Michael Blume, PortageOnline Journalist Profile

Articles

PCI students launch businesses and give back to community

1 week ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

Students in the applied commerce program at Portage Collegiate Institute showcased their business ventures last week after a semester of hard work. The event featured student-run companies offering everything from custom apparel and cleaning services to marketing strategies and community-focused food programs. Gavin Taylor, who teaches applied commerce at PCI, says the event gives students a real taste of entrepreneurship.
Portage library prepares for 47th annual book sale

1 week ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

The Portage la Prairie Regional Library is gearing up for its 47th annual book sale, set to begin June 28 and run through to August 30, just after the Canada Day long weekend. Suzy Laevens, the library’s clerk, graphic designer and longtime book sale coordinator, says it’s the library’s biggest fundraiser of the year and one that continues to grow. “This will be our 47th book sale. I haven’t been doing it that long, but I’ve probably been involved, probably for a good fifteen.
Bezan focuses on Arctic security and military housing as reinstated as shadow minister of defence

1 week ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk–Interlake–Eastman, says he is honoured to continue serving as the Conservative shadow minister for national defence—a role he’s held consistently since 2015, with the exception of a brief post-election stint in 2019. “I’m happy that our position has always been that we will, as Conservatives, always put Canada first; our safety, our security.
Federal commitments could boost safety, trade in Portage

1 week ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

Manitoba's municipal leaders are eager to see the federal Liberal government follow through on key election platform promises that could affect local communities. From supporting economic growth to investing in infrastructure to achieving housing affordability and keeping communities safe, communities like Portage la Prairie could benefit.
Summer gas prices expected to hold steady through mid-September

1 week ago | steinbachonline.com | Michael Blume

We can expect summer fuel prices to remain relatively steady over the coming months, with average rates currently sitting between $1.35 and $1.37 per litre in Steinbach. Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, says the shift to summer gasoline blends is already complete, which typically adds about five cents per litre to production costs. However, a simultaneous $10-per-barrel drop in oil prices helped neutralize the effect, leaving pump prices largely unchanged for now.
Golf fundraiser supports anonymous crime reporting in Manitoba

1 week ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

Fran Myles, chair of Manitoba Crime Stoppers and a Portage la Prairie resident, says the organization is unique in Canada for offering citizens a way to report crimes anonymously while also earning potential cash rewards. “Manitoba Crime Stoppers is the only organization in the country that provides an outlet for citizens to report crimes safely, anonymously, and hopefully accurately, and receive a reward if the information they provide results in an arrest,” says Myles.
Website misinformation sparks confusion among seniors about mandatory medical tests every two years

2 weeks ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

A controversial claim that Manitoba drivers aged 65 and up now face mandatory medical exams every two years has sparked concern—and confusion—among the province’s senior population. For 89-year-old Mel Holod, the news, which turned out to be false, stirred a range of emotions. “I don’t know if it’s good or bad.
Fires popping up, Portage department quashes small blaze behind hotel

2 weeks ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

Portage la Prairie firefighters contended with a small fire behind the Howard Johnson's on the bypass beside the Yellowquill Trail. It appeared there was a fire beside a hydro pole, and it was extinguished Saturday, while firefighters remained at the scene to ensure it would not rekindle. It restarted, and these photos show them extinguishing that renewed flame.
Summer gas prices expected to hold steady through mid-September

2 weeks ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

Drivers in Portage la Prairie can expect summer fuel prices to remain relatively steady over the coming months, with average rates currently sitting between $1.34 per litre. Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, says the shift to summer gasoline blends is already complete, which typically adds about five cents per litre to production costs. However, a simultaneous $10-per-barrel drop in oil prices helped neutralize the effect, leaving pump prices largely unchanged for now.
Solo paddle from Portage to The Forks unleashes spirit of the river

2 weeks ago | portageonline.com | Michael Blume

Josh Wright of Portage la Prairie had imagined the journey for over a decade. On May 8, he finally pushed his 21-foot fiberglass canoe into the Assiniboine River at the Hoop and Holler Bend, bound for The Forks in Winnipeg—a 153-kilometre trip through forested bends, shifting winds and ancient waterways. "I’ve driven over the Assiniboine many times and thought, what would it be like to just float down the river and make it to Winnipeg like people did many years ago.