RCMP Seek Suspects in Selkirk Armed Robbery: Selkirk RCMP are asking for public help to identify two male suspects who robbed a Main Street business at gunpoint on the evening of December 7. Security footage released by the RCMP shows the suspects stealing cases of alcohol while threatening staff with a firearm; fortunately, the employees were able to take shelter in a cooler and no injuries were reported.

→ Source: CTV News Winnipeg

RCMP Arrest Forcible Confinement Suspect in East St. Paul: Red River North RCMP arrested a male suspect on December 16 following a high-stakes pursuit that began on Henderson Highway in East St. Paul. Officers received reports of a female being held against her will in a vehicle travelling north; following a pursuit into the RM of Springfield, the suspect was apprehended and faces multiple charges including forcible confinement and flight from police.

→ Source: Manitoba RCMP

2025 Holiday Yards of the Season Map is Live: Residents of Selkirk, St. Andrews, and St. Clements are invited to tour the region’s best holiday light displays using a newly released interactive map. Voting for the top three displays is open at the Selkirk Home Hardware customer service desk until January 5, 2026, with gift card prizes available for both participants and voters.

→ Source: Red River North Tourism

St. Clements Transitioning to GFL Environmental for 2026: The RM of St. Clements has officially announced that GFL Environmental will take over all curbside waste and recycling collection starting February 1, 2026. While most collection days remain the same, recycling for Zones 2 and 4 will be adjusted to a new biweekly schedule to align with the rest of the municipality.

→ Source: RM of St. Clements

Holiday Waste Collection Schedule Changes for Zone 4: St. Clements residents in Zone 4 should note that their garbage collection for January 1st has been shifted to Monday, December 29th to ensure no disruption in service during the holidays.

→ Source: RM of St. Clements

East St. Paul Applying to Merge Water and Wastewater Utilities: The Rural Municipality of East St. Paul has submitted an application to the Public Utilities Board to amalgamate the East St. Paul Water Utility and the East St. Paul Wastewater Utility into a single entity effective January 1, 2027. While no changes to the recently approved 2025 rates are being requested, this merger aims to streamline utility operations; residents have until January 30, 2026, to submit comments or concerns to the Board.

→ Source: RM of East St. Paul

West St. Paul Christmas Light Contest Judging Underway: The holiday judging period for West St. Paul’s "Brighten Up Our Community" contest officially runs from December 22 to December 31. Winners will be announced on January 2, 2026, across various categories including "Best Overall" and "Best Use of Lights." Residents are encouraged to keep their displays shining bright every evening for the judges.

→ Source: RM of West St. Paul

Nominations Open for St. Andrews Outstanding Volunteer Awards: The RM of St. Andrews is currently accepting nominations to recognize local volunteers who have significantly contributed to the community throughout 2025. This annual award program highlights individuals, youth, and groups whose service has improved the quality of life for residents in the municipality.

→ Source: RM of St. Andrews

Lord Selkirk School Division Enters Winter Break: All schools within the Lord Selkirk School Division are officially closed for the holiday season as of December 22. Administration buildings are also closed to the public, and classes for all students are scheduled to resume on Monday, January 5, 2026

→ Source: Lord Selkirk School Division

East St. Paul Municipal Office Holiday Closure: The RM of East St. Paul has announced that both Administration and Operations buildings will be closed starting December 24, 2025, through January 2, 2026. While office services are paused, essential operations will continue; residents can find the adjusted garbage and recycling schedule on the RM’s website to ensure no missed pickups during the break.

→ Source: RM of East St. Paul

Selkirk District Community Foundation Grant Deadline Approaching: The Selkirk District Community Foundation (SDCF), which serves Selkirk, St. Clements, and St. Andrews, has a major grant intake deadline on February 28, 2026. Local non-profits and community groups should begin preparing their applications now.

→ Source: SDCF Grant Notices

RM of St. Clements Council Meeting & Planning Meeting Set for January: The RM of St. Clements Council has set its first major meeting of the new year for Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The Regular Council Meeting starts at 9:30 AM, followed by a separate Planning Meeting at 6:00 PM.

→ Source: RM of St. Clements

Measles Exposure Warning Issued for Mitchell Elementary: Manitoba Health has issued a public health advisory following a confirmed measles exposure at Mitchell Elementary School in mid-December. Parents and staff are urged to review their immunization records and monitor for symptoms, as health officials work to contain the spread following several related exposure sites across southern Manitoba.

→ Source: SteinbachOnline

Measles Exposure Alert for Morden and Winkler: Manitoba Health has issued a new exposure warning for two high-traffic locations in the Southern Health region. Individuals who were at the Winkler Medical Clinic (2-344 First St.) on December 12 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, or the Access Event Centre in Morden on December 15 between 4:00 PM and 9:30 PM, are advised to monitor for symptoms. Symptoms typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure; those at the Morden site should monitor until January 6, 2026.

