Last week, the Russell and District Chamber of Commerce held their AGM in the small meeting room of the Geo. P. Buleziuk Centre.
After a meal catered by Chicken Chef. Feature speakers were Breanne Goraluk and Breanna Johnston from Instil Hope Counseling, who shared powerful insights on the importance of mental health in the workplace. Their message on preventing burnout and supporting healthy wellness practices was impactful, leaving us with practical tools to foster supportive workplace culture.
The new Board was intoduced;
President – Jessica Jamieson
Vice President – Breanne Goraluk
Past President – Becky Flundra
Treasurer – Christine Jones
Director – Amy Tweet
Director - Mark Richards
Director – Breanna Johnston
Director – Starla Thom
Municipality of Russell Binscarth Representative – Mayor Judy Snitynsky
New Chamber members are:
Everyday Steak Cafe
McCauley Travel
Iv’s Rentals
Parkland Psychology & Wellness
Pattison Ag
Russell Tire
Russell Touchless Carwash and Stella’s Florals
A ten year award went to Spruce Grove Service and Southend Auto & Ag
Karma Salon Spa & Boutique was honored as a 15 year member while Russell Flowers Cut and Dried was recognized for their 30 year committment to the chamber. While both Setter Manufacturing and the Optical Image received 35 year membership certificates.
The Russell Inn and the Russell Banner were both recognized as 45 year members.

Pickleball, Badminton and Indoor Walking are still on hold at the GPB Hall as we finish installing the new floor. There is pickleball in Binscarth at the school on Mondays from 7-9 pm! You are welcome to walk indoors at the Russell Memorial Multiplex. We thank you for your patience!
NO Adults & Tots March 4 & 5. It will resume March 11 and 12.
I attended the Manitoba Recreation Conference last week in Winnipeg! There were some very interesting sessions, a few new connections were made, and new ideas are flowing! I feel very fortunate to be able to attend events like this and share what I learn with our communities!
FREE Public Skating every Tuesday AND Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St. entrance, $5 drop-in!
The MRB Recreation office will be closed March 3-10 for vacation, (I will have somebody checking messages during that time). Please contact the rec office at (204)821-8285.
SESSION #3 for Gym Kids Starts on March 11/12! Last session until fall 2026! Register now by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A list of classes can be found on our Facebook page: Recreation Department Municipality of Russell Binscarth

The Manitoba government will present the 2026-27 provincial budget on Tuesday, March 24, Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced.
“This year’s budget is going to have some big-ticket affordability items, which will help you out at the grocery store, with your mortgage bill and your rent payments,” said Sala. “We will also continue investing in health care and staffing up across the system to make sure staff are deployed in the right areas.”
Budget 2026 will include continued investments in health care, along with new measures to lower costs and support Manitoba’s diversified, low-carbon economy in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty, the minister noted.
More than 25,000 Manitobans have participated in pre-budget consultations in recent months and are encouraged to visit https://engagemb.ca/budget-2026. The survey is open until March 8.
In addition to the survey, thousands of Manitobans participated in telephone townhalls and in-person public meetings in Winnipeg, Brandon and Gimli. Manitobans can email comments and ideas to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The members of the Russell Figure Skating Club congratulated (back row) coach Lesley Wray, (front right) Julia Wray and Justice Tremblay with gifts in appreciation of representing the club at the upcoming Manitoba Winter Games.
The Manitoba Winter Games will be held in Thompson the first week of March, with skating competitions happening March 4th to 7th.
Their regional based team is named TEAM WEST.
Russell Skating Club is thrilled to announce that we that not one, but three individuals from the club will be involved in Team West at the Games this year!

Read more on page 2 of the March 3rd, 2026, Russell Banner.

By Derek Holtom
With less than 10 games left on the schedule for most teams, the playoff picture remains unclear at best in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
The league-leading Niverville Nighthawks have stumbled of late, going a modest 6-4-0-0 in their last 10 games and barely scraped by two non-playoff teams – the Swan Valley Stampeders and the Northern Manitoba Blizzard – last weekend. Their lead over the Steinbach Pistons is down to three points. Those two teams don’t have any games remaining against one another, which keeps Niverville’s destiny in their own hands.
Those two teams will get home ice advantage though, as Portage and Winker are well back and battling for third and fourth place. They entered Sunday tied for third, with the Terriers holding a game in hand. Two interesting notes – these teams don’t play each other again this year, and the Flyers remain hot since the trade deadline, and are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games.
Selkirk has officially fallen off a cliff and is officially eliminated from the playoffs, as are the two Winnipeg teams.
In the West Division, the Virden Oil Capitals look as though they’ll be the top seed. Even though the Dauphin Kings beat them on Saturday, it was via a shootout. Virden leads the Kings by eight points with five games in hand, so they all but have first locked up.
Dauphin’s real worry should be the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Undefeated in their last 10, Wayway trails Dauphin by just two points. These two teams also have to factor in the Neepawa Titans, who were six back of Wayway heading into action Sunday. Further complicating things is that all three teams play one another down the stretch.
The Swan Valley Stampeders are not officially eliminated yet, but it seems inevitable despite their much better record in 2026. The Stamps trailed the Titans by 16 points heading into action Sunday. With only 20 potential points left to earn, the Stamps basically need to win out and have the Titans lose out to somehow get into the playoffs.
The Northern Blizzard are officially eliminated but do appear to be playing better hockey since the trade deadline. They took Niverville to overtime last week as an example of that.
This coming week should help clarify things for most teams, but with the races so tight, we could be waiting until the final day of the regular season before all the playoff matches are finalized.
• The MJHL Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Stars of the Week feature a pair of players from the West Division, starting with Sebastien Hicks from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
In three games Hicks scored four goals and four assists for an eight-point week to earn his nod.
Next up is Winkler Flyers goaltender Liam Ernst. He won both of his starts last week, posting a 0.99 GAA, a .969 save percentage and one shutout.
The final winner is forward Ethan Stewart from the Dauphin Kings. In three games Stewart scored twice while adding five helpers for a seven-point week.

