Travis
St. Lazare bands together
Editors Note: Over the last week, the people of St. Lazare have been fighting flood waters - calling on residents to help with filling sandbags to protect the village’s homes and businesses. As they always have, they banded together under a local State of Emergency and got the job done just a head of the predicted crest on July 8th. They sent along this Flood Situation Report, detailing the actions of the municipality and the residents of the community. More pictures on page 8
Flood Situation Report – St. Lazare (Tuesday July 7th)
The community of St. Lazare continues to actively respond to high water levels affecting the surrounding area.
At present, four residences located south of the CN railway tracks have been successfully protected from floodwaters. Two of these properties have been secured using Tiger Dams, while an extensive number of sandbags have been filled and deployed by Public Works staff with the assistance of the Volunteer Fire Department and dedicated community volunteers. Other properties and laneways have been protected by home-made dams by the property owners.
On July 4th Provincial Trunk Highway 41 was closed after water overtopped the roadway. The Qu'Appelle River Bridge was also closed to ensure public safety and the RM of Ellice – Archie declared a State of Local Emergency.
On July 6, Municipal Public Works staff addressed several low spots along the provincially owned dike surrounding the community by placing additional clay and deploying Tiger Dams to increase protection. These measures continue to perform well and are effectively protecting the community from floodwaters.
The Municipality has been in discussions with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) since June 2025 regarding the need to raise the protective dikesurrounding St. Lazare. While MTI has acknowledged that improvements are required, the project is not currently scheduled for completion in the near future.
Given the current flood event, the Municipality has formally requested an inspection of the dike. MTI has confirmed that representatives from Engineering and ater Operations will attend to assess the infrastructure.
This flood event has clearly demonstrated the urgency of advancing this project on the Province's priority list. Had the dike been overtopped or breached, more than 30% of the town of St. Lazare would have experienced significant flooding, overcoming numerous homes, businesses, and municipal infrastructure.
On July 7th, the Municipality was advised by MTI that water levels at Binscarth have begun to slowly decline. Based on current conditions, we anticipate reaching peak water levels today, with the hope that levels will begin a gradual decline over the coming days.
Road closures continue to have a significant impact on residents, businesses, and commuters. The closure of the Qu'Appelle Bridge has left 22 families with access only to the north, requiring travel through the community pasture to Spy Hill, Saskatchewan, as their sole exit route. This limited access has significantly increased travel times and presents ongoing challenges for residents, emergency response, and the delivery of essential services should conditions deteriorate.
With PTH 41 closed south of St. Lazare, the community has lost its primary southern access route. This has created considerable challenges for workers travelling to employment locations south of town, including the Nutrien mine, municipal Public Works operations, and other regional employers.
Travel disruptions have been further compounded by the closure of PTH 467 at Highway 83 near Miniota, forcing motorists to detour south to the Trans-Canada Highway before travelling north again on PTH 41. These closures have substantially increased travel times and created ongoing logistical challenges for residents, businesses, emergency response, and essential services.
Emergency events such as this also underscore the critical lack of reliable cellular service in the St. Lazare area. During emergencies, dependable communication is essential for coordinating response efforts, issuing public warnings, and allowing residents to contact emergency services or loved ones. The absence of adequate cellular coverage poses a significant public safety risk and can have devastating consequences when every minute counts. This flood event has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved telecommunications infrastructure to ensure the safety and resilience of our community. The Municipality will continue to closely monitor water levels, maintain flood protection measures, and work collaboratively with provincial partners to ensure the continued safety of residents and critical infrastructure.
For more, turn to page 8 in this week's Russell Banner.
Want to learn to play box lacrosse?
COMING AUGUST 14! Roadshow Pickleball Manitoba will be running a youth pickleball camp for ages 10-17 years in Russell on Friday, August 14, from 10 am-3 pm at the George P. Buleziuk Centre (106 Shell River Ave. S). FREE register at: Pickleballmanitoba.ca
Want to learn how to play Box Lacrosse? Lacrosse Manitoba is offering a FREE Learn to Play program here in Russell at the Russell Memorial Multiplex on July 23 & 24: U7, U9, U11 from 4:30-5:30pm (both days) and U13 & U17 from 5:30-6:30 pm (both days). To register, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Pickleball and Badminton have moved to the rink for the month of July! Dates are: Pickleball Tuesdays: 1-3 pm July 7, 14, 21, 28, Thursdays: 9-11 am and 7-9 pm, July 9, 16, 23. Badminton Wednesdays: 7-9 pm July 8, 15, 22. Please enter through the main rink doors at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (206 Darcy St) FREE! We provide all equipment needed, clean indoor shoes required.
