News briefs for Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Liquor and lotteries employees on strike

8:32 AM

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries employees are now on strike — for one day.

The job action for Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union members officially began at 7 a.m. Wednesday after “the government and employer refused to offer them a fair and reasonable deal,” the union said in a news release.

Six stores in Winnipeg and one in Brandon will open today, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Please note product selection and available inventory may be limited,” the MLL said on its website.

The strike involves about 1,400 MGEU members who have been working under an expired contract since March 2022. Private beer vendors and wine stores are not affected by the strike.

Suspicious vehicle found on Ross Avenue

9:48 AM

A suspicious vehicle has been found after police asked for the public’s help in locating it.

The silver Volkswagen Tiguan was found — unoccupied — in the 1900 block of Ross Avenue at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Wednesday morning.

Police said they were called about a vehicle with a woman inside who appeared to possibly be in distress in the 600 block of St. James at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police provided two possible licence plate numbers Tuesday.

Police said the driver was a white man with a bald or shaved head.

The major crimes unit is investigating and is asking anyone with information about the case to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or go online to winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

Sea Bears up fan capacity for regular-season finale

11:33 AM

The Winnipeg Sea Bears are hoping to satisfy the strong demand for tickets by opening the complete lower bowl of Canada Life Centre for its final regular-season home game against the Edmonton Stingers on Saturday, July 29.

The expansion Canadian Elite Basketball League team, which leads the loop in attendance, established a single-game attendance record of 7,328 for its debut game on May 27.

The club has now registered the five largest crowds in league history and is hoping to top that single-game mark on July 29.

RCMP searching for missing Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation teen

12:23 PM

RCMP are searching for a 17-year-old from Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation who has been missing for more than a week.

The teen, who’s named Abigail Sinclair but goes by the first name Blake, was reported missing to the Swan River RCMP detachment on July 10.

The teen is 5-6 and 160 lbs with black, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. Police say RCMP and family are concerned for the teen’s wellbeing.

Mounties ask for anyone with information on Sinclair’s whereabouts to call the Swan River detachment at 204-734-4686 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Vilardi signs new deal with Jets

2:38 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed forward Gabriel Vilardi to a two-year contract extension.

The 23-year-old forward will be paid US $3.4375 million per season.

An arbitration hearing had been set for July 28 if the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement before then.

Vilardi is coming off a career-best campaign in which he had 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists) in 63 regular season games with the Los Angeles Kings. The 11th-overall draft pick from 2017 had combined for 37 points (18 goals, 19 assists) in 89 previous games over his first three seasons.

He was traded to Winnipeg last month, along with teammates Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari, in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Vilardi was one of six restricted free agents who needed a new contract this year. He is the third to re-sign, joining defenceman Dylan Samberg and forward Morgan Barron (who also had elected for arbitration).

Kupari and defencemen Logan Stanley and Declan Chisholm are the remaining players to be dealt with by general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.