Winnipeg Singers win prestigious choral competition

Big spike in catalytic converter thefts

Harvey Tschetter didn’t know someone was under his SUV when he was roused by the sounds of a power saw cutting metal and took a look around the vehicle outside his North Kildonan condo.

After finding nothing untoward and going back inside, he heard repeated hammer strikes and saw a vehicle idling next to his Mitsubishi RVR, which he’d purchased two days earlier. Someone was trying to steal the SUV’s catalytic converter.

“I ran out there and I screamed at them, ‘What the F do you think you’re doing?’ They crawled out from under my car, held the hammer up like, don’t come near me, and drove off,” Tschetter said of the June 8 incident. “It was 5 a.m. and completely light out. I can’t believe how brazen they were. They showed no fear.”

The incident happened amid a sharp year-over-year increase in reports of catalytic converter thefts or attempted thefts to Manitoba Public Insurance, after record highs in 2021 and 2022 led to increased enforcement, provincial anti-theft legislation and a period of significant decline.

Plan being developed to tackle drug use, homelessness near church

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham says a plan is in the works to address growing concerns over drug use and homelessness around an Osborne Village church after complaints from a nearby daycare, residents and businesses.

Gillingham said his senior adviser on homelessness, Jarred Baker, met with people in the area on Friday and was expected to provide a report later Monday outlining what was discussed and potential next steps.

Craig Wynands, executive director of 1JustCity, confirmed someone from the city met with Oak Table’s site lead, Thomas van der Krogt. Wynands also said he met Monday with officials from Augustine Centre and SPLASH Child Care.

“We discussed safety measures and increasing staff presence around the premises of the building,” he said. “1JustCity will be hiring additional staff to patrol the property regularly during the day.”

WestJet adding two new direct flights from Winnipeg to warm-weather destinations

WestJet announced on Monday it will launch non-stop routes between Winnipeg and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and between Winnipeg and Belize City, Belize.

Fringe reviews #14: You’ve earned extra lives

World Peace Through Humour, Emil Amok, Erika MacDonald, Evie & Alfie, The Late, Great Mormon Drag Queen, Mennonite Metamorphosis, Panic A Live Radio Musical, Qualia, Solovela, Your Boring Story

Fringe reviews #8: Experience points awarded

Another Side of Rice, The Crown Witness, The Cult of the Comfy Wizard, Dead Chef, Embarrassed Naked Female, Goose!, How Bono Saved My Life, Paper Fathers, Rumours in Motion, Site #57.

Winnipeg Singers win prestigious choral competition

For 44 years, the Winnipeg Singers have been a community treasure, their sweet harmonies cascading in churches, cathedrals and auditoriums in and around the city.

This month, the Singers headed to Europe, found new receptive audiences for their music and will come home winners of one of the world’s most prestigious choral competitions.

The Florence International Choir Festival on Saturday named the Winnipeg Singers, directed by Yuri Klaz, the winner of the Golden David, the award that goes to the best overall choir at the competition. The Singers also won two of the three categories it entered: chamber choir and sacred.

Twelve other choirs from nine other countries, including from as far away as China, the Philippines and South Korea participated in the competition. The Winnipeg Singers were the lone North American representative.