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RCMP search for Winnipeg boy who possibly drowned in Whiteshell Provincial Park

Chris Kitching 5 minute read 2:38 PM CDT

RCMP officers continued to search Sunday for a 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who possibly drowned at a site in Whiteshell Provincial Park, where there were concerns about “dangerous” water conditions.

The boy was last seen climbing down rocks when he slipped into the water and disappeared under the rapids at Sturgeon Falls shortly before 11:45 a.m. Saturday, said police.

A bystander jumped in to try and save the boy but was unable to bring him to shore.

RCMP divers began looking for the child, with assistance from Manitoba conservation officers and Manitoba Parks staff, on Saturday.

This Just In

Winnipeg woman, 23, killed in Sandy Hook rollover

Sunday, 5:10 PM CDT

A 23-year-old Winnipeg woman was killed in a rollover on Highway 9 in Sandy Hook on Sunday morning, according to RCMP.

Police said a southbound vehicle left the road, entered the ditch and rolled near Ninth Avenue at about 6 a.m.

The woman, who was ejected, was a passenger in the vehicle.

The driver, a 20-year-old woman from Winnipeg, suffered minor injuries, said RCMP.

Goldeyes close out home stand in style winning 3-2 over Sioux Falls

Sunday, 4:08 PM CDT

Luis Ramirez struck out his tenth batter to end a thrilling game that saw the Winnipeg Goldeyes beat the Sioux Falls Canaries 3-2 and win the season series.

In his first ever relief appearance with the Goldeyes, Ramirez gave up only two earned runs and struck out ten batters on route to his second win of the season.

Dayson Croes stayed hot going three for three at the plate with a walk and scored the first run of the ball game in the first inning.

This win ends the Goldeyes first home stand of the season. Winnipeg will go on the road to face the Chicago Dogs Tuesday at 6:30 p.m for their next contest.

Highway open after closure due to vehicle collision in Sandy Hook

Sunday, 10:10 AM CDT

Highway 9 in Sandy Hook, Man., between 8th Avenue and 10th Avenue, is now open again after a Sunday morning vehicle collision resulted in its closure.

Bombers open preseason with 25-23 win over Elks

Saturday, 6:15 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers survived a late threat by the Edmonton Elks to earn a 25-23 victory in what their first taste of preseason action.

The Bombers blocked a 52-yard field-goal attempt in the dying seconds to seal the win. Winnipeg will wrap up the exhibition season on Friday when they welcome the Saskatchewan Roughriders to town.

The Bombers got touchdowns from Kenny Lawler, who reeled in a 67-yard pass from QB Zach Collaros, as well as a pair from QB Tyrrell Pigrome, who punched in a one-yard score and ran another 45 yards to the end zone.

Winnipeg wraps up the preseason on Friday, welcoming the Saskatchewan Roughriders to town. The regular season begins June 9 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at IG Field.

 

 

Bystanders intervene in serious assault

Saturday, 10:40 AM CDT

The Winnipeg Police Service is thanking a group of bystanders who intervened in an assault that left a man seriously injured.

Police responded to multiple reports of an assault in the 1800 block of Ellice Avenue around 5 p.m. on May 24, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release.

Officers found a 19-year-old man receiving medical care from concerned citizens. The victim was transported to hospital in critical condition.

Police arrested a suspect at the scene without incident, WPS said.

Investigators learned the suspect and victim knew each other and were walking eastbound on Ellice Avenue from Ferry Road, when they began to argue. The suspect allegedly began assaulting the victim, knocking him unconscious and robbing him.

Several bystanders intervened, restraining the suspect until police arrived.

A 21-year-old man is facing charges of aggravated assault and robbery.

"The Winnipeg Police Service would like to thank the Good Samaritans who selflessly assisted the victim. Their actions prevented a continued assault, and assisted officers in safely arresting the suspect," police said.

