Automotive Glass Chip Repairs Tinting CROKINOLE Farm Equipment Auto Accessories BOARDS 204-325-8387 150C Foxfi re Trail Winkler, MB (204)325-4012 (STARTING AT $64.99) 600 Centennial St., Winkler, MB Winkler Morden VOLUME 8 EDITION 47 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017 VVLocally ownedoiceoice & operated - Dedicated to serving our communities An early visit There was no question about the star attraction at Morden’s tree lighting festivities at the civic centre Friday, as families were lined up for free photos with Santa. For more photos of the from St. Nick celebration, check out Pg. 16. PHOTO BY LORNE STELMACH/VOICE news > sports > opinion > community > people > entertainment > events > classifi eds > careers > everything you need to know 2 The Winkler Morden Voice Thursday, November 23, 2017 PHOTOS BY BOB HOLLIDAY/MANITOBA POLICE ASSOCIATION Justice Minister Heather Stefanson presented Winkler Cst. Arnold Local offi cers honoured Klassen (centre in photo at left, with Chief Rick Hiebert) and Morden Cst. Jonathan Goertzen (centre above, with Chief Brad Neduzak) with Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards. with provincial awards team is not only a nice-to-have but a the benefi t and the importance of it,” need-to-have.” Klassen said. “It felt good that other A 17 year veteran with the Winkler people recognize it as a worthwhile Excellence in Law Enforcement awards Police Service, Klassen said the award venture for us and something that is a great honour, though he’s quick benefi ts the service and the commu- presented to Winkler, Morden constables to point out that others are equally nity.” deserving of it. The Excellence in Law Enforcement By Lorne Stelmach Morden Police Service for the past “I felt, in one sense, why am I being Award recipients are selected by a six years. He couldn’t be reached for singled out for this award? There are committee representing the Brandon Two local offi cers have been hon- comment as of press time, but police a lot of other people in our service Police Service, RCMP, Winnipeg Po- oured for their dedication and service Chief Brad Neduzak in a statement deserving of recognition as well,” he lice Service, and Manitoba Justice. to policing in Manitoba. praised Goertzen for his role in the said. “There’s a lot of other people in More than 130 police offi cers have Cst. Jonathan Goertzen of Morden regional support tactical team. our police service who put in a lot of received this award in recognition and Cst. Arnold Klassen of Winkler “His hard work and dedication to effort and do a lot of great work.” of outstanding contributions to their were among 16 recipients of Excel- law enforcement has enhanced the Klassen said it was rewarding for communities, their police service, or lence in Law Enforcement Awards service provided to the citizens in the him to be involved in establishing the the betterment of law enforcement in presented Nov. 16 in Winnipeg at a entire Pembina Valley region,” he said. city’s fi rst canine unit. Manitoba. gathering of the Manitoba Associa- Neduzak noted the tactical team is “I took a lot of pride in the work that “It is truly an honour to recognize tion of Chiefs of Police. one of the very fi rst long-term region- I did,” he said. “A lot of it took time af- these offi cers and their dedication The honour cited Klassen particu- al efforts between the Morden, Win- ter hours, especially in the beginning, to public safety in the communities larly for spearheading the creation of kler, and Altona police services and it to establish the unit ... a lot of time where they live and work,” Manitoba a canine unit in Winkler, while Goert- has been a positive addition. was put in after hours for training.” Justice Minister Heather Stefanson zen was recognized for being part of “Police are called upon to sort out He feels now that it is making an said in a statement. “We all benefi t the regional support tactical team. sometimes dangerous situations in ongoing positive impact in the com- from their leadership, commitment Goertzen started his policing career a safe and professional manner,” he munity. and desire to make our province a in 2007 and has been a member of the said. “This is when a well-trained “I think the department recognizes better place.” On Mottos Framed PGG4"-& Pictures & Clocks! 3PCMJO#MWE&8JOLMFS.