More rain falls in Taiwan after tropical depression causes flooding

Bullet to the face nets 7.5 years behind bars

Calling it “intimate partner terror,” a judge sentenced a Winnipeg man to seven-and-a-half years in prison for firing a loaded handgun held to his partner’s head causing her life-altering injuries.

The woman, who the Free Press is only identifying as A.W., watched as Machuor Akau sat silently and stared at the ground as Manitoba Judge Sidney Lerner read his ruling Monday.

Akau, 28, who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, pointing a firearm and criminal negligence causing bodily harm, didn’t speak during the sentencing or look at his victim or her family members as court progressed.

At a previous proceeding, Crown prosecutor Ari Millo had requested a sentence of eight years, while defence counsel Saul Simmonds argued for between five and six.

‘Make eye contact’: police urge extra caution amid spate of vehicle-pedestrian collisions

Winnipeg police are urging motorists and pedestrians to exercise extra caution at intersections following a rash of collisions across the city, including one that claimed the life of a woman.

“Having the right of way does not make you safe,” Insp. Helen Peters of the Winnipeg Police Service’s traffic division said during a news conference Monday morning.

“This isn’t just about who’s at fault. This is about keeping each other safe and doing everything we can as drivers, motor vehicles or pedestrians to help each other out and navigate our roads.”

Police said a woman in her 80s was struck by a vehicle that failed to stop at a stop sign while turning right onto eastbound Roblin Boulevard from Hunterspoint Road on Sept. 29.

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Tire store theft sting nets four arrests

Four people have been arrested after the Winnipeg Police Major Crimes Unit launched an investigation into several break-ins and thefts targeting tire retailers in the city.

Between Sept. 12 and 29, police responded to multiple commercial break-ins resulting in estimated losses of between $50,000 and $60,000, police said in a news release.

During that time, retail stores in the 1600 block of Kenaston Boulevard and the 800 block of Leila Avenue also reported theft of merchandise valued at approximately $3,250 combined.

On the evening of Sept. 26, one of the suspects used false identification to rent a truck from a commercial rental company.

Medical supplies, equipment distribution firm unpacks new, larger local hub

Seven red robots were some of the main attractions as Canadian medical equipment and supplies distributor Stevens Company Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new 42,000-square-foot distribution centre in northwest Winnipeg.

The company invested more than $4 million to create the new space, which includes what it believes to be Manitoba’s first AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system — a robotic technology that will help employees fill about 20,000 orders annually.

More than 80 employees, vendors and customers gathered for the grand opening Monday afternoon. It was held fewer than four years after the celebration for the Stevens Company’s previous Winnipeg facility, a 33,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Transcona the company quickly outgrew.

Company president Jay Stevens noted the Stevens Company’s long history in Manitoba.

Salvation Army calls on Winnipeggers to donate merchandise as sales soar

The Salvation Army is taking donated merchandise from other regions to stock its Winnipeg thrift stores as increasing sales outpace local donations.

Retail activity at the charity’s eight Winnipeg locations grew more than 10 per cent year over year during several months, from January through April, and again in June.

Although local donations remain strong, they haven’t kept pace with demand, prompting the organization to supplement inventory with merchandise from elsewhere.

Ted Troughton, managing director of the Salvation Army’s thrift store operations, said rising living costs are bringing in new customers.