News briefs for Thursday, September 21, 2023

Heater suspected cause of Morning Glory Crescent house fire

8:32 AM

One person was treated by paramedics after a house fire in the Southland Park area on Wednesday night.

Firefighters were sent to the two-storey home on Morning Glory Crescent shortly after 7 p.m. and declared the fire under control shortly after 7:45 p.m.

Everyone inside the house got out before crews arrived, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a news release later that night. The injured occupant did not require transportation to hospital, the WFPS said.

Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, resulting from unsafe use of a heater, the WFPS said.

Missing girl, 12, found

8:39 AM

A missing 12-year-old girl has been found and is safe.

Honey Shingoose “has been safely located,” the Winnipeg Police Service said late Wednesday night.

She had last been seen in the North End area on Wednesday, the WPS said Tuesday morning.

Man beaten, attacked with knife outside hotel

10:40 AM

Three people are facing charges after a 54-year-old man was beaten and attacked with a knife outside a hotel in the 1800 block of Ellice Avenue on Monday night.

Winnipeg police said the victim was initially physically assaulted and robbed by a 33-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman.

A 37-year-old man came outside with a knife and attacked the victim, who suffered numerous lacerations as he lay on the ground, said police.

The victim was taken to hospital in unstable condition. The suspects, who were arrested at the scene, are facing robbery and aggravated assault-related charges.

Police do not believe the attack was random.

Teens arrested after man robbed at gunpoint for cigarettes

10:44 AM

A man in his 20s was robbed at gunpoint by two teenagers after he refused to give them more cigarettes, according to Winnipeg police.

Cigarettes and money were taken from the man when he was confronted outside Union Station, at Main Street and Broadway, at about 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Police said a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, who were arrested at The Forks, are facing charges of armed robbery using a firearm.

The boy is also charged with failing to comply with a release order.

Tories pledge to double provincial addiction treatment capacity

11:53 AM

Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives have promised to double the amount of addiction treatment spaces available in Manitoba through a $8.7-million capital investment, should the party retain power in the upcoming provincial election.

The money will fund roughly 1,600 new treatment spaces, building on the current provincial capacity of 1,648. It works out to roughly $5,500 per space.

The funds will be allocated using an expression-of-interest system, in which treatment centres apply for financial support.

The money will come from the provincial budget and is not contingent on support from other levels of government or stakeholders, Kirkfield Park MLA Kevin Klein said when making the announcement Thursday.

The news came alongside a slate of other Tory promises, including millions of dollars in support for youth mental health services.

Man found dead in Hazleton Drive home Wednesday

12:13 PM

A man was killed in a home on Hazleton Drive off of King Edward Street on Wednesday morning.

Winnipeg Police Service officers were called to the 200 block of the street at about 10 a.m., where they found a man dead. His body was taken to hospital, where an autopsy is pending. Police have not said how he’s believed to have died.

Police say they are working on notifying the victim’s family of his death and have not yet released his name or age. Homicide detectives are investigating but have made no arrests.

Police have asked anyone with information or video surveillance to call detectives at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477.

Woman dies of medical emergency following Pembina Highway vehicle collision

12:17 PM

A 67-year-old woman died after a vehicle collision on Pembina Highway that was initially thought to be minor, police said Thursday.

The collision, between a Dodge Dart and a Toyota Yaris, happened near Pembina Highway and Dalhousie Drive on Sept. 11 at about 4:15 p.m. and wasn’t reported to police. Police said the drivers exchanged information.

Winnipeg Police Service traffic investigators were told Monday that the driver of the Toyota had a medical emergency while at home the same day as the collision. She was taken to hospital, where she died, and her death is believed to have been linked to the collision.

Traffic investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident, including video, to call the division at 204-986-7085 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).

Long-term care home workers considering strike

12:39 PM

Workers at Maples and Oakview Place long-term care homes have voted in favour of a strike mandate.

Canadian Union of Public Employees members from the Extendicare Oakview Place and Extendicare Maples have overwhelmingly voted to present the mandate to their employer. While it doesn’t guarantee a strike, it gives CUPE the go-ahead to call for a strike should negotiations remain stalled.

“The message to the employer is clear — our members are tired of being asked to do more with less,” said Gina McKay, president of CUPE Manitoba, in a statement.

There are 350 CUPE members between the two care homes. All Extendicare (formerly known as Rivera) facilities are either in or set to enter bargaining this fall, CUPE said.

Jets sign Colby Barlow to entry-level deal

2:00 PM

Colby Barlow is having quite the day.

First, the 18-year-old stepped on the ice at the Hockey For All Centre on Thursday morning to participate in his first-ever NHL training camp. Once that was done, the first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets signed his first big league contract.

Barlow, the 18th-overall pick last summer, inked a three-year entry level deal that will pay US $1.2 million.

Barlow had 79 points (46 goals, 33 assists) in 59 games with the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League last year. Barlow is eligible to return to junior for the coming season, unless the Jets decide there is an immediate spot for him on the roster. He would not be eligible to play in the American Hockey League.

Manitoba political parties ignoring environmental issues: Greens

2:05 PM

The Manitoba Green Party is accusing the province’s other political parties of “sleepwalking” in the face of imminent environmental crises.

“These parties are preoccupied with cutting taxes, while simultaneously promising to spend more than their opponent and pledging to balance the budget. None has a clear understanding of the demands the climate emergency will make on all of us,” Green leader Janine Gibson said, referring to the Progressive Conservatives, Manitoba Liberals and Manitoba NDP.

The parties are campaigning for leadership in the upcoming provincial election.

Gibson, who hopes to win a seat in legislature by way of the Wolseley constituency, said if elected, she will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning the province away from industrial animal agriculture.

Ehlers leaves Jets training camp skate with injury

3:17 PM

Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers made a hasty exit on Thursday afternoon during the first on-ice training camp session.

Coach Rick Bowness said the flashy winger was suffering from “neck spasms” which first began on Wednesday night. Ehlers tried to make a go of it but couldn’t continue.

He will be kept out of action on Friday as a precaution.