Travis
Please bring only usable items to the Russell Thrift Shop
To all the wonderful donors, please read carefully the following article for information on donating of usable items to us.
We have had an influx of unusable donations being given to us. Items have been arriving broken, dirty and not working. We try our best as volunteers to filter these items as donated, but can’t catch everything. These unsellable items cost us money to dispose of; we can’t recycle them any further.
You can help us out by only donating items that are clean, and are in working order, undamaged, smoke and odour free (musty), and clean clothing!
Please refrain from filling X-large bags or boxes that are extremely heavy to lift for our volunteers.
Please Do Not go through the donation Bin (Property of Russell Thrift Shop) and take items.
Please Do Not Use our garbage bin and rummage through garbage.
Please Do Not Use our Recycle Bin.
Please Do Not open Free Bags (In FREE BIN) and rummage through and scatter all over parking lot and other business property.
We encourage you to drop off donations during business hours, but are welcome to donate at your convenience.
We have many dedicated volunteers that put in long hours to keep our lovely Thrift Shop running so smoothly, so please co-operate and keep our store up and running.
A huge thank you to donors and shoppers from Russell and surrounding communities for your continued support!
President Noella Kiliwnik
and the Russell Thrift Shop Volunteers
Snowshoes and a new outdoor rink
Pickleball and Badminton at the GPB Hall in Russell is cancelled for at least the month of January as we make some much needed improvements to the floor! We are very excited! Keep an eye out for how you can help! Pickleball will still be available on Monday evenings in Binscarth at the school from 7-9pm!
Indoor Walking at the GPB Hall will still be available! Indoor Walking is FREE at the GPB Hall in Russell (106 Shell River Ave. S). Come in out of the cold weather and icy streets!
The outdoor rink is ready to go! The outdoor rink is located on North Main St between the Leisure Center and Never Better Studios. This is a community outdoor rink, available for all to use. Please keep in mind, you may have to shovel off some snow and share the space with community members!
HUGE thank you to the Municipality of Russell Binscarth, Never Better Studio, the Russell Lions, Russell Beef and Barley, Braendle Bruce Memorials, Parkland Thrashers Roller Derby, our local RCMP, Fresh Vac, Jeramy Ewbank & Kris Huberdeau, as well as our many volunteers helping make this happen! This is only the beginning!
Adults & Tots has resumed upstairs in the Binge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex! Enter the Multiplex through the Main St. entrance and go up the stairs! This is a FREE open gym time for adults and their kids age 7 and under. The gym will be open on Wednesdays from 1-3pm and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am. (These days and times are subject to change.)
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out! We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes at each of these locations:
Russell: Recreation Office 325 Main St (204)773-2422
Binscarth: Rob’s Place (204) 532-2067
Inglis: RM Office (204) 564-2589
FREE Public Skating every Tuesday from 9:30-10:30am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex.
Chronic wasting disease found near Dropmore
Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures is advising of five new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD), including cases in two areas with no prior positive detections: the Rural Municipalities of Swan Valley West and Victoria, in Game Hunting Areas (GHA) 13A and 30.
Additionally, three new CWD cases have been confirmed in southern Manitoba. These cases were found in areas with CWD had previously been detected: one in the Parkland region near the community of Dropmore, and two near Coulter in the Municipality of Two Borders.
The province thanks hunters for their participation in efforts to manage CWD and encourages them to submit samples for testing. CWD is not known to pose a human health risk, but meat from a CWD-infected or untested animal is not recommended for consumption. Hunters active in areas where CWD cases have been confirmed should have harvested animals tested and practise safe carcass-handling protocols.
To help reduce the risk of spreading CWD, hunters are reminded to properly dispose of carcasses and related waste. Do not transport high-risk parts (such as the brain, eyes and spine) outside the area where the animal was harvested. Where possible, leave carcass waste at the kill location or use approved local disposal options to prevent potentially infected material from being moved to new areas.
The province encourages hunters to stay vigilant in their efforts to prevent the spread of CWD and to refer to the new CWD dashboard for the updated summary of samples processed and confirmed positive cases: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/6d48aed3a5b94c9ebc2edab58b4ddb5a.
CWD is an incurable, fatal disease that affects members of the deer family (cervids) including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose and caribou. Animals infected with CWD may appear healthy until the later stages of the disease. If the disease spreads and becomes endemic to Manitoba, there is a serious risk that CWD will threaten the health of all cervid populations in the province.
First detected in Manitoba in 2021, a total of 35 CWD cases have been confirmed to date. This includes 26 mule deer (23 males and three females) and nine white-tailed deer (eight males and one female).