Healthy Baby is Thursday, July 23rd, from 11 am-1 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room located in the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance. This is a free program for expecting parents and those with babies under the age of one. Come join us!
There are 2 horseshoe pits located next to the Russell Swimming Pool. They are up and ready to go! There are 2 old sets of shoes on site as well as a rake. If you would like the new horseshoes, they can be signed out for FREE at the pool during pool hours or at the recreation office 204-773-2422.
PlayBoxes are set up and ready to go! PlayBoxes are filled with outdoor toys, balls, bases outdoor games, etc. There is a box in Binscarth next to the toboggan slide, and one in Russell on the south side of the GPB Hall (106 Shell River Ave. S.) These items are free to play with, just contact the recreation office for the code! Unlock the box, unlock the fun! Please return all items and lock the box when finished. Thanks!
The disc/frisbee golf course is now set up! The starting point is located on the walking trail next to the Russell Museum (314 Assiniboine St. W). There is a course map along with a rule sheet attached to the post at the start of the course. Need discs/frisbees? They are located in the PlayBox on the southside of the GBP Hall. Call/text 204-821-8285 for the code. Please return and lock the box back up when you are done. Thanks!
Follow us on Facebook: Recreation Department Municipality of Russell Binscarth Not on Facebook? Check out our community bulletin board located on the front of the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St).
Binscarth welcomes friends and family home
Everything the community of Binscarth does, is always done so very well. After more than a year of preparation of the Binscarth Homecoming event, by community volunteers, the community welcomed over a thousand old friends home. Friends and family members travelling from as far away as Scotland came home for a wee visit. The three day event featured live entertainment from home town boy JR Charron who is making his way to the top of the Manitoba country music scene. Old friends gathered all over town - at school and museum tours and luncheons, at the market, at the silent disco, the parade, the kids games or singing karaoke and challenging each other at Binscarth themed trivia, axe throwing, the car show and the beer gardens. There was so much to do over the weekend it’s nearly impossible to list all of the events. Anyone who attended saw so many hugs and smiles as old friends reunited, shared memories and caught up on each other’s lives. Congratulations Binscarth on a truly incredible and memorable event! For more homecoming pictures turn to pages six and seven.
July 14, 2026
July 14, 2026
Pickleball and badminton moves to the Multilplex
COMING AUGUST 14! Roadshow Pickleball Manitoba will be running a youth pickleball camp for ages 10-17 years in Russell on Friday, August 14, from 10am-3pm at the George P. Buleziuk Hall (106 Shell River Ave. S). FREE register at: Pickleballmanitoba.ca.
Pickleball and Badminton have moved to the rink for the month of July! Dates are:
Pickleball - Tuesdays: 1-3pm July 7, 14, 21, 28, Thursdays: 9-11am and 7-9pm July 9, 16, 23, Badminton - Wednesdays: 7-9pm July 8, 15, 22. Please enter through the main rink doors at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (206 Darcy St) FREE! We provide all equipment needed, clean indoor shoes required. NO pickleball or badminton the week of June 30-July 2.
Healthy Baby is Thursday, July 23rd from 11am-1pm upstairs in the Bunge Room located in the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance. This is a free program for expecting parents and those with babies under the age of one. Come join us!
There are 2 horseshoe pits located next to the Russell Swimming Pool. They are up and ready to go! There are 2 old sets of shoes on site as well as a rake. If you would like the new horseshoes, they can be signed out for FREE at the pool during pool hours or at the recreation office (204)773-2422.
PlayBoxes are set up and ready to go! PlayBoxes are filled with outdoor toys, balls, bases outdoor games, etc. There is a box in Binscarth next to the toboggan slide, and one in Russell on the south side of the GPB Hall (106 Shell River Ave. S.) These items are free to play with, just contact the recreation office for the code! Unlock the box, unlock the fun! Please return all items and lock the box when finished. Thanks
The disc/frisbee golf course is now set up! The starting point is located on the walking trail next to the Russell Museum (314 Assiniboine St. W). There is a course map along with a rule sheet attached to the post at the start of the course. Need discs/frisbees? They are located in the PlayBox on the southside of the GBP Hall. Call/text (204)821-8285 for the code. Please return and lock the box back up when you are done. Thanks!
Follow us on Facebook: Recreation Department Municipality of Russell Binscarth Not on Facebook? Check out our community bulletin board located on the front of the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St).
Tornado southeast of Rossburn destroys century home
Brian and Bernadine Brown are quite literally lucky to be alive. At about 7:30 pm on Sunday June 28th, Brian Brown headed into the century home he and he wife had been restoring for the last decade, after purchasing it in 2004.
