The Pas and Area Animal Shelter is helping with animal control in the community through its low-income spay and neuter fund.

Pet care management, training, tips, and available resources for pet care will be some of the topics discussed during Pet Care 101, taking place this weekend at the Visitors Center in The Pas.

They are also inviting all volunteers, past and present, to be thanked for their service as they look for new members and volunteers.

The workshop runs from 1 to 3 pm and is free to attend.

The shelter will also be open at this time to visit with the animals and learn more about adoption.

As part of an ongoing investigation, RCMP in Thompson searched a residence in Split Lake and arrested a man believed to be trafficking drugs in the Community.

Upon searching the residence, the 26-year-old male, who was not a resident, was located and arrested without incident.

While searching the residence, a large quantity of drugs was located, including over 400 grams of Cocaine, over 300 grams of Crack, a stolen handgun, a large amount of cash, scales, and a cell phone.

Goitom Gezehey, a 26-year-old resident of Calgary, has been charged with 11 offences related to drugs and firearms, including possession for the purpose of trafficking.

He has been remanded, and an ongoing investigation is being conducted.

Various groups, organizations, businesses and volunteers are preparing for the upcoming trappers festival.

This year’s event slogan is “Keep Traditions Alive in 2025.”

The 78th Festival runs from February 12th to the 16th in The Pas.

The event headquarters will be at the Wescanna Inn, and the festival headquarters will be at the Pas Regional Library.

You can find more event information, history, and registration forms for the arts and crafts show at trappersfestival.ca.

RCMP in Thompson is looking for a man wanted in connection to an aggravated assault that happened in the community on January 24th.

Ian Mervin Paupanekis, 38-years-old is also wanted on an assault and mischief charge stemming from an incident that happened back in December on the 26th.

Paupanekis is described as being 6’0’’ in height and weighing 210 lbs.

If you have any information on his whereabouts or have seen him, you’re asked to contact Thompson RCMP or leave a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

The Manitoba mature high school diploma only requires eight credits, making it easier than ever for adult learners to get their high school diplomas.

The Program is designed for older individuals but is very open to helping people of all ages receive their high school diplomas.

The KLC is also working with Tech Manitoba and is currently offering free computer courses in the evenings and ESL courses for newcomers to the country on Thursday nights.

Traditional healing methods are being passed down through the generations at the Beatrice Wilson Health Center.

These traditions often help bridge the gap between culture and modern practices.

Cedar Bath Ceremonies are taking place this week courtesy of the Opaskwayak Health Authority.

Cedar is one of the four sacred medicines used in indigenous cultures, and the ceremony promotes healing.

The Ceremonies run today and tomorrow at The Pas Resource Center, With Angela Lavallee hosting.

Lavallee is a trauma-informed facilitator who specializes in conflict resolution, grief and loss, and trauma-informed heart care.

Lavallee’s ceremonies are all booked for this week, but they will be hosting more sessions in the future.

A traditional healing practitioner is also in this week, and spots are still available.

Contact the Beatrice Wilson Health Center to take part and learn more.

A new exhibition is taking place at the Sam Waller Museum in The Pas, showcasing the talents of local artist Shauna Ponask.

Shauna has also been working with the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival, providing leather and beadwork items.

Shauna says she is very proud to be able to take the work from locally sourced leathers and furs, processing her raw hides to make them into workable material.

All of Shauna's pieces are made by hand, and the showcase "Journey Home" shows her work's progress since she started four years ago.

You can find a preview of Shauna's work at samwallermuseum.ca; she also sells mukluks and other handmade items.

Find Shauna on Facebook to learn more about available items.

Last week, the RCMP in Dauphin, along with cyber and financial crime units, arrested and charged a 40-year-old woman in Grandview Plains with defrauding the municipality of upwards of $500,000.

Amber Fisher was the former Chief Administrative Officer of the Gilbert Plains First Nation and has been under investigation since 2022.

The investigation has involved numerous witness statements and reviews of extensive financial records.

Fisher has been charged with Fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, and using proceeds knowing they were obtained through crime.

RCMP constable Ricky Perkins with the Manitoba RCMP Cyber and Financial Crime Unit said,” A lengthy investigation can feel as if there is no progress being made; in reality, there are many investigative steps taking place behind the scenes.”

