On May 26th, 2026 the 677 Royal Canadian Air Cadets hosted their Annual Ceremonial Review. They had an amazing crowd of approximately 70 spectators supporting the event. Major Terrence Henry generously joined the squadron as the reviewing officer for the evening. During the event, the cadets were presented with the year-end awards capping off a great training year.
The awards presented were: Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Excellence Awards for cadets who completed their respective level and obtained a 90% or better attendance. The Excellence in Fitness Award which is sponsored by the Russell Lion's Club and was presented by Kevan McCarthy. The Distinguished Marksmanship Award which is sponsored by the Russell Game and Fish and was presented by Ken Schmitz. The Lord Strathcona Medal presented by Major Henry and the Legion Medal of Excellence presented by Earl Smith of the Russell Legion.
The cadets had a successful training year and volunteered numeous hours with various community organizations.
The Russell 677 Air Cadets would like to thank all of the individuals and community organizations that supported us this year and made this year a success. The squadron has grown from 3 Cadets to 15 Cadets in the last 3 years and a large part of that is in thanks to the community, sponsorship committee and the local squadron staff. We look forward to our upcoming training year and an even more impressive Annual Ceremonial Review next year.
Air Cadet fall registration will be on September 8th, 2026 at the George P. Buleziuk Centre in Russell at 7:00 p.m. for youth ages 12-19.

COMING AUGUST 14! Roadshow Pickleball Manitoba will be running a youth pickleball camp for ages 12-17 years in Russell! Details coming soon! Mark your calendars!
The Russell Town wide Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th from 9 am-3:30 pm. If you would like your address added to the map, please contact the recreation office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. From out of town? We will be offering in space inside the rink for $20.
Summer Camps are back! The camps are 1 week and meet daily from 9am until 3:30 pm! Come join us for outdoor activities including arts, crafts, hiking, science, swimming, games, etc. The cost is $50 for the week! Dates and ages are as follows:
Russell July 13-17 ages 9-12, Russell July 20-24 ages 7-11, Russell July 27-31 ages 6-10 and Binscarth August 4-7 ages 7-11. Please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register!
There is a new story on the Storybook Trail! “Cool Canadian Dinosaurs” Fun Facts from Teeth to Tracks! by Canadian Girl. The trail starts just off Alexandria Ave by the Russell grain elevator on the Trans Canada Trail. Follow the trail, stopping at each story pedestal and learn about 14 different types of dinosaurs that once lived in Canada!
Healthy Baby is Tuesday, June 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!
Pickleball is at the GPB Hall in Russell (106 Shell River Ave S)! Tuesdays from 1-3 pm and Thursdays from 9-11 am and again from 7-9 pm! Pickleball is FREE and we have all equipment needed. Clean, indoor shoes required. Never played before? We’ve got you covered! We will teach you!
Badminton is in Russell at the GPB Hall on WEDNESDAY evenings from 7-9pm. It is FREE and we have all equipment needed. Clean, indoor shoes required.
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in!
Coming soon! The disc golf course will be set up again this summer as well as the PlayBoxes in Russell and Binscarth. Stay tuned for more information!
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).

By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner

It’s probably safe to say that Shannon and Newell Johnston are among the busiest people in the area.
Especially in the spring and summer when they prepare both of their Prairie Gardener locations in Russell and Roblin.
This year, the pair have something to cheer about aside from the ongoing success of their two locations as this year, they celebrate their 20th anniversary in business.
Shannon Johnston says every year, they look forward to the opening of their two locations
“We are happy to be able to continue to provide plants to the local area, and it really does feel like we are a part of the community in both Roblin and Russell,” Shannon said.
“We open our gates in town each year and are always so grateful to be shown again how great our customers are - they come in to say hi and are so excited to see everything we have grown.”
After several years of assisting with the business, Shannon and Newell Johnston purchased it with the help of financing from the local credit union, and began the process of disassembling and rebuilding the production farm on a newly cleared property near the edge of Riding Mountain National Park east of Inglis.
“It was quite the task to take down and reset-up the buildings and infrastructure, but we managed to make it happen and we were able to produce a nice crop the following spring despite still finishing heating and ventilation work, building benches as we went, and somehow keeping just slightly ahead of the space needs as we grew that first crop at our new location.”

Read the whole front page story in this week's edition of the Russell Banner.

An enthusiastic group of first-year medical students from the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine will participate in Rural Week across the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region from May 25–29 and June 1–5.
Coordinated annually by the Department of Family Medicine, Shared Health (Manitoba Healthcare Providers Network), and Manitoba’s rural regional health authorities, Rural Week offers students valuable first-hand experience in rural and northern medical practice, while highlighting the benefits of living and working in these communities.
This year, Prairie Mountain Health is hosting 41 students across 14 communities, including Brandon, Carberry, Dauphin, Deloraine, Grandview, Hamiota, Killarney, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Roblin, Russell, Souris, Ste. Rose, and Virden.
The program introduces students to both the clinical and community aspects of rural healthcare, often their first exposure to rural practice. During the week, students will shadow physicians, connect with healthcare teams, and explore local services, while also engaging in community activities that showcase rural life.
PMH Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kyle Conrad, a past Rural Week participant, understands the program’s impact. Dr. Conrad is also a family practice anesthetist based in Brandon, while also supporting Minnedosa, Neepawa and Northern Manitoba.
"My experience with Rural Week played a significant role in shaping my career. I clearly remember how welcoming the community was and how proudly they showcased the care and services they provide. That experience has stayed with me, and I’m proud to continue providing care in rural and northern Manitoba. Rural Week is an essential recruitment initiative—it’s about more than healthcare; it’s about the strength of our communities and the people who make them thrive."
PMH extends sincere thanks to physician preceptors, healthcare professionals, and community volunteers whose dedication makes Rural Week possible. The program’s success reflects the commitment and hospitality of participating communities.
Rural Week was introduced in 2003 as an optional experience within the University of Manitoba’s first-year medical curriculum and became a mandatory component the following year

By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner
For Prairie Mountain Health, the region’s Recruitment and Retention Team it’s ‘all hands-on deck’ with their near constant search for doctors.
As such, the team partners with representatives from the province, region and individual communities to all work together to promote the benefits of living and working in rural Manitoba.
A very valuable part of this initiative involves the prospective physicians touring around various Manitoba communities. They will be arriving at those communities after their successful completion from the PMPH sponsored Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG) program.
In return for the regional sponsorship, MLPIMG doctors agree to practice in their respective communities for four years.
In Russell, councilors Wes Anderson and Brent Havelange toured Dr. Porimol Debnath around the area where he visited the health facilities here as well as several local attractions.
Dr. Debnath is hoping to be arriving in the first week of September and begin his medical practice in Russell, although, as that is dependent upon the completion of the necessary paperwork for licensing, the exact dates have yet to be determined.
His interest in general practice is conducive to the much needed medical doctor shortage across rural Manitoba.
Read the full story on the front page of this week's Russell Banner.