Art and soul Artbeat Studio offers six-month residency to artists facing mental health, social and financial challenges Posted: 10:44 PM CDT Friday, Jun. 7, 2024

Drug crisis on their doorsteps

The laughter of children playing outside has been replaced by open drug use, vandalism and incidents of theft that have put residents of West Broadway on edge.

Judge doesn’t buy remorse, sentences man to 5 years for attack on 83-year-old woman

A mentally ill Winnipeg man who randomly attacked an 83-year-old woman on the street and was on the verge of beating her with her walker when passersby intervened has been sentenced to five years in prison.

“The victim’s age and the fact that she was using a walker made her exceptionally vulnerable, and that vulnerability would have been obvious to anyone who saw her,” provincial court Judge Michelle Bright said at a sentencing hearing Wednesday for 28-year-old Justin Getty.

“One can only imagine the potential outcome had the accused been allowed to continue the assault unimpeded.”

Getty, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is addicted to meth, pleaded guilty last winter to aggravated assault for the February 2025 attack on Victoria Comeau.

Body of younger brother found in Nutimik Lake on fifth day of search

THE body of a 10-year-old boy — one of two brothers presumed drowned — has been recovered from Nutimik Lake.

Maximo Au Ramirez and his older brother Aaron Au Ramirez, 13, were visiting Whiteshell Provincial Park Saturday with their father when Maximo slipped off rocks and fell into the water. Aaron went in to try to save him.

On Wednesday evening, a social media post from the Nutimik Lake Lodge, which has been serving as a hub for many searchers and volunteers, posted a notice that said the 10-year-old’s body had been recovered.

“We will continue to search for his brother Aaron Au Ramirez,” said the post. “Please pray he will show himself soon.”

Spike in safety concerns doesn’t feel like harm reduction

It’s after dinner when a couple of young boys appear on my porch. I recognize them from the neighbourhood, but they’re not here to ask my kids to come out for a game of basketball. Instead, one asks, “Is it OK to come in for a little bit. There’s a guy out there and he’s scaring us.”

Alberta-based UFA Co-op preps first cardlock, fuel hub in Manitoba

An Alberta-based co-op plans to open its first Manitoba gas station later this year.

UFA Co-operative Ltd. has circled Portage la Prairie for a cardlock and bulk petroleum site. Meanwhile, it’s analyzing the keystone province for future locations.

“There is more to come,” Fred Thun, UFA president, said Wednesday.

The co-op counts at least 121 petroleum stations across Alberta and Saskatchewan and 125,000 member-owners. It already ships fuel to bulk customers in Manitoba.

Police search for suspect in random Wolseley sex assault

Winnipeg police are looking for a male suspect after a woman reported being sexually assaulted and robbed at random in Wolseley.

The incident happened near Canora Street and Picardy Place, close to Vimy Ridge Park, at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

The woman told police she walked southbound on Toronto Street and crossed Portage Avenue, near Picardy, when she was grabbed by a shirtless stranger.

He threatened to harm her if she screamed, and pulled her into an alcove where he choked, sexually assaulted and robbed her.