December 24, 2025   Volume 34 No.51

Storm shutters southern Manitoba

Snow dump, significant wind gusts close schools, offices and roadways

By Tony Zerucha

The first snowstorm of the season shut down most of eastern Manitoba last week as schools, government offices, businesses and highways were closed.

Up to 15 centimetres of snow, coupled with wind gusts reaching 70 km/h, significantly reduced visibility on Dec. 18. That carried through to the next day as more snow fell and temperatures dropped below -20 C, with wind chill values below -30 C.

Municipal governments across the region shuttered, as did Manitoba Public Insurance’s Beausejour office. The Sunrise School Division cancelled classes on both Dec. 18 and 19, giving students an extra two days of Christmas vacation.
“After the blizzard conditions yesterday, many back roads across all regions of Sunrise School Division remain unplowed,” the division said on Dec. 19. “This makes bus operations challenging and potentially unsafe for students. As a result, all school buses will not be running today and all schools in the division are closed.”

Municipal offices across the region were closed on Dec. 18, as were transfer stations. Several municipal events, including the RM of Brokenhead Climate Adaptation Plan Kickoff and the RM of Springfield Planning Meeting, both originally scheduled for Dec. 18, were rescheduled. Sporting events, including the Beausejour Comets and Springfield Winterhawks hockey games, were postponed.

Governments did their best to prepare and warned the public to prepare for poor weather and service disruptions. Early-week forecasts warned of a high probability of a major storm. By 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 18, Manitoba RCMP received 11 reports of highway motor vehicle collisions and many more of vehicles in ditches. Roughly 20 motorists called to say they were stranded due to road conditions.

“Tow truck operators are not currently able to reach these individuals,” the RCMP said on Dec. 18. “To ensure the safety of the stranded motorists, OCC operators are doing regular check-ins over the phone.”

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure advised Manitobans that they were ready to clear snow with a 340-vehicle fleet. Manitoba Hydro warned that there may be delays in restoring power, as poor visibility could prevent crews from travelling.

 “The safety of our employees and the public is our top priority,” said Manitoba Hydro media relations officer Peter Chura. “Once conditions permit, Manitoba Hydro crews will safely restore power as quickly as possible, but customers should be prepared for extended outages.”

The Province of Manitoba provided a list of items motorists should have in their vehicles before embarking on a trip: a full tank of gas, winter tires, shovel, jumper cables, emergency road safety kit, appropriate clothing for weather conditions, blankets, a fully charged cell phone, and food or water for longer trips.

Firebreak for Pine Falls Health Complex

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority to cover cost of clearing wildfire buffer

By Simon Ducatel

Preventative steps are being taken to protect the Pine Falls Health Complex and other health-care facilities due to the growing risk of wildfires and increasing threats to municipalities and key buildings.

On Dec. 8, the Town of Powerview-Pine Falls announced plans for a project to establish a buffer to safeguard the facility. They said the town and the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) have collectively decided to establish a firebreak behind the hospital on town property.

“The firebreak is being undertaken as a preventative public-safety measure to reduce wildfire risk and help protect critical infrastructure, including the Pine Falls Health Complex,” Mayor Les Barclay said. “The project will involve creating and maintaining a defensible space through selective clearing and fuel reduction, with appropriate environmental and safety considerations.”

Kevin Shmon, IERHA regional director of facilities management and capital planning, said the firebreak will establish a 76.2-metre (250-foot) buffer to protect the hospital, primary care clinic and personal care home, and enhance safety for patients, staff, visitors and town residents. 

A line of trees behind residential homes will remain to minimize the impact and maintain privacy.

Both Barclay and Shmon confirmed the cost of the project is being covered by the health authority.

“IERHA is committed to keeping everyone who relies on these facilities safe, and are responsible for the associated costs of this wildfire protection project,” Shmon said.
As to when the firebreak could be completed, Barclay could not immediately provide a timeline. 