Brian Brown told The Brandon Sun said he just come in from the shop in furious rain and hail when he noticed a tree falling and yelled at this wife to stay away from the windows and hit the floor. The tornado itself lasted about 10 seconds the 76 year old couple told The Sun. The damage done to their circa 1904 home was extensive, leaving debris throughout the home and pictures simply disappearing off the walls.
Shirley Kalyniak, the mayor of Rossburn described the Brown’s farmyard as ‘war zone’ adding that forest of trees that were more than a 100 years old had been snapped liked twigs with the Browns belongings strewn all over the yard Their neighbors home, about 300 yards away had their detached garage and shed destroyed along with damage to the roof of their home.
With files from CBC and The Brandon Sun
To get the whole story, pick-up this week's Russell Banner and turn to page 2.
Play boxes are ready to go
COMING AUGUST 14! Roadshow Pickleball Manitoba will be running a youth pickleball camp for ages 10-17 years in Russell on Friday, August 14, from 10am-3pm at the George P. Buleziuk Hall (106 Shell River Ave. S). FREE register at: Pickleballmanitoba.ca
Pickleball and Badminton will be moving to the rink for the month of July! Dates are:
Pickleball Tuesdays: 1-3pm, July 7, 14, 21, 28, Thursdays: 9-11am and 7-9pm, July 9, 16, 23. Badminton, Wednesdays: 7-9pm, July 8, 15, 22. Please enter through the main rink doors at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (206 Darcy St) FREE! We provide all equipment needed, clean indoor shoes required. NO pickleball or badminton the week of June 30-July 2.
Healthy Baby is Thursday, July 23rd from 11am-1pm upstairs in the Bunge Room located in the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance. This is a free program for expecting parents and those with babies under the age of one. Come join us!
There are 2 horseshoe pits located next to the Russell Swimming Pool. They are up and ready to go! There are 2 old sets of shoes on site as well as a rake. If you would like the new horseshoes, they can be signed out for FREE at the pool during pool hours or at the recreation office (204)773-2422.
PlayBoxes are set up and ready to go! PlayBoxes are filled with outdoor toys, balls, bases outdoor games, etc. There is a box in Binscarth next to the toboggan slide, and one in Russell on the south side of the GPB Hall (106 Shell River Ave. S). These items are free to play with, just contact the recreation office for the code! Unlock the box, unlock the fun! Please return all items and lock the box when finished. Thanks!
The disc/frisbee golf course is now set up! The starting point is located on the walking trail next to the Russell Museum (314 Assiniboine St. W). There is a course map along with a rule sheet attached to the post at the start of the course. Need discs/frisbees? They are located in the PlayBox on the southside of the GBP Hall. Call/text (204)821-8285 for the code. Please return and lock the box back up when you are done. Thanks!
RCMP Officers Shot in Melville
Two RCMP officers were seriously injured Sunday night after they were shot while responding to an assault complaint at a home in Melville. Saskatchewan RCMP said officers were called to a residence on Eighth Avenue West at about 9:35 pm. When they arrived, a firearm was discharged, and two Melville RCMP officers were struck. Both officers were taken to the hospital by EMS with injuries described as serious. RCMP later said the officers were transported to a Regina hospital, but no further update on their condition was available Monday morning.
Police said the armed suspect, believed to be an adult man, remained inside the residence after the shooting. Officers from the Melville detachment and the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team responded, including the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, and the Crisis Negotiation Team.
The Saskatchewan RCMP Serious Crimes Unit was also called in. The Government of Saskatchewan’s Protection and Response Team assisted, along with Regina Police Service SWAT officers.
The standoff ended at about 2 am on Monday when the suspect and another person exited the home. RCMP said the suspect was arrested and remains in custody. The second person was initially detained but was released shortly afterward and has since been cleared of any involvement. No charges had been laid as of Monday morning. RCMP said no further details about the suspect were being released because the investigation remains active.
Markus Dodge, a 55-year-old from the community, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder; two counts of aggravated assault; two counts of discharge firearm with intent; two counts, pointing a firearm; and one count, unlawful possession of a firearm.
The injured officers remain in hospital. They are in stable condition; however, their injuries are serious and potentially life-altering in nature.
Prairie Arts cARTel show attracts 38 area artists
38 talented area artists took part in the Arts cARTel show, welcoming artists ages 11+ who submitted original artwork for adjudication and exhibition.
Pictured here is some of the amazing local artwork displayed at the Geo. P. Buleziuk Centre in Russell, held June 14 and 15.