News briefs for Monday, October 6, 2025

Untreated sewage spills during power outage, heavy rain

4:31 PM

More than 2.5 megalitres of raw sewage was released into the environment during a power failure at a wastewater lift station near The Forks on Sunday.

The power went out at the station, at 105 Mayfair Ave., shortly before 8:20 a.m.

A City of Winnipeg maintenance crew was sent to the station with a mobile generator and found an overflow of untreated water. Heavy rain caused additional wastewater to overflow, the city said in a news release Monday.

The mobile generator was running an hour after the power went out, but only one of the station’s two pumps was working off and on because of mechanical problems with the generator.

Manitoba Hydro restored power shortly after 10 a.m.

“Because of the heavy rain, the overflow continued after Manitoba Hydro restored power,” the release said. “The outfall slide gate, which could’ve stopped the overflow if closed, was left open in order to prevent basement flooding.”

Fishers robbed of vehicle by hatchet-wielding man in East Selkirk

2:05 PM

Police are searching for a man after a vehicle was stolen from two fishers by a man armed with a hatchet.

The incident happened at a popular fishing spot north of the Selkirk Lift Bridge, along the banks of the Red River in East Selkirk, at about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The two men, who did not know the robber, were not hurt. A warrant of arrest has been issued for 34-year-old Jorden Walker.

He is facing charges of armed robbery, uttering threats and dangerous driving.

Mounties asked anyone who knows where Walker is to call 911, or contact the Selkirk RCMP detachment at 204-482-1222, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.

Chambers resigns from police board

1:34 PM

City Coun. Markus Chambers has resigned from the Winnipeg Police Board.

The St. Norbert-Seine River councillor, who was chairman of the board, resigned Wednesday.

“The Winnipeg Police Board extends its appreciation … for his dedicated service to the board and the community,” the board said of Chambers in a news release Monday.

Chambers was first appointed to the board in 2018 and served as chairman, vice-chairman and a regular board member during his tenure.

Vice-chairwoman Colleen Mayer has taken over Chambers’ responsibilities until city council names a new chair.

Vacant apartment burns in St. Boniface

8:58 AM

Firefighters spent hours battling a blaze in a vacant apartment building in St. Boniface early Monday.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews were sent to the apartment on the 300 block of Enfield Crescent shortly after 1:50 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. Firefighters attacked the flames, switching between offensive and defensive attacks as conditions changed, and protected nearby buildings from catching fire.

Crews evacuated a nearby apartment building, and residents sheltered in a Winnipeg Transit bus. Firefighters declared the fire under control at about 5 a.m.

On Sunday, firefighters extinguished a house fire on Carbutt Place in Charleswood. Crews were sent there shortly after 4:20 p.m. and declared the fire under control at about 5:10 p.m.

The causes of the two fires are under investigation.

‘Person in distress’ closes northbound St. James Bridge

8:49 AM

The northbound lanes of the St. James Bridge were closed through much of the Monday morning rush hour as police responded to a “person in distress” in the area.

City of Winnipeg traffic officials said on social media the bridge began to reopen shortly after 8:30 a.m., but delays were still expected on northbound Kenaston Boulevard.

A Winnipeg Police Service spokeswoman said officers were called to the bridge at about 5:45 a.m. about the individual.

The southbound turnoff from the bridge onto Academy Road had previously flooded on Sunday afternoon after the weekend’s heavy rain.