Rural Roundup – Nov. 20, 2025 – Brandon Sun

Nipawa

Local television station Neepawa is preparing for its annual general meeting and is highlighting the need for volunteers to help reach the community.

Neepawa Access, a local community television station, will hold a meeting at 7:00 pm on November 24 at the Neepawa Library.

The meeting will allow the community to receive feedback on the programming, provide an opportunity to adopt revised bylaws, and allow community members to participate in the operation of the television station.

“There are a lot of opportunities for people who would like to volunteer,” said program manager Livay Cabrera. This may include filming and commentating on youth hockey, as well as producing programs such as talk shows and cooking shows.

“It's been a tough few months with just two employees at the station, and we're still hoping people will donate their time to help us,” Cabrera added. “I hope people see the value of our local TV station and that they will help in any way they can.”

The television station has been operating in Neepawa for over 40 years. Many of the original volunteers have aged or passed away, according to general manager Ken Waddell.

» Nipawa Banner and Press

MINTO-ODANA

The former councilor lost the Minto-Odana RM election after resigning from his council position and then contested the election to regain his seat.

Former councilman Bryon Pollon explained in a letter to the Neepawa Banner & Press that he felt ambushed by the August meeting that led to his resignation, and he again sought election, believing he needed to become a councilor to properly investigate the matter.

Pollon said he was called into an emergency meeting where RM's boss and employees informed him of a complaint filed against him a week earlier.

“When I asked who filed the complaint, they told me they were not obligated to tell me. I then asked to see the complaint and was told they were not required to show it to me,” Pollon wrote in his public letter, which was published this month in a local community newspaper.

“Without being able to read the complaint or defend myself, I was then told that I was considered a violator of the (municipal code of conduct) and would be punished.”

Pollon said he was removed from his position as chief financial officer and barred from entering the office except on board days. He said that if he had any business to do in the office, it should be done in the parking lot. He said that a member of the personnel committee made unprofessional and disrespectful remarks and that everyone arrived early for the meeting before he got there.

Pollon said he resigned at a regular council meeting a few days later out of protest at how he was treated and concerns that the situation would be handled properly.

In the following weeks, Pollon said he had changed his mind about resigning. He said he realized the trial was unfair and that he would have to return to the council table to conduct the investigation properly. At this point, he said, he filed his candidacy papers to return to the council.

Pollon said he has the right to review the complaint, which he was denied in August.

Pollon lost the final October election in two races to Kevin Boyd by 52 votes to 104.

» Nipawa Banner and Press

VIRDEN

A thrift store is reopening in Virden after being relocated due to structural damage to the former building.

New to You was scheduled to move to a new location at Unit 3, 585 Seventh Avenue South, on November 12th and hold a grand opening.

The old location at 267 Nelson Street West closed in September after heavy rain caused structural damage.

The store traditionally sells a wide range of gently used items, from household items to clothing, books, decor and more, donated by the public. Prices are kept low as part of the business model.

The thrift store raises funds for the Community Living Association, which employs staff hired from its programs and volunteers. The association provides support to people with disabilities in the area.

» Empire Virden Progress

DAUPHEN

Dauphin RCMP said they interrupted two men attempting to steal copper from a city building last month.

Mounties said they responded on Oct. 23 to a break-in and break-in at an unfinished home on Southeast Third Avenue. At that time, the residence was undergoing renovations.

They said the back door was broken so there was plenty of room to get inside.

When police asked the occupants to leave the house, they did not comply and officers heard movement inside.

They then arrested a man who tried to crawl out of a side window and caught a second man leaving out the back door with a backpack.

Police said damage was found on the property, including multiple large holes in the drywall. They also found two hockey bags full of copper wire and tubing.

Two Dauphin men, aged 36 and 47, have been charged.

» Dauphin Herald

MEMORY BOX

An 11th grade student from Minnedosa won second place in a national Remembrance Day competition by drawing a poster of a soldier holding a poppy.

This year, student Signe Erven took second place in the Legion Youth Memorial Competition. Her poster won at the local and provincial levels and then placed second in the senior category across Canada.

According to her, this was Erven's first performance at the national level.

More than 100,000 students participate in the competition each year in the visual arts, writing and video categories. Erven submitted a submission for original art. She said it was important to show respect to those who served and remember what they did to protect Canada.

“My winning artwork of a veteran holding a poppy was painted to symbolize the memory and honor of those who served,” she said.

According to Barry Brooking, a member of the Legion of Minnedosa, the contests are held to encourage youth to maintain memories.

» Minnedosa Tribune