Top chefs go for gold

Confusion part of syllabus as MITT winds down operations

More than 500 students are trying to complete their courses before the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology permanently closes.

Manpreet Singh, who is set to graduate from the electrical applications program in the fall, said finishing his studies is a confusing and anxiety-inducing process despite the promise it would go smoothly.

“Nobody has a clear image,” he said.

Officials said in January the post-secondary institute was no longer financially viable because of the federal government’s decision to cut the number of international students allowed to study in Canada. Nineteen of its programs are being absorbed by Red River College Polytech, which is taking over the institute’s campuses in south Winnipeg.

Toys ‘R’ Us closing Polo Park store

Embattled toy retailer Toys “R” Us is closing its store in Winnipeg’s Polo Park area.

Folk fest donates leftover food to Siloam Mission

Thousands of meals will be served at Siloam Mission this week thanks to a massive food donation from the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

More than 4,200 pounds — about two tonnes — of surplus food from the four-day festival that wrapped up Sunday was delivered to the mission on Monday.

The donation, consisting of prepared food, protein, dairy and fresh produce, is expected to provide enough ingredients to prepare about 6,000 meals for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

“We are part of the Winnipeg community and when we can give back, we do,” said folk festival executive director Valerie Shantz.

Police and mental health don’t mix: so why can’t we fix it?

It was the fateful moment when death became almost inevitable.

On Monday, a man called 911 at 8:40 p.m. to report that his brother, who had lifelong mental health issues, was suffering from a crisis and had locked himself in the Linden Woods home they shared.

Winnipeg police did not respond, nor did anyone from the Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis, a hybrid unit involving a plainclothes police officer and a mental health professional. The man called 911 again at 10 p.m., indicating he was still locked out of his house and his brother was yelling at him through the front window.

This is where we reach the aforementioned fateful moment, when a cry for help is transformed into a lethal confrontation. Specifically, it’s that moment when, following the second 911 call, the Winnipeg Police Service decided the situation was too volatile for ARCC and instead dispatched uniformed officers.