“The work will move forward as planning and coordination allow and in alignment with suitable conditions for this type of work,” he said.

North Eastman’s Operation Christmas Child

Abundant Life Chapel in Lac du Bonnet served as the North Eastman regional drop-off centre for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes this Christmas where volunteers packaged and shipped out 434 boxes

Organized by the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child distributes shoeboxes filled with hygiene items, school supplies and small toys to needy children around the world suffering as a result of war, poverty, famine, disease and disaster.

Canadian donations to Operation Christmas Child are generally delivered to 11 countries around the world – including Ukraine, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Philippines and Cape Verde.

Operation Christmas Child regional coordinator Melba Van Linden said shoeboxes were distributed in Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa, Powerview-Pine Falls, Beausejour and Seven Sisters. From Nov. 17-22, supporters packed the boxes with items and sent to Winnipeg. From there they are shipped to Calgary for world wide distribution.

“This year, I had people reach out... they were miracles to me,” Van Linden said. “These precious gifts will soon be arriving to the children is remote areas, who will be given new life.”

Beausejour Guardian welcomes new doctor 

By Morgan Maguet

Beausejour Guardian Pharmacy has recently added Dr. Abubakar Nabage to its newly organized medical clinic.

The clinic has been open for several months, with Dr. Ayo Abioye working as the lone physician. The clinic’s expansion aims to improve access and provide more opportunities for residents to receive medical care.

Dr. Nabage joined the pharmacy on Nov. 25 and is now accepting appointments for family medical care.

Currently, Dr. Nabage works Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as every second Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic’s hours may adjust as schedules develop. He can take appointments for a variety of medical concerns including stitches and staple removal, minor wound repair, cryotherapy (skin tag, wart removal), joint injections, ear flushing, immunizations, pediatric and geriatric care, chronic disease management, family medicine, preventive care and mental health.
“It has been a pleasure settling into the role and meeting members of the community,” said Dr. Nabage. “I am currently welcoming new patients, and I also see walk-ins when I have availability. Ensuring timely access is important to me, so I try to maintain flexibility wherever possible.”

Dr. Nabage joins Guardian as an experienced physician with years of work experience and international academic training. 

“I qualified as a doctor in 2011 after completing my medical training in Nigeria. I later moved to the United Kingdom, where I obtained my postgraduate qualification as a family doctor in 2022,” said Nabage. “My career has included work across a range of community, urgent care, and primary care settings, all of which have shaped a well-rounded and patient-focused approach to family medicine.”
Dr. Nabage’s practice covers the full spectrum of primary care including routine check-ups, chronic disease management, mental health support, preventive care and medication reviews. 

“I also offer several minor procedures and focused assessments in men’s health. My aim is to provide accessible, comprehensive care that meets the day-to-day needs of patients,” he said. “These areas reflect my interest in providing holistic, culturally sensitive care to individuals and families.”

Dr. Nabage says he chose Beausejour for its need for local health care and the opportunity to work in a smaller community. 

“Beausejour has a reputation for being a warm and close-knit community. I was drawn to the town’s strong community spirit and the opportunity to serve an area that truly values accessible and approachable health-care. It felt like a natural place to continue developing my practice while contributing to a growing community.”
While he currently commutes, Nabage said he is considering a potential move. 

“I currently live in Winnipeg, and I am exploring my options for the future as I settle into my role here,” he said.

With two physicians now taking new patients and walk-ins, staff say they hope the expanded clinic will help reduce wait times and ensure local residents can receive timely, accessible care close to home.

Speed bill defeat unfortunate: Schinkel

Highway Traffic Amendment Act would have been ‘huge win for all municipalities’

By Simon Ducatel

The RM of Lac du Bonnet council has repeatedly requested reduced speed limits on certain sections of provincial roads in the community deemed high-risk due to recurring collisions, including some fatalities.

So when Bill 222, the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Speed Limits on Provincial Roads) was brought forward by Konrad Narth, MLA for La Vérendrye, municipal leaders like Reeve Loren Schinkel were hopeful their repeated pleas for action would finally yield results.   

