Looking back - 1986: Neepawa stores to be open Monday

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Neepawa Press archives. 30 years ago, Thursday, March 27, 1986: Myra Bennet displays new signs advising of Neepawa stores now open on Mondays.

By Cecil Pittman

The Neepawa Press

80 years ago Friday, March 13, 1936

What might have been a fatality was narrowly escaped in the bush last Tuesday. Norman Prawdzik was adjusting the lock on his sleigh before starting down a hill when his team started forward and crushed his head between the load and a stump. His injuries are very painful and he is making favorable recovery. 

70 years ago Thursday, March 28, 1946

According to information received at the Press from Dr. J.S. Poole, member for Beautiful Plains, the department of public works have passed the following road projects which will be of interest to residents in this part of the province. The work is to be undertaken this year and is as follows: The road from Neepawa to Franklin will be hard-surfaced. From Gladstone to Woodside, the road will be built south of the CPR track and will be hard-surfaced. From Woodside to McDonald, the road will eventually be constructed south of the railway and will be hard-surfaced. From McDonald east, the location will depend on the disposition of No. 1, which may possibly run south of the Assiniboine River from Headingley to Portage La Prairie. If not, it will run directly from Poplar Point to McDonald. The road from St. James to Headingley is to be rebuilt. 

60 years ago Thursday, March, 22, 1956

Monday night, William Henry, fire chief for the town of Neepawa during the past three years, tendered his resignation of his position at the regular meeting of council, which was accepted with regret. A resolution appointed Gerald Parrott to succeed him, on the recommendation of Mr. Henry, was also passed. Mr. Henry, who has worked with the local fire department since 1941, left recently for Winnipeg where he has accepted a position with his company. 

50 years ago Tuesday, March 22, 1966

Kenneth Orrin McLennan, 19, of Baldur, was sentenced to two years in penitentiary when he appeared before Magistrate F. Coward Monday morning at Minnedosa. Mr. McLennan was charged with five counts of break, enter and theft, hence received two years for each charge, to run concurrently. The charges were laid by Neepawa police following investigation of five break and enter incidents here March 12.

40 years ago Thursday, March 26, 1976

The controversial bill C-83, dealing with federal peace and security legislation, would be the subject of debate at a panel discussion sponsored April 5, by the Neepawa Wildlife Association. The legislation under discussion deals with capital punishment and other peace and security measures, including clauses that will limit or control the ownership and or the possession of   firearms. Lorne Reid will act as moderator for the discussion, with other panel members comprising Sid Lachter, Fred Major of Gladstone, provincial chairman of the Manitoba Wildlife Association, Bob Burns of the Neepawa Junior Rifle Club and Dr. Stewart Johnson from the University of Manitoba, representing the Muzzle Loaders Association of the province.

30 years ago Thursday, March 27, 1986

In order to combat the loss of customers to communities such as Brandon and Minnedosa, who have their stores open Monday, the Neepawa Retailers Association has adopted a policy of Monday opening.

 “I feel a lot of people are going to Brandon to shop,” says president Myra Bennet, who made the proposal at the Thursday afternoon meeting of the Association. “When they were there, they were buying groceries and a lot of things and I have been told that Minnedosa is going to be open Monday, and it’s going to draw people from here.” Some of the retailers in Neepawa already open their business on Mondays. 

20 years ago Monday, March 26, 1996

Welfare cuts proposed: Single moms receiving social assistance will have to start job hunting once their children reach school age. Family Services Minister Bonnie Micthelson said besides saving money, the changes in availability will help change the welfare cycle. “The current welfare system has fostered dependence and reliance on government,” said Mitchelson. “We don’t want more families and children to live a lifetime of poverty on welfare.”

10 years ago Monday, March 27, 2006

A proposal to move ahead with construction of low-cost housing was met with a lukewarm response at NADCO’s annual meeting. Monty Simon, who owns a business and serves as president of the Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce, said it’s time for NADCO to pick up from where it left off several years ago, and construct low-cost housing. “We’re close to a crisis situation in the local economy and I hate to say it,” Simon said. “This is a small town and no private developers are stepping forward. Affordable housing is not frequently found in Neepawa.” And if it is, Simon said, many people can’t afford to make a down payment for a home. Simon said with the looming loss of jobs at the Lands Branch, Neepawa must be doing all it can to ensure people who work in the town also live in the town, rather than commute.