Get holiday baking on a roll with snowballs

Whale of a rescue in Churchill

Manitoba conservation officers determined to rescue polar bears in distress on the Churchill shoreline were shocked when they instead came across seven beluga whales stranded in shallow water.

Churchill’s conservation office received a call at about 7:20 a.m. Monday about a white object in the water covered by seagulls half a kilometre from a public beach.

“When the public calls us and they say something white, we treat it like a bear call because we receive the call a lot,” said conservation officer Vitalii Skrynnyk.

Skrynnyk’s colleague went to investigate and discovered three adult beluga whales and four calves stranded because of low tides.

Patients to return to Ste. Anne hospital Wednesday

Southern Health says patients who were transferred out of the hospital in Ste. Anne after its HVAC system malfunctioned will return to the facility Wednesday.

Transportation has been arranged for patients who need to return to the hospital, the health authority it said in a statement on its website.

The emergency department is scheduled to reopen on Thursday.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who assisted during this time. Your dedication and hard work helped ensure that patient safety remained our top priority throughout this temporary closure,” the health authority said Tuesday.

CUPE leader Delbridge dies

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 announced Tuesday its president had died Monday night after a sudden medical incident. He was 55 years old.

Sea Bears Dance Crew takes athleticism to the next level

Many grow up believing dance can only be a hobby and never a career. The Sea Bears Dance Crew defies the notion by showing there can be a professional side of dance in Winnipeg.

Tasha Farmer and Kersey Sarao lead a team of 18 dancers from different backgrounds and styles. Together, they create a high-energy game-day experience — one that encourages everyone in the arena to get up and boogie.

Farmer started dancing at a young age, experimenting in all that was offered.

“I trained in ballet, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre — every single style you can think of,” she said.

Animal rescue worker reportedly killed in dog attack

Police are investigating after a woman died on the Sandy Bay First Nation, reportedly after being attacked by dogs.

The woman was identified by family as 37-year-old Amanda Nobiss.

“It’s just disbelief,” said Sherri Nobiss, her mother, in a phone call. Her family is devastated by the loss. “You just want to know what has happened.”

She said Amanda was a dedicated animal advocate who was volunteering with K9 Advocacy Manitoba in the community at the time. Amanda, who was from Winnipeg, is pictured with a dog in almost all of her photos on social media.

Teacher disciplinary panel will make history today

A professional disciplinary panel will assemble today to hear serious allegations against a Manitoba teacher.

The public hearing — a first-of-its-kind videoconference scheduled for 10 a.m. — will take place more than 18 months after the province launched a professional disciplinary system and teacher registry.

“In a hearing, it’s the teacher against me, basically,” said Noni Classen, Manitoba’s independent commissioner of teacher professional conduct.

Both parties are expected to make their respective arguments in front of a three-person panel consisting of one teacher, one non-teacher and one individual nominated by the Manitoba School Boards Association.