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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By Derek Holtom
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines had an interesting week which started with a dominating victory over their division rival and expansion cousin franchise the Swan Valley Stampeders.
Coming off a low-scoring weekend, the Wolverines offense roared back to life, scoring nine goals against the Stampeders. For Head Coach and General Manager Landyn Cochrane, the outburst was all about not panicking after one bad weekend.
“We’re continuing to stick to our game plan, continuing to work hard, and follow through on our game plan,” he said.
The Wolverines also dropped a close game to the Selkirk Steelers, one of the premier teams in the MJHL this season. If not for a bounce here or there the Wolverines could have won that game.
“I feel we’re right there with the best in the league,” said Cochrane. “When we follow through with our game plan and our effort is there, we can be one of the top teams in the league.”

Get the whole score in this week's Russell Banner.

By Jennifer Laviolette
Prairie Mountain Health held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on Wednesday, October 22. PMH Board Chair Lon Cullen opened the meeting and introduced the board of directors, Donna Davidson as Vice Chair, Debbie Huntinghawk, Ron D. Janzen, Kim Magalhaes, Jody Stevens, Lori Rodych, Sue Stirling, Judy Swanson and two new members, Vaughn Wilson and Premel Patel David. The board of directors are appointed by the Minister of Health.
The board is responsible for steering three committees: the Finance and Audit Committee, the HR Committee, and the Quality and Patient Safety Committee. It’s also responsible for consultation with stakeholders.
PMH CEO Treena Slate spoke about PMH’s Strategic Plan, consisting of creating positive health care experiences; quality focus; improved health system capacity, performance and accountability; empowered workforce; and financial stability.
Some of the highlights for PMH this year focused on access to health care by improving efficiency, reducing wait times, supporting innovation in service delivery and improving client safety and care outcomes. The regional also developed partnerships that resulted in health system planning and service delivery alignment with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long Term Care and Housing, Addictions and Homelessness priorities.

Find out more in this week's Russell Banner.