The intent of the proposed legislation was to reduce red tape and support a resolution passed by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities after a number of members came forward with shared concerns that growth and development in their communities was outpacing the province’s regulatory process for adjusting speed zones. 

“It would have been a huge win for all municipalities,” Schinkel said. “(But) it didn’t make it forward, which is truly, in my view, unfortunate.”

“Are municipalities disappointed? I would (venture) to say yes,” he added.

The bill would have also been a win both for the current government as well for showing a willingness to take a more collaborative approach, he said. 

Coun. Cindy Kellendonk said the provincial government’s decision to defeat the bill “goes against what we asked for.”

The councillor said despite intersections identified as dangerous, the government has refused to take action based on their standard policy. 

“The province does not know better. They apply a template to every municipality yet we are not all the same,” she said. 

Lac du Bonnet is not about to throw in the towel. Council intends to pursue avenues advocating for reduced speed limits in combination with other measures to improve road safety.

“These are issues that we’re hearing from our ratepayers,” Schinkel said. “They are safety concerns. We’re hearing it from our emergency services, the RCMP as well as our fire department members, who often get called to the accidents and have to deal with the aftermath.” 

Even members of the public are voicing concerns, he said.

“There’s people that have reached out to us and said, ‘What are you doing about this?’ Well these are provincial roads, provincial infrastructure. All we can do is go through the process to ask again,” he said. 

Earlier this month, council passed four resolutions destined to be sent to the minister of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation (MIT) with respect to speed reductions as well as a request for flashing signs and rumble strips in the municipality, he said.

“I’ve had discussions with the minister as well as the deputy minister in Manitoba Infrastructure about that, and we were advised to put them forward again. So that’s why we’re doing this bundling,” he said. 

Former Springfield mayor investigated

Fell faces non-confidence vote from firefighters’ union, allegations by staffer 

By Tony Zerucha

Former RM of Springfield Mayor Tiffany Fell is facing criticism on two fronts in her current position as city manager of Clarksburg, WV, following a vote of non-confidence from local firefighters and an employee ethics complaint against her.
In a statement issued on Nov. 4, all members of the Clarksburg International Association of Fire Fighters Local 89 voted no confidence in Fell. The group stated that they are engaged in multiple lawsuits against the City of Clarksburg – a town of 16,000 people in the north central part of the state. 

“An effective and competent city manager must have an understanding of the complexities of the 24/365 fire fighter readiness, the way fire fighters are compensated, and the importance of communicating with the fire fighters effectively,” the statement reads in part. “Ms. Fell lacks these qualifications.”

The City of Clarksburg called the vote a “stunt” intended to curry public favour in support of their unsupported lawsuit.

A statement provided to local television station WDTV said the members of the Clarksburg Fire Department have accused the city of failing to pay proper wages, “an allegation that the city denies.” 
The city notes that although this vote purportedly took place on Sept. 20, it was not made aware of it until the issuance of the press release.

“The city has sought to support its firefighters, as evidenced by the approval of ordering millions of dollars’ worth of new equipment for them during Fell’s tenure. The city looks forward to having the members set forth outside of a publicity stunt on how the city can better support them.”

Fell is also the subject of an alleged employee complaint filed with the West Virginia Ethics Commission by Clarksburg’s director of grant programs and community development Dr. Shana Nicholson. Clarksburg city council has initiated its own investigation after a nearly four-hour, in-camera discussion at a recent meeting. It is being conducted by a local law firm.

Due to state legislation, all parties cannot speak publicly now that the ethics commission has taken up the complaint. The filing of such ethics accusations is a confidential matter until such time that the commission determines probable cause exists to support the complaint.

In November, the City of Clarksburg hired an outside legal firm to conduct an internal investigate into allegations against Fell.

