Travis
Province invests in Westman health-care workforce
BRANDON—The Manitoba government is investing in the health-care workforce in the Westman region with new paramedic training seats and new child-care spaces for health-care workers, Premier Kinew announced at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Province address.
“Paramedics are the first to arrive when your family needs emergency care and their work is valued by our government,” said Kinew. “We’ve made progress training and hiring more paramedics in Westman, but we know there is more to do. That’s why we are creating a new Primary Care Paramedic Program at Assiniboine College. Because child care is essential to growing the health workforce, we are also creating a new child-care centre at the Brandon hospital built to care for your children while you are caring for others. Together, these investments will help us recruit and retain more health-care workers in Westman.”
An investment of $115,000 to Assiniboine College will create a new rotating rural training model, with the first cohort starting in Dauphin. Assiniboine College will offer this new Primary Care Paramedic Program designed to increase access for rural and western Manitoba students, helping build a stronger pipeline of paramedics for communities across the region, the premier noted. The initiative will support more students moving through the emergency medical responder to primary care paramedic pathway while allowing them to train closer to where they live.
As part of the largest capital child-care project the province has started to date, the Manitoba government is also creating 148 new child-care spaces at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, which will open in summer 2027. The centre is built to operate during extended hours to provide care during health-care workers’ shifts.
“We know Brandon and Westman play a major role in Manitoba’s growth and success,” said Jennifer Ludwig, president, Brandon Chamber of Commerce. “We welcome investments that strengthen health care, support local communities, create opportunities for businesses and workers, and help build a strong economy across western Manitoba.”
The premier also highlighted several recent and ongoing Manitoba government investments benefiting Brandon and the Westman region including:
providing $9.7 million to rebuild and repave 18th Street, which was voted CAA Manitoba’s worst road in 2024;
investing in the Park Community Centre, with construction expected to begin this year;
opening the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic, which saw more than 10,000 patient visits in 2025;
undertaking action to challenge restrictive property controls held by Sobeys, including controls connected to an empty grocery store property in Brandon, to help increase competition and improve affordability;
advancing nearly $3 billion in energy projects in western Manitoba including a new 750-megawatt dual-fuel turbine project to support growing energy needs and economic development opportunities; and
creating a new critical care unit at the Brandon Regional Health Centre as part of a $120-million expansion project, allowing more patients to receive advanced care closer to home, which will include new, modern private intensive care unit rooms.
Paint the ice event was a huge success
Our 1st Annual Paint the Ice Event was a great success! Thank you to all who came out!
The Russell Townwide Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th from 9am-3:30pm. If you would like your address added to the map, please contact the recreation office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. From out of town? We will be offering in space inside the rink for $20.
Summer Camps are back! The camps are one week and meet daily from 9am until 3:30pm! Come join us for outdoor activities including arts, crafts, hiking, science, swimming, games, etc. The cost is $50 for the week! Dates and ages are as follows: Russell July 13-17 ages 9-12, Russell July 20-24 ages 7-11, Russell July 27-31 ages 6-10 and Binscarth August 4-7 ages 7-11. Please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register!
There is a new story on the Storybook Trail! “Cool Canadian Dinosaurs” Fun Facts from Teeth to Tracks! by Canadian Girl. The trail starts just off Alexandria Ave by the Russell grain elevator on the Trans Canada Trail. Follow the trail, stopping at each story pedestal and learn about 14 different types of dinosaurs that once lived in Canada!
Healthy Baby is Tuesday, May 26 from 11am-1pm upstairs in the Bunge Room located in the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance. This is a free program for expecting parents and those with babies under the age of one. Come join us!
Pickleball is at the GPB Hall in Russell! Tuesdays from 1-3pm and Thursdays from 9-11am and again from 7-9pm! The last evening of pickleball at the Binscarth school was on Monday, April 27! See you next fall! Pickleball is FREE and we have all equipment needed. Clean, indoor shoes required. Never played before? We’ve got you covered! We will teach you!
NEW! Badminton is in Russell at the GPB Hall on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm. It is FREE and we have all equipment needed. Clean, indoor shoes required.
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in!
May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026
South End Auto and Ag in new hands
By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner
Chris Radford and Don Betke have been part of the business community in Russell for their entire careers.
For most of those years, they’ve worked together, starting off at Clement Farm Supply and moving through a few other positions until the opportunity came up to take on the Napa business.
They decided to jump in and opened up in December of 2015.
After just a little over 10 years, they are now retiring, but not going anywhere.
“Neither of us are going anywhere,” Chris Radford said. “You will see us both in the community, just a little more relaxed now……maybe.”
As of March 1, Owen Orsak has assumed ownership of Southend Auto & Ag.
“After a few casual comments a year or so ago, that both Don and I would need to retire someday, Owen thought he would like to diversify from the farm he and his parents operate,” Radford explained.
Read more of this story on pages 1 and 2 of this week's Russell Banner.
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
Radford returns to Russell Binscarth council table
Chris Radford will return to the Municipality of Russell Binscarth council table after being voted in by a large
margin at last week’s municipal by election.
Chris Radford 299 votes
Leanne Bily 142 votes
Dale Sawchuk 124 votes
Nick Foisy 42 votes
This by election however brought out a dismal 30 percent voter turnout where only 608 people bothered to vote.
Build a team you can count on if disaster strikes
Join your neighbors and be part of the team your community can count on when disaster strikes.
Our Russell Binscarth Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer group of trained residents who help during community events, emergencies and crises. Members learn basic medical aid, fire safety, light search and rescue, and how to organize as a team alongside local responders. CERT volunteers provide immediate assistance, support recovery efforts, and help residents who need extra support—so professional responders can focus on the most urgent tasks.
If you want to make a real difference close to home, join our Community Emergency Response Team and help our community in times of disaster or crisis.
What CERT Volunteers Actually Do
CERT members turn training into action by:
• Training the public to prepare for impactful emergencies and household readiness.
• Providing immediate, basic life-saving aid at disaster scenes until professional help arrives.
• Supporting community recovery efforts after emergencies and disruptive events.
• Sharing clear, coordinated public information with residents when rumors and confusion spread.
• Identifying and assisting residents who need extra help during emergencies.
• Assisting with practical tasks such as distributing emergency supplies, food and beverages, sandbagging operations, debris management, disaster scene support, and offering Psychological First Aid.
• Offering first aid services and support to local community events.
Join us today!
We meet one Wednesday per month starting this May for team training!
Contact: Wes Anderson or Pat MacIsaac at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
An Inglis Run for You, Mom
“Our family has endured a lot, but it never defines who we are. We continue to move through life with unwavering faith, genuine smiles, and an abundance of love to share with others.” -
Elizabeth Fingas
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 Cancer Care Unit in Russell.
“Our family has endured a lot, but it never defines who we are,” Elizabeth said.
“We continue to move through life with unwavering faith, genuine smiles, and an abundance of love to share with others.”
These traits and values, Elizabeth said, have been passed down through generations.
“It started with listening to stories from our great grandparents (Ann and Ray Davidson, and Alice and Paul Fingas) when we would visit for juice and dainties, sitting on their laps as they spoke.”
“Then to our grandparents (Gayle and Randy Fingas, Shirley Driedger and the late Mike Petryk) who provide us guidance when we feel lost, to our parents (Craig and the late Karen Fingas) who created the beautiful people we have and will become.”
Now, she says, it has come down to Craig and Karen’s children - Elizabeth, Jamie, Kennedy and Brodie Fingas.
Read the full story on pages 1 and 2 in this week's Russell Banner.