In response to recent Letter from the Veterinary Board, I would like to make it ABSOLUTELY CLEAR that I Cheryl (Nibs) Collins a concerned resident of the Municipality of Russell – Binscarth wrote the original letter. NOT Passion 4 Paws. My letter included three specific questions to which I have not yet received a response.
1.One member of the Vet Board is a sibling of the veterinarian. Is this not a conflict of interest?
2.Since the land and buildings are owned by the Russell veterinary board whose members represent the councils and taxpayers of five surrounding municipalities, how is accountability to those taxpayers ensured when the board makes resolutions controlling the use and access of that property. Do the veterinary board members report back to their respective councils and discuss these matters because that doesn’t appear to be happening in Russell.
3.Would it not make sense to gain steady monthly revenue from Passion 4 Paws – who provide their own building, indoor kennels, and volunteers to manage, clean, and ensure the safety of all animals in care?
I now have a fourth question following a recent conversation on Facebook.
Someone stated: “In case anyone is confused… The whole reason why the municipalities are involved with our vet is because the Vet Clinic is here for the farmers and the economy. Their first priority is to the livelihoods of the farmers and their livestock. We live in rural community.

Left wanting to know more? See the whole letter on page 4 of this week's Russell Banner.

The Russell and Area Palliative Care Group would like to thank the students, hockey players and teachers from the Major Pratt School in Russell or anyone who supported them – for their generous gift given to the Russell Hospital, from their hockey game and fundraising for the Palliative Care Unit.
Some of this gift will be used towards new furniture for our Palliative patients’ rooms, including sleep chairs for family members to use.
We receive many generous monetary gifts from families and friends, who have used our facilities at the hospital. We use the money to replace a number of items including a bed, a reclining chair - all these need to be replaced in time, to keep up with standards.
Also, a big thank you to the Art Farm, for the beautiful paintings on the room dividers in our Sunroom.
This past year we redid our landscaping in the area outside the Sunroom toward the cancer care building and new siding on the outside of the Sun room.
We pay a personnel to be our secretary, visit with patients and their families – see to their needs and wants. We provide sitting with these patients, if their family members needs support and comfort.
We live in a very generous thoughtful community and surrounding areas.
Thank You, Russell & Area Palliative Care Group

The weather for Binscarth’s Winterfest was almost perfect. Kids had their pick of games supplied by RM of Russell Binscarth Rec Department, a ride around Binscarth on a sleigh pulled by the Bridgeman family’s beautiful team of horses or a fast zip down the slide.

See more photos on the front page of this week's Russell Banner.

Roblin’s U11 Stars hosted the Rural C Coed Hockey Manitoba provincials over the Feb. 27 weekend bringing eight teams to town.
The Stars went through the tournament undefeated and captured the gold medal in convincing fashion, a 10-2 win, over McCreary.
Pick up this week’s issue to see a picture of the winning team.

There’s something nostalgic about taking a trip down memory lane. Ray’s Strings and Things is giving people that opportunity to reminisce about the good ol’ days when it comes to music from the Valley with their Memory Lane. The project started as an idea and has now led to a collection of musicians and bands spanning over decades, from the Valley.
“We have a wall called Memory Lane here at the shop dedicated to musicians from the Valley,” said Ray’s Strings and Things Owner and Operator RJ McGregor. “One of our longtime customers and a good friend was talking with us about how many music stores there were back in the day and how many talented musicians there were. Back then there were posters and autographed pictures hung up all over, showcasing musical talent.
“We thought it would be interesting to put a spin on it if we featured all local talent. It kind of snowballed from there. Leonard Constant, a lifelong musician, donated the sign for our wall.”
McGregor is looking for people to bring in photos, posters, and bios of musicians and bands that have ties to the Swan Valley area. He will post them up on the Memory Lane wall in the shop for people to see.
“I received about a half dozen last week and they keep coming in,” said McGregor. “I have one five-piece band, about a dozen other bands, and then fifteen other artists. Every week, there are more coming in. The first two I received were from a granddaughter of two Benito musicians. I also have one from the Swan River School Band in 1967. There is a lot of school band history from here and that is great to have.
“People who bring us a submission for the Memory Lane provide us with a little bit of background on the musician or band. I had one person bring in a photo of a band from the 1960s and he not only brought in the photo, but one of the posters from a dance they performed at in 1966 or 1967.
“I have had people come into the shop, see the photos and tell me they are going to bring some in as well.
“The other thing we are trying to get a hold of as well is old dance posters too,” said McGregor. “If anyone has a paper poster from a dance back in the day, we would gladly copy it and hang it up on the wall. Some of these photos are the only ones people have, so we copy them and give them their originals back.
“I’ve had people mention they have some well-known musicians from the area, from back in the day, but the photo is old and of them playing at a kitchen party. I told them I wanted the photo for the Memory Lane wall. Back then, a lot of musicians played house parties or just sat around kitchen tables playing music.”
Looking back at the Valley’s musical history, there are many musicians who went on to do some recording. There are also familial ties to musical talent that can be seen as well.
“There are a few musicians from this area who have gone on to do some recording,” said McGregor. “Richard Adams wrote a song called Rodeo Cowboy for the band Garry Lee and Showdown.
“There are a few other musicians with local connections. One is Marianne Hulme and she is Austin Ryder’s great-aunt. So one can see how musical influence can span over generations. It’s really neat to look at.”
McGregor is accepting submissions for the Memory Lane wall and people can stop by the shop to show them what they have.
“I have a great big wall, so I have lots of room for submissions,” said McGregor. “I hope to fill it up.”

