News briefs for Monday, August 14, 2023

Motorcyclist killed in collision

12:18 PM

A motorcycle rider is dead after he collided with a vehicle on McGillivray Boulevard on Friday evening.

Police were sent to the scene at the intersection of McGillivray and Beaumont Street at about 7 p.m.

A 28-year-old man was transported to hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s traffic division is investigating. The WPS said Monday that the motorcycle was travelling west on McGillivray from Pembina Highway when it collided with a vehicle. The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured, the WPS said.

Police said investigators believe the motorcycle rider’s manner of driving was “a significant contributing factor” in the crash.

The WPS is asking anyone with information about the collision, including security video or dashboard camera footage, to call traffic division investigators at 204-986-7085 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).

Body found in wooded area

12:35 PM

Selkirk RCMP are investigating after a body was found off Highway 9 in the RM of St. Andrews on Thursday morning.

Mounties were sent to the scene “in a wooded area near a property” at about 11:50 a.m.

The identity of the dead person has yet to be established, and the cause of death has yet to be determined.

Selkirk RCMP and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating.

Osborne encampment fire under investigation

1:20 PM

No injuries were reported in a fire at a homeless encampment early this morning.

At 6:51 a.m. Monday, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire on the riverbank near the Osborne Street Bridge. When they arrived, crews saw the encampment engulfed in flames, according to a news release from the City of Winnipeg.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. It was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported.

Flora Avenue home destroyed in fire

1:26 PM

A house is considered to be “a complete loss” after a fire on Flora Avenue early Monday.

Fire crews were sent to the two-storey, single-family home in the 300 block of Flora at 1:09 a.m.

The fire was declared under control at 5:06 a.m.

No injuries were reported. The City of Winnipeg’s emergency social services team responded to help residents find temporary accommodations.

The house is expected to be a complete loss, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a news release.

Missing Alberta teen may have headed to Manitoba: RCMP

2:38 PM

RCMP are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing teenager from Alberta who might be in — or headed to — Manitoba.

Preston Bradstock, 15, was last seen in Sylvan Lake, Alta., on July 23.

RCMP are asking residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to alert police if they see the boy.

Preston is described as 5-6, 180 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and a light complexion. He is believed to be in a blue 2012 Cadillac Escalade, with Alberta licence plate No. BJC3366.

Anyone with information on the boy’s whereabouts is asked to call Sylvan Lake RCMP at 1-403-887-3333, their local police service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Collaros not practising

2:55 PM

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros was a spectator at Monday’s practice at IG Field.

Collaros left Thursday’s game in Edmonton with an upper body injury after Elks defensive lineman Kony Ealy landed on the back of his head/neck area in the second quarter.

Backup Dru Brown, who led the Bombers to a 38-29 victory in Edmonton, will start Friday in Calgary if Collaros can’t go.

Conciliator between Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and union recommends ending strike

3:43 PM

The independent conciliator tasked with managing negotiations between Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and striking workers has recommended the strike end “immediately” and the former’s offer remain in place, according to a news release from the Crown corporation.

The conciliator recommended both parties go to binding arbitration on general wage increases and MLL is waiting on the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union to respond, the release says.

“The conciliator has provided a clear pathway to end this summer strike so we can immediately get back to the business of serving the Manitobans that count on us,” said MLL president and CEO Gerry Sul in the release.

Union members have been without a contract since March of 2022. They want raises in line with those obtained by Premier Heather Stefanson and her cabinet — 3.3 per cent in 2023, and 3.6 per cent in both 2024 and 2025. MLL is offering a two-per-cent raise per year over four years, and raising the hourly starting wage $2.38 above the province’s minimum wage.

The Free Press has reached out to MGEU for comment.