News briefs for Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Woman bit officers after carjacking attempt: RCMP

3:10 PM

A 24-year-old woman is facing multiple charges after RCMP say she tried to steal an SUV and violently resisted police in Portage la Prairie on Friday.

RCMP were sent to Dufferin Avenue East at about 8 a.m. after someone approached a parked SUV, grabbed a child’s arm and tried to enter the vehicle. The attempt failed, and no one was injured.

Officers found a woman nearby. She violently resisted arrest, kicking officers and damaging their equipment before being placed in a patrol vehicle, RCMP said in a news release Tuesday.

Police say the woman continued her aggressive behaviour, including biting two officers and trying to severely injure herself, during transport and at the detachment. The officers and the woman arrested were treated for minor injuries.

A Portage la Prairie woman has been charged with four counts of assaulting a police officer, two counts of mischief under $5,000 and single counts of assault and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.

Matt Berninger to perform at the Burt in March

2:26 PM

The National frontman Matt Berninger is bringing his solo tour to Winnipeg March 15 as part of a cross-Canada tour.

The indie-rock singer-songwriter will play the Burton Cummings Theatre in support of his second solo album, Get Sunk, released earlier this year. Canadian singer-songwriter Hannah Georgas will open the show.

The National was scheduled to peform at the same venue in July 2020, but the show was cancelled because of the pandemic.

Tickets for the March show go on sale Friday at Ticketmaster. Prices weren’t announced.

Police watchdog clears Brandon police officers of wrongdoing

1:54 PM

Manitoba’s police watchdog has cleared the Brandon Police Service of any wrongdoing after a man claimed he was assaulted by officers and that video of his arrest was altered and cut short.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said in a report released Tuesday that dashcam video the man obtained through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act had not been tampered with, citing an expert report.

IIU acting civilian director Bruce Sychuk also ruled that the actions of the officers were reasonable and justified in the circumstances.

The man claimed he was assaulted multiple times during his arrest for numerous offences on June 15, 2023. The report states the man resisted arrest, with officers using force to subdue him before putting him in cuffs.

Province to match Red Cross wildfire funds

12:47 PM

The Manitoba government is matching Canadian Red Cross donations to help people and small businesses affected by wildfires earlier this year.

The province will contribute $6.5 million toward recovery efforts. Lisa Naylor, the minister responsible for the Emergency Management Organization, made the announcement in a news release Tuesday.

The funding includes about $2 million earmarked for small-business support. Evacuees who previously received emergency funds will be eligible for $120 per adult and $65 per child in recovery support.

The Red Cross is developing an application-based program for affected small businesses, with details expected in January. Updates will be posted on the Red Cross’s website.

Funds will be distributed by the Red Cross, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and Four Arrows Regional Health Authority.

Two rushed to hospital after single-vehicle rollover on south Perimeter Highway

12:40 PM

Two people were taken to hospital after a crash in the westbound lanes of the Perimeter Highway on Tuesday morning.

One person was airlifted to hospital by STARS air ambulance in critical condition, while another was taken by ambulance. The latter’s condition was not known early Tuesday afternoon. The Winnipeg Police Service had no other information on the victims.

The single-vehicle rollover took place on the south Perimeter near Highway 330, the WPS said.

Mounties were sent to the site of a crash on the north Perimeter, in the area of Pipeline Road, this morning. No injuries were reported, a Manitoba RCMP spokesperson said.

Neepawa RCMP probe counterfeit bill used at local business

12:20 PM

Neepawa RCMP are investigating after a counterfeit $100 bill was used at a business last month.

Police were contacted about the bill on Nov. 19. Staff members at the business, which is on Mountain Avenue, gave it to officers, who noted clear signs it was a fake.

RCMP are trying to identify the woman who used the bill and released an image of her.

Investigators are also checking whether similar bills were passed at other businesses in the western Manitoba town.

RCMP asked anyone with information that would help their investigation to contact the Neepawa detachment at 204-476-7340.

More information about security features on genuine $100 bills is available on the Bank of Canada website, along with tips on what to do if you suspect you’ve been offered counterfeit money.

Fire crews battle vacant house fire in Point Douglas early Tuesday

11:22 AM

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service extinguished another vacant house fire early Tuesday.

Crews were sent to the boarded-up home on the 100 block of Euclid Avenue shortly after 2:30 a.m. and declared the fire under control an hour later.

Earlier, at about 8:30 p.m. Monday, crews were sent to a two-storey, multi-unit home on the 1100 block of Moncton Avenue. The fire there was under control by shortly after 9 p.m., and everyone inside got out safely. No injuries were reported.

The causes of both fires are under investigation.

Man, 53, facing second-degree murder charges for Langside slaying

9:49 AM

A 53-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting death of a 25-year-old in the 600 block of Langside Street in August.

Melvin Catcheway Jr. was shot on Aug. 29 and later died, after becoming embroiled in an altercation with Troy Donavan Bernier at the residence, police said Tuesday.

Following an investigation by the homicide unit, officers arrested Bernier last Friday. Police say the victim and the accused knew each other.

Bernier is charged with second-degree murder, along with warrants for uttering threats and multiple counts of failing to comply with probation. He was detained in custody.