Travis
Friendly’s Wins Fusion Credit Union Award
Innovation, inspiration, and hometown pride was on full display as Fusion Credit Union announced the winners of Community Infusion 2025. The annual event celebrates local entrepreneurs with bold ideas and the drive to make a difference in their communities.
Four finalists took the stage at this year’s final live event, each pitching their business idea to a panel of judges, for a chance to share in up to $30,000 in grant funding. The evening was filled with creativity, inspiration and community spirit – proof that ideas grow right here at home.
After the pitches were presented, Fusion Credit Union CEO, Darwin Johns, announced Silver Frame Photo and Video Memories from Dauphin as the grand prize winner of $20,000. The funding will help the business expand services, invest in equipment, and develop marketing initiatives. Grit and Glam Salon, also from Dauphin, received $5,000 as the 2nd place winner. Sumatu Intercontinental Trade Wears (Brandon) and Friendly’s Grocery Coop (Inglis) each took home $2,500 for their business ideas.
“Community Infusion is all about empowering local people with big ideas,” says Johns. “Each finalist showed incredible passion and dedication to building something that benefits their community. We’re proud to be a part of their journey.”
Be in the know and pick up this week's Russell Banner for the full story.
Evening in Paris Show a Success
Clothing from the Beth Naylor Historic Collection was showcased in the Evening in Paris event in the beautiful Knox United Church in Russell. Some of the pieces dating back to the 1800’s. It was a walk through time as some dresses showcased the opulent 20’s moving into the 30’s and 40’s. Beth Naylor began collecting clothing in the late 1930s. That collection began when she was given a black dress by Mrs. John McMillan, the wife of a local bagpiper.
Since then, the collection has grown to over 600 pieces - thirty of which date back to the 1800’s.
To read more and see some close ups of the ensembles modeled, pick up this week's edition of the Russell Banner.
MJHL Sends Team to All-Star Challenge
By Derek Holtom
The Western All-Star Challenge is taking place in Martensville, Sask., this Monday to Wednesday (Nov. 3 to Nov. 5), a kick off of sorts to the start of the international hockey season.
The MJHL recently announced the 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders who will compete against the top players from the SJHL. This heavily-scouted event serves as an unofficial scouting opportunity for both leagues as rosters are considered for the World Junior A Challenge in Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dec. 7-13.
Notable West Division representatives on the team includes Dauphin netminder Justin Perreault and teammate Ethan Stewart, Virden’s Bryce Bryant, Colten Worthington and Lincoln Black-Greaves, Swan Valley’s Crosby Harrison, Tyler Wamboldt and Jack Clark from the Neepawa Titans, and Cole Hunter from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
Get the whole score in this weeks Russell Banner.
Municipalities Take Back Zoning Decisions
The Municipalities of Russell Binscarth and Riding Mountain West are currently in the process of updating their zoning by-laws to better reflect the needs and priorities of our communities. Zoning by-laws play a key role in shaping how land is used, ensuring neighborhood growth is sustainable, and maintaining the quality of life for all residents. The Planning District is also changing from one district by-law, to two, one for each municipality, putting zoning decisions back in the hands of each council.
To ensure that this important update incorporates feedback from the public, public engagement sessions were held on October 22nd. During these sessions, residents had the opportunity to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the proposed changes to the zoning by-law.
Zone into the full story in this weeks Russell Banner.
Roblin 25 Year Old Killed in UTV Accident
Russell RCMP were dispatched to a report of a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) rollover on highway 83 and Road 135 North in Riding Mountain West.
Officers immediately headed to the scene and upon arrival observed Emergency Medical Services administering CPR to a male laying on the ground.
The driver, a 25-year-old male from Roblin was pronounced deceased on scene. The investigation determined the UTV was heading northbound in the west ditch off highway 83 when the lone driver lost control, and the vehicle rolled.
Speed is believed to be a factor in the incident. The driver was not wearing a helmet or using a seatbelt.
Russell RCMP continue to investigate.
Read more in this week's Russell Banner RCMP report.
Roblin Fire & Rescue Draw Winners
Russell and Roblin Men Arrested in Melinda Lynxleg Murder
By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner
The family of a 40-year-old mother of six was finally given a measure of peace with the announcement of the arrest of three men from Russell, Roblin and Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve - formerly known as Valley River.
The arrests come as part of the five-year investigation into the disappearance of Melinda Lynxleg by the Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services, with assistance from Roblin, Russell, and Dauphin RCMP detachments.
Kirk Kenneth Allarie, 42, from Roblin, Myles Malcolm Allarie, 38, of Russell and Billy Jay Lynxleg, 46 from Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve Valley River First Nation have been charged with Second Degree Murder along with Offer Indignity to human remains.
All three men were arrested at their respective area homes between Oct 14 and 16, 2025 without incident and will remain in custody until they face trial at a later date.
Read the full story in the October 28, 2025 Russell Banner.
MPNP Program Invites Health Care Workers to Build Careers in Manitoba
The Manitoba government is continuing to recruit health-care workers and support the province’s health-care system by inviting more than 300 health-care professionals to stay and build their careers in Manitoba.
“Our government is rebuilding health care after years of cuts and neglect,” said Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino. “By making it easier for skilled workers to stay and build their careers here, we’re ensuring the staff needed to provide care in our hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities can be there for Manitobans.”
Through a recent expression of interest (EOI) draw, 328 temporary foreign workers working in health care have been invited to apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and remain in Manitoba to continue serving communities across the province.
The latest draw includes:
187 health-care aides,
21 physicians,
11 registered nurses, and other key professionals supporting patient care.
Read more in this weeks Russell Banner.
Manitoba Supports Families with New Parenting Website
Parents across Manitoba can access current, evidence-based information on pregnancy and child development through the newly developed Parenting in Manitoba website, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced.
“Pregnancy and parenting open the door to a new world of responsibility and learning that can feel deeply rewarding and understandably overwhelming,” said Asagwara. “The Parenting in Manitoba website offers clear, trustworthy information to help new and expectant parents support their child’s healthy development, from pregnancy through the first five years of life. It builds on our government’s continued investment in early childhood health, including the Manitoba Prenatal Benefit, which has already supported more than 1,200 Manitobans this year.”
The new website features over 120 articles on topics like safe swaddling techniques, tips for starting solid foods and how to tell the difference between a sore throat or strep. The site responds to recommendations made in the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth’s (MACY) Shifting the Lens report, which addresses sleep-related infant deaths and aligns with Manitoba’s Renewed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategy and Healthy Child Initiatives, added Fontaine.
Get the full report in the October 28th edition of the Russell Banner.
Who says fighting is hockey is down?
By Derek Holtom
Fighting was supposed to have been on the way out in junior A hockey, but no one told this year’s crop of players in the MJHL.
There have already been 10 separate suspensions for either a second fight or multiple fights in the same stoppage this year, totaling 22 games lost to those players.
The latest such suspensions were handled out to Northern Manitoba’s Jett Fogle, who earned a one-game suspension for second fight in a stoppage. Wayway’s Charlie Nemeth also earned the same suspension, while also getting an additional game for a kneeing major.
Virden’s Liam Goertzen and Winkler’s William Lyons both also got one-game suspensions for being part of the second fight in a same stoppage when they played each other on Oct. 17.
Want to know more? Pick up a copy of the October 28th edition of the Russell Banner.