ValleyBiz Story | On March 31, 2020 the Province of Manitoba announced that classroom learning for kindergarten to Grade 12 students is suspended indefinitely for this school year to help ‘flatten the curve’ and reduce the impact of COVID-19. The Swan Valley School Division (SVSD) has indicated they will be continuing the organization towards distance [...]

Submitted by: RJ McGregor | The Benito Rec Center proudly presents 2nd Annual Canada Day Rain or Shine Show and Shine July 1, 2020 11am-4pm Benito, MB Antique, Classic and Special Interest Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Tractors All Welcome ~ Finished or not, Bring Them Out! Peoples Choice and “Best of” Trophies in Several Categories This [...]

The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 at 7:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding and Councillors Moriaux, Wintoniw, Whyte, Gray, Friesen, and Delaurier present. Also Present: Staff – Town Manager C. Croll, ACAO P. Henkelman, PW Director D. Poole Media – Star and [...]

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, March 11th, 2020 in the R.M. of Mountain Council Chambers in Birch River, Manitoba. Members Present: Reeve: Robert Hanson Councillors: Wilmer Malcolm, Steve Nadolney, Nestor Rizok, Connie Forbes, and Brad Wyatt. Councillor Pedersen was absent with notice. CAO Paige Larocque [...]

Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our doors are closed to the public in order to protect our staff, clients and community. Our staff are still at work and are here to assist you with your ongoing or new legal matters. We are pleased to work with you by phone or email and [...]

Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Interagency Committee Open House The Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Interagency Committee (MWSP) hosted an open house on March 11 in Swan River. It was an opportunity to share with the Swan Valley community information about their committee, and the ways they are involved in their communities. In the afternoon, [...]

Town of Swan River Press Release | March 23, 2020 Citizens of the Town of Swan River, And the Swan Valley, In light of the recent escalation of government actions toward dealing with COVID-19, the Town of Swan River is taking the following steps: ➢ Municipal office will close to the public effective at 12:00 [...]

“Well, doctor. Don’t you think people are overreacting just a bit? Blowing things out of proportion?” That is a question I’ve been hearing a great deal lately. It appears that there are two types of responses to the spreading of Covid-19: downplaying, or buying all the toilet paper. Perhaps the most appropriate response is somewhere [...]

Please note that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and adhering to Health Canada protocols, as well as out of the general health and safety of our team members and the community, our office is temporarily CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC Our staff is still at work and want to help you! We would be pleased [...]

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 in the R.M. of Mountain Council Chambers in Birch River, Manitoba. Members Present: Reeve: Robert Hanson Councillors: Wilmer Malcolm, Steve Nadolney, Nestor Rizok, Connie Forbes, Arnie Pedersen and Brad Wyatt. CAO Paige Larocque was present and acted [...]

Town of Swan River Press Release | March 20, 2020 Citizens of the Town of Swan River, And the Swan Valley, THE PROVINCE OF MANITOBA HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY. ➢ An order has been issued under the Public Health Act to limit indoor and outdoor public gatherings to no more than 50 people [...]

Swan Valley Co-op COVID-19 State of Emergency News Release: Effective Friday, March 20th at 4 pm, due to the provincially declared state of emergency for COVID-19: • We are now limiting the number of customers allowed in our store at the same time. Our maximum capacity has been set to 50 guests at any given [...]

Submitted by: Prairie Mountain Health | NEW ACUTE CARE FACILITY VISITOR RESTRICTIONS For all acute care facilities, including acute mental health facilities, in Manitoba, visitor access is being suspended immediately. Visitor restrictions took effect today – March 19 – at 3 pm. Exceptions for compassionate reasons for end of life will continue to be made [...]

Information on the COVID-19 virus for residents of the Swan Valley This article is intended to act as a resource for accurate information on the virus and a guide to local services. New information is constantly becoming available, please see the links at the bottom of the article for updated information. This article is not [...]

