News briefs for Thursday, October 9, 2025

Two charged in rural mailbox thefts 

2:57 PM

Two people are facing dozens of charges each after an RCMP investigation into thefts from Canada Post mailboxes in rural Manitoba.

Thefts in Neepawa, Minnedosa, Arden, Kelwood, MacGregor, Carberry, Rapid City, Glenella, Erickson, Onanole, Sandy Lake and Rivers were reported to Spruce Plains RCMP in late November 2024 and in the early months of this year.

Officers arrested a 38-year-old Brandon man on Sept. 29 and a 41-year-old Boissevain woman Wednesday. Both have been charged with 41 offences.

RCMP are still investigating.

Nine more measles cases announced

1:36 PM

The Manitoba government announced nine new confirmed cases of measles Wednesday, for a total of 225 since February.

There have been another 18 probable cases of measles.

The numbers are accurate as of Saturday.

Wildfire personnel honoured for work 

12:55 PM

Two assistant deputy ministers, and wildfire service and emergency management personnel, have been awarded the Order of the Buffalo Hunt for their work during one of the worst fire seasons in Manitoba’s history.

Premier Wab Kinew inducted Kristin Hayward of the Manitoba Wildfire Service and Christine Stevens of the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization alongside the personnel at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Thursday.

“From the first sparks to the continuing fight against wildfires, these Manitoba heroes worked around the clock to protect communities, homes and lives. I want to thank every firefighter, every emergency worker, and every volunteer who stood on the front lines and behind the scenes,” Kinew said in a news release. “Manitobans can take pride in knowing when disaster strikes, we have people of extraordinary skill and heart answering the call.”

Members of the order, established in 1957, are given a certificate signed by the premier and sealed with the Great Seal of Manitoba. Kinew has previously inducted first responders for their work at the scene of a deadly highway crash north of Carberry in June 2023 and a sword attack that injured a student at a Brandon high school this June.

Driver charged in pedestrian’s 2024 death

12:32 PM

A driver has been charged after a pedestrian was killed at the intersection of Notre Dame Avenue and Cecil Street nearly two years ago.

The 52-year-old man was arrested Tuesday and charged with driving carelessly causing death, a Highway Traffic Act offence, before being released on an appearance notice.

The collision happened at about 7 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2024. The pedestrian, an 18-year-old Winnipeg man, was pronounced dead in hospital.

Winnipeg Police Service investigators sent their collision analysis to the Crown attorney’s office, who authorized a charge.

Police previously said investigators determined the victim “had run in front of” a vehicle headed south on Notre Dame. The driver called 911 and provided emergency medical care until an ambulance arrived, the WPS said after the crash.

Hydro to audit gas meters, regulators

11:53 AM

Manitoba Hydro employees and contractors will be inspecting natural gas meters and regulators at homes and businesses over the next 12 to 14 months.

The inspections are part of a provincewide audit of the meters and regulators. Meters measure the volume of natural gas consumed, while regulators control the pressure.

“This audit is critical for the continued safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to our customers. It is a separate process from meter reading,” the Crown corporation said in a news release Thursday.

Workers and contractors, who will display a Hydro identification badge, might ask to enter a private home or business for auditing.

Toews cleared for takeoff in Jets’ opener

11:50 AM

Jonathan Toews is tired of talking about his comeback and ready to resume his NHL career in his hometown after a two-year absence due to health-related issues.

The pride of St. Vital has put the tweak in his lower body behind him and will be in the Winnipeg Jets lineup in the season opener against the Dallas Stars, head coach Scott Arniel confirmed after the morning skate on Thursday.

“I’m just at that point where I kind of want to stop talking about it,” said Toews. “I just want to go play hockey and be part of this team.”

Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup winner with more than 1,000 NHL games on his resumé, will centre the Jets’ second line with Gustav Nyquist and Nikita Chibrikov.

Arniel is excited to see how fits into the group when the real games begin.

“Do I have a speech for Jonathan? His resumé is a lot better than my resumé,” said Arniel. “We’re done talking. He’s just got to go play.”

Connor Hellebuyck makes the start for the Jets, while the Stars will counter with Jake Oettinger.

In order to make room for Toews on the active roster, the Jets have placed forward David Gustafsson on waivers.

Gustafsson, chosen by the Jets in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, has six goals and 20 points in 149 NHL games.

Arrest made after man holding knife chases construction workers

10:31 AM

Police say a knife-wielding man chased two construction workers downtown Tuesday.

A man approached the workers, ages 23 and 48, at a construction site on the 200 block of Portage Avenue at about 3 p.m. The workers fled into a building after he pulled out a knife, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Thursday.

Police said one victim’s jacket was slashed by the knife, but the person was not hurt.

Officers arrested a 43-year-old man on the 400 block of Balmoral Street about 20 minutes after the incident and seized a knife, the WPS said. He has been charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and single counts of possession of a weapon and breach of recognizance. He was detained in custody.