News briefs for Friday, December 19, 2025

City crews battle two blazes Friday

8:49 PM

A firefighter was taken to hospital for evaluation after crews fought a blaze in a three-storey condo building on the 800 block of Allegheny Drive around 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The blaze was under control within half an hour.

Damage was mostly contained to the suite where the fire started.

Electrical failure is believed to be the cause.

Hours earlier, firefighters were summoned to the 1800 block of Loudoun Road on reports a blaze had started in a two-storey house.

When crews arrived at 1:20 p.m., they found smoke coming from the house.

WFPS water tankers were called to shuttle water to the scene because the house is outside the City of Winnipeg water district.

The fire was declared under control around 2 p.m.

Crews searched the house and confirmed no one was inside. The cause wasn’t released.

Manitoba Hydro issues another scam warning

3:20 PM

Manitoba Hydro is warning customers about scam energy bill reminders sent via text message.

The message states a hydro bill is due or overdue and includes a link to make payment.

The Crown corporation sends bill reminders by text but does not ask for payment online or by phone, text, e-transfer or cryptocurrency, a Friday news release said.

Anyone who receives such texts should not click on the link and should delete the message, the utility said.

Hydro recently warned customers of a similar scam sent via email.

Province announces dozen more measles cases

3:04 PM

The province announced 12 new confirmed measles cases Friday, for a total of 290 since February.

There are 25 probable cases, an increase of two from the previous weekly update. The latest numbers are accurate as of Dec. 13.

​​The Manitoba government notified the public Wednesday of another location where people might have been exposed to measles: Bethesda Regional Health Centre’s emergency waiting room in Steinbach, from 2 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. Sunday.

Public health officials asked anyone who was there during that time to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with measles vaccines.

PUB approves lower MPI rate hike

1:25 PM

Drivers will pay more to insure vehicles next year, but not as much as Manitoba Public Insurance requested.

In late June, the Crown corporation sought a 2.07 per cent increase to its overall basic insurance rates, starting April 1. The Public Utilities Board said Friday it has instead ordered an increase of 1.77 per cent. The rates will be in effect until March 31, 2027.

“This represents an annual increase of $21.89 to the average private passenger vehicle policy next year, which is approximately $1.82 per month,” MPI said in a news release.

Man charged with forcible confinement after pursuit

1:01 PM

A man is facing charges after Mounties were told a woman was being held against her will in a car north of Winnipeg.

RCMP were told shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday that the Chrysler 300 had last been seen going north on Henderson Highway in the Rural Municipality of East St Paul.

Police spotted the car behind a business on Henderson in Lockport about an hour later. The driver sped off, and a tire-deflation device failed to stop the car, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday.

Police pursued the car east on Highway 44 to Garson before abandoning the pursuit. More than 25 officers were involved in the search.

The car was found on a farm property along Highway 12 in the RM of Springfield at about 5:45 p.m., and police arrested the 49-year-old driver, who was still inside the car.

Officers found the 38-year-old victim, who suffered minor injuries, a short distance away, the release said.

The man is charged with forcible confinement, assault, uttering threats, failing to stop while being pursued by police, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited.

Police said the incident was a case of intimate partner violence.

Blood, plasma donations needed

12:16 PM

Canadian Blood Services is asking Winnipeggers to donate after recent severe weather made it difficult for people to keep appointments.

Donations of blood and plasma are already low this time of year because people are busy or travelling during the holidays, the registered charity said in a news release Friday. Its Winnipeg centre is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, and on New Year’s Day.

Go to blood.ca, download the GiveBlood app, or call 1-888-236-6283 (2DONATE) to book an appointment.

Missing snowmobilers found dead on Island Lake  

11:13 AM

Two missing snowmobilers who did not return home after going for a ride early Monday have been found dead.

The pair — Kyle Mason, 28, and Taryne Mason, 27, of St. Theresa Point First Nation — were reported missing to Island Lake RCMP at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. They had left on a single snowmobile, and no one knew where they were headed or by what route, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday.

“Local search parties had been organized and actively searched the community, including the winter and ice roads in the area,” the release said.

The pair were found dead outside the community early Thursday afternoon, RCMP said.

Investigators determined the snowmobile was on Island Lake when it hit rocks near an island. Both people were thrown from the snowmobile, which sustained “considerable damage,” police said.

Seven people have died, or are presumed dead, after incidents on the ice in Manitoba this season.

Rural school divisions cancel classes Friday

8:23 AM

Some rural school divisions cancelled classes Friday for a second day as southern Manitoba faces another storm.

Parts of the province were hammered by a blizzard Thursday, sparking school closures.

Environment Canada is warning of poor visibility and blowing snow Friday, with another five to 12 centimetres predicted for Winnipeg and parts of the province.

Travel may be hazardous and road closures are possible, Environment Canada warned.

Classes have been cancelled at a number of school divisions including:

• Prairie Rose
• Seine River
• Hanover School Division
• Interlake
• Lord Selkirk
• Turtle Mountain
• Sunrise
• Red River Valley
• Lakeshore
• Western
• Garden Valley
• Fort La Bosse
• Border Land
• Southwest Horizon

Other school divisions are moving forward with classes, but buses are not running:

• Beautiful Plains
• Seven Oaks

Buses in the Brandon School Division are not operating outside of the city. Alexander, O’Kelly and Spring Valley schools have cancelled classes but all other schools are open.