As the meeting started, chairs became scarce every chair found in the building was gathered to seat those in attendance. In all 77 people showed up at the election public forum. more than sixty questions were submitted to be asked at the meeting. Each candidate was given a few minutes to speak before the questions were asked - although, not many were asked as time was short. The candidates were each given some of the more involved questions the night before the meeting. Questions were also taken at the door and eventually the floor was opened to the public. The evening gave citizens a chance to each hear the questions posed as well as the answers in a safe and non confrontational space. James Roszell and Celina Nernberg who are both running for a postion at the Park West School Board table were also on hand to tell the crowd about themselves and what they hope to accomplish as a trustee.

By Derek Holtom
No one can say the Manitoba Junior Hockey League is averse to trying new things to help grow the league.
Case in point – a pair of upcoming games for the Northern Manitoba Blizzard will not take place in The Pas, or even Opaskwayak Cree Nation, the birthplace of the franchise. In fact, they’ll take place in Cross Lake and Norway House, two communities who not only love hockey but have produced many MJHL stars over the years. The Blizzard are dubbing it the Northern Manitoba Impact Tour.
“As an organization we believe our responsibility goes beyond winning hockey games,” said Blizzard President of Hockey Operations and Head Coach, Josh Gratton in a press release. “We have an opportunity to use the Blizzard to bring people together, inspire youth and create opportunities across Northern Manitoba. This tour is a big step toward making this a team that the entire North can call its own.”
As noted, these two communities have produced some very talented MJHL players through the years – players such as Brady Keeper, Justin Nachbaur, and Tony Apetagon (who played for both the Blizzard and the Blues ironically). But now fans there can see the league these players starred in, rather than having to drive hours to see them elsewhere.
“For some of these kids, seeing a Junior A Hockey game may be something they’ve never experienced in their own community,” Gratton explained in the press release. “The Northern Manitoba Impact Tour is about more than hockey. It’s about bringing our team to the communities of the North, building relationships, inspiring young people and show them they have a place in the game.”
• The MJHL Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries three stars are headlined this week by forward Brody Green from the Dauphin Kings. He earned his honour in three games, scoring twice and adding four helpers for six points.
Next up is two-time MJHL champion Marlen Edwards from the Niverville Nighthawks. The high-scoring forward had three goals and three assists for six points in two games last week. In just five games this year Edwards has been averaging three points a game. At that pace he’ll easily win the scoring race.
The final winner is forward Treycen Wuttnee from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. In three games he scored twice and added four helpers to earn his nod.
• After a bit of a dry spell, the MJHL trades started flowing again recently.
Starting us off is the Selkirk Steelers sending a player development fee (PDF) to the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL for forward Jacob Morrison. The Surrey, B.C. native had a goal and an assist in six games this year.
The Winnipeg Monarchs sent forward Shea Chronley to the Soo of the NOJHL for a PDF.
The Virden Oil Capitals traded netminder Adam Courchesne to the Dauphin Kings for a PDF. He only appeared in one game this season.
The Northern Manitoba Blizzard sent defenseman Ashton Dzeba to the Winnipeg Blues for a PDF. He was held pointless in 30 games last season with the Blizzard.
The Winnipeg Blues sent defenseman Mason Millerto Red Lake of the SIJHL for a PDF. He only appeared in one game with the Blues this year.
The Swan Valley Stampeders shipped defenseman Cade Bolding to Calgary of the AJHL for a PDF. Bolding had 13 points last season with the Stamps, but did not suit up with them this year, after requesting a trade to play closer to his Alberta home.
And finally, the Northern Manitoba Blizzard shipped forward Gavin Winterstein to Smith Falls of the CCHL for a PDF.

For more than 50 years, the Canadian Finals Rodeo
(CFR) has stood as the pinnacle of professional rodeo
in Canada. Established in 1974, the CFR was created
as the championship event of the Canadian
Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), bringing
together top rodeo athletes to compete for national
titles, championship buckles, and their place in
Canadian rodeo history.
Today, the CFR is recognized as Canada’s national
rodeo championship and one of the premier western
sporting events in North America. Each fall, the country’s
best competitors battle for championship glory
across rodeo’s most iconic disciplines, including bull
riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, barrel racing,
steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and
breakaway roping.
The road to the CFR is earned, not given.
Throughout the season, competitors travel thousands
of kilometres competing at rodeos across Canada in
pursuit of a coveted qualification. Only the sport’s elite
advance to the championship stage, where careers are
made and legends are born.
Since 2008, competitors have carried their season
earnings into the finals, with money won during the
CFR contributing to the overall championship race.
This format ensures every ride and every run can
impact the final standings, creating unmatched drama
and excitement inside the arena.

Major Pratt School’s largest and only high school fundraiser is the King and Queen Competition. It runs from the first day of school in September until the Friday before
Thanksgiving, culminating in the Beef and Barley Pageant. Throughout this time, the entire high school population is divided into 6 areas: Russell South, Russell North,
Inglis, Binscarth, Waywayseecappo and Russell Rural. Students from each group choose a king and queen candidate to represent their area and begin fundraising by
selling tickets for cash prizes provided by student council as well as other unique fundraisers that have included movie nights, beauty days, car washes and detailing,
silent auctions, bingo nights, paint and craft nights, fall suppers, volleyball clinics and tournaments, and so much more! The winning group is the area that brings in
the most money. Their king and queen are crowned at the high school Beef and Barley Pageant and fulfill various duties for the town during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Money raised throughout these five weeks is equally divided between extracurricular and academic initiatives. These include: class field trips, offsetting the cost of the
yearbook, grad, grad bursaries, school sports and student council activities – including gym blasts, multimedia presentations, dances, guest speakers, artists in the
school, spirit weeks, etc.
This year’s area groups went above and beyond in their efforts, raising a total amount of $38,136.05!
Congratulations to the 2026 Beef and Barley Queen and King, Ava Melnyk and Aiden Chuchmuch, who represented Russell Rural. Their group raised $11,525.45! Second
place went to Waywayseecappo with a total of $6396.00 and third place went to Inglis, raising $5562.00.
The winners of this year’s cash prizes are: 1st prize - $500 – Linda Genaille, Russell, MB, 2nd prize -$300 - Irving Galang, Russell, MB, 3rd prize - $200 – Levi Derkach,
Silverton, MB
Big shout-out to the king and queen candidates and the managers from each area for all their hard work in organizing events. Major Pratt School would like to give a
special shout out to Adam Bunn and Erika Schappert, the 2026 Beef and Barley student council reps as well as Arianna Ruiz-Valadez and Ty Laycock, this year's student
council secretaries that were responsible for counting the money during their free time. Major Pratt School would also like to acknowledge the communities of Russell,
Binscarth, Waywayseecappo, Inglis, Russell Rural and other surrounding areas for their tremendous support once again.