→ Source: Province of Manitoba

Wildfire Recovery Benefit for Piney, Woodridge, and Marchand Residents: The RM of Piney has announced that a one-time recovery benefit is available through the provincial government for residents of Piney, Woodridge, and Marchand who were displaced by wildfires earlier this year. Displaced individuals are encouraged to apply through the provincial portal before the end-of-year deadline.

→ Source: RM of Piney

Steinbach’s Adult and Teen Challenge Opens New Location: The Steinbach Adult and Teen Challenge officially opened its new space at 16 Pioneer Drive on December 23. This new facility marks a major milestone for the ministry, providing a larger, dedicated space to support program participants and the broader community in southeastern Manitoba.

→ Source: CHVN Radio

MLA Ron Schuler Joins Wave of Regional Retirements: Long-time Springfield-Ritchot MLA Ron Schuler has announced he will not seek re-election in the next provincial cycle, joining Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen in stepping down. Schuler’s retirement marks a significant shift in political representation for the Eastern region after over two decades in the Manitoba Legislature

→ Source: Winnipeg Sun

Mitchell/ Steinbach Repair Shops See Spike After "Alberta Clipper" Storm: Local autobody shops serving the Mitchell and Steinbach areas are reporting a significant increase in repair appointments following the "Alberta Clipper" winter storm on December 18. High winds and whiteout conditions led to a surge in slippery-road collisions; however, many repairs are being scheduled for early 2026 due to provincial insurance claim backlogs.

→ Source: SteinbachOnline

Soup’s On Founder Joy Neufeld Receives Meritorious Service Medal: Joy Neufeld, the founder of Steinbach’s "Soup’s On" program, was awarded a Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Division) by Governor General Mary Simon in Ottawa. The medal recognizes her decades of extraordinary humanitarian efforts in providing food security to the hungry in southeastern Manitoba.

→ Source: The Carillon

Steinbach "Bag Man" Raises Thousands for Local Food Bank: Retired teacher Dan Pollock has garnered regional attention for his "Sewer Stitches" project, having hand-stitched over 850 reusable bags from discarded furniture swatches. All proceeds from the sales are donated to the Steinbach area food bank, which currently serves approximately 1,700 people every month.

→ Source: CBC News Manitoba

Owen Riegling Announced as Summer in the City Headliner: Steinbach’s "Summer in the City" festival has confirmed country rising star Owen Riegling as the main stage headliner for the 2026 event. Festival organizers made the announcement this week as early bird tickets and sponsorship packages begin to roll out for the region's largest summer festival.

→ Source: SteinbachOnline

Kleefeld to See Water and Sewer Rate Increases in 2026: Residents in the community of Kleefeld should prepare for updated utility billing as the RM of Hanover implements a scheduled water and sewer rate increase starting January 1, 2026. This planned adjustment was previously approved by the Public Utilities Board to ensure long-term sustainability of the community's infrastructure. → Source: Hanover Municipality

Ste. Anne Enacts Strict Fines for Pushing Snow Across Roads: The RM of Ste. Anne is reminding residents that pushing snow across public roadways is prohibited under the municipality’s Obstructions By-Law. Property owners who create drainage issues or road hazards with excess snow may face significant fines as Public Works crews work to keep streets safe following recent winter storms. → Source: RM of Ste. Anne

New Garbage and Recycling Contractor for Lorette and Landmark: Starting January 1, 2026, G&R Garbage Disposal will take over waste collection services for the Local Urban Districts of Lorette and Landmark in the RM of Taché. Residents are reminded to check the new 2026 collection calendars and ensure carts are placed with wheels facing the residence to accommodate the new contractor's equipment.

→ Source: RM of Taché

Springfield Lead Monitoring Needs Participants. Expanding to Anola in 2026: The RM of Springfield is seeking participants for its 2025 Residential Lead Monitoring Program, focusing on 20 residences in Dugald and 10 in Oakbank. While the municipal distribution system contains no lead, the program aims to identify potential leaching from older household plumbing to ensure compliance with updated federal health guidelines; the community of Anola is slated to join the program in 2026.

→ Source: RM of Springfield

Springfield Changes Tree and Brush Waste Disposal Location: The RM of Springfield has issued a notice that tree and brush waste disposal has been moved to a new designated area within the municipal waste transfer station. Residents are asked to follow new signage starting December 2025 to accommodate infrastructure upgrades at the primary site; standard winter hours remain in effect for all other waste services.

→ Source: RM of Springfield

Anola Community Club Hosts Year-End Enhancement Planning: The Anola Community Club held its final enhancement meeting of the year on December 18 to finalize 2026 programming for the local hall. The volunteer-run club remains the hub for Anola's youth soccer, Ukrainian dance, and Springfield Learning Centres, and is currently preparing for the return of community programs in early January.

→ Source: Anola Community Club

RM of Tache Launches New Community Alert and Information App: The RM of Taché has introduced a new communication app designed to keep residents informed via emergency alerts, local notices, and weather updates. The app allows residents to receive service requests, alert notifications, and municipal agendas directly on their mobile devices to improve community engagement.

