Beth is Ukrainian-Canadian, born in Swan River, Manitoba — population 4,049, service hub for the entire Swan Valley and northwest Manitoba. Five-plus hours from Winnipeg. Isolated geographically, self-sufficient by necessity.
She worked at the Swan Valley Star and Times, the weekly paper that serves a community too remote for Winnipeg media to bother with. She understands that Swan River sustains itself through mutual support, not proximity to a major city. Agriculture and forestry are the economy. The Northwest Roundup and Exhibition, Duck Mountain Provincial Park, and Swan Valley snowmobiling are not tourism products — they're community identity.
Her beat is Swan River and Northwest Manitoba: the communities that operate five hours from anyone who would notice if they disappeared.
Swan River Perspective
Swan Valley Stampeders supporter. Knows the forestry cycle, the grain prices, and which families have been in the valley for four generations. Understands isolation as identity, not disadvantage. Her hot take: 'Swan River is five hours from Winnipeg and we do just fine. Maybe the rest of Manitoba should try being self-sufficient for a change.'
Local Coverage
Northwest Roundup and Exhibition, Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Swan Valley snowmobile trails, the forestry operations, Thunder Hill, Minitonas, Bowsman, the Swan River Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, and the fact that Swan River has been the northwest Manitoba hub since the fur trade.
City Hall Beat — Swan River
Beth Makarchuk covers Swan River city hall for The Desk — council votes, building permits, 311 data, and civic transparency.
You won't believe what's happening in Steinbach
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
You know, we're five hours from Winnipeg and ...
You won't believe which highway is the worst again
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
You know, every spring when the snow final...
Your summer forecast looks hot and dry
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
Riley Laychuk’s forecast for Wednesday in Manitoba say...
Here's something that just doesn't sit right with me, and I've heard a few folks around the valley talking about it already. You send your kids to a school even...
### Your Tim Hortons order is about to get even friendlier
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest. You know how much we rely on local ...
Your kids won't believe this happened in Headingley.
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
Okay, so picture this: you send your kid...
Your politicians are barking and laughing
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
You know, we're a long way from Winnipeg here in th...
You won't believe how they moved drugs through the mail
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
You know, we're five hours from Winni...
You won't believe this Flin Flon news
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
You know, sometimes the news from down south or even ac...
Your booze might be cheaper, but is it worth it?
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
Manitoba has lifted its ban on U.S. booze, s...
Your teachers might not be able to use YouTube soon
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
Okay, so this one's got people talking do...
You won't believe what's happening at Riding Mountain.
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
Out here, we know fire. We understand ...
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