Travis
Burla Bridge CLOSED
Summer MJHL Musings
By Derek Holtom
Training camps are set to open in roughly six weeks for Manitoba Junior Hockey League teams, but you’ll forgive those based on the west side of the province for being more than a little distracted.
Places such as The Pas, Swan River, Dauphin, Waywayseecappo, Virden, Neepawa, and all places in between have been hit with one bad headline after another.
Most of the bad news centres around flooding, which we’ll get into right away. But up north the Northern Manitoba Blizzard were rocked by the news that local product Isaac Tomchak has been diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder in which his bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. Having aplastic anemia can increase a person’s risk of developing certain cancers - most notably, leukemia. The treatment requires a bone marrow transplant.
Tomchak was slated to be a key part of the Blizzard this year, coming off a season where he scored 14 goals, 22 assists and added 119 penalty minutes. But now his top goal is getting treatment and recovering.
A GoFundMe was set up for Tomchak by his aunt to help cover costs for the family in the days ahead. The community rallied and quickly blew through the set goal, so much so that donations were paused after four days.
Tomchak posted an update on the site through his aunt, stating in part “I really appreciate all the support and love that I have received during this incredibly challenging time. It helps me as well as my family stay positive. We all believe that it’s gonna be a smooth recovery and you guys helped us do that. Thank you everybody!!"
It’s heartwarming to see a young man with so much potential have a positive outlook after being told some bad news, and it doesn’t shock me in the least to see his community rally behind him. Having spent many years in Swan River and Dauphin I’m fully aware of how communities can come together in challenging times to help those in need.
And there are perhaps no more challenging times than right now in western Manitoba. They have had not one but two massive flooding events this year. Before the floods, the region dealt with a large snowpack and a late melt. Then the first flooding happened around June 6 and 7 as seven inches of rain, flooding many areas and devastating others such as Minitonas.
That was just the appetizer as it turns out. A torrential rain blasted Western Manitoba in late June, leading to unprecedented flooding. When I saw the flooding in Dauphin on the streets in front of where the Dauphin Kings play – blocks away from the Vermillion River, I was stunned. When I saw the first home I lived in in Swan River under water, I was shocked. But when I saw the social media posts of all the people I know watching their homes get destroyed, when I saw bridges being washed away, I was saddened.
So here we are, mere weeks away from the start of training camps for MJHL teams, and the water hasn’t even finished receding in some of these devastated communities. It’s actually hard to reach many areas safely, as emergency repairs to bridges and highways continue.
While the focus rightly remains on the cleanup and the rebuilding, I wonder how all these communities are going to be in any position to do much in terms of recreation this coming winter? What kind of hit will businesses take from crops and livestock being washed away? What sort of entertainment budget will remain for people who have seen their homes destroyed?
Already we see the Swan River Valley Ag. Society made the difficult decision to not host their wildly popular Northwest Round-Up and Exhibition this year. Having covered and volunteered for this event in the past I have some idea of the magnitude of effort needed to host an event such as this. Seeing how much work is needed to get Swan River and surrounding communities back on their feet, this feels like a right call.
Operating a junior hockey team is a challenging proposition in the best of times. These could be described quite literally as the worst of times. I worry first and foremost about the people affected by these floods. But in the back of my mind, I wonder how MJHL teams in western Manitoba (and frankly any sort of amateur sports) will fare in the coming months.
Beef and Barley committee would love your help
The annual Beef and Barley is only possible because of the incredible support of local volunteers and community organizations. Since 2014, they've proudly given back over $120,000 to local groups and community projects, and they hope to continue investing int he people and organizations that make our community so special. Can your group lend a hand this year? If you're part of a local community organization and are interested in helping with this year's festival, they'd love to hear from you! There are many ways to get involved, and your support helps ensure the festival continues to thrive while giving back to our community. Email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get involved! Join them for a planning meeting on Tuesday, July 21st in the Brad Room in the Civic Centre on Russell’s Main Street.