Clarksburg city council held a special meeting on Dec. 17. Following a three-hour in camera discussion, council voted to continue the investigation.
Fell served a term as a Springfield councillor from 2014 to 2018 and was elected mayor from 2018 to 2022.

She moved to the U.S. and was hired by the City of Clarksburg in 2023, months after losing her 2022 mayoral re-election bid to current Springfield Mayor Pat Therrien by a significant amount of votes.

Lac du Bonnet looks to build Men’s Shed

By Rick McGregor

Local organizations and community leaders are driving an effort to create a Men’s Shed in Lac du Bonnet as a way to combat isolation and depression older men can face after retirement.

Earlier this year, Helping Everyone Reach Out to Support (HEROS) Alliance conducted a survey of men’s health, both online and in person. The survey covered topics such as physical and mental health, relationships, parenting and access to care. Men aged 15 to 65-plus shared many candid insights about what matters most to them. The findings of this valuable survey aligned closely with national men’s health trends with one consistent message throughout: building relationships and creating opportunities for men to connect is a key factor in overall well-being. 
The results of the survey led to an idea of creating a local Men’s Shed – a growing international effort to bring groups of men together in their community and develop new skills, discover new interests and make new friends. 
Andrea Maxwell, HEROS co-chair stated that their survey revealed that aging, retirement, loss and disability are major emotional and behavioural triggers for men in our area. 

“Events such as losing a spouse, experiencing disability or facing lifestyle changes can lead to depression and anxiety without adequate support,” Maxwell said.
Common barriers to getting help for these issues include lack of awareness, stigma and limited access to resources, which often lead to frustration, isolation and delays in care. There are distinct needs for urgent care access, addictions support, recreational facilities and male-focused programming – which is where the Men’s Shed can help.

Coun. Keegan Sveinson, the town rep for HEROS, and Daryl Reimer, a Men’s Health Worker from the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, are driving the efforts to create a local Men’s Shed in Lac du Bonnet. An initial meeting drew 10 men, but the discussions amongst them indicated that approximately 40 men would be interested in getting involved. 

The common themes were that everyone there was looking for a place to share skills, hobbies, coffee and conversation. Another common theme involved wives telling their husbands they should get out of the house more often.
“Lots of guys get caught up in the day to day and lose out on having a third place in their life that isn’t work or home,” Sveinson said. “We’re social creatures, we need that.”

The hope is to find a heated space in the Lac du Bonnet area that has room for a coffee maker, large table, and room for projects and tools. A heated two-car garage would be a good fit for the shed.

HEROS co-chair Leslie Wakeman said the men who have shown up so far are keen to get going and that while HEROS remains a support, the real planning is now in the hands of the men coming out to the meetings.

Other Men’s Sheds in the country have grown to include photography, art, electronics and many other activities where skills can be shared and learned. Sveinson mentioned that of the local men who involved to date, there is a wide variety of skills. He is confident that once they find a location, it will take shape very quickly.
Anyone interested in exploring the idea of the Men’s Shed and finding out more about their plans and growth ideas or, having a possible place to offer for a shed, are invited to email Sveinson at keegansveinson@gmail.com or call 204-803-4289.

Smyth taking football skills to BC

By Sierra Smith

Springfield Sabres defensive back Grady Smyth is taking his football skills west to one of Canada’s most competitive junior football organizations by officially committing to the Westshore Rebels.

For Smyth, who joined the Springfield Collegiate (SCI) football program only last year, the rise from late-season newcomer to national-level athlete was fast, intentional and built on an unwavering belief that he could reach the next level. The decision, he said, came down to the opportunity to join a team built for championships. 

“After talking with Coach Bryan, I realized they have a winning culture over there,” Smyth explained. “They’re very capable of winning a national championship this upcoming season, and I want to be a part of that. The coaches see my potential and believe in the player I can become.”

That belief struck him immediately. And when the commitment became official, the moment landed harder than he expected. 