The 2025-26 provincial testing program is ongoing and has tested over 2,500 samples for CWD. The five new CWD-positive cases include three mule deer (two females and one male) and two male white-tailed deer.
Sample results from harvested animals will be posted at https://www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/wildlife/cwd-results/cwd-results.html. Hunters with questions or concerns about a cervid that has been harvested can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/cwd.
Major Pratt Gives Back to Community
Major Pratt High School Student Council donates $400 of the Beef and Barley fundraising back to the community with a sock donation for the Christmas hampers.
Rookes happy to finish career in Waywayseecappo
By Derek Holtom
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines were bolstered this season by the return of former players for their final year of junior hockey. That includes defenseman Kurt Rookes, the most offensively dynamic blueliner in the MJHL this season.
A native of Manson, Man., Rookes led all defenseman in scoring heading into the final game before the Christmas break with four goals and 25 assists for 29 points in 31 games.
His level of comfort with the Wolverines is plain for all to see. After a solid rookie season where he put up 16 points and 94 penalty minutes, Rookes spent the past two seasons in the WHL with the Wenatchee Wild and the Swift Current Broncos. But with only one season left, Rookes opted to return to the MJHL.
“I’ve always liked Wayway – they were always good to me when I was 17 years old,” he said. “It’s nice and close to home. My billets live 50 minutes from home, so I can see my family a lot.
“I also get to play with lots of guys I grew up playing with in Yellowhead. Guys like Ben Roulette, Jase Wareham, Max Collyer, lots of guys like that who are here,” he added. “Also, I enjoy playing for Landyn (Cochrane, Wayway’s Head Coach and General Manager). He’s been a really good guy, and someone you want to play for.”
The Wolverines have had an up-and-down season so far, but as they’ve gotten healthier they’ve started to string together more and more victories – a key to them to move out of fourth place and start climbing the West Division standings.
“I think we’ve had a really good start, despite having a lot of injuries,” says Rookes. “We’ve had up to seven guys out of the lineup at once, so that was pretty tough for us. And guys are starting to come back from injuries now, so we should be ramping up from here on out.”
Along with leading the MJHL in scoring for defensemen, Rookes also leads the league in power-play assists with 20. His ability to get his teammates the puck in good spots is a big reason Wayway’s power-play operated at a solid 23.1 per cent rate.
“I give a lot of credit to Landyn, we have a really good power play system going there,” says Rookes. “Also two guys on my side, Sebastien Hicks and Ben Roulette, are pretty lethal themselves. They make my job pretty easy – I just have to give them the puck, and it’s been working out.”
With all that said, Rookes says the goal for the Wolverines is to finish higher in the standings and get their first non-survivor playoff series win – and more.
“We have some key pieces coming back, so it will be good to see what we can do,” he said. “We’re right there with a lot of teams. With us getting guys back, I see no reason we can’t be beating those teams ahead of us.”
Last week
Kings 1, Wolverines 0
The Wolverines managed to give the division-leading Dauphin Kings all they could handle on Saturday night to finish the 2025 portion of their schedule, dropping a heart-breaking 1-0 loss in Dauphin.
The lone goal of the game came with the Wolverines on a power-play in the third period as Dauphin’s Nicholas Zaharias (ninth) scored short-handed 2:34 into the third period. Other than that, Wayway netminder Mariko Bercier was flawless stopping 45 shots.
Dauphin’s Bryson Yaschyshyn earned the shutout with a 23-save effort.
Wolverines vs. Monarchs
Last Friday’s clash between the Wolverines and the last-place Winnipeg Monarchs will have to happen later in the season as the second of back-to-back blizzards wiped out the entire MJHL schedule that night.
Up next
The Wolverines headed into their Christmas break this week and do not play again until Jan. 6, when they again head to Dauphin to face the Kings.
CLAW MARKS – The Wolverines enter 2026 with a record of 12-18-1-1, good for fourth place in the MJHL’s West Division. They hold a 10-point lead on the Swan Valley Stampeders for fourth place, though the Stamps retain four games in hand … Sebastien Hicksleads the Wolverines in scoring with 39 points – 17 goals and 22 assists … Wayway finishes the month of December with a record of 3-3-0.