It’s a really fun committee to be involved in!
Former MP Inky Mark faces gun trafficking charges
By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner
Inky Mark who represented this area as our Member of Parliament for Dauphin Swan River Marquette for than a decade - from 1997 until 2010 - is facing gun trafficking charges after more than 400 firearms were allegedly seized from his Dauphin, Manitoba home.
Before heading to Ottawa, he served as the mayor of the City of Dauphin from 1994 to 1997.
RCMP announced last Monday that the 78-year-old was arrested after police searched his home as part of a firearm trafficking investigation
In addition to 439 guns, Mounties seized an antique cannon, ammunition and $300,000 in cash, according to the RCMP release.
The 78-year-old was arrested after police searched his home as part of a firearm trafficking investigation last Tuesday, Corp. Barry Kirby, of the Manitoba West District general investigation section, said.
To get the whole story, pick up a copy of this week's Russell Banner and turn to page 2.
Spear Lake Day huge success
Mother Nature may have been attempting to spit fire but that didn’t keep people away from the second Spear Lake Day held over one of the hottest weekends so far this year.
The event, put on by local songstress Kolby Clunas drew about 100 people - double of last years crowd - to check out the wares of local artists listen to the talent of local artists like Butch Fleury, Kolby Clunas, Shae Rose and the duo of Erin Fleury and Earl Gillespie or drop in to play with the pups up for adoption through Passion for Paws. Kayaks were available for a paddle around Spear Lake with plenty of shade thanks to the hard work of the members of Russell Game and Fish who were the benefactors of the $482 raised.
Roblin Services to Seniors
Cooks
July 21, 2026
July 21, 2026
Letter to the Editor: Old phones, old hats, old hymnals
Dear Madam Editor,
Once again, as summer is upon us, the Board of Directors of RAHAC (Russell Museum), wishes to invite friends, family and the general public to the Russell Church Museum and the Gilmour House.
As many of you may know, the Gilmour is now the oldest house in Russell. Not only is it the oldest house, but it is almost completely furnished in 1900’s style.
In the Church Museum, we have dozens, no… hundreds of artifacts from Russell history, from the sports corner (1890’s to the 21st century) to the Military display honouring those who served in the Boer War, World War I and World War II to present day. As always, we are looking to add to our collection.
The purpose of adding to our collection is to entice and encourage people to come in, again and again, to learn more about Russell and area history and to instill a desire to preserve that history.
This summer we have compiled a “Wish List”. On this list, we are asking for items that will embellish and add to the richness of our collection. While this is not the complete wishlist, it is a start…
1. Old telephones-all and any
2. Old hats- men or women’s-dressy or otherwise
3. Hymnals- all or any church
4. Church paraphernalia- pew cushions; crosses; icons
And on another tangent, besides our wish list, we are looking for businesses or offices that would consider allowing RAHAC to set up display. Our Museum has limited display space, but an abundance of artifacts we would love to present to the public.
For example: *a creamery display which would include milk bottles; creamery uniforms; milk tokens; Manco jacket… a little of everything!
*A garage display: Clement’s; Fenton’s; Galatiuk’s, Bicknell’s which would include advertising memorabilia; calendars; signs.
*Kids’ toys from 1900’s to 1990’s
*’50’s -’60s-’70’s remembering that the 70’s were a mere 50 years ago.
Museum hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
For individual tours after hours, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the RAHAC Board of Directors: Lenore Fenton - President; Pauline Glasman - Vice President; Louise Ewankiw - Treasurer; Donna Reid - Secretary; Directors: Guy McMurray. Honey Affleck, Cathy Clemence
Hoping to see you all, as we step back in time and appreciate the pioneers of Russell and area, as well as those in the present, who made this town what it is today.
Sincerely, Honey Affleck
(Granddaughter of Andrew Mather, Mayor of Russell 1945-1955.)
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.