Rural Roundup for May 21, 2026

NEEPAWA

Two softball players from Neepawa were inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame with their Westman Magic softball club roster from 1998 to 2003.

Sherrie (White) Hockin and her sister Carrie were both key members of the Brandon roster during its most successful run.

The Westman Magic began play in 1997 as a collective of 15-year-old athletes competing in exhibition games and tournaments before joining the Manitoba Ladies Super Softball League’s Open Division. Over a five-year span, the team captured two gold medals and a bronze at the midget and junior levels, while also competing at three national championships.

Reflecting on the reunion and honour, Sherrie Hockin said the bond between teammates remains as strong as ever.

“It honestly felt like it hadn’t been 20+ years, and we picked up where we left off. I think of all the sports teams I played on over the years, and this group of women are something special. Always had each other’s backs. Great friends and teammates. I don’t so much remember the wins and losses so many years ago, but I remember all the good times we had together on and off the field. It was so great to reminisce about all the good times we had together.”

Hockin added the recognition extends far beyond the players themselves.

“It’s a huge honour. Unexpected, but so cool. We couldn’t have done it without the coaches who led us and put in so many hours, our parents who supported us and showed up time and time again. It’s not just the faces in the team pictures, it’s all the people who aren’t in the pictures that made it possible.”

» Neepawa Banner & Press

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ALONSA

An Ebb and Flow First Nation man is facing numerous charges after fleeing from police.

Blair James Racette, 23, has been charged with 17 offences, including assaulting a police officer, arson, assault causing bodily harm, two counts of assault with a weapon, breaking and entering, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, wearing a disguise with intent to commit an offence, two counts of failing to comply with a release order, failure or refusal to comply with demand (alcohol), operation of motor vehicle while impaired, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, flight from peace officer, and two counts of resisting a peace officer.

The charges stem from an Apr. 27 incident after Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP officers on patrol in Ebb and Flow First Nation located a suspect wanted for multiple offences and tried to pull over the truck he was driving.

Instead of stopping, the driver fled. Due to the risk the individual presented to public safety, officers pursued the vehicle and called in Dauphin RCMP and Police Dog Services to assist.

During the pursuit, the driver managed to avoid multiple spike belts that were deployed. The pursuit continued into Alonsa, with the driver turning onto Church Road North.

He then stopped the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot into the bush.

Police service dog Marook was deployed and took down Racette, who suffered minor injuries as a result of the interaction.

Racette remains in custody.

» Dauphin Herald

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ROBLIN

The Municipality of Roblin has launched a new “Rooted in Roblin” home grounds beautification award program.

The initiative is open to all residents of the municipality — rural and in town — and offers prizes for the top three winners in eight categories.

Those categories are urban yard; rural yard; acreage; special features (urban and rural) such as perennial gardens, raised beds, fish ponds, rock gardens, orchards and re-purposed items used as planters; vegetable garden, both small (less than 500 square feet) and large (over 500 square feet); and business, rural or urban.

There is also a special category for youth under the age of 14 that can include vegetable gardens, planters, fairy gardens or other plant collections.

Judging criteria include originality, visual impact — generally pleasing to the eye — and how well the property is maintained, including being relatively weed-free.

Registration forms can be picked up at the municipal office or downloaded from the Municipality of Roblin website.

Residents can either nominate themselves in one category or be nominated by someone else.

Registration forms must be completed and returned by June 19.

» Roblin Review

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RUSSELL

In February of 2021 the area was shocked at the sudden passing of Karen Fingas, a mother of four young children and much loved LPN at the Russell Personal Care Home, just eight days after her diagnosis of stomach cancer.

Now, after hearing Terry Fox’s older brother Fred talk at Major Pratt earlier this month, Craig and Karen Fingas’ eldest daughter Elizabeth is organizing and hosting ‘A Run For You’ in her honor and in aid of the Manitoba Cancer Care unit in Russell.

“I believe that helping others helps me heal. For those that believe helping others helps themselves, I invite you to consider donating,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth is inviting community members to attend or volunteer. She said volunteers are welcome to assist with barbecuing, setup, cleanup, selling merchandise, etc, and encouraged community members to contact her.

» Roblin Review

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BOISSEVAIN

Deloraine-Winchester is asking for help with a long-standing project that has put their community on the map.

The municipality recently reached out to ask if there is anyone who would be willing to repair the flags they fly around the community. According to recreation manager Kirsty Mann, the municipality wanted to put the message out to anyone interested, as this has happened in the past.

“In the past, we had community members who could sew the edges up, to make them last a little longer,” she said. “We no longer have an active list of people, so we wanted to post that information.”

Mann said a specific committee once ran Flags of the World, which has been a display in Deloraine since the millennium. Now the municipality has directly taken over, so they want to reach out to anyone interested in helping.

Deloraine flies flags from around Canada and around the world. There are some displayed inside, like the provincial, territorial and Canadian flags in the Legion. There are some at the ball diamonds, the pool and a large number at Sentinel Park. As well as those from Canada, they represent many nations across the world.

Mann said they now have around 150 countries represented, explaining there are fewer at the moment as some of the flag poles came down and were not replaced. There has been some discussion about replacing those missing, and thereby replacing the flags, but no decisions yet.

» The Boissevain Recorder

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KILLARNEY

Things are heating up in the Grade 10 Woodworking class at Killarney School, and it’s all thanks to a newly finished sauna.

The shops class this year was small, but that didn’t stop them from doing something big.

“I had a small group of solid, motivated students this term, so it felt like a good chance to try something a bit more challenging and different from our usual projects,” said KCI woodworking teacher Samantha Carels. “I wanted them to build something more detailed than a garden shed, and the sauna seemed to check the boxes.”

The ambitious project took the entire three-month term, and taught students to work with airflow, insulation, and follow proper construction techniques.

The group was at a loss when they got to installing the windows, but fortunately Craig Cline of Cline Construction stepped up to teach the class how to seal and install one. It was a tough project with the class fighting through some -30 degree days, but they found their way around every problem.

The sauna itself is an impressive 6.5 x 10 feet, with two-tiers bench seating and a fully finished cedar interior. It will be auctioned off online from June 1 to 7, with all proceeds going to support the wood shops program. Visit www.wrightsauction.ca to make your bid.

» The Killarney Guide