News briefs for Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Teen reported missing by Selkirk RCMP

9:35 PM

Selkirk RCMP are seeking the public’s help to locate a 17-year-old female.

Mounties were advised on March 1 that Marika Flett was last seen Feb. 28, 2025, at 1:10 am, at a residence in West St. Paul.

Police are concerned about her well-being.

Flett is 5-5 and has a slim build with dark shoulder-length hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information about her is asked to call Selkirk RCMP at 204-482-1222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

U.S. flag removed from arena

4:11 PM

A community club has removed the U.S. flag after the area’s councillor called for them to be removed from city-owned facilities.

Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt made the request to Mayor Scott Gillingham shortly before U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods took effect late Monday night. He said Wednesday that the Transcona East End Community Club has removed the flag from inside its arena.

Wyatt has cited Trump’s repeated statements that Canada should become America’s 51st state, the tariffs and how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was treated during a recent meeting in the Oval Office as reasons for his request.

Manitoba Avenue duplex to be torn down after fire

3:24 PM

A vacant two-storey duplex on Manitoba Avenue will be demolished after a fire Wednesday morning.

Crews were sent to the building on the 600 block at 10:34 a.m. and used aerial ladder trucks to spray water on the fire.

The building partially collapsed because of significant fire and water damage, the  Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a news release. An emergency demolition of the rest of the building is being arranged, the WFPS said that afternoon.

Road closures are in place in the area, which is slippery because of the water used to fight the fire.

The duplex was previously damaged in a fire on the night of Oct. 8. People lived in the building at that time, but no one was injured.

Ottawa announces $1.5M for Manitoba francophone organizations

12:15 PM

The federal government announced more than $1.5 million Wednesday for three projects that will benefit Manitoba’s francophone communities.

The Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba will receive $1.2 million in funding, while Le Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba will get $200,000 and Entreprises Riel will receive $157,150.

The funds are administered by PrairiesCan and provided through the Community Economic Development and Diversification and Tourism Growth Program.

“These projects will help strengthen the francophone labour market in bilingual municipalities and provide support for Francophone tourism entrepreneurs in the province,” a news release said.

More than 200 jobs will be created or maintained, and more than 100 small- and medium-sized businesses across Manitoba will benefit from the funds, Ottawa said.

Terry Duguid, a local Liberal MP and the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, made the announcement at a news conference in Winnipeg.

Driver of stolen truck flees police, crashes

10:06 AM

A man is facing charges after the driver of a stolen pickup truck fled from police before crashing.

Patrolling officers noticed a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 with an improper licence plate being driven in the area of Logan Avenue and Sherbrook Street at about 2:10 a.m. Wednesday. Police tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped off, and the Winnipeg Police Service’s helicopter was used to monitor the truck.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed at the intersection of Higgins Avenue and Main Street, then ran from the inoperable truck. Officers arrested a man after a brief foot chase and seized a canister of bear spray.

The truck was stolen from the 3100 block of Pembina Highway on Monday.

A 29-year-old Winnipeg man is facing charges of possession of a weapon, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and failing to comply with conditions of a release order.

Winter route parking ban ends

9:55 AM

The annual winter route parking ban has been lifted, the City of Winnipeg announced Wednesday.

The ban prohibits overnight parking on designated streets from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.

It began on Dec. 6, with an undetermined end date.

Missing man last seen in Selkirk

9:46 AM

RCMP are searching for a missing 29-year-old man last seen in Selkirk.

Police in that city were contacted about River Fisher at about 7:40 p.m. Friday. He had last been seen at an address located on Manitoba Avenue at about 2 p.m. that day.

Fisher is described 5-7 in height, with a medium build, dark brown long hair and brown eyes.

RCMP asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Selkirk detachment at 204-482-1222, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.