The Lord Selkirk School Division was forced to close its schools due to a winter snow storm Jan. 17.
Kraken no match for high flying Jets
The Winnipeg Jets earned a 2-1 victory over the visiting Seattle Kraken at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Jan. 16.
Valour FC exercises option on defender Themi Antonoglou’s contract
Lions also announce remaining decisions surrounding 2024 roster
Valour FC has announced the club has exercised its 2025 option on defender Themi Antonoglou’s contract.
Antonoglou, 23, joined Valour in February 2024 and became a key part of the squad in his first season in Winnipeg.
An attack-minded defender, the native of Toronto dominated the left side of the field for Valour and he finished the regular season ranked first among Canadian Premier League (CPL) players with seven assists, becoming the first defender to ever lead the league in that category. He also led the CPL with 60 interceptions and ranked joint-third among all CPL players in tackles won (51), the most by any defender in 2024.
His performance in 2024 earned Antonoglou his first nomination for the CPL’s Defender of the Year Award, and a place in the league’s 2024 Best XI Fuelled By Gatorade.
Valour also confirmed on Thursday that goalkeeper Darlington Murasiranwa, defender Tass Mourdoukoutas, midfielder Juan Pablo Sanchez, midfielder Zachary Sukunda and striker Jordan Swibel will not return to the club in 2025. Contracts for Murasiranwa, Mourdoukoutas and Sanchez expired on Dec. 31, while Valour elected not to exercise the 2025 option on Swibel’s contract. Valour and Sukunda agreed to mutually terminate the midfielder’s contract.
The club has also elected not to exercise club options for strikers Abdul Binate and Loic Kwemi, though it remains in conversation with both players about potential returns next season.
Valour currently has 14 players signed to its 2024 roster, including 11 players returning from the club’s 2024 squad and new signings Eleias Himaras, Rocco Romeo and Kris Twardek.
Current 2025 Valour FC Roster as of Jan. 16, 2024:
Goalkeepers: Eleias Himaras, Jonathan Viscosi
Defenders: Roberto Alarcón, Themi Antonoglou, Gianfranco Facchineri, Rocco Romeo
Midfielders: Dante Campbell, Safwane Mlah, Raphael Ohin, Diogo Ressurreição
Forwards: Jordan Faria, Shaan Hundal, Kris Twardek, Kian Williams
Blue Bombers unveil 2025 schedule
The Canadian Football League (CFL) has unveiled the 2025 schedule, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers opening their regular season at home on Thursday, June 12th against the BC Lions following a Week 1 bye. The home opener is one of three Thursday night home games in 2025.
The Bombers will then travel to BC for the first of four back-to-back series on the calendar before returning home to face the Edmonton Elks at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 26.
The home schedule includes three Friday night games on July 18th(vs Calgary), August 1st (vs Toronto), and October 17th(vs Saskatchewan). Three games will be played at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday nights, and three will be held on a Saturday: The annual Banjo Bowl on September 6th, the Orange Shirt Game September 27th vs Hamilton, and the final game of the regular season October 25th vs Montreal.
The annual Labour Day Classic and Banjo Bowl will be played August 31st in Regina and September 6th at Princess Auto Stadium.
“We can’t wait to welcome our fans back to Princess Auto Stadium as we prepare for another great regular season culminating in the Grey Cup championship right here at home in November,” said President & CEO, Wade Miller. “The energy in the stadium on game days truly makes it Winnipeg’s biggest party, and we think our fans will enjoy the even number of Thursday, Friday and Saturday games on the schedule this year.”
Season tickets and flex packs for the 2025 regular season are available by calling 204-784-7448 or by going online.
Councillor Lorie Fiddler elected as Deputy Mayor
Two-term Councillor Lorie Fiddler has been elevated to the Deputy Mayor seat following an election by her peers.
Fiddler is ready for the experience and looking forward to the new role.
“It’s very exciting for me and I’m really happy to take this on,” Fiddler said.
“It’ll be a little different take on municipal politics, and I think having the extra responsibilities will be a new challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”
Voted in with full support of council
Councillor Lorie Fiddler
(Photo Submitted by City of Selkirk)
Most municipal councils in Manitoba have the mayor or reeve appoint a council member as the deputy mayor for the full term of council (4 years), but Selkirk Council elects one member to serve as Deputy Mayor typically for a period of two years.
Mayor Larry Johannson says Selkirk’s process is more democratic and gives the Deputy Mayor position more value because it means that the person holding the position has the confidence and support of their fellow council members.
“Deputy Mayor Fiddler was voted in with the full support of council and I, along with all members of council, know she will do a fantastic job,” Johannson said.
“Lorie’s into her second term on council and she’s proven that she’s committed to the city and its citizens and works hard to make Selkirk a better place for all. I’m looking forward to working with her for the next two years.”
Fiddler steps into the role after Councillor April Smith who has served as Deputy Mayor for the first two years of this council term.
