Due to strange winter with a lot of thawing and freezing, The Pas has become a breeding ground for pot holes.

The province, Third Street from the start of Fisher avenue going to the the juncation of PR285 and Kryschuk Road will be getting new paving.

They will also be paving PTH10 from Cook Avenue to PR287.

A new cycling club called: The Pas Northern Chain Spokers are having a meeting at A&W on May 8^th.

The goal of the meeting is to finding out the public’s interest for volunteer’s participants and club members. The club is mainly focused on having a cycling group for youth 16 and under.

The meeting runs from 7-9 PM.

The Pas Councilor Alan Gibb brought forward a request form at Monday night’s council meeting regarding a Street Sign that designates the road to the pulp mill known as PR628 with a different name.

The road is a provincial turn off, and Gibbs request to council is to go Manitoba Infrastructure. and ask to remove the street sign that says "Tolko Road" or come up with a new name.

The RCMP is looking to recruit new officers and Constable Dakota Maruzin from The Pas RCMP is having a recruitment seminar at the UCN on May 2^nd. 

The RCMP is seeking applicants from all walks of life to join Canada’s National Police Force. There are about 1100 cadet openings to train at depot academy in Regina.

The Pas Homecoming 2017 is planned for August 5^th and 6^th of this year to celebrate the 105 anniversary of The Pas, and the 150^th anniversary of Canada.

The Event will feature a craft show, a dance, a fish fry, and other fun activities.

The Pas Homecoming committee will be at the Chamber of Commerce trade show from May 11^th till the 13^th if you want more information on the event.

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries is having an MS walk in The Pas on May 28^th.

The walk begins at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 19 at 11AM and there are two different routes that can be used. People are asked to meet at the legion around 9:30 AM.

According to MS Society Director of Development Ilona Niemczuk, Canadian has the highest rate of MS in the world.

The fundraising goal is $13,900 and so far $975 dollars have been raised for the walk. You can sign up your team at netmssociety.ca.

The Town of The Pas 2017 Financial Plan was officially enacted after it passed its second and final readings at Monday night’s council meeting.

One of the goals of this year’s budget is the Larose Avenue project and a zero percent increase in property taxes. Visit the townofthepas.ca or call Jodie Madden at 204-623-1107 to find out more about the financial plan.

The Wescana Inn is having a Meat Draw and social on May 19th to support Cari Kirkness A 28 year old single mother that was diagnosed with Streptococcus.

The meat draw runs from runs from 5-7 PM and the social will run from 9PM until 1 AM. The evening will also feature a Don Constant Elvis Presley Show, MC Greg Personious, music by Zeke and Beatoes Productions, a silent auction and other prizes. You do not have to be present at the event to claim silent auction prizes.

The social costs 10 dollars for admission.

The Kelsey School Division in Partnership with the Health Authority will be hosting All Aboard for Kindergarten at the United Church today and Tomorrow.

The program will give children and their parents an opportunity to participate in some fun activities.

All of the spaces have been filled for the, All aboard for Kindergarten Program but you can still take part in the Welcome to Kindergarten Programs on May 10^th at Kelsey Community School and on May 17^th at Ecole Opasquia School.

The Cree Nation Tribal Health Centre has been working with residential school survivors, and now there is a new opportunity for them to receive financial support for education.

About 345 survivors from Opaskwayak First Nation attended residential school. The NIB trust fund is giving aboriginals the opportunity to reclaim their language and culture that they lost in residential schools. You can apply online at nibtrust.ca. Applications must be made by June 2^nd of this year.

Nurses from across Manitoba will be meeting in Winnipeg today and tomorrow for the 42^nd annual general meeting of the Manitoba Nurses Union.

Dr Cindy Blackstock The executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada will be speaking to the delegates today.

500 delegates will debate a number of issues and gather at the Manitoba legislature to advocate for safe patient care. The MNU is concerned about the recent cuts to nurses and the impact that it has on patient care.

The Manitoba Nurse Union represents close to 97 percent of the unionized nurse in the province.

