Holocaust and human rights symposium open to all online

Former Shared Health CEO worked one month in 2025 before firing, got nearly $1M in compensation

The former CEO of Shared Health received nearly $1 million in salary and other pay last year, despite working for only one month before being fired following a provincial health-care system audit.

Letter-opener enthusiast’s collection truly a cut above

Madame Daubreuil. On the 10th hole. With a letter opener.

In the 1923 Agatha Christie novel The Murder on the Links, town resident Paul Renauld turns up dead on a golf course in Merlinville-sur-Mer, France. Fictional detective Hercule Poirot, who is visiting the region, assigns himself to the case. After a number of false leads, the Belgian sleuth ultimately discovers that the victim’s son’s girlfriend fatally stabbed Renauld in the back with an ornate-looking letter opener so her lover would inherit his father’s fortune.

Steve Judge, a former Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service captain who actively collects vintage letter openers, isn’t overly surprised to hear his collectible-of-choice played a prominent role in a murder-mystery tome. (A letter opener also once served as the lethal weapon in the Inspector Morse TV series, as well as in a Season 10 episode of Midsomer Murders.)

“The blades on letter openers are generally quite dull, but if you go to thrift stores, you’ll find they’re usually kept with things like knives and other sharp objects, so I get the association,” says Judge, seated at his dining room table, which is blanketed with dozens of selections from his hoard, some of which are close to a century old.

Skinner signing adds to Winnipeg Jets goalie intrigue

Stuart Skinner made no bold proclamations about his expected workload, nor did he provide any hints about whether or not he expected to be part of a tandem with Connor Hellebuyck, given the noise that has surrounded the Winnipeg Jets starting goaltender.

After agreeing to terms of a two-year deal with an AAV of US$3.75 million, Skinner showcased his trademark accountability and humility when asked about his expected role come this fall.

“To be honest, it wasn’t too much of a conversation because we don’t know too much,” said Skinner, when asked directly about Hellebuyck. “Obviously, there’s rumors out there. As far as my experience, rumours are just rumours until something happens.

“As of right now, me and Helle are teammates, which is so exciting. I mean, he’s the best goalie in the world, so it’s a great opportunity for me. I think, again, with the thought process of growing my game and just becoming a better goalie and the type of culture that Winnipeg brings, it’s extremely exciting.”

Stony Mountain inmate sentenced to more than eight years for $1.2-M drone-delivered drug stash in cell

A Stony Mountain Institution inmate who was caught with a cache of illicit drugs worth more than $1.2 million behind prison walls played a high-level role in a “sophisticated operation” that used a drone to smuggle contraband directly to his cell window, a judge has ruled.

Police crackdown on Main a pointless, ineffective bit of street theatre

Winnipeg has just taken an enormous step backward in the ongoing challenge to address the growing homeless, mental-health and addiction crises.

In a campaign that began June 24 and 25, the Winnipeg Police Service deployed significant numbers of officers to some of the roughest spots along Main Street, confronting anyone who appeared to be engaged in open drug use.

The WPS said that over the first two days, it “interacted” with more than 100 people, making 25 arrests — two for drug offences and 23 related to active warrants or breaches of court orders — and taking another 20 to hospital emergency rooms.

Three individuals were taken to the province’s controversial 72-hour detox centre, but they weren’t admitted.

Drainage maintenance in spotlight as $15M in crop insurance payouts expected this year

Manitoba crop insurance payouts will likely exceed $15 million this year — before factoring in recent flooding in the Interlake and Parkland regions. Total costs won’t be fully known until year end.

Meantime, as dozens of local communities declare states of emergency, some farmers are calling for greater infrastructure investment, saying damage could’ve been avoided with better drainage maintenance.

“You can do as much ditching as you want in a field, but if it gets to municipality ditches or the provincial ditches and it can’t flow away, it just doesn’t help anything,” said Ryan Elliot.

He farms roughly 6,000 acres with his father near Stonewall. About one-third of their crop — wheat, canola — has been completely destroyed by rain, Elliot said. He estimates another third is “heavily damaged.”