Submitted by: Gwenda Wotton | Thank you to everyone that came out and supported our Irish Stew lunch. Over 30 people can out for delicious stew,biscuits,lots of yummy desserts. Glad to see so many stayed and enjoyed lots of friendly conversation. Hope to see everyone again next year.

Town of Swan River Press Release | March 16, 2020 Citizens of the Town of Swan River, And the Swan Valley, The Mayor and Administration met this morning to determine our steps going forward with regards to the COVID-19 virus. After the meeting and in continuing consultation with the Council via email, it was determined [...]

Submitted by: Jo-Anne Saunders. Education Director. SRAE. | Due to the evolving situation around the COVID-19 pandemic, Swan River Adult Education will be closed as of March 17 until further notice. This includes Site 1 (128-5th Ave. N.) and Site 2 (in the EC Friendship Centre). Phone 204-734-9391 for info.

Submitted by: Minitonas Figure Skating Club Thanks to all the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbours and community members that came out to support the Minitonas Figure Skating Club’s annual Carnival “An Enchanted Evening” on March 6 th , 2020! A big thank you to skating coach Alison Burgess. Also thank you to all the Senior [...]

Submitted by: Beverley Leach | The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian lay women’s initiative which is celebrated in 170 countries annually on the first Friday in March. Seven congregations in the Swan Valley gathered in St. James church in Friday, March 6 to join in prayer for peace and justice. This [...]

Swan Valley School Division Executive Summary of the March 9, 2020 Submitted by: Jon Zilkey, Superintendent/CEO 1. The Board passed the Final 2020-2021 Budget on March 9, 2020. Within the budget, the Board has added small additions in WSH, resource, guidance and work experience with a special levy increase of 1.25%. 2. The Board celebrated [...]

Swan Valley School Division | March 13, 2020 Dear students, staff and parents; The Minister of Education has just announced that on March 23- April 13 school classes will be suspended (spring break inclusive). All staff will be reporting to work during these two weeks but there will be no students. We will be exploring [...]

Submitted by: Hannah Koetting | Weight to Wellbeing is a program unique to Swan River and developed locally by a team of registered dietitians, physicians, mental health workers and health promotion. The topics covered throughout the program include nutrition, physical activity, sleep and mental wellbeing. Thus far, feedback has been positive. The program began early [...]

Submitted by: Ashley Tibbett | Peewee A1 Swan Valley Stampeders to cohost with Dauphin Peewee A1 in Grandview/ Gilbert Plains. This Event Has Been Cancelled. Our hockey season has come to an end. Hockey Manitoba COVID-19 (coronavirus) Important Information Following Hockey Canada’s decision to cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities due to concerns over COVID-19, Hockey [...]

MCCA PARKLAND BRANCH presents: Guiding Children’s Behaviour Saturday April 4, 2020 12:30 – 3:30 pm Held at: Sunflower Early Learning Centre (Minitonas Daycare- Old Elementery School) DEADLINE IS FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 RETURN COMPLETED REGISTRATION AND FULL PAYMENT TO: PO BOX 102 DAUPHIN MB  R7N 2T9 Email, Call or pick up REGISTRATION paper from Sunflower [...]

Submitted by: Birch River Northern Neighbors St.Patricks Day Stew and Biscuit Luncheon Sunday March 15, 2020 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Northern Neighbours Centre 309 Victoria Ave. Birch River 50/50 Draw Stew,buns,biscuits,desserts,beverage Adults: $10.00 Ages 6-11: $5.00 Preschoolers:Free

Submitted by: Tracy Boychuk | The SVRSS Tigers played one heck of a game February 28 versus the Killarney Raiders. The Centennial Arena came alive with school pride, spirit and support for their local high school hockey team. The score might not of been what the Tigers were hoping for falling 7-4 to the Raiders [...]