“It felt unreal,” he said. “My dream really came true. It made me realize I can take this further, and now I’m just excited to continue my football journey.”
Smyth’s journey with SCI football has been anything but typical. He joined the Sabres last year after the season had already begun. Many players entering that situation struggle to find their place, especially in a position group that was already established. 

But Smyth wasn’t interested in excuses or waiting for next year. According to head coach Tom Walls, he was interested in earning something. 
“We already had a group of players at his position,” Walls said. “He really had to fight his way into playing time.” 

That daily commitment shaped him not only as a player but as a captain. Smyth said stepping into a leadership role became one of his biggest growth moments. 

“When I became a captain, I learned you need to take on higher responsibility,” he said. “You have to be a better leader. When teammates are struggling, you take it upon yourself to help fix things. It taught me I can lead and still play at a high level at the same time.”

Smyth credits DB coach Val Medved for shaping his game in ways that elevated him from good to dangerous. 

“He taught me to play with my head, to be calm and patient, and to make smart decisions,” Smyth said. “Once I got better at that, it really showed. He taught me the right way to play DB and have that relentless mindset.”

That mentality fuels his goals for his first season in BC. He wants to earn a starting role, contribute heavily on defence and special teams, and prove he belongs among the country’s top emerging players. 

“I want to show I’m not just a good player here,” he said. “I want to go where the competition is higher and replicate the same play, or better.”
Walls admits he wishes more SCI players stayed close to home, joining Manitoba’s junior and university programs, but also said he supports Smyth’s move completely. 

“I have mixed feelings about Grady going to Westshore,” he said. “But I also think all young people should have an adventure. Leaving home, going far away, that’s part of growing. I hope he has a great football experience on the West Coast, and I’m sure he’s going to grow as a person because he’s leaving what’s safe and comfortable.”
Through everything, the training, leadership, growth, and long-term dreams, Smyth said one thing has anchored him more than anything else: his mom. She has been the biggest constant in his football journey, and the one person he says never doubted him for a second. 

“She’s always in my corner,” Smyth said. “Always telling me I’m going to do great, always providing what I need. I just want to give back to her one day.”

Winterhawks need some puck luck

By Tony Zerucha

As the SEMHL season approaches its midway point, Springfield Winterhawks general manager Steve Gault believes all his team needs is a little puck luck before they return to the top of the standings.

Heading into their final weekend of 2025, the Winterhawks are tied for second place with a 4-3-2 record and 10 points. They’re five points behind the Winkler Royals.
“It’s been a tight race,” Gault said. “We’ve been a little snakebitten. We’ve outshot our opponents in six of nine games and lost some of those. There have been a couple of overtime losses in there, too. Our one stinker was against Ile des Chenes; we came out a little flat.”

Gault pointed to increased parity throughout the SEMHL this season. Only six points separate second from last place. Teams have upped their recruiting game to meet the standard set by the Winterhawks and the Ste. Anne Aces. Now that the Aces are out of the league, many of their top players have dispersed throughout the league, including to Springfield, which nabbed top scorers Adam Hughesman and Mathieu Moreira.

While he likes the makeup of his team, Gault’s always on the lookout for talent, a job made harder after the SEMHL reduced his recruiting radius to 30 km. 

Gault scanned his roster and was impressed with his new additions. He credited players such as Dobie Unrau and Brody Welsh with making a significant transition to this level of play.

“It’s quite a big change, and they’re doing all right,” Gault said.

Gault knows it’s just a matter of time before the Winterhawks go on a run. They were to visit the Carman Beavers on Dec. 19 and close out 2025 at home versus the Portage Islanders on Dec. 20 but both games were postponed due to weather.

Serving the communities of
Springfield (Oakbank, Dugald, Anola), Beausejour, Brokenhead, Whitemouth, Reynolds and surrounding areas.

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 The Lac du Bonnet Clipper

Serving the communities of
Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa, Seven Sisters, Powerview-Pine Falls, RM of Alexander, the East Beaches and surrounding areas.

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