News briefs for Thursday, September 25, 2025

Owl released after getting caught in netting outside police station

2:21 PM

A great horned owl was rescued after it became tangled in protective netting around the Winnipeg Police Service’s west district station parking lot.

The netting lines the west and north sides of the Grant Avenue station and is designed to shield vehicles from stray golf balls hit from the neighbouring Tuxedo Golf Club.

Two birdwatchers noticed the owl dangling upside down Thursday morning, and police called Manitoba Conservation and a veterinarian from the nearby Assiniboine Park Zoo.

Police officers attached a sharp knife to a large pole to cut the netting around the owl, and a lone Conservation officer used a fishing net to lower the bird to the ground.

Assiniboine Park Zoo staff members wrapped the owl in a blanket. It was untangled, checked over and released.

Insp. Max Waddell said about half a dozen police officers tried to free the owl before seeking help. The unusual call is a reminder of a reality every officer faces when they start their shift, he said.

“You truly never know what you’re going to have to deal with,” Waddell said. “I’ve been a police officer for 32 years. I’ve never had to cut a great horned (owl) out of netting. Still experiencing something new.”

Man wanted since 2021 arrested in Opaskwayak 

1:48 PM

A man wanted since 2021 was arrested in Opaskwayak Cree Nation on Saturday.

Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers were patrolling when they saw an intoxicated man outside a business. He gave them a false name, police said in a news release Thursday.

Officers determined the man was wanted on a years-old Canada-wide warrant of arrest for “parole violations” for nearly four full years.

Cody Chartrand, 33, of Opaskwayak was arrested on the strength of the warrant and is facing new charges of identity fraud and obstructing police.

He has been remanded into custody to appear in court at a later date.

Chartrand was on the Winnipeg Crime Stoppers monthly list of most-wanted people in December 2021. He was sentenced to four years and 11 months in prison in April 2018 for breaking-and-entering and for using a firearm during the offence. He began statutory release on Aug. 10, 2021, and a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest was issued Oct. 8.

Chartrand had previously been convicted in provincial court of three court-order breaches and an assault.

Court actions over oozing cement done

1:24 PM

An insurance firm that sued the City of Winnipeg on behalf of Semple Avenue homeowners — whose pipes were destroyed by a murky mixture of cement after a city contractor made a mistake in 2021 — has discontinued its court actions.

The two lawsuits, filed in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench by Wawanesa Insurance in 2023, sought damages related to the 2021 incident that stemmed from work on the sewage system on Semple between Scotia and McKenzie streets.

At least 12 homes were affected. Some had disruptions to the sewage system, while others had the cement mixture backup through drains, toilets and bathtubs. The mixture hardened in some of the homes and caused extensive damage as it turned to concrete.

No reasons were offered for why the suits were discontinued in the documents filed in court.

Widow’s lawsuit over husband’s 2022 death discontinued 

1:21 PM

A widow who sued three Winnipeg hospitals and two health authorities in 2023 over her husband’s 2022 death has discontinued her lawsuit.

Darlene Demski, acting as executor of her husband Darrell Demski’s will, filed suit against Health Sciences Centre, Concordia Hospital, St. Boniface Hospital, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Shared Health, alleging substandard care led to her husband’s death from cancer.

Demski discontinued her lawsuit in court papers filed last year. No reason was offered.

Free vaccination clinic to be held for dogs, cats

12:13 PM

A free clinic for dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies, distemper and parvo is being held in the West End on Sunday.

The walk-in clinic will be held at Valour Community Centre, 448 Burnell St., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Winnipeg Humane Society, Veterinarians Without Borders North America and Feed the Furbabies Canada are hosting the clinic to mark World Rabies Day.

The former two organizations vaccinated 326 animals at last year’s clinic.

The society will also be offering basic physical exams and flea/ear mite treatment for cats, while Feed the Furbabies will provide free food for dogs and cats while supplies last.

Province announces seven more measles cases

11:57 AM

The Manitoba government announced seven new confirmed cases of measles Thursday, for a total of 211 since February.

The number of probable cases increased by one, to 17, since the previous weekly update.

The latest numbers are accurate as of Saturday.

Pedestrian hit by vehicle at Notre Dame Avenue and McPhillips Street still in hospital 

10:08 AM

A pedestrian remains in hospital after she was hit by a vehicle at Notre Dame Avenue and McPhillips Street late Friday night.

Officers were sent to the intersection at about 11:45 p.m. The woman, who is in her 60s, was taken to hospital in unstable condition.

The driver remained at the scene and spoke with police. The area was closed to traffic for several hours.

The Winnipeg Police Service asked anyone with information about the incident, or relevant video, to contact its traffic division at 204-986-7085, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online.