Regular Meeting of the members of the Council of the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman, held in the Council Chambers in Minitonas, Manitoba this 18th day of February, 2020 A.D. at 6:00 p.m. Present: Reeve: W. Pacamaniuk Councillors: G. Bartel, C. Densen, L. Hutman, S. Walmsley, D. Wagner and W. Kolisnyk. CAO: Patti Simpson Delegations: 7:00 p.m.: [...]

A friendly reminder from ValleyBiz that Daylight Savings Time begins tonight. The official time to set your clocks ahead 1 hour is: 2:00 am Sunday, March 8, 2020 Set your clock to: 3:00 am Each year, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

Submitted by: Joyce Trevellyan | Easter Baba & Paska Bake Sale Saturday April 4, 2020 All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Parish 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm in the Church Basement 1306 – 2nd St. S. Swan River Cabbage Rolls Perogies Nalysnyky Muffins Squares And Much More

Submitted by: Rachael Stober | The CBFCS Parent Advisory Council put on another Dessert Night/Duelling Pianos/Silent Art Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, February 15. This was the second time the PAC held this event. The first one raised funds for the multi-sport pad that was successfully built in 2018. This year the event raised just over [...]

Submitted by: Connie Beaudry | Bellsite Community did another wonderful job looking after the hot meal at the end of the day and looking after all the indoor services needed to have everyone registered and on their way to enjoy the sunny warm day on the Snoman trail up- kept by North Mountain Riders Snowmobile [...]

RCMP Media Release | RCMP continue to look for answers in missing persons case of Lorlene Bone Lorlene Bone was 31, when she went missing on February 29, 2016. She called her mother that day from the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and was not heard from again. She is described as approximately 5’5” tall, 155 lbs [...]

Swan Valley School Division Executive Summary of the February 24, 2020 Submitted by: Jon Zilkey, Superintendent/CEO 1. The Board worked on preliminary finalizing of the budget from the material provided by the Secretary-Treasurer. The public consultation budget presentation will be on March 5 at SVRSS and it will be livestreamed. This draft presentation was looked [...]

Regular Meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Swan Valley West, held in the Council Chambers at 216 Main Street West, Swan River, Manitoba this 28th day of January, 2020 at 7:05 pm. Present: Reeve: William Galloway Councillors: Glen Foster Bill Gade Matt Wills Darryl Pierrepont Tyler Kushniryk Administration: Donna Potts Absent with Prior [...]

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 in the R.M. of Mountain Council Chambers in Birch River, Manitoba. Members Present: Reeve: Robert Hanson Councillors: Wilmer Malcolm, Stephen Nadolney, Nestor Rizok, Connie Forbes and Brad Wyatt. Councillor Pedersen was absent with notice. CAO Paige Larocque [...]

Regular Meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Swan Valley West, held in the Council Chambers at 216 Main Street West, Swan River, Manitoba this 14th day of January, 2020 at 7:04 pm. Present: Reeve: William Galloway Councillors: Carrie Blosha Glen Foster Bill Gade Matt Wills Tyler Kushniryk Darryl Pierrepont Interim-Acting CAO: Cheryle Zbirun [...]

Submitted by: Hannah Koetting | The Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Inter-Agency Committee Invites You To Join Us Wed. March 11, 2020 Veterans Community Hall, Swan River Committee Open House & Networking Lunch 9:30 am to Noon safeTALK Training 1 pm to 4 pm EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Please RSVP for one or both events by [...]

Submitted by: Tracy Boychuk | High School Hockey Game 2 Playoff Swan Valley Tigers vs Killarney Raiders Fri. February 28, 2020 8:00 p.m. Swan River Centennial Arena Come Out and MAKE SOME NOISE!!

Pictured above: 1st Event Winners – Sponsored by TD Canada Trust: Bernice Karton, Donna Martin, Janie Coulter, Caroline Willis Submitted by: Deanna Chess | The 2020 Bowsman Ladies Curling Bonspiel was held from February 21-23, 2020. This year we had a great turnout of 22 teams for our “Night at the Movies”. The weekend included [...]

