Favourable weather over the last two days has helped control the fires in Wanless and Cranberry Portage.

Evacuation orders are still in effect in Cranberry, and residents in other close communities remain on high alert.

Tom Lindsey, Flin Flon MLA, wanted to let people know that they will be addressing questions and concerns for area residents.

"If they have concerns.  The office in Flin Flon has been open.  You can phone now: 204 - 687 - 3246.  Lila will make sure that I get those messages and then I can get to ministers and try and get things addressed.  And certainly, we heard concerns right at the start."

Lindsey went on to say that the stress brought on by this disaster can have a direct impact on people's well-being, but they are there to address any concerns about highway conditions, evacuation orders, and available resources for those in need.

Fires in Wanless continue to burn 2 kilometres away from Highway 10 as crews have a well-established fire break.

Residents of Rocky Lake or Clearwater Lake are asked to dial 211, and they will be directed to the proper department for information.

As part of the town's spring clean-up campaign, yard waste will be picked up from residential areas on May 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

You're asked to leave yard waste next to pick-up sites where regular waste removal happens.

This includes yard waste placed in disposable containers and bound twigs and branches measuring 4 feet and weighing no more than 25 pounds.

Anything larger than this can be removed by contacting the town offices at the cost of the homeowner.

The town will also waive tipping fees at the dump from May 21st to the 31st.

It's noted that ashes, sod, dog waste, and material from dismantled structures will not be picked up.

The town also offers bulky item removal and can help deal with derelict vehicles by calling 627 1125.

The Legion Ladies will host their annual Mother's Day tea over the weekend at branch number 19.

If you're still looking for something for Mom, take her to the Legion tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. for tea, dainties, and other goodies.

The event will include a cake walk, raffles, a bake table, 50/50, door prizes, and a toonie table, and everyone is welcome to attend.

The legion ladies also host weekly meat draws at the branch every Saturday night, and tomorrow's Chase the Ace jackpot is now over 235 thousand dollars.

The Pas and Chamber of Commerce's Annual Trade Show & Sale starts today at the Roy H. Johnston Arena and will run through till Saturday Afternoon.

For years, the Trade show and sale has been the unofficial kick-off to summer in the community, and this year, over 45 vendors have registered for the event.

The arena will be jam-packed with goodies, including Fashion and Apparel, electronics, cars, outdoor equipment, and more.

Tomorrow, during the event, there will be a live performance from Naneway Iskew, which recently showcased its talents at the Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque.

That show will take place at 1 pm.

Admission to the event costs 2 dollars, half of which will go to community groups.

On May 4th, RCMP in Chemawawin responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence in Easterville.

When officers arrived, they found a 32-year-old female in critical condition. EMS provided medical assistance, but she succumbed to her injuries.

A second 35-year-old female victim was found a short distance away in a non-life-threatening situation; she was transported to Winnipeg and remains in stable condition.

RCMP has arrested and charged two youths, aged 13 and 14, with 2nd-degree murder and attempted murder charges.

Both youths have been remanded into custody, and RCMP continues to investigate.

The Ecole Opasquia Will host a year-end Musical tomorrow titled "Seussical Kids."

The Dr. Seuss-themed play is written by Lynn Ahrens with music by Stephen Flaherty and will host students from all classrooms.

There will be afternoon and evening performances happening at the school.

Some of the students involved shared more about the event.

"Ecole Opasquia school presents 'Seussical'!  Starring: Horton, Jojo, Maisie and some mischievous monkeys!

"Join us in the jungle of New in the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool on Wednesday, May 8th at 1:30 & 7 p.m.!

"There will be a silver collection at the door.  Come think all the things you can think!  Seuss!"

There will also be one last fundraiser for children at the school to help with the show's costs.

Today and tomorrow, students can purchase raffle tickets for 1 dollar to win a dozen Seussical-themed cupcakes.

The Swan Valley Co-op will host a Grand Opening celebration for the community this Thursday, featuring food, family fun, and in-store sales.

The Rotary Club and the Agricultural Society are providing some tents and tables for the event.

Free food will be served from 11:30 to 1:30 at the former Building Supplies Timber Mart on Highway 10, south of The Pas.

The co-op has a new program called Communities in full colour; Natasha Ralph, the manager at the Swan Valley co-op in town, shares details.

"Federated Co-op gives us some dollars to support community projects that are in need of paint.

We have our own Co-op Imagine brand of paint.  That allows us to get some community funding for projects that, you know, require a little bit of paint.  

So whether it's a storefront or a rec center or something that needs uh a little sprucing up, we're there to help."

Because this is the program's first year, Natasha said this year, 1,000 dollars will be available for local projects.

Learn more about the program by attending Thursday's Grand Opening event.

Prosthetics can be costly, and the War Amps of Canada can help provide them to amputees.

The group also provides child amputees with the tools they need to succeed despite the downfalls.

The War Amps work with veterans, advocate for rights and well-being, and help promote the independence of all amputees.

The War Amps have been helping amputees in the country for over 100 years; Bob Maguire, a Public awareness officer with the War Amps, shares more.

"We've been around for over 100 years.  We started after the first World War and we're looking forward to the next 100 years.  We're celebrating 50 years of our child amputee program next year.  So we're just looking forward to helping all Canadian amputees for the next generation."

The group's key tag program has been running for over 70 years and helps return keys when lost.

New tags are mailed out yearly, and if found attached to keys, they can be dropped into any Canada Post mailbox to be shipped back to the owner.

The mailing schedule for new tags to be mailed out can be found at waramps.ca.

OCN Chief and council have decided to issue a band council resolution authorized to banish any individual from the community due to the conviction or threat of drug or gang activity.

This is due to several concerns being raised in regard to organized criminal activity, including gang recruitment, drug dealing, and rival gangs.

The Chief and council want to send a clear message that this kind of drug and gang violence will not be tolerated in the community.

There is also a development plan that addresses several initiatives that will directly decrease gang activity and violence.

These initiatives include additional First Nation safety officers, community staff to handle monitoring and check stops, and surveillance monitoring equipment.

MFNPS will also increase their staff members in the community, increasing police presence.

A fire broke out early in the afternoon on April 30th at an apartment building on Tremauden Avenue in The Pas.

The Pas Fire Department responded to the report at approximately 1 pm.

A structure spread to the attic of the building, causing smoke and water damage.

The initial fire was put out quickly, but the attic space sustained extensive damage, which took several man-hours to contain.

One person was taken to hospital as a precaution due to smoke inhalation.

During this time, the fire department also received a report of a grass fire in the carrot valley and two fire alarms in town.

All these calls were promptly taken care of with help from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Fire Department.

Two youths have been arrested in a forcible confinement incident that happened on the OCN on April 27th.

At approximately 4 pm, officers received a call involving a female being held hostage with a firearm.

When officers arrived, the two male suspects had fled on foot.

RCMP Dog Services were called in to track the suspects, and both were subsequently located and arrested.

They were found to be in possession of large quantities of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Heroin.

The two youths, both aged 15 from Ontario, have been charged with multiple offences and were detained into custody with a future court appearance.

The incident is still under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact the MFNPS OCN First Detachment at 204-623-8200.