#t The Winkler Morden Voice Thursday, November 23, 2017 3 Holly Jolly Breakfast raises $10K By Ashleigh Viveiros The Winkler and District Christmas Cheer Board served up nearly 300 pancake breakfasts at its annual Holly Jolly Break- fast on Saturday. The event brought in just over $5,000 in donations, which was matched by breakfast sponsor Scotiabank to bring the grand total to a little over $10,000. That will take a big bite out of the Cheer Board’s bills for this year’s care hampers, which go out to families in need on Dec. 6. “It makes it a lot easier,” says Cheer Board chair Francis Fehr. “We’re seeing a lot of other fundraisers coming together, too, which is exciting.” You can drop off monetary donations and non-perishable food items at City Hall from now until the fi rst week of De- cember. Winkler Co-op has also launched its Cheer Board cam- paign, accepting monetary donations at the till. The Cheer Board expects to deliver over 330 hampers this year. They’ll be packed full of food and gifts for the kids to en- sure everyone has a merry Christmas, says Fehr. Volunteers will be needed to help pack up the hampers Dec. 4-6 and to deliver them the evening of the 6th. If you’d like to help out, call the Cheer Board at 204-362-3946. Top photo: Cheer Board volunteers served up 280 pancake breakfasts on Saturday. Right: The fundraiser included music from local artists, including a choir from J.R. Walkof Elementary School. PHOTOS BY ASHLEIGH VIVEIROS/VOICE Police called to apartment complex twice in one day Winkler police were called to the police report includes: same apartment block twice in one • Winkler police were called Nov. 9 day for separate assaults. at 11:30 p.m. about a man who was Offi cers fi rst went to the Navigator stumbling all over the road along Pe- Apartments Nov. 12 around 3 p.m. in ters Ave. wearing a shirt and shorts response to a report that a 17-year-old but no jacket. youth had assaulted his father and his Police found the 16-year-old on Park father’s girlfriend, punched a hole in St., but he would not talk to offi cers the wall, and threw items around the and appeared to be under the infl u- apartment. ence of drugs. The suspect had left the scene pri- The youth was taken to the Bound- or to the police arriving but then re- ary Trails Health Centre, where he turned while offi cers were still there. was yelling and combative with po- He now faces charges of assault and lice and hospital staff. mischief over $5,000. Blood test results showed he had Offi cers were called back to the alcohol, marijuana, and shatter in his building around 4:30 p.m. about a system. Police suspect he may have fi ght between a couple. taken ecstasy as well. Police say a woman holding a small Offi cers were able to leave the hos- baby was in a hallway kicking an pital after the teen calmed down. apartment door and then, after the • Police received a complaint Nov. 9 man opened the door, she began hit- from an employee of McDonald’s in ting, scratching, and kicking him. Winkler that a co-worker on two oc- A 20-year-old Winkler woman has casions threatened him and his fam- been charged with assault. Child and ily. Family Services were also notifi ed of A 17-year-old Manitou man was ar- the incident. Other items of note in the weekly Continued on page 5 4 The Winkler Morden Voice Thursday, November 23, 2017 Community foundations rise to the challenge By Lorne Stelmach Local community foundations got a huge fi nancial boost Saturday “BY GROWING THE through the annual Endow Manitoba 24-Hour Giving Challenge. COMMUNITY FUND, WE Every donation made to rural foun- ARE ABLE TO GRANT dations that day were matched by PHOTO BY ASHLEIGH VIVEIROS/VOICE the Winnipeg Foundation and the MORE MONEY BACK From left: The Winkler Community Foundation’s Myra Peters, Tash Province of Manitoba at $1 for each INTO THE COMMUNITY Olfert, and James Elias set up shop at Winkler Co-op for the 24 Hour $5 raised up to a maximum of $2,000. Giving Challenge on Saturday, raising over $37,000 for local grants. The Access Credit Union also came EACH YEAR.” on board to match that amount for able to surpass, getting us closer to an even greater impact.” Winkler and Morden. our fi ve year goal of raising $100,000 The Plum Coulee Foundation, As a result, the Morden Area Foun- ing on the program and talking about for the community fund,” said ex- meanwhile, hosted a special by-do- dation collected $18,345, far surpass- the program and ultimately coming in ecutive director Myra Peters, noting nation soup and pie supper Saturday ing the $10,268 raised last year. with a cheque,” she said. “I received a they ended up with a grand total of to bolster its challenge efforts. It means the foundation will be re- variety of cheques this year from $20 $37,326, including all matching dona- The agency’s Moira Porte said they ceiving the maximum $6,000 in chal- all the way up to $5,000.” tions.