Fire risk prompts restrictions in southeastern Manitoba

Friday, 5:47 PM CDT

The province has imposed Level 1 fire and travel restrictions for a section of southeastern Manitoba due to high fire danger.

Moose Lake, Birch Point, Marchand and Woodridge provincial parks are within the restricted area, which has boundaries of Provincial Road 302, the Trans-Canada Highway, the Manitoba-Ontario border and the Canada-U.S. border.

In that zone, motorized backcountry travel is banned between noon and 7 p.m., permits are required to access a remote cottage via forestry road, private road or trail between those times, and provincial burn permits are cancelled.

Blue escape with narrow win

Jeff Hamilton 6 minute read Preview

Blue escape with narrow win

Jeff Hamilton 6 minute read Yesterday at 9:32 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened the preseason with a narrow 25-23 win over the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The Bombers survived a late scare by the Elks, blocking a 52-yard field-goal in the dying seconds to seal the win. Winnipeg wraps up the preseason by welcoming the Saskatchewan Roughriders to town on Friday, before kicking off the regular-season at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats a week later, on June 9.

Here are some observations, notes and analysis from the win.

1) There were definitely some eyebrows raised when the Bombers released a veteran-filled roster for the game, including dressing starting quarterback and two-time reigning CFL most outstanding player Zach Collaros. Collaros lasted longer than many would have expected, playing in five series over the first quarter and the first few minutes of the second. It was a slow start, beginning with two of three total two-and-outs with Collaros behind centre, before the Bombers No. 1 pivot eventually found his groove, orchestrating a pair of touchdown drives. Collaros finished the day 5-for-8 passing, for 93 yards and a touchdown – and, most importantly, left the game healthy.

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Yesterday at 9:32 PM CDT

JASON FRANSON / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Abu Daramy-Swaray (38) and Souleymane Karamoko (42) tackle Edmonton Elks’ Maurice Ffrench (88) during the second half.

96 year old breaks world record in 5K race

Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

96 year old breaks world record in 5K race

Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 3:59 PM CDT

OTTAWA - Rejeanne Fairhead stood at the starting line in front of Ottawa's city hall on Saturday surrounded by thousands of racers who were almost all, assuredly, younger than her.

But as the sun beat down on a 28 C day in the nation's capital, the 96-year-old took a deep breath and burst forward.

Fifty-one minutes and nine seconds later she was a world record holder.

"It felt very good," Fairhead said, in an interview the day after her big accomplishment. "I was proud of what I did. But I was glad it was all over too."

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Updated: 3:59 PM CDT

Ninety-six year old Rejeanne Fairhead, left, shown in this handout image, says until two years ago the most athletic things she had ever done involved bowling and horse shoes. Now she is a world-record holding racer. Fairhead completed the 5K race at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend Saturday in just over 51 minutes.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
**MANDATORY CREDIT **

Ride for Dad reaches fundraising record

Tyler Searle 2 minute read Preview

Ride for Dad reaches fundraising record

Tyler Searle 2 minute read Yesterday at 7:16 PM CDT

The organizers behind a long-running annual fundraising event for prostate cancer research are revved-up after raising a record amount of money.

The Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad raised nearly $500,000 Saturday. The funds represent a new record for the ride, which is now in its 15th year.

“The outpouring of support from Manitobans this year was incredible,” event co-chair Kirk Van Alstyne said in a statement.

“We are so very grateful.”

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Yesterday at 7:16 PM CDT

SUPPLIED

More than 1,200 motorcyclists set out from the parking lot of the Cadillac-Fairview Polo Park mall on Saturday during the 15th annual Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

Garden City Collegiate student only Manitoban to win one of 15 Terry Fox Humanitarian Awards

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Preview

Garden City Collegiate student only Manitoban to win one of 15 Terry Fox Humanitarian Awards

Aaron Epp 4 minute read 4:37 PM CDT

Like the fictional character he shares a name with, Orion Remoquillo is doing extraordinary things.

