News briefs for Friday, May 19, 2023

Mayor appoints adviser on homelessness

8:41 AM

Mayor Scott Gillingham has announced the hiring of a senior adviser on homelessness.

Jarred Baker will begin his new role on June 5.

“During the campaign, I committed to using an existing position with the mayor’s office to help take action on homelessness, street safety, addiction and mental health policy issues,” Gillingham said in a news release Friday morning.

“I am confident that Jarred’s experience and collaborative nature will serve him well in this role.”

Baker has 15 years of experience in the social services field, with a focus on the Indigenous community, the news release states.

His most recent role was executive director of Onashowewin. He has previously held positions with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Eagle Urban Transition Centre, the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg and Ka Ni Kanichihk. He has also served on the boards of End Homelessness Winnipeg and the Native Clan Organization, and on the advisory council for the Downtown Community Safety Partnership.

Sex offender released from jail

8:59 AM

A police unit is notifying the public about an “untreated” sex offender being released from jail.

Curtis Leroy George, 31, is considered a high risk to reoffend against young girls and women, the Manitoba Integrated High-Risk Sex Offender Unit said Friday. The joint unit is made up of members of the Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba RCMP.

George was recently released from Milner Ridge Correctional Centre after serving a sentence for failing to comply with the conditions of a probation order. He was convicted of the offence on Wednesday and received a sentence of 68 days time served.

George is expected to live in Winnipeg, a news release states. Under court conditions that are in effect until Feb. 6, 2025, he must avoid contact with anyone under the age of 16 without prior written approval from probation services.

Collaros absent from Bombers training camp

11:19 AM

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros is absent from training camp and will miss the next couple days owing to personal reasons, the CFL club announced Friday.

No other details were provided about the absence. Collaros had been participating in all training camp sessions prior to missing Friday.

Head coach Mike O’Shea will provide an update after practice.

Spray pads to start opening Saturday

5:12 PM

Winnipeggers will soon have a few new places to cool off.

City of Winnipeg spray pads are set to begin opening on Saturday, heated outdoor pools are expected to start opening on June 16 and unheated outdoor pools are expected to open on June 30, according to a city press release.

Wading pools will begin to open July 1 on a staggered basis.

As they open up, spray pads will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily until Sept. 4.

Outdoor pools will operate seven days a week, weather permitting. Specific hours and opening dates for pools and wading pools will be available on the city’s website.