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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Taking on tomorrow's taters: U of M research chair's focus is on sustainable spuds
The University of Manitoba has created a special research position dedicated to sustainable spuds. Linda Schott is the province's inaugural research chair in potato sustainability, U of M announced in a news release Tuesday. Schott has been tasked with studying soil productivity, irrigation, disease management and variety development. 'We envision the University of Manitoba becoming a school of choice for students and researchers passionate about the sustainable production of potatoes,' Martin Scanlon, dean of the faculty of agricultural and food sciences, said in a release. The position will result in more training opportunities for students and build 'a strong talent pipeline' for the agricultural workforce, Scanlon said. Manitoba produced one in five of all Canadian potatoes in 2024. Potatoes are Manitoba's fourth-biggest crop. They accounted for $875 million worth of exports last year. Schott joined the U of M on July 1. She is both a research chair and associate professor in the department of plant science. Leaders from J.R. Simplot Company and McCain Foods, both of which are major employers in Portage la Prairie, endorsed her appointment Tuesday. Both agribusinesses have pitched in to support the new role based out of Manitoba's largest university. Keystone Potato Producers and Peak of the Market are also involved with what U of M is calling a 'visionary partnership' to advance innovation in potato production and processing. Schott was previously an assistant professor and extension specialist in nutrient and waste management at the University of Idaho. She has a PhD in biological engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Thieves make off with cedar saunas
City police are searching for three 12-foot-tall saunas that were stolen from a business parking lot at the start of the long weekend. The Backyard Barrel is missing three of its five portable saunas, each of which is worth roughly $30,000 and used for multi-day rentals. The co-owners of the company are pleading for the public to keep an eye out for the inventory they say was nabbed on Friday by multiple people equipped with a grey Dodge Ram truck. SUPPLIED The Backyard Barrel is missing three of its five portable wood-fired saunas. Cristen Hamed said she panicked upon discovering the parking lot at 550 Archibald St., where she and her husband store their saunas with wheel locks, was empty on Saturday morning. 'They're always there, these giant 12-foot saunas, they're an eyesore — and it was just dead,' Hamed recalled. The mother of two said her family cancelled their long weekend plans and instead searched security footage and filed a police report. The footage shows at least two people showed up to the lot at 10:30 p.m. Friday and began loading in a sauna, she said. Hamed said the crew of thieves returned twice around 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m., respectively. They cut off locks each time in order to hook a wood-fired sauna up to their truck, she said, noting the locks were strewn on the boulevard the next day. 'It was really sad to see them just dragged off,' Hamed said. It was equally upsetting to discover security cameras caught the same truck visiting the St. Boniface site — which houses the couple's other business, Kid City Archibald — earlier on Friday, she said. The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed it had received multiple reports about the stolen items. Const. Stephen Spencer, of the WPS public information office, said the case has been referred to the property crimes unit. Officers are checking security footage, interviewing witnesses and proceeding with other typical investigative practises, Spencer said. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. Hamed said her family has reason to believe the suspects in question have targeted other local businesses. While noting the saunas are made of cedar, a valuable material that could be used for other purposes, the business owners are hopeful their saunas will be recovered intact, she said. 'They could take it apart, sand it down and use it for something else, but it's all welded together so that won't be easy,' Hamed said. She added that they are lucky to be in the middle of a slow season as their five saunas are usually fully booked every weekend between October and May. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Beyond tragic': Man drowns at Grand Beach
A search and rescue team has recovered the remains of a man who drowned at Grand Beach on Saturday. The manager of protective services for the Rural Municipality of St. Clements called the death 'beyond tragic.' Tyler Freeman said rescuers discovered the individual, who is believed to be in his 30s, at 1 a.m. Sunday. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES A man drowned at Grand Beach on Saturday. 'We were trying to comb the waters last night with a big massive grid search. That was basically the response for five hours,' Freeman told the Free Press. The emergency co-ordinator said authorities were alerted around 8 p.m. about a man who was in distress in the water. The individual was on a floatie outside the buoy line marking a designated swim zone and had drifted out too far, said Freeman, who oversees three fire departments in the region. The RM dispatched its entire emergency response department, including two search vessels. Manitoba RCMP confirmed its Selkirk detachment also responded to the reported drowning. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. RCMP is expected to release more information later today. Freeman said the situation is a tragic reminder of just how dangerous the water can be. 'Ultimately, it's just a very, very sad thing,' Freeman said, adding his thoughts are with the man's loved ones and with first responders who were on the scene. The man was at the beach, a popular long-weekend destination, with a group of roughly 10 people, he said. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Mattawa hosts annual baseball tournament to support minor hockey
