Pearson relishing time behind bench

If you asked Ken Pearson when he began his career behind the bench 30 years ago how long he’d last in the business, he wouldn’t have had a clue.

Now, it’s safe to say it’s become more than anything he would have ever expected.

The head coach and general manager of the Neepawa Titans checked off two big milestones on Sunday night after coaching his 1,500th game in the Canadian Junior Hockey League following a 4-2 win over the Dauphin Kings at Credit Union Place. The victory was the Titans 18th of the season and was also the 750th of Pearson’s career in the regular season.

It’s hard to put into words what significance just a pair of numbers means to a person, but for Pearson, it’s rather simple.

Balancing act

Abigail Hawkins performs in the acro dance, solo, own choice, 18 years and under category during Day 3 of the dance portion of the Brandon Festival of the Arts at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Tuesday. See more photos on Page A3. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Trial pits animal-welfare group against horse exporter

WINNIPEG — A rare trial got underway in Winnipeg Thursday, as an animal-rights organization began to privately prosecute a Swan River-area farm over a 2022 shipment of horses it alleges violated the law.

Animal-rights organization Animal Justice took the rare step of obtaining judicial approval in 2024 to privately prosecute horse exporter Carolyle Farms over the Dec. 12, 2022 air shipment of 79 horses to Japan for slaughter, where the meat is sold raw as a culinary delicacy.

The charge, laid by Animal Justice executive director Camille Labchuk, alleges the company failed to have a sufficient contingency plan in place when the shipment was diverted from its planned rest stop in Alaska due to a snowstorm.

It landed to refuel in Seattle instead.

Katz strongly denies bribe allegations

WINNIPEG — Former Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz says he’s deeply hurt by allegations he accepted a bribe from the key construction company in the over-budget Winnipeg Police Service headquarters project, stating those accusations are “definitely not” true.

“I’m offended and disappointed … I take great offence to it. To me, the key thing in life is your reputation and your credibility,” Katz said.

One of the most highly anticipated witnesses at the public inquiry into the headquarters saga, the former politician was only person to answer questions throughout Thursday’s hearing.

Near the end of the session, lawyer Danny Gunn, who is representing Katz at the inquiry, asked his client how he felt about the accusation following his 10 years as mayor, which stretched from 2004 to 2014.

Old-school financial advice that no longer fits

Buying a starter home, living on one income and staying in the same job for 40 years — life was very different for older generations and many young people have realized what worked for their parents doesn’t necessarily work in today’s modern world.

As younger Canadians continue to face high housing costs, slowing wage growth and other challenges, age-old financial adages have become outdated, forcing a rethink of what smart money management looks like today.

Here are some common rules of thumb for money management that financial advisers say need re-examining.

Housing should only take up a third of your budget

Prepare now for a smooth transition

Are you and your partner approaching the long-awaited moment of retirement?

This major life change calls for careful planning so you can avoid misunderstandings and disappointment.

Here’s an overview of the best steps to take now to ensure a smooth transition for both of you.

Reflection

Retirement never looked so… young?

Gone are the days when retirement meant endless quiet afternoons and slow days spent in rocking chairs. Today’s retirees are smashing those old stereotypes and redefining what it means to enjoy their golden years.

The new golden years

Modern seniors are breaking free from tradition and embracing lifestyles filled with excitement, activity and endless possibilities. They’re jet-setting to far-flung destinations, picking up new skills like pottery or guitar, and even launching second careers as entrepreneurs or influencers. Additionally, many are more physically active than ever, participating in high-energy sports such as pickleball, hiking, cycling and dance.

A stimulating new chapter

Building muscle after 50

Once you’re over 50, incorporating strength training into your routine offers real health benefits. Here’s why.

First, maintaining strong muscles helps you stay active, protects your bones and reduces your risk of falls while enabling you to move more comfortably during your day-to-day activities. However, muscle mass naturally decreases with age. The good news is that regular weight training can significantly slow this process.

That’s not all.

Strength training also boosts your self-esteem. Feeling your body become stronger and more toned increases your confidence and contributes to your overall well-being. Week after week, each bit of progress is a source of pride and motivation.