Interstellar Rodeo bows out of Winnipeg

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.

Animal rescue worker reportedly killed in dog attack

Police are investigating after a woman died on the Sandy Bay First Nation, reportedly after being attacked by dogs.

The woman was identified by family as 37-year-old Amanda Nobiss.

“It’s just disbelief,” said Sherri Nobiss, her mother, in a phone call. Her family is devastated by the loss. “You just want to know what has happened.”

She said Amanda was a dedicated animal advocate who was volunteering with K9 Advocacy Manitoba in the community at the time. Amanda, who was from Winnipeg, is pictured with a dog in almost all of her photos on social media.

Nearly one in four watercraft fail inspection during roadside blitz to prevent aquatic pests

More than 120 watercraft failed a roadside inspection over the weekend aimed at slowing the spread of aquatic invasive species, including zebra mussels.

The inspections were conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in partnership with the Manitoba government between July 19 and 21 on the Trans-Canada Highway at the Manitoba-Ontario border. It was the second roadside blitz of the summer season.

One of the 455 vehicles transporting 502 watercraft or related equipment had visible zebra mussels present. Inspectors found 120 watercraft were not cleaned, drained, or dried and failed the inspection. Thirteen watercraft required decontamination.

“Healthy lakes and rivers are essential to the communities that rely on them. Through joint inspection efforts with the Government of Manitoba, we are working to protect those waters from aquatic invasive species and preserve Canada’s freshwater ecosystems for generations to come,” federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said in a news release.

Teacher disciplinary panel will make history today

A professional disciplinary panel will assemble today to hear serious allegations against a Manitoba teacher.

The public hearing — a first-of-its-kind videoconference scheduled for 10 a.m. — will take place more than 18 months after the province launched a professional disciplinary system and teacher registry.

“In a hearing, it’s the teacher against me, basically,” said Noni Classen, Manitoba’s independent commissioner of teacher professional conduct.

Both parties are expected to make their respective arguments in front of a three-person panel consisting of one teacher, one non-teacher and one individual nominated by the Manitoba School Boards Association.

Jets’ Perfetti motivated to prove his worth following ‘life-changing’ contract

Adam Lowry’s wedding was the main event, of course. But the Winnipeg Jets had even more reason to celebrate this past weekend as they returned from their off-season homes for a spirited summertime gathering.

Killer makes ‘amends with his maker

A Winnipeg man, who once faced two counts of first-degree murder for slayings that were three days apart, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for manslaughter.

Rory Shane Nash, 42, entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge in the Feb. 1, 2023 killing of Lee James Boulette.

Nash was also one of four people arrested in the killing of Carl George Wescoupe three days earlier at the Manwin Hotel on Main Street. Prosecutors later stayed the first-degree murder charge against Nash due to insufficient evidence.

Nash co-operated with prosecutors in both cases, but ultimately did not testify in court, Crown attorney Brent Davidson told provincial court Judge Margaret Wiebe at a sentencing hearing Tuesday.