Excellent snow conditions, and a full calendar of events combined to deliver one of the busiest weekends of the season at Asessippi Ski Resort during the Louis Riel Day and Family Day long weekend.
After a previous stretch of colder weather, the shift to mild conditions and bluebird skies brought a noticeable surge of visitors from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Families, friend groups, and longtime passholders filled the slopes, terrain park, pub, and outdoor decks, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere across the hill.
The weekend featured one of the popular Late Night Ski events Asessippi offers throughout the season, allowing guests to carve under the lights while others gathered indoors and on the sun soaked decks to enjoy live music and local craft beer. The annual Rail Warz terrain park competition on Saturday once again drew strong participation and spectators, while Beer Fest and additional on hill activities kept the momentum going throughout the holiday.
Guests also embraced unique experiences such as the Ski Patrol fundraiser and the resort’s Valentine’s Cabin Dinner, which provided a memorable evening setting in the heart of the valley. Fireworks wrapped up the weekend, lighting the sky as visitors gathered outdoors in the mild evening air.

Get the whole scoop on page 6 of this week's Russell Banner.

Pickleball, Badminton and Indoor Walking are still on hold at the GPB Hall as we finish installing the new floor. Thank you for your continued patience! I promise, it will be worth it! There is pickleball in Binscarth at the school on Mondays from 7-9 pm! The RMM is available for indoor walking while we wait for the floor to be ready at the GPB Hall.
There will be a First Aid Course held on Saturday, February 28th from 8 am-5 pm in Russell. The cost is $125. Please contact the recreation office for more information or to register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Spots are filling fast!
No Adults & Tots Feb. 25 & 26 and March 4 & 5. It will resume March 11.
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out. We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes in Russell Recreation Office, Binscarth at Rob’s Place & Inglis at the RM Office
Free Public Skating every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in.
Sunday, March 1st is Binscarth Winterfest: Sleigh Rides, indoor & outdoor activities, & skating! Binscarth Vintage Snowmobile Derby: contact Bryce McNair 431-761-1672.
PMH Healthy Baby will be held on February 26, from 11 am-1 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St entrance). This free for those expecting a baby and those with babies under 1 year old. Come join us!
The MRB Recreation office will be closed February 25, 26, 27 while I attend the Manitoba Recreation Conference (I will be checking messages daily). It will also be closed March 3-10 for vacation, (I will have somebody checking messages during that time). Please contact the rec office at 204-821-8285.
SESSION #3 for Gym Kids Starts on March 11/12! Register now by contacting the recreation office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Last session until fall 2026!

Talisa Brandon, 27, accused in a stabbing death, was denied bail on her fifth application after being released the previous four times.
Brandon is charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault and several counts of breaching her release order. She is accused of stabbing two men (one of the men, a 23-year-old man, died).
In July 2023, Brandon was at a house party in Waywayseecappo with a group of people when several people got into a fight. The fight ended up outside and people were armed with various items.
Brandon left the scene, went to another residence, and allegedly grabbed two knives. Brandon returned and allegedly stabbed Beaulieu and another man multiple times before leaving the scene. Police arrived at 11:15 pm. The victim was still alive but pronounced dead an hour later. Brandon was found in the yard of her home and arrested.
Brandon claims the deceased victim choked her boyfriend and the other man she stabbed hit a 3-year old child while he was trying to hit a woman. She claims they tried to remove themselves from the situation, but were being chased by the two men, one who had a machete and the other a golf club.
Three weeks later, after a contested bail hearing, Talisa Brandon was released from custody on conditions, including an 11 pm to 7 am curfew.
A warrant was issued for Brandon’s arrest less than a month later, when police did a curfew check and she wasn’t home. She was found and arrested a few days later in Sioux Valley.
In Oct 2023, Brandon made another contested application for bail and was released.
In Nov, 2024, a restaurant employee called police who said a woman was hiding in their restaurant because a group of men were following her. At the time the incident happened, Brandon should have been home for her curfew hours. The Crown did not proceed with charges and consented to her release in December 2024 on conditions.
In Aug 2025, a warrant was issued for her arrest for failing to comply with her curfew after police did a curfew check and she wasn’t there.
The warrant remained outstanding until Jan 2026, when police found her in Sioux Valley. She refused to give her name to police and gave the name of another person. Even when she was taken into custody, she would not give her name. Police confirmed her identity through her tattoos.
The judge denied Talisa Brandon’s bail application this time due to her not following her conditions and believes Brandon’s detention is necessary to maintain the public’s confidence in the justice system.
He found it concerning Brandon had a warrant out for her arrest for five months, and when she did get arrested, gave police a fake name.
Talisa Brandon is scheduled to stand trial in Brandon from March 23 to April 2, 2026.

Casual Cooks