The Tri community Foundation is sending out a thank you to all the donors that have helped the fund to grow over is first 2 years in existence.

The Tri community foundation believes that the strength in the community lies within the members in the community, and the group is well on the way to being able to support more local projects.

The group hopes to fund scholarships and innovative projects to address the community’s needs, making a difference creating opportunities for youth, empowering low income families, enhancing community spaces and much more.

Granting applications will be available shortly, learn more at tpcfc.ca.

Statistics show that 80% of households have unused electronic waste sitting around.

Now’s your chance to take out the waste and maybe win some prizes.

The UCN Sustainability Committee is hosting an E-waste recycling event at the UCN this Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

E-waste includes any old electronics that may have been discarded including working or broken items that may include toxic chemicals or reusable precious metals.

Items may include T.V.s, computers, tablets, monitors, cell phones and more, a full list of acceptable items can be found at recyclemyelectronics.ca/mb/what-can-i-recycle/

There will be draws held for anyone dropping off recyclables for a chance to win prizes.

The collection will take place in front of the UCN. For larger items, you can come in the front door at the UCN and ask for assistance bringing them from your vehicles.

Tonight is the deadline to apply for the Northern Manitoba Sector Council’s Passport to Employment Program in The Pas.

The paid training program has the potential to lead to lucrative opportunities with Canadian Kraft Paper.

The 4 to 6-week program starts with some tutoring and testing before moving on to job shadowing in different departments within Canadian Kraft Paper.

You can still apply to participate in the program by contacting Project Coordinator Alison Akert at aakert@nmscouncil.ca.

Go to nmscouncil.ca for more information about the program.

Housing projects, new public works equipment, and a special service levy for RCMP costs were among the topics discussed at this week’s council meeting.

There was a presentation from Queens Community Court in regards to a housing project going on across the country, and how the town could benefit from it.

A financing policy to entice and support economic development with investors and tax breaks related to business development was also discussed; the policy will also have a smaller impact on community taxation.

Find the full interview with Mayor Murphy at thepasonline.com.

The Kinsmen's annual comedy jam is next weekend, and it's one of the group's biggest fundraisers of the year.

This year's event will showcase the talents of Brad Semotiuk.

He started performing when he was 17 years old, recorded an album, and was the youngest person to win the Martin Grant Award for up-and-coming stand-up.

Mike Dramba who has over 35 years of comedy experience and worked with Chris Rock and Mick Foley.

The comedy jam will take place at Legion Saturday the 25th and will feature the comedians and the Kinsmens Famous Prime Rib Dinner.

Tickets are 70 dollars and can be found at Northland Ford.

The Legion's doors open at 6.

Cocktails will be served at 6:30, dinner at 7, and the comedy show starts at 8:30.

The Northern Manitoba Trappers festival is only a month away and will run from February 11th to the 16th.

To help make way for the event Fur Queen Lynelle Bon along with Princess Nicole Ducharme Chief, and Brooke Scott will welcome this year’s contestants to the challenge.

The young women running for Fur Queen this year are Chloe Cote, Trinity Flett, Autumn Graff, Karen Halcrow, Krissy Kirkness, Sequin Schmidt, Austan Young, and Tyrell Young.

This year’s contestants have been fundraising and participating in community events leading up to the festival.

This weekend’s Champagne Bruch runs at the Legion on Sunday, January 19th.

It will host the contestants, festival visitors, local food, and fashion.

Tickets are 25 dollars and moving fast, so call Fur Queen Director Krista Tooley at 204-620-2327 to purchase yours while you can.

On January 1^st, RCMP in The Pas conducted a search of a residence on Hone Street.

Officers arrested 7 individuals and seized firearms, drugs, and ammunition.

A subsequent search warrant was executed the following day at a residence on Krysthchuck Road in the RM of Kelsey that led to the arrest of 5 more.

Officers seized over 23,000 in cash, nearly 500 grams of cocaine, and other drugs and drug-related paraphernalia.

Brad Reimer, 34, Terry Gale, 37, both from The Pas, Tre Walden, 29 from Brampton Ontario, and Liam McCarthy, 18, from Niagara Ontario have been charged with various offences including trafficking.