“I am excited for Deputy Mayor Fiddler and for the residents of Selkirk,” Smith said.
“Lorie will excel in this position. Her dedication to our community comes from her heart. Council fully supports her and I’m looking forward to her serving in this new role.”
Fiddler, who sits on the Heritage and Library committees as well as the Association of Rural Municipalities of the Capital Region (ARM), says Selkirk council is a cohesive unit that works well together.
“I am so happy to be on such an encouraging council and I know I will get all the support I need.”Deputy Mayor Lorie Fiddler
“I am so happy to be on such an encouraging council and I know I will get all the support I need.”
Fiddler expects it to be a busy two years, and she says there’s plenty of projects on the horizon that she’s excited to be part of.
The expansion of the Gaynor Family Regional Library will benefit readers and learners, she says, and she’s proud of Selkirk council’s commitment to the library.
Several editions of council worked hard to ensure that if the space occupied by the Red River Planning Board ever became vacant it would be available for library expansion. With the departure of the planning board in 2021, the city’s work paid off and the three ownership municipalities – Selkirk, St. Andrews and St. Clements – have all agreed that the expansion will be set to begin this year.
The purchase by the city of the Garry Theatre, also in 2021, is another big project Fiddler is looking forward to.
“The Garry has been the talk of the town for the past couple years and it’s great to be part of a project that means so much to so many,” Fiddler says.
“The community has been so engaged and focused on rehabilitating a building that’s like an old friend to us all, and I look forward to working with council and the community to make the new version of the Garry a reality.”
Winnipeg Jets cruise to victory over Canucks
The Winnipeg Jets earned a 6-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Canucks at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Jan. 14.
Defender Rocco Romeo returns to Valour FC
Valour FC has announced the return of Canadian defender Rocco Romeo, who joins the club on a one-year contract guaranteed for 2025, with an option for 2026.
A familiar face, Romeo, who previously played for Valour in 2021 and 2022, returns to the Lion’s backline after two-seasons on the West Coast with Canadian Premier League (CPL) counterpart Vancouver Football Club.. Romeo notched two goals for Vancouver during his 23 appearances and the fan favourite also earned such honours as the Supporters’ Player of the Season and Vancouver FC’s Player of the Year in 2023 and Community Leader of the Year and Fan’s Choice in 2024.
Prior to his time in Vancouver, Romeo represented Valour FC in 2021 and 2022. He first joined the club on loan from Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2021, then returned to Winnipeg in February ahead of the club’s 2022 CPL campaign.
“Rocco is one of ours,” said Valour FC General Manager and Head Coach Phil Dos Santos. “We love his passion and commitment to the game. Even if he’s still a young player, he has a lot of CPL matches played. He adds experience and quality to our back line. We know what he’s all about. He’s a competitor, good in the air, loves to defend and can also execute with the ball.”
Internationally, Romeo represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, and the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. In 2020, he was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.
“Returning to Valour FC is more than just a homecoming,” said Romeo “it’s my opportunity at redemption. This is where my CPL journey began and now, I return with an unrelenting hunger to win, to lead and to give everything for this club and its supporters. I’m here to make history, not only for myself, but for the club and the city of Winnipeg.”
Current 2025 Valour FC Roster as of Jan. 14, 2024:
Goalkeepers: Jonathan Viscosi, Eleias Himaras
Defenders: Gianfranco Facchineri, Roberto Alarcón, Rocco Romeo
Midfielders: Diogo Ressurreição, Safwane Mlah, Zachary Sukunda, Raphael Ohin, Dante Campbell
Forwards: Shaan Hundal, Kian Williams, Jordan Faria, Kris Twardek
Mighty Kiwi serving up mighty hot chocolate
The co-owners of the Mighty Kiwi in Selkirk have created a variety of speciality hot chocolates to keep their customers extra warm during coldest time of the year.
Co-owner Miranda Kinney told the Selkirk Times how the inspiration to add the flavourful heated drinks to their menu came from Holiday Alley.
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“The winter festival held here in Selkirk. They were so popular during Holiday Alley that we decided to keep them a little while longer,” said Kinney. “We love creating unique menu items to give our customers a unique and tasty experience.”
When asked how long customers can enjoy the speciality hot chocolate beverages at the Mighty Kiwi, Kinney said “while supplies last.”
Kinney alongside fellow co-owner Jocelyn Kreml moved the Mighty Kiwi from Manitoba to its current location at the Riverside Grill building on Evelyn Street in July of 2023.
“We have loved being in the old Riverside Grill building, it is the perfect space for us and has such a cool, retro vibe that we have loved leaning into,” Kinney added.
Jets bury Colorado
The Winnipeg Jets earned a 3-0 victory over the visiting Colorado Avalanche at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Jan. 11.
Jets face visiting Kings at home
The Winnipeg Jets lost a close contest to the visiting Kings from Los Angeles at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Jan. 10.