Looking Back — May 17, 2024

SIXTY YEARS AGO

Two Brandon College students will receive University of Manitoba medals at the 1964 Convocation. Eleanor Riesberry of Brandon will receive the French government gold medal and a bachelor of arts degree. Cal Liscolm Cunningham of Nesbitt will receive the university silver medal for second-highest standing in arts or science of the U of M and a bachelor of science degree.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

City council approved new rates for Curran Park. The rates for unserviced camper and tent sites are $1.75, up from $1.50; the weekly rate goes to $10 from $8 and the monthly rate goes up to $30 from $25. For full serviced sites: camper and tent sites will cost $2.50, up from $2.25, the weekly rate is up to $12 from $10 and the monthly rate is now $38, up from $34. Season passes for cars remain at $2.50.

FORTY YEARS AGO

Gordon Sinclair, who called himself Canada’s oldest, crankiest newsman, died at the age of 83 today, two days after suffering a heart attack. Among his many achievements, Sinclair appeared on the CBC’s panel show “Front Page Challenge” since it began in 1957, helping make it Canada’s longest-running television program.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

The Boissevain Broncos have ended a 23-year-old tradition by pulling out of the Rural Manitoba Football League for the 1994 season due to a lack of players.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Federal Agriculture and Food Minister Bob Speller got a warm reception from Brandon-Souris candidate Murray Downing and his supporters during a visit to the Liberal campaign office Sunday evening.

TEN YEARS AGO

No changes are planned to an intersection where two semi-trucks collided earlier this week, as police have determined driver error was involved. Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation regional director of operations Herb Mahood says with the finding of driver error, there’s nothing to prompt a redesign. He said it’s likely not even the installation of a traffic light would have prevented the crash between the semi-trucks hauling tankers at the intersection of Highway 110 and Richmond Avenue East on Monday afternoon.

Ottawa and Broadway plan to spend a combined $20 million over the next five years to beef up Manitoba grain research, production and processing. On Friday, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and his Manitoba counterpart, Ron Kostyshyn, announced the creation of a “grain innovation hub,” a $33-million package for research and development that will take place in university labs and private-sector facilities.

An NDP backbencher has resigned from the legislature for health and family reasons. Frank Whitehead, 61, represented The Pas since 2009. Whitehead said in a news release he came to the decision after lengthy discussions with health professionals and his family that he was no longer able to put in the long hours of work and travel the job demands.