Richardson Pioneer Ltd and Richardson International donate to Foxwarren District Rec Center
Left to right - Gordon Nickel, Aaron Chipelski, Mark Wotton and Brad Zimmer with the generous donation of $50,000 to help fund the reconstruction of the Foxwarren Rink. Richardson Pioneer Ltd and Richardson Pioneer are known for their generous support of initiatives in communities around the world who have helped to make their company what it is today. The Richardson Foundation was established to celebrate the 100th anniversary of James A. Richardson & Sons, Limited. Richardson International contributes over $1 million annually to initiatives where their customers and employees live and work. Since the company was founded in 1857, this commitment to giving has been integral to Richardson International.
Fall of ground incident kills 35 year old at Mosaic K3
A 35 year old father of two from the Yorkton area lost his life in an incident at Mosaic's K3 site last week. Mosaic says a "fall of ground incident" was the cause of the fatality.
A fall of ground incident is described as Fall of Ground (FOG) in mining refers to the dangerous, unplanned collapse or dislodgement of rock from the roof (hanging wall) or walls (ribs) of underground mine openings or open-pit slopes, a leading cause of fatalities and injuries due to geological stresses, weak rock, and mining activities. This can range from small rock fragments to massive collapses, often exacerbated by depth, seismic events, blasting, and inadequate support, creating significant hazards for workers and equipment.
“The Mosaic Company is deeply saddened to report that early this morning on Monday, December 15, 2025, a fall of ground incident occurred at the K3 underground mine in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, resulting in a fatal injury to one employee. No further injuries have been reported,” says Mosaic in a statement.
“Mosaic's Emergency Response Team was activated following the incident. The site has now been secured and all mining activity has been temporarily halted. A full investigation is underway and Mosaic is working closely with all regulatory authorities. Support services are being provided through the company's Employee and Family Assistance Program.”
“The safety and wellbeing of our people remain Mosaic’s highest priority. Our thoughts go out to our colleague’s family and friends, all employees, and the broader community. We ask that the family be given privacy at this difficult time.”
With files from the World Spectator.
Adrienne Falloon named new municipal CAO
If you grew up in Binscarth, you’ll know Adrienne Falloon. She’s the daughter of Felicia and Reg Slimmon and went to school there before coming to Russell in grade 9 - as all of her Binscarth classmates did.
If you were in the class of 2011 at Major Pratt, you’ll know her too.
After a few years up in Fort McMurray, she and her husband Kyle Falloon from St. Lazare moved back here after the Fort Mac fires and she started working for the municipality in 2017 as an administrative assistant.
After a couple of years, when the Tri Roads Planning District was formed, she moved over there - meaning that if you’ve needed a building permit or are working on any new developments - both commercial and residential, it’s likely you’re familiar with Adrienne and know that she’s highly professional, friendly and easy to deal with.
After close to a decade with the RM of Russell Binscartth and their affiliate organizations, Adrienne has taken on the position of the new CAO for the Municipality of Russell Binscarth.
This year, Falloon has started the Certified Manitoba Municipal Administrator program through the University of Manitoba.
And, she says, in Wally Melnyk, she has the best professor she could ask for.
“Wally hired me to be an administrative assistant nine years ago which is really cool,” she said. “He’s really great, really knowledgeable and great to work with.”
As she and council head into 2026, she’s hoping for a positive and productive year ahead.
“Having grown up in this area and raising our kids here, I know that we already have so much going on here for kids and families,” she said. “It’s such a positive, safe and family friendly place to live and I’m excited to be working to further develop this area into a positive and thriving place where, like us, people will choose to return to work, to develop their business ideas and raise their families here.
Police seize 246 firearms after call to assist EMS
CPL. KELLY CLARK
Summer is in full swing here in Roblin. Let’s remember that kids are out of school, and biking, walking, running all over the place. Please slow down while driving on the residential areas of town and near any parks. You never know when a ball and kid chasing it may pop onto the streets!! Let’s keep our community safe! Prairie Mountain RCMP responded to 35 calls for service in the Roblin area for a total of 153 files in the Prairie Mountain area over the last two weeks.
FROM THE FILES
July 4
• 1:58 a.m. – Members were called to assist an elderly person. Person had a hurt arm and couldn’t get up the steps without help. Member attended and assisted.
• 1:52 p.m. – Members were called regarding a fraud. Person had sent $30,000 to $40,000 by E-transfer and Apple gift cards in an attempt to collect a prize of $200,000.
• 7:55 p.m. – Warning given to a person for speeding on Highway 5.
• 8:05 p.m. – Another warning given to a person for speeding on same highway.
• 9:31 p.m. – Members responded to a vehicle fire. No one was injured.
July 5
• 12:28 a.m. – Members responded to a reports of a male smashing things and yelling in a residential area of town. Multiple calls were received. Members attended and arrested him for mischief and causing a disturbance. He was later released with a court date in October.