Remoquillo’s parents named him after Orion Pax, a character in the Transformers franchise. In the tale of warring alien robot factions, Pax becomes Optimus Prime, who leads the heroic Autobots against the villainous Decepticons.

Optimus Prime is defined by his strong moral character and his leadership skills — not unlike Remoquillo, who has dedicated the past 2 1/2 years to volunteering with students with special needs.

That dedication has paid off for the Grade 12 student at Garden City Collegiate. Last month, he was named one of 15 recipients of the 2023 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award.

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4:37 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Orion Remoquillo, a grade 12 student who volunteers with students with special needs, with Sophia Ly and Devin Bell (two of the students he volunteers with) at Garden City Collegiate.

Suspects who trafficked Winnipeg woman into sex trade arrested in Ontario

2 minute read Preview

Suspects who trafficked Winnipeg woman into sex trade arrested in Ontario

2 minute read 3:13 PM CDT

Two people are facing charges for allegedly exploiting a Winnipeg woman who was convinced to travel to the Toronto area to work as an escort, according to police.

The victim contacted the Winnipeg Police Service in August 2022, said Mississauga, Ont.-based Peel Regional Police.

She told investigators from PRP’s vice unit that the suspects took control of her and profited financially, the PRP stated in a news release Friday.

Officers arrested a 39-year-old man May 24 and a 23-year-old woman the following day.

Read
3:13 PM CDT

Two people are facing charges for allegedly exploiting a Winnipeg woman who was convinced to travel to the Toronto area to work as an escort, according to police.

The victim contacted the Winnipeg Police Service in August 2022, said Mississauga, Ont.-based Peel Regional Police.

She told investigators from PRP’s vice unit that the suspects took control of her and profited financially, the PRP stated in a news release Friday.

Officers arrested a 39-year-old man May 24 and a 23-year-old woman the following day.

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Sea Bears make dazzling debut

Mike Sawatzky 6 minute read Preview

Sea Bears make dazzling debut

Mike Sawatzky 6 minute read Yesterday at 11:40 PM CDT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League’s shiny new Winnipeg franchise made its on-court debut Saturday.

The game and the hoopla surrounding it had a little bit of everything.

A mascot named Churchill rappelled from the rafters in pregame, there were multiple lead changes, a public marriage proposal during a third-quarter timeout (yes, Louise Hemedes accepted Zach Unrau’s proposal) and a sell-out crowd of 7,303 — setting a league record — filled the lower bowl of Canada Life Centre.

The only thing missing was a victory by the hometown team, which the Sea Bears provided in the form of a 90-85 triumph over the Vancouver Bandits.

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Yesterday at 11:40 PM CDT

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Winnipeg Sea Bears forward Chad Posthumus goes in for a hook shot Saturday night at Canada Life Centre. The local product finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Police, family members search for missing Fort Richmond teen

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Preview

Police, family members search for missing Fort Richmond teen

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:35 PM CDT

The family of a missing Winnipeg boy are pleading for the public’s help in locating him, days after he disappeared from Fort Richmond.

Inuka Gunathilaka, 15, was last seen this past Wednesday leaving home around 8 a.m. and heading to school.

Footage from surveillance cameras in the area shows him arriving at Fort Richmond Collegiate 10 minutes later. He left his school supplies inside the library, before walking out of the school toward Pembina Highway, said Sethumi Gunathilaka, his older sister.

He was recorded on video shortly after inside a Tim Hortons coffee shop near the intersection of Killarney Avenue and Pembina Highway. Two other people were standing near him, but the family does not believe they knew Inuka or were there with him, she said.

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Yesterday at 2:35 PM CDT

Inuka Gunathilaka, 15, was last seen leaving his home in the Fort Richmond area around 8 a.m. on May 24. (Supplied)

Health care’s ‘revolving door’ concerning

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Preview

Health care’s ‘revolving door’ concerning

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:09 AM CDT

The government organization in charge of plans to recruit and retain health-care staff for Manitoba hasn’t managed to hang on to some of it own top executives.