Mattawa Minor Hockey's Annual Slo-Pitch Tournament returns this weekend, with games starting on Friday evening at the ballpark at Mattawa's Mike Rodden Arena. All games are free to watch. This year 29 teams are competing in the weekend-long tournament with the goal of raising funds for Mattawa Minor Hockey. Each year the tournament raises between $10,000 to $15,000, which makes it the largest fundraiser for the organization. Matt Gardiner, the President of Mattawa Minor Hockey, explained, 'The proceeds from the tournament helps us to keep costs low for our members. We have about 100 hundred kids sign up every year, and this money helps keep our registration costs low.' The tournament is free to attend, and money is raised through 50/50 draws and concession sales. There will be a beer tent set up – along with other beverages – and food for sale, too. Also, the teams pay a registration fee of $500, which adds to the donation. The winning team receives bragging rights and some exclusive tournament branded merchandise. The tournament is also sanctioned by the National Slo-pitch Association, so a win on the Mattawa diamond allows a team to qualify for other Association tournaments. Teams come from far and wide to participate in the long-running tournament. They come from Brantford, Petawawa, Toronto, North Bay, to name a few. Mattawa has a hand-full of teams play as well, including former Mattawa mayor Dean Baker's team, which has taken part for nearly 35 years. Mattawa's Director of Community Services, Dexture Sarrazin, mentioned a lot of work has been done to prepare the ball field for the big event. That microburst storm on June 21 that did so much damage to Calvin Township also fell a few trees on the diamond. Sarrazin said, 'We had some trees that landed on the fence which we fixed, and we added a new retaining wall, new scorekeepers, booths, backstop and bases. It was a huge undertaking, and our field has always been okay, but we needed to restore it.' 'It's important for us to have that for our summer baseball program,' Sarrazin added. Gardiner agreed and emphasized the importance of the weekend tournament to local hockey and local business. 'It's very important not only to the minor hockey program, but to Mattawa's tourism. Bringing in 29 teams helps the businesses, which is so important. And raising money for the kids is always great.' Games begin Friday, August 1 at 4 p.m. and run throughout Saturday and Sunday. The tournament ends Monday, August 4 at 5 p.m. With 29 teams competing, the games are back-to-back, so if you want to take in a game and burger, there will be one there for you when you arrive. David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Portage Youth Hub August calendar full of fun, free summer activities and cultural connections
From painting windows to martial arts and powwow outings, Portage's Youth Hub is rolling out a new month of free summer programming designed to engage, inspire, and support local youth. Jacinda Houle, Cultural Support Navigator at the Youth Hub, says the centre's August calendar of activities includes a mix of creative, cultural, and physical programming, all accessible to youth ages 12-29 at no cost. 'We try to eliminate as many barriers as possible,' said Houle. 'All the events are free, we provide food, and we can even help with transportation.' Among the highlights is the return of Rene Harder, a former practicum student who now joins the Youth Hub full-time as a youth mentor. Harder's first event is a collaborative window-painting session at the Youth Hub. 'We're really excited to have Rene back,' said Houle. 'They're incredibly creative and bring so many great ideas for engaging youth.' The centre is also offering a series of Muay Thai martial arts sessions with instructor James Donald. While turnout has been modest so far, Houle is hopeful the program will gain momentum. Lessons are held at Red River College. 'It's something really different and empowering for youth,' she said. 'We just want to get the word out and encourage more to come try it out.' In addition to on-site programs, the Youth Hub also teams up with the Family Resource Centre to offer Parents' Time: Culture and Connection on August 7. The program features cultural workshops such as beading or leatherwork while childcare is provided for participants. 'It's a great opportunity for parents who want to connect to their culture while knowing their kids are being cared for,' Houle said. Rounding out this week's programming is a Saturday trip to the Long Plain First Nation Powwow, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Youth Hub will transport up to five youth to the event by van, and advance sign-up is required. 'It's always a really special experience,' said Houle. 'We'll spend a few hours there and let youth take it all in.' To register or learn more about upcoming events, youth and families can contact the Youth Hub directly. The full August calendar is posted on the Portage Youth Hub's social media channels or check out — Renée Lilley is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Portage Graphic. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