Last week C.J.A.R Radio ran a pledge drive for Cari Kirkness. A 28 year old woman diagnosed with streptococcus and raised a total of $24,520 to support her. Cari’s mother Lorrette Kirkness is very greatful for all of the donations that her daughter has received.

The donations will go towards buying Cari a new one storey home and a wheelchair accessible van.

Two weeks ago, The Province of Manitoba announced that The Pas’s Grace Lake Airport would be shutting down due to the unfeasible population base in the community.

Missinippi is the main airline that uses the Grace Lake Airport. June 15^th is the deadline to have airplanes and other vehicles removed from the airport property.

Closure of the airport is expected to allow greater efficiencies for the Clearwater Lake Airport, and allow the land of Grace Lake Airport to be used for other economic purposes.

The Pas and Area animal Shelter is having a wine and cheese tasting event at the Wescana Inn bar On April 28^th. The evening will feature wine specialist Michelle Reid to give advice on wine and cheese pairing, and an unveiling of new plans for an animal shelter for The Pas.

The event runs from 7-9PM, tickets can be purchased at Funky Threads, Brena Deans, Shane’s Music, The Veterinary Clinic, Anderson Inn and Suites, and the Wescana Inn.

Cari Kirkness a 28 year old Single mother of two was diagnosed with a rare yet life threatening form of strep throat called Streptococcus. OCN Chief Christian Sinclair has already made a one-thousand dollar donation to help Cari and her family.

Cari will need to move to a new one Storey home and a wheelchair accessible van. Donations can be dropped off at CJAR until 4:30 PM. They can also be dropped off with Cari’s cousin Melissa at Warehouse One.

The Town of The Pas's 2017 financial plan was presented at a public hearing on April 18^th. 

The hearing gave residents a chance to review the financial plan and to ask any questions that they had.

The number one goal of this years budget is to maintain a zero percent increase in property taxes.The budget will go through its second and third readings at the next council meeting.

If you have any questions regarding this year’s financial plan you can contact chief financial officer Jodie Madden at 204-623-1107. You can find a PowerPoint presentation about the financial plan on the town’s website: www.townofthepas.ca

Career Trek is having Trivia Trek Rumble of the North at the Royal Canadian Legion on April 22^nd, featuring a night of fierce competion.

Career Trek brings grade five and six students to post secondary institutions to show them different occupations in a hands-on way.

The event begins at the legion at 7:30 and you can get tickets by calling 204-620-7098.

The UCN Language and Arts Festival will run on April 25^th and the 26^th at the The Pas’s UCN Campus. The festival focuses on encouraging creative writing among high school students.

The event will feature keynote speakers Lauren Carter, Ariel Gordon, and Duncun Mercredi. There will be a banquet and readings on the 25th at 5:30 PM and a grand finale concert on the 26th at 7PM.

The goal of the festival is to encourage high school students to get involved with creative writing. For more information visit www.ucn.ca

A total of 113 people have been evacuated from their homes in the Bracken Dam area of Opaskwayak First Nation due to flooding caused by ice jams on the Carrot and Saskatchewan Rivers.

The Canadian Red Cross has assisted residents in finding temporary shelter as well as providing food and other support services.

Bracken Dam evacuees are currently staying in hotels in The Pas.

We will keep you up to date on this story as the information becomes available.

The Pas resident Janet A Michelle is now the owner of a new 2017 Honda Civic Coupe EX-T the Grand Prize for Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim to Win.

Janet received her new car at the Tim Hortons at the Otineka Mall on April 13^th.

The contest runs for six weeks and players have until May 4^th to claim their prizes, Other prizes include pre-paid credit cards, Smart TVs, and food items at Tim Hortons.

The Manitoba Government has appointed eight new members to the University College of the North Governing Council.

Tracy Como, a Cranberry Portage resident and director of the Métis employment department for the MMF was appointed as a member for a term of office that will end on June 30^th 2018. The Pas residents Edith Sexsmith, Linda Markus, and Sharain Jones were also appointed as members

Ian Wishart Minister of Education and Training stated in a press release that the candidates bring an impressive array of wisdom and experience that will benefit the college community throughout their terms.

