🌊 Brandon’s First Flood Barriers Set
The first stage of Brandon’s flood defence is in place, with the main dyke installed at Grand Valley Road and 18th Street. Mayor Jeff Fawcett says crews are watching other vulnerable spots — Wheat City Golf Course, Queen Elizabeth Park and the BYSA soccer pitches — ahead of the Assiniboine’s expected crest on Sunday.
🚨 Sioux Valley & Minnedosa Declare Emergencies
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and Minnedosa have declared states of emergency. Sioux Valley is urging residents to gather emergency supplies, medications and key documents. Sandbagging continues in both communities, with Minnedosa volunteers called in after provincial gauges suggested more water than first expected. Mayor Ken Cameron says some water may pool in nearby fields, and he’s grateful for the strong volunteer turnout.
🚫 Walking Trail Closures — Insertable Paragraph
All local walking trails in and around Minnedosa remain closed due to flooding. The closures include Oxbow Trail, Bison Park Trails, Rivers Edge Recreation Park Trail, and Heritage Village. Municipal officials say the trails will reopen once water levels recede and safety assessments are complete.
⚠️ St‑Lazare: Dyke One Foot From Breaching
And in St‑Lazare, the situation remains tense. The town has declared a state of emergency with the dyke sitting just one foot from breaching. Crews plan to install a Tiger Dam today to raise protection by another two feet.
🛡️ Federal Emergency Support Arrives
Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier welcomed Ottawa’s approval of emergency assistance, bringing CAF members, Team Rubicon, Red Cross support and equipment sourcing. He’s urging federal officials to be ready to deploy more resources as communities manage damage and displacement.
⚡ Storm Aftermath: Power Restored, Carberry Outage Probed
Manitoba Hydro says power is nearly fully restored after thousands lost service during lingering storms. Bell MTS disruptions in Carberry remain under investigation, though storm‑related fibre damage is suspected. Mayor Ray Muirhead says better planning is needed to prevent future outages.
🌪️ Tornado Warnings Spike — But No Long‑Term Trend
Environment Canada notes a busier‑than‑usual season for tornado warnings. Meteorologist Terri Lang says social media and live storm‑chasing make tornadoes seem more frequent, but long‑term data shows no sustained increase.
🚔 Police Dog Czar Tracks Suspect Through Swamp
Virden RCMP say Police Service Dog Czar helped locate a suspect after a nearly five‑kilometre search through swampy terrain. A 29‑year‑old man from Sioux Valley was arrested and treated for minor injuries. RCMP allege he assaulted the service dog, though Czar was not hurt.
🏍️ Fourth Motorcycle Fatality of 2026
Falcon Beach RCMP report a 56‑year‑old Steinbach woman died after losing control of her motorcycle on Highway 44 — Manitoba’s fourth motorcycle fatality this year. RCMP Traffic Services continue investigating.
🛢️ Premiers Pitch West‑to‑East Pipeline
Ontario’s Doug Ford and Alberta’s Danielle Smith are proposing a new pipeline from Hardisty to Sarnia without crossing the U.S. border. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe supports the plan, and Ford says he’s confident he can work something out with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
🌾 Ag Update: Fields Drying, Markets Steady
Southern Manitoba fields are drying after weekend storms. Producers are watching moisture stress in cereals and oilseeds as crops move toward heading and early flowering. Livestock producers continue monitoring pasture conditions and water quality. Markets remain volatile: canola firm, wheat steady, cattle supported heading into mid‑July.
👮 Good News: Jewelry Scam Suspects Arrested
Two Ontario suspects face multiple charges after targeting older adults with fake “blessing” jewelry. A woman in her 80s recognized the scam, escaped and alerted police. Officers later seized stolen items and arrested the pair.
☀️ Warm, Dry Stretch Ahead
Environment Canada forecasts sun and normal to above‑normal temperatures through Sunday, with only a 60% chance of late‑day showers Thursday — welcome relief for flood‑affected communities still sandbagging.
🚀 Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Leaving CSA
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — part of the Artemis II crew that flew around the moon earlier this year — is leaving the Canadian Space Agency to pursue new opportunities. Hansen and the crew travelled farther from Earth than any humans in history.