July 6
• 5:05 a.m. – Members were called to a report of suspicious people. Person was sleeping in their vehicle when a group of people came and punched his window and then took off. No damage.
• 4:09 p.m. – Members responded to a call of an aggressive dog loose in town. Dog was secured and no one was injured.
• 4:59 p.m. – Members were called to assist EMS with a noncooperative patient who was possibly having a stroke or seizures. Caller indicated the patient was upset that police and ambulance were coming to assist and uttered threats to EMS and RCMP members. Upon attending, members were told he was in the house. He did not answer the door, or come to the windows. Members entered the house to ensure he was okay and located several guns unsafely scattered throughout the house with ammunition scattered throughout the house also. The male was not located and it was believed he went into the bush. It was unknown if he was armed or not. Eventually he came back to the house and was arrested without incident for uttering threats and unsafely storing firearms. In total, 246 firearms were seized from the residence.
• 9:24 p.m. – Members were called regarding a suspicious truck.
July 8
• 8:44 a.m. – Members responded to a false alarm call.
• 10:20 a.m. – Members were called regarding a theft.
• 11:19 a.m. – Received a call about a breach in a family court order. CFS was involved and no breach had occurred.
• 8:17 p.m. – Roblin ambulance, fire, and police attended to an accident. The driver, who should buy a lottery ticket, got sucked into the ditch while passing a vehicle on a gravel road. The vehicle, which should have rolled, did not and the driver was able to drive out of the steep ditch a short distance later. Other than being very shaken up, no injuries, and no visible damage to the vehicle.
July 9
• 5:39 a.m. – Members were called to a female crying outside and banging on windows. Members attended and no one was located.
July 10
• 11:56 a.m. – Ticket issued for speeding on Highway 5. Person was going 120 km/h in 100 km/h zone. The ticket was worth $312.
• 12:22 p.m. – Ticket issued for speeding on Highway 5. Person was going 126 km/h in 100 zone. The ticket was worth $391.
• 1 p.m. – Another ticket issued for speeding on Highway 5. Same as above, 126 km/h, ticket worth $391.
• 1:30 p.m. – Person was pulled over and their trailer was unregistered, and they were not carrying their driver’s licence. Tickets were issued for both, $298 and $113.
• 2:57 p.m. – Person was pulled over for not having a front licence plate. Driver also did not have his drivers licence with him. Both tickets worth $113.
• 4:08 p.m. – Report of a disturbance. Caller wanted the person causing the disturbance spoken to. Same done. July 11
• 5:54 p.m. – Person given ticket for speeding on Highway 5. Person was going 138 km/h in 100 km/h zone. Thanks for supporting the highway fund in the amount of $548.
• 8:42 p.m. – Members called to a disturbance, which ended up being a consensual fight.
• 10:52 p.m. – Requested to do a wellbeing check on a person. Same was done and all was fine.
July 12
• 12:53 p.m. – Members were called to a bridge that had settled causing a road hazard. Highways department attended. Road closed.
July 13
• 7:53 p.m. – Members received a call of a possible impaired driver. Members made patrols but did not locate the vehicle.
July 14
• 6:51 p.m. – Members were called to a residential false alarm.
• 11:50 p.m. – Suspicious person report. Members attended and located a person sleeping in a tractor. She was given a ride home.
July 16
• 2:51 p.m. – Members were called to a 911 hang up. Members attended. Caller said their meds were missing and they needed a file number to get them replaced.
July 17
• 6:36 p.m. – Members were called by a resident who found a bag. Looked through the bag identifying the owner and called them for pick up.
• 8:25 p.m. – Called to a report of cows on the highway. Members called owner who then dealt with the cows.
Men at Play
Forty-five golfers, including [L-R] Jayce Legaarden, Braydon Dube and John Perchaluk pictured here on #1, took to the links of the Roblin Golf & Country Club Saturday for the annual Moonshine Daze Men’s Open. Winding up on top of the leaderboard with a score of 71 was Chad Jones, a former champion (inset), with two former champions Chad Facey (72) and Jarrett Newton (72) finishing one point back to place second and third. Ricky Storozynsky (82) won the 2nd Flight over Court Reyda (83) and Brandon Kalchyn (84) while it was George McKay (88), Dean Gaber (89) and Dray Sobkow (89) in the 3rd Flight. The 4th Flight was won by Aaron Yeroschak (96) with Derek Sobkow (97) and Andrew Sorochuk (100) rounding out the top three.