Submitted by: Jamie Beals | Minitonas Figure Skating Club Presents … An Enchanted Evening Minitonas & District Arena Friday, March 6th, 2020 Doors Open @ 6:30pm Carnival to Start @ 7:00pm Draw to be made for winning ticket of $10,000.00!!! Many Prizes to be Won!!! Canteen will be open!!!

Submitted by: Sherry Markle In the summer of last year, Swan Valley Animal Protection League sent a letter to the Municipality of Swan Valley West to request that the road upon which their new shelter will be located be renamed “Dave Theunissen Drive”; in honor of Dave Theunissen who is a long time member of [...]

Submitted by: Leigh Osatchuk | The Benito Firemen’s Supper was held on Sunday, February 23. Over 200 people attended the supper hosted by the local fire fighters and their families. Turkey, ham, mashed, stuffing, salads and the ever popular turnips were on the menu along with a great assortment of desserts. Along with a well [...]

Pictured above: Back Row: Erin Klatt, Avery Blosha, Hailey Ledoux, Ady Blosha, Neva Zamzow. Coach: Lise Fraser 2nd Row: Ainzlee Stinson, Ellie Oakes, Kaylee Keefe, Aurora Dunn, Katie Smith Floor: Payton Brightnose, Chloe Formo Submitted by: Lise Fraser | JV girls were finalists in the Neepawa Collegiate Basketball Tournament on February 13 and 14th, 2020. [...]

Submitted by: David Ogram | An introductory meeting for the “Breathe-Free” 5-Day Stop-Smoking Program was held in the Basement Meeting Room at the Swan River Seventh-day Adventist Church (1200 1st St South) on the evening of Thursday, February 20, 2020. Five people attended the meeting but two of them had to leave early to attend [...]

The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 at 7:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding and Councillors Moriaux, Wintoniw, and Whyte present. Councillors Gray, Friesen, and Delaurier: Absent with notice Also Present: Staff – Town Manager C. Croll, ACAO P. Henkelman, PW Director D. [...]

Regular Meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Swan Valley West, held in the Council Chambers at 216 Main Street West, Swan River, Manitoba this 17th day of December, 2019 at 7:00 pm. Present: Reeve: William Galloway (by phone) Councillors: Carrie Blosha Glen Foster Bill Gade Matt Wills Tyler Kushniryk Interim-Acting CAO: Cheryle Zbirun [...]

Regular Meeting of the members of the Council of the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman, held in the Council Chambers in Minitonas, Manitoba this 4th day of February, 2020 A.D. at 6:00 p.m. Present: Reeve: W. Pacamaniuk Councillors: G. Bartel, S. Walmsley, L. Hutman, C. Densen, D. Wagner and W. Kolisnyk. CAO: Patti Simpson Delegations: 7:00 p.m.: [...]

Regular Meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Swan Valley West, held in the Council Chambers at 216 Main Street West, Swan River, Manitoba this 3rd day of December, 2019 at 7:00 pm. Present: Reeve: William Galloway Councillors: Carrie Blosha Glen Foster Bill Gade Darryl Pierrepont Tyler Kushniryk Interim-Acting CAO: Cheryle Zbirun Absent with [...]

Submitted by: Lori Zagrobelny | Trivia Night Fundraiser Sat. March 14, 2020 Doors open @ 7pm Trivia Starts 7:30pm Minitonas Community Hall $150 per team (Max. 8 people) $20 per person (Must be 18 +) Tickets include Appetizer & Dessert Cash bar – Wine bar – 50/50 draw – Chinese Auction Call Robyn or Lori [...]

Submitted by: Bev Leach | World Day of Prayer 2020 March 6, 2020 7:30 pm St. James Anglican Trinity Lutheran 1201 – 1st St. South Swan River