Nile virus continues to see higher numbers in Manitoba and the latest report shows Southern Regional Health Authority has the highest numbers of human cases of West Nile in the province.

Left to right, with Visions of Independence in Portage la Prairie Lucille Hilhorst, (residential supervisor for Visions of Independence) and Irene Boyse (director of services for Visions of Independence), join Catherine Newham, program co-ordinator for Heart and Stroke Foundation Central Manitoba, and Maureen Owens, also with Heart and Stroke Foundation, seen at the PCU Centre recently, beside a special plaque that has been installed there in memory of "Joe-Joe" Joseph Gregorchuk. Visions of Independence presented Heart and Stroke Foundation Central Manitoba with a cheque for $306, which represents the remainder from community donations that were received for a fund set up for a memorial for Portage resident "Joe-Joe" Joseph Gregorchuk, who passed away from a heart attack in Sept. 22, 2008. The funds received will benefit the Heart and Stroke Big Bike event taking place on Sept. 22, 2012, in Portage la Prairie. Visions of Independence members will also be taking part in the Big Bike event. The fund for Joe Joe helped to create a memorial plaque at the PCU Centre to honour the memory of Joe Joe. (Angela Brown, QMI Agency)

Big Bike event to honour 'Joe-Joe'

Visions of Independence representatives were pleased to be able to present the balance of a community fund that was established for beloved Portage la Prairie resident "Joe-Joe" Joseph Gregorchuk who passed away in 2008 from a heart attack.

Luis Luna, from Portage la Prairie, centre, meets with Elfi Krumbach visiting from Lima, Peru, left, and Elizabeth Grover, from Winnipeg at St. Mary's Church Hall on Fri., Sept. 14, 2012, for a special lunch. The group from Peru was visiting Friendship Force International group members in Winnipeg, and also had a tour of Portage la Prairie. (Angela Brown QMI Agency)

Visitors from Peru stop in Portage

A group of visitors from Peru stopped in Portage la Prairie on Friday to take a tour of the area and enjoy lunch at St. Mary’s Church Hall.

With Portage Friendship Centre, Debbie Parker, mentor, left, and Betsy Kematch, co-ordinator, right, both with Insight Mentoring Program at Portage Friendship Centre. The Friendship Centre is planning a walk on Fri., Sept. 21, 2012 in Portage la Prairie starting at the Friendship Centre to raise awareness about the problems of sexual exploitation of youth in society. (Angela Brown, QMI Agency)

Friendship Centre planning walk

Portage Friendship Centre is planning a walk to raise awareness about sexual exploitation of youth.

Twin brothers Trevor Smith , left, and Travis Smith, second from left, who are members of Prairie Community Church, enjoy a sample of pie at the Soup and Pie fundraiser held at Herman Prior Centre in Portage la Prairie on Thurs., Sept. 13, 2012, in Portage la Prairie. The fundraiser was to help raise money for the Community Prairie Church’s new building at the site of the former Portage Mennonite Church. Currently the church group is located at the Portage Mall. It expects to be in the new facility sometime in October 2012. (Angela Brown, QMI Agency)

Soup and pie fundraiser for local church

Prairie Community Church held a fundraiser Soup and Pie event at Herman Prior Centre recently to held with costs involved for its move to a new facility.

Shown is the parking lot of the former Women's Correctional Centre. The Ukrainian bishops from around the world who are staying in Portage this week visited this prison Thursday--the same place where the first Ukrainian Catholic Bishop in Canada came about 100 years ago and ministered. He also ministered to a Ukrainian prisoner who was later executed and buried at this site, where the current parking lot is situated. (Angela Brown, QMI Agency)

Bishops visit old jail with fascinating history

Members of the Ukrainian Catholic Synod of Bishops who were having their annual meeting in Portage during the week took time for a tour of the former Women's Correctional Centre on Thursday.

Portage Plains United Way's Kathee Thurston, left, and Amanda Outingdyke at the kick off of the local campaign at Herman Prior Centre on Sept 13, 2012 in Portage la Prairie. (Angela Brown, Portage Daily Graphic)

United Way sets 2012 goal

Portage Plains United Way had a successful campaign kick -off celebration at Herman Prior Centre on Thursday.

RM council looked at water rate increases at its last meeting.

RM looking at water rate increases

Residents paying their water rates in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie might feel a bit of a pinch in the future.

Gladstone is having a reunion at WMCI Friday and Saturday.

Gladstone's WMCI having reunion

A group of fellow alumni and friends have organized a big school reunion for everyone who ever attended William Morton Collegiate Institute in Gladstone. Students, parents and teachers are invited to the event.

RM Council signed off on tenders at Tuesday's RM Council Meeting.(File photo)

RM revisits dog bylaw

Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie has given first reading to a bylaw that reflects a revision to its current dog bylaw document.

Reeve Kam Blight, right, is seen at a Portage la Prairie RM council meeting. Council has passed its 2013 budget. (File photo)

RM hopes to keep geotube system at Delta

Delta Beach residents will be relieved to know a device that is used to subdue waves at their beach may be able to stay in place for another year.