The UCN’s Governing Council is responsible for determining the college’s mission, vision and values.

The 2017 Financial Plan for the Town of The Pas has been completed.

This years plan involves a zero percent increase in taxes, a grant for Canadian Kraft Paper, and the Larose Avenue project.

The Financial Plan will be presented at a public hearing on April 18^th to give residents a chance to ask questions about the plan.

Mayor Jim Scott says he is very proud of the work that was put into this year’s budget. Residents of The Pas can pick up a copy of the financial plan at the town office.

The Pas RCMP responded to a house fire at a residence south of The Pas on the evening of April 6^th.

The fire occurred on Grymonprez Road and the house was completely engulfed by the time officers and firefighters showed up.

Once the fire was brought under control, firefighters found the bodies of two occupants and autopsies will be conducted to confirm their identities.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and the investigation is ongoing.

Niki Ashton the MP for Churchill–Keewatinook Aski began the Prairies Economic Justice Tour in Thompson earlier this week. The tour is part of her campaign and it’s aimed at bringing forward the voices of Canadians struggling for economic justice.

Ashton says, "We need to make sure we are standing up for working people, and those struggling through poverty. We want to hear these stories and the way people are fighting back and we want to work with people in solidarity."

Ashton recently visited Prince Albert and Edmonton and will be visiting other communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan during the month of April. Ashton is also running for NDP leadership. You can find out more about her campaign by visiting nikiashton2017.ca.

A new fire bylaw for The Town of The Pas passed its first reading at Monday night’s council meeting. 

Mayor Jim Scott says, "We previously refered to our firefighters as volunteers that is not factual they are paid employees. We removed the word volunteer from the bylaw to clean up the language and make it valid."

The bylaw must go through two more readings before it gets enacted. You can find out more about the bylaw on the towns website: townofthepas.ca

The 23^rd Annual Bill Bannock ice fishing derby results are in. Crosslake Resident Paul Mcivor took home the $25,000 prize with a 60.01 CM fish. Derek Kerwin of The Pas Won the 16 foot aluminum boat with a 60.00 CM fish, and Brady Fidirchuk clinched third place with a 59.01 CM fish taking home a new ATV.

Joey Foxton, Leigh Johnson, and Wade Roberts of The Pas managed to take home some prizes as well. A total 13 fish were caught at this year’s derby.

The Pas Fire Department was able to contain an early morning blaze this morning at the HBR rail yard after a pile of railway ties caught fire. The call was received around 5:30 and it took fire department four hours to reduce the fire to white smoke.

It is not known what caused the fire but Chief Fire Prevention Officer Randy Manych believes it may have been set on purpose.

The investigation into the cause is still underway.

The Storytellers Film Festival is having a National Canadian Film Day 150 Screening on April 19^th in The Pas.

The screening will take place at the Wescana Inn’s event room and will feature three full length movies along with some local short films. The movie Angry Inuk will be shown at 5 PM, Followed by Corner Gas the Movie at 7PM, and My Winnipeg at 9PM.

Admission to the event is free and you can find out more about National Canadian Film Day 150 by visiting canfilmday.ca

Kelsey Community School and Ecole Opasquia School will have Kindergarten registrations on April 12th at 6PM.

Children born in 2012 are eligible to sign up for kindergarten for the upcoming school year which begins on September 6^th. Parents are asked to bring their children’s ID to the registration.

Manitoba Hydro is reminding residents that spring is the time of year for pole fires. Spring humidity mixed with winter grime on power insulators can cause short circuit fires on hydro poles.

Pole fires can cause power lines to drop to the ground and become a risk to public safety. Pole fires and downed power lines should be reported to Manitoba Hydro by calling 1-888-MBHYDRO.

Three people were injured in a two vehicle collision involving a car and an SUV in the The Pas on Wednesday.  The accident happened at the intersection of Fischer Avenue and 7^th Street.

The two occupants of the SUV sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospital. The driver of the car was also injured but was not taken to hospital.The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid.

