B.C. lets wineries import grapes for 2024 vintages after ‘devastating’ winter losses

Hydro working to restore service to pockets of River Heights

When Sheila Fenby’s basement began filling with water Sunday night, it felt like déjà vu.

Battling agencies would have far greater impact on homeless crisis by working together

In the midst of one of the most concerted efforts to reduce, if not eliminate, homelessness, why are two of Winnipeg’s more prominent social service agencies fighting each other?

Winkler-based internet provider delivering high-speed service to 30 rural and First Nations Manitoba communities

Valley Fiber says it is undertaking one of its largest fibre optic projects and is building infrastructure that will deliver internet to 10,000 homes and businesses in rural and First Nations communities across Manitoba.

“These communities will now have access to the fastest internet network in Manitoba, and it will power their lives and their business,” Ryan Klassen, chief executive officer of the Winkler-based internet provider, said Tuesday from Fisher River Cree Nation.

The province has granted Valley Fiber use of two of its underused cables on the existing Manitoba Hydro fibre optic network for up to 20 years as part of the project, which will connect nearly 30 communities — including Buffalo Point, Hollow Water, Black River and Peguis First Nations, along with Fisher River and Fox Lake Cree Nations — to high-speed internet.

Construction should be finished by 2027.

Council to consider moving ahead with final phase of sewage plant upgrade before securing expected federal cash

City council will consider approving $115 million toward the final phase of the North End sewage treatment plant upgrade, while civic staff warn sewer rates would soar $200 higher per year if more federal funding isn’t provided.

However, several politicians say a response from Ottawa to the city’s request for more money is expected soon.

A water and waste report asks council to waive a condition that the city finalize funding agreements with the provincial and federal governments for the mega-project before awarding the money for a contractor to complete the $115-million development phase agreement for the final project.

The third and final nutrient removal facilities phase is expected to cost $1.57 billion, bringing the total cost of the entire upgrade to $3.1 billion.

Councillors say Main Street Project scuttles other agency’s efforts to house homeless

A Winnipeg outreach agency that’s been largely shut out of government funding says it has found housing for more people in the last five months than Manitoba’s homeless strategy that began last year.

Childfree Winnipeg group gives women without kids a place to gather

Katelyn Sawatzky founded Childfree Winnipeg Women in 2021 to bring together women who don’t have kids — be it by choice or circumstance — and do not plan on raising children.

The group is designed to help them share experiences and build meaningful friendships.

The community welcomes cisgender, straight, transgender, bisexual and lesbian women. Parents, including empty nesters and men, are turned away.

“Our group is a safe space where women can hang out with other women without being asked when you’re going to have kids or why you don’t have kids … where you don’t feel like you have to validate or defend your choices in any way, because everyone gets it,” Sawatzky says.