→ Source: RM of Taché

St. Malo Warriors Relocate Home Games Due to Arena Construction: The St. Malo Warriors have announced they will play the remainder of their home games in St. Jean Baptiste, Grunthal, and Rosenort as renovations at the St. Malo Arena will continue for the rest of the season. The team remains committed to defending their back-to-back championships despite the temporary displacement.

→ Source: The Carillon

RM of Hanover Publishes December eNews and 2026 Winter Rec Guide: The RM of Hanover has released its December 2025 eNews and the 2026 Winter Recreation Guide. Both documents contain critical information on holiday office hours, waste collection changes, and upcoming programs for residents. → Source: RM of Hanover

Doctors Manitoba Issues Holiday Health Warning for Pinawa: Doctors Manitoba has specifically named the Pinawa Hospital as an area of concern regarding "lean holiday healthcare." Residents are warned that limited staffing may lead to temporary ER disruptions through the New Year, and they are encouraged to check the Interlake-Eastern RHA (IERHA) website for real-time status updates before traveling for non-emergency care.

→ Source: Manitoba Co-operator

2025 Wildfire Season Named Top Regional Story: Environment Canada has listed the 2025 wildfire season, which saw significant property loss near Lac du Bonnet, as one of the most impactful weather events of the year. In response, the RM of Lac du Bonnet has launched a new subsidy for home sprinkler kits—similar to those used by professional wildfire crews—to help remote residents protect their properties in 2026.

→ Source: CityNews

Pinawa Foundation Ranks 2nd in Provincial Giving Challenge: The Pinawa Foundation celebrated a massive success this month, raising over $108,000 in just seven days. This achievement placed them second out of 56 participating foundations across Manitoba, ensuring a significant boost to local endowment funds for community projects heading into 2026.

→ Source: Pinawa Foundation

Fatal Single-Vehicle Collision in Whiteshell Under Investigation: Whitemouth RCMP are continuing to investigate a tragic single-vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 307 near the junction of Highway 44. A 27-year-old woman was found outside her vehicle on December 6; despite transport via STARS, she succumbed to her injuries. Police believe the accident happened in the early morning hours and are seeking any witness information.

→ Source: Manitoba RCMP

Doctors Manitoba Issues Holiday Health Warning for Pinawa: The Brokenhead River Community Foundation has released its 2025 "Vital Signs" report, a comprehensive "check-up" on the health and vitality of the region. The report identifies key trends in housing affordability, health services access, and volunteerism, providing a roadmap for local charities and municipal planners for the next decade.

→ Source: BBDC / Brokenhead River Community Foundation

Grid Metals Shares Falcon West Exploration Update: At a recent open house, Grid Metals provided residents with details on their Falcon West Project (2km east of Falcon West Estates). The company is currently testing for lithium and cesium via diamond drilling. If results are favorable, a formal mining application could be submitted in 2026, which would trigger further community consultations regarding land use near the Boreal Boundary.

→ Source: RM of Reynolds

RM of Brokenhead Hosts Zoning Open House: The RM of Brokenhead held an informational session on December 17 regarding Zoning By-Law No. 2269-25. The amendments focus on land use changes in the Tyndall and Garson areas to accommodate new residential growth expected in the coming year. Residents can still submit written feedback to the municipal office until early January.

→ Source: RM of Brokenhead

Whitemouth Toy Drive Concludes Second Successful Year: The second annual Toy Drive in the RM of Reynolds, spearheaded by Chad and Alexis Unger, wrapped up this week. The community donated hundreds of toys specifically for older children and teenagers, which will be distributed to hospitals and families in need across the Whitemouth and Reynolds regions.

→ Source: RM of Reynolds

New "Hamlet Signs" Installed Across RM of Reynolds: In a project funded by the Building Sustainable Communities Grant, the final new hamlet entryway signs have been installed. These signs are part of a larger initiative to build community pride and improve navigation for tourists traveling through the Boreal Boundary toward the Whiteshell.

→ Source: RM of Reynolds

Pinawa Playgroup and Hall Walking Resumption Dates: Pinawa Recreation has announced that community programming will take a brief hiatus for the holidays. Hall Walking is scheduled to resume on January 6, 2026, while the Sunday Playgroup will return on January 11, following the reopening of the local schools. → Source: Pinawa Recreation

Beausejour "Movers & Minglers" Continues into 2026: The Brokenhead River Community Hall will host its final Movers & Minglers senior session of the year on December 31. The popular social and fitness program will resume its weekly schedule on January 7, 2026, at 9:30 AM.

→ Source: Beausejour Brokenhead Development Corp (BBDC)

"Tuba Town" Viral Success for École Dugald School: The Grade 6 Band at École Dugald School has become a global "viral sensation" with their unique rendition of Jingle Bells. Dubbed "Tuba Town," the performance has reached a massive international audience, putting a spotlight on the Sunrise School Division’s music programs just in time for the holiday season.

→ Source: Sunrise School Division