RCMP in The Pas is still investigating.

The Kelsey School division was made aware of a cyber security attack that happened late December that affected student information stored within their student information system provider PowerSchool.

PowerSchool systems were the target and not the school division; the attack resulted in the compromise of information from schools across North America that uses it.

The Kelsey School division is looking into what was accessed which is believed to include student and staff information.

The division wants to stress the importance of protecting the safety of student and staff data and will continue to share information as it’s made available.

Find the full release from the Kelsey School division on thepasonline.com.

The Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba is raising awareness this month for the degenerative disease with their support campaign called “your path forward”.

The Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba can help you and your loved ones navigate dementia by providing support and information, live, over the phone, and virtually.

Chief Executive Officer Erin Crawford says they also help to fund research. She says you should talk with your family doctor if you notice something different, like signs like forgetting words, repeating questions, or slight changes to behaviour, especially in older individuals.

The Manitoba Alzheimer’s Society is there to help, call 1-800-378-6699 or go to alzheimer.ca.mb to learn more about support programs, community groups, and more.

A 37-year-old Winnipeg man is facing drug and firearm charges stemming from a vehicle search that took place in the OCN on December 19th.

A traffic stop found that the driver was on release conditions and under a curfew set in Winnipeg.

He was remanded into custody on various drug and firearms offences.

The other two passengers, a 39-year-old female from the OCN, and a 42-year-old man from The Pas have been released on undertakings with a later court date for careless storage of a firearm and other firearms-related offences.

The MFNPS is always looking for crime tips in the community; leave an anonymous tip at 1-833-978-0048.

Nelson House RCMP responded to assist a First Nations Safety Officer at a check stop on Highway 620 on January 6th.

When officers arrived the FNSO had already stopped a vehicle with five passengers, two adults and three minors, and had seized open liquor from the vehicle.

The Driver a 16-year-old from Winnipeg was searched and found to have illicit drugs, cash, and cell phones, while undergoing arrest he admitted to having a loaded handgun.

A search of the vehicle also led to the discovery of cocaine, power tools, and a large amount of cash.

The remaining occupants were arrested on scene but later released without charge.

The driver was charged with numerous drug and weapon offences including possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Investigations are ongoing.

The Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival is keeping Traditions alive in 2025. The annual event in the Pas is almost upon us, and fundraising and event planning are well underway.

The event showcases local heritage with indigenous events and group performances. Visitors can learn about local traditions that include trapping and survival skills.

Family activities include ice fishing, snowshoeing, dog sledding and other friendly competitions.

This year's Fur Queen Candidates are preparing for one of the first big events of the festival, the Fur Queens Brunch.

The fundraiser is set for January 19th and will run at the Royal Canadian Legion starting at Noon.

The brunch will showcase food and fashion from the community and act as a meet and greet with this year's contestants.

Tickets are 25 dollars and can be bought through Fur Queen Coordinator Krista Tooley by calling 204-620-2337.

The Pas Friendship Center is hosting an immunization clinic today from 1 to 2 pm at their center on Edwards Avenue.

To take part in the clinic you can head to the center and use the blue door in the back.

No walk-in appointments are required, just bring your Manitoba health card, or call 204-623-9650 for more information.

All month long The Pas Friendship Center is hosting weekly mental health courses on Wednesday mornings at the center.

The courses start this week, with the first course covering insights into anxiety. 

Other courses include insight into depression, conquering negative thought patterns, and positivity and optimism.

You can contact the center to take part in the courses or to learn more, call 204-623-9650.

The Pas and OCN Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first Lunch and Learn session of the year tomorrow at the Kikiwak Inn and is welcoming everyone to join in.

The Lunch and Learn will focus on Marketing the Tri-Community, with remarks from guest speaker Jonathon Lalonde, community economic development officer with the CDC.

The event will look at promotional opportunities in the region, community assets, tourism potential, and strategies for maximizing the use of venues and public spaces.

To RSVP of the event you can contact the chamber at 431-355-0645, for Chamber members the cost is 25 dollars, and for non-members it costs 30 dollars, and runs from Noon to 1.