The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba is having a community forum in The Pas. The forum is called “Fentanyl and Other Drugs, what Youth and Families Need to Know”.

The forum will take place at the Margaret Barbour Colligate Institute on April 11^th from 7 until 9 PM.

The evening will include an expert panel that will answer questions that community members have, along with presentations from doctors and other agency representatives. Public education is one of the mandates of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. More information can be found at afm.mb.ca.   

The 2017 Canada Summer Games are coming to Winnipeg this July. The torch relay will run through the The Pas on July 10^th. They are looking for residents of The Pas and the OCN to be torch bearers Jeff Nnatiuk the President and CEO of the 2017 Canada Summer Games says “We’re looking for people within the communities to nominate torch bearers. Best way to do it is to go to your hydro office and pick up a nomination form.” All Torch bearers must be at least 12 years of age and they will be required to walk at least 200 metres. The nomination deadline is April 12^th and the winners will be announced on the 12^th of May.

The RCMP have released their monthly crime statistics report for the Town of The Pas and the RM of Kelsey. During the month of March The Pas saw 163 incidents of disturbaning the peace, 23 assaults, and 7 incidents of drugs. The RM of Kelsey saw 8 disturbing the Peace incidents, 4 cases of assault, and no drug related incidents.

The Look North Initiative has been conducting summits with Northern Manitoba community leaders regarding economic development. Cliff Cullen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade says “it’s a really good chance for us to get the key stakeholders together and talk about the future. We’re really interested in growing the economy in Northern Manitoba”. Once the summits have been completed, the provincial government will conduct a report on the Northern findings. The summit moved to Thompson from The Pas and will conclude in Churchill tomorrow.

The 23^rd annual Bill Bannock Classic Ice Fishing Derby is back for another year of fun, and great prizes!

Pick up a ticket, and you could win up to 25 thousand dollars if you catch the lucky fish with extra prize money is available for those that fish at both.

The Derby is set for Saturday with the Flinty derby in Flin Flon set for Sunday.

Tickets can be bought online at www.billbannock.com, from any rotary member, and at sponsor locations around town.

The Northern Learning and Support Centre will be presenting a webinar on Anxiety Disorders and Autism. April is known as Autism Awareness Month and NLSC Resource Facilitator Tania Catalano explains what the presentation is expected to cover. “This one is going to identify common anxiety based conditions symptoms and behaviors, exhibited by people with ASD.” The webinar will be held at Mary Duncan School on April 6^th from 9am until 10:30am. You can register at nlscmb.ca.

The Sam Waller Museum has a new exhibit called “Gone Wild’, the artwork of Lois Pedersen. Museum director Sharain Jones tells us about the artist. “She’s an artist that’s based up in Flin Flon, and she’s painted all her paintings with alcohol ink, so a number of these paintings they look quite abstract.” The paintings will be held on display until May 25^th daily from 1pm until 5pm at the Sam Waller museum.

Late last week members of the RCMP North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Team and the Wabowden RCMP initiated a traffic stop near Wabowden.

The male driver and lone occupant of the vehicle was arrested in relation to an ongoing investigation, and his vehicle was searched.

Officers found a large sum of cash, 103 pounds of marijuana and nine pounds of a marijuana derivative known as “shatter.”

Jackson Chanthachith, 34, of Calgary, Alberta, has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Marihuana, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Marihuana Derivative and Possession of the Proceeds of Crime Under $5000.

He was remanded into custody.

M-K-O Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson has announced they are leading an interim mental health and wellness coordination initiative over three years for Manitoba First Nations.

She says many of their people are suffering and not able to access the mental health support they need.

She announced a Mobile Mental Health Crisis Response Team is now in place to support both northern and southern First Nations.

She adds they look forward to three Community based Wellness Teams that are being led by three Tribal Councils in Manitoba and look forward to building on this interim measure to ensure long term sustainable mental wellness supports are in place.

A new MKO Crisis Response Line will also be available soon that will be shared widely with Manitoba First Nations and Health Canada has launched a new Indigenous Help Line operation 24-7 toll free at 1-855-242-3310.