The Sled for Eternity Northern Manitoba run took place this past Saturday (Feb. 28), with registration taking place at the Swan Valley Historical Museum. A total of 32 riders pre-registered for the event with more showing up that morning. The Adult and Teen Challenge program helps people with life controlling addictions find freedom, get their lives back, as well as helping them reconcile with family and friends. They also offer supports for others. If you have someone you’re concerned about, or yourself, reach out. All money raised from the event will go directly back into the programs offered. Please visit www.teenchallenge.tc for further information. Pictured here, Danny Suchoplas (left) and Don Buhler (right) get ready to leave on the 232 kilometre trail ride.

The members of the Russell Figure Skating Club congratulated (back row) coach Lesley Wray, (front right) Julia Wray and Justice Tremblay with gifts in appreciation of representing the club at the upcoming Manitoba Winter Games.
The Manitoba Winter Games will be held in Thompson the first week of March, with skating competitions happening March 4th to 7th.
Their regional based team is named TEAM WEST.
Russell Skating Club is thrilled to announce that we that not one, but three individuals from the club will be involved in Team West at the Games this year!

Read more on page 2 of the March 3rd, 2026, Russell Banner.

The theme of the Russell Figure Skating Club’s 2026 carnival was Disney’s Under the Sea. So there were mermaids and pirates and a bunch of Sponge Bob’s pineapple buddies.
Every year, the Russell Figure Skating Club continues to grow and now includes 14 STAR level skaters, 28 CanSkaters along with four Bridge skaters, a program designed to allow the higher level CanSkaters to train alongside the STARskaters helping build their confidence and enthusiasm for the sport.
The club has always followed Skate Canada curriculum and have employed Skate Canada certified instructors for CanSkate. They now have five certified coaches allowing for more little skaters to enjoy the ice.

Get the whole front page story in this week's Russell Banner.

They say laughter is the best medicine and what better way to be entertained than through comedy? One local resident has been making people laugh for quite some time and is now taking his comedy on the stage and on record.
Chad Anderson grew up watching comedians. It fostered a love for stand-up comedy and a desire to become a stand-up comedian.
“I was born and raised in The Pas, grew up out at Ralls Island,” said Anderson. “I went to Mary Duncan when it was still an elementary School, Opasquia Middle School and MBCI.
“Growing up, the earliest comedians I can ever remember hearing are Jeff Foxworthy and Don Burnstick, but the comedian that made me love comedy was probably Dave Chapelle and shouting Chapelle show quotes with the boys. That show came out right around the end of high school, if I remember correctly and it kind of shaped my humour.

Opaskwayak Cree Nation singer Rhonda Head has been making music headlines all over the world and has now won a total of 54 international music awards. Earlier this year, Head received a World Entertainment Music Award, which was presented before the Grammys.
The World Entertainment Awards (WEA) provide winners with recognition of excellence, prestige
“Everyone submits to the awards show, which gets juried and then the nominations are released,” said Head. “The awards show was held on January 31, 2026, at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles and they announced the winners. A lot of the nominees for these awards showed up and the winners were announced. The winners got to walk the red carpet and give interviews on winning their award. It was really excited and everyone looked so beautiful.