Since last month’s resignation of Shared Health chief executive officer Adam Topp, more senior leadership departures have come to light.

Former chief operating officer Jennifer Bjarnarson took a job in the private sector, three weeks “after a much-needed break,” she wrote on LinkedIn.

Human resources director Michael Bereziak has given notice he’s leaving.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:09 AM CDT

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, says turnover in health care threatens any progress made on improvements. The union is planning to make health care a central issue in the fall election.

Indian official suspended after he drains reservoir to retrieve phone he dropped while taking selfie

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Indian official suspended after he drains reservoir to retrieve phone he dropped while taking selfie

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:24 AM CDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — A government official in India has been suspended from his job after he ordered a water reservoir to be drained so he could retrieve his smartphone, which he had dropped while taking a selfie.

Food inspector Rajesh Vishwas dropped his Samsung smartphone in Kherkatta dam in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh last week, The Times of India newspaper reported.

Vishwas first asked local divers to jump into the reservoir to find the device, claiming it contained sensitive government data. But after the initial efforts to retrieve his smartphone failed, he asked for the reservoir to be emptied using diesel pumps.

Over the next three days, more than 2 million liters of water were pumped out from the reservoir, which is enough to irrigate at least 1,500 acres of land during India’s scorching summer, local media reported.

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Updated: 12:24 AM CDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — A government official in India has been suspended from his job after he ordered a water reservoir to be drained so he could retrieve his smartphone, which he had dropped while taking a selfie.

Food inspector Rajesh Vishwas dropped his Samsung smartphone in Kherkatta dam in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh last week, The Times of India newspaper reported.

Vishwas first asked local divers to jump into the reservoir to find the device, claiming it contained sensitive government data. But after the initial efforts to retrieve his smartphone failed, he asked for the reservoir to be emptied using diesel pumps.

Over the next three days, more than 2 million liters of water were pumped out from the reservoir, which is enough to irrigate at least 1,500 acres of land during India’s scorching summer, local media reported.

Biden, GOP reach tentative deal to raise debt ceiling, avoid calamitous US default

Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Zeke Miller And Kevin Freking, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Biden, GOP reach tentative deal to raise debt ceiling, avoid calamitous US default

Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Zeke Miller And Kevin Freking, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:08 PM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an “agreement in principle” to raise the nation's legal debt ceiling late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default.

However, the agreement risks angering both Democratic and Republican sides with the concessions made to compromise. Negotiators agreed to some Republican demands for increased work requirements for recipients of food stamps that had sparked an uproar from House Democrats as a nonstarter.

Support from both parties will be needed to win congressional approval next week before the government's projected June 5 debt default.

The Democratic president and Republican speaker reached the agreement after the two spoke earlier Saturday evening by phone. The country and the world have been watching and waiting for a resolution to a political standoff that threatened the U.S. and global economies.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:08 PM CDT

President Joe Biden talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 26, 2023, as he heads to Camp David for the weekend. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Coalition urges pause on Kenaston, Chief Peguis projects

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Preview

Coalition urges pause on Kenaston, Chief Peguis projects

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Friday, May. 26, 2023

The City of Winnipeg should pause any new spending on two major road projects expected to cost a combined $1 billion, until it determines if they are worth their financial and environmental price, according to a sustainable transportation advocate.

On Friday, the Transportation and Land Use Coalition urged city council to avoid committing funds to widen Route 90 (Kenaston Boulevard) and extend Chief Peguis Trail, aside from money needed to complete a cost-benefit analysis and environmental assessment of each project.

“We just want to be sure that no money is spent in the upcoming budget until that (analysis and environmental review) received and assessed,” said Mel Marginet, co-chair of the organization.

Marginet accused city council of rushing the approval process by listing the two projects within its strategic priorities action plan, which is expected to help guide the city’s 2024-27 multi-year budget.

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Friday, May. 26, 2023

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Transportation and Land Use Coalition co-chair Mel Marginet.

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