With our lives upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and the daily news constantly inundated with political instability south of the border—and yes, some north of it, too—it’s easy to understand why everyone has decided that 2020 was the year from hell. The social media memes reminding us of this fact will live on in infamy.

The RM of Ritchot begins their new four-year garbage and recycling contract with GFL Environmental on January 4, 2021. The urban areas of St. Adolphe, Ste. Agathe, Île-des-Chênes, and Grande Pointe are transitioning away from manual pickup and moving to automated pickup, which requires the use of approved garbage and recycling carts as provided by GFL. For those who live in rural areas, there will be no change.

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville, although there has been only one positive test so far. The news broke as part of the province’s daily press briefing on Monday, January 4.

With less than 14 months to go, excitement is ramping up for the 2022 Manitoba Winter Games, which will take place in Niverville. Angela Janz and Chantel Todd, co-chairs of the Games, say that plans are well underway and they are confident the event will be a huge boon for the town.

Jeannot Robert has been championing his hometown for as long as most Ste. Agathe residents will remember. He’s spent years on countless committees, stood at the forefront of community growth, and has been quick to get his hands dirty any time a job needed doing.

On December 20, local schoolteacher Mark Reimer will fly to Ecuador to fulfill a promise he made almost 10 years ago.