News briefs for Friday, January 2, 2026

Terry Sawchuk Arena closure extended

3:25 PM

A facility closure at Terry Sawchuk Arena has been extended by a week.

The city announced the extension on Friday, with a new estimated reopening date slated for Jan. 7.

The closure at the rink in Winnipeg’s Valley Gardens neighbourhood was originally scheduled to last until Dec. 31. It initially closed on Nov. 26.

Province announces 20 more measles cases

2:52 PM

The province announced 20 new confirmed measles cases Friday, for a total of 310 since February.

There are 29 probable cases, an increase of four from the previous update on Dec. 19. The latest numbers are accurate as of Dec. 27.

​​The Manitoba government also notified the public Friday of two more locations in Morden where people might have been exposed to measles on Dec. 20: Seventh Day Adventist Morden church, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Access Event Centre, from 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Public health officials asked anyone who was there during those times to monitor symptoms until Jan. 11 and check their immunization records.

Amended Highway Traffic Amendment Act now in effect

2:43 PM

A law passed last spring to protect highway workers and people on Manitoba roads came into force Jan. 1.

The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures) sets out rules for drivers when passing cyclists and winter maintenance vehicles. Tow-truck drivers and roadside assistance operators can now place cones and signs to alert drivers and divert traffic from work zones.

Drivers approaching or passing snowplows with blue warning lights activated must stay back 30 metres on roads with an 80 kilometres-per-hour speed limit or lower, and 100 metres on roads with a speed limit above 80 km/h. Drivers must not pass if the view ahead is obstructed or passing risks interfering with the vehicle or work.

The law also requires a safe passing distance for cyclists. Drivers must leave at least one metre of space when passing — a requirement already in place in other provinces, including British Columbia and Ontario.

The Manitoba government developed the amendments after consultations with industry representatives, law enforcement, municipalities and advocacy groups, the province said in a news release Friday.

Zoo, Leaf announce temporary closures

12:05 PM

Both the Assiniboine Park Zoo and the Leaf will be closed for several days this month.

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy said Friday the zoo will be closed for annual maintenance from Monday through Jan. 9. The work includes removing the Zoo Lights display, and doing minor repairs and deep cleaning of all the buildings.

The zoo will reopen at 9 a.m. on Jan. 10.

The Leaf’s biomes will be closed from Jan. 12 to Jan. 14 and again from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29.

The work during the first closure includes setting up Fleurs de Villes Wonder, with 15 floral mannequins designed by leading local floral designers, in the Babs Asper Display House — running from Jan. 15 to Jan. 25. The second closure will see that showcase removed and the new display, Nature’s Apothecary, set up for viewing on Jan. 30.

Fire crews battle two blazes Friday morning

11:03 AM

City fire crews put out two residential fires Friday morning.

Firefighters were sent to a multi-unit building at 442 McDermot Ave. shortly after 1:30 a.m. They declared the fire there under control at 2:30 a.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a news release Friday.

The City of Winnipeg’s emergency social services team was called to help displaced residents.

Crews were sent to 1961 Manitoba Ave. shortly after 6:05 a.m. and declared a blaze behind the home under control at 7:30 a.m. A garage was destroyed in the fire, and vehicles were damaged.

No injuries were reported. The causes of the fires are under investigation.

Burgers, fries stolen in fast-food robbery

10:34 AM

Employees of a fast-food restaurant near Polo Park fled to safety Thursday after a man threatened to shoot them.

The incident happened at about 2:45 p.m. The man entered the restaurant on the 1500 block of Portage Avenue and demanded cash, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Friday.

The WPS did not identify the business, but an A&W is the only such restaurant on that block.

“The three employees ran to safety, and the suspect circled around the counter and unsuccessfully attempted to open the cash register. He then entered the kitchen, and stole hamburgers and fries that were still cooking in frying pans,” the WPS said.

The man left the restaurant and got on a bus, where he ate the food and “tried to fight people on the bus,” police said.

The bus travelled a short distance before stopping. Police, including officers from the tactical unit, arrested a man and found he had a stolen wallet on him, the WPS said.

A 29-year-old man is charged with robbery and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Winnipeg’s first 2026 baby born two minutes into the new year

9:16 AM

Winnipeg’s first-born baby of 2026 was born only two minutes past midnight Thursday.

Avielo Carmen was born at 12:02 a.m. at St. Boniface Hospital and weighed just over seven pounds, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority announced on social media Thursday morning.

Her parents are Aileen and John, the WRHA said on Instagram.

Snowmobiler saved from Winnipeg River

9:04 AM

A snowmobiler was rescued by the Lac du Bonnet fire department after driving into the Winnipeg River on New Year’s Eve.

A 32-year-old man who lives along the river, just south of Lac du Bonnet, was clinging to a piece of ice and yelling for help when the fire department responded at 8:30 p.m., a Thursday news release said.

The department was able to pull the man off the ice to safety using dry suits and rescue rope. He had hypothermia and was taken to a nearby medical centre.

“The fire department would like to remind the public to stay off unknown water bodies, especially rivers that often have dangerous currents that do not allow for any ice or thick ice to form,” Lac du Bonnet Fire Department Chief Earl Simmons said in the release.

Jets’ Hellebuyck and Connor heading to Italy with Team USA

8:34 AM

The Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck and Kyle Connor are off to Italy to compete for a gold medal.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner and the high-scoring left-winger were on the list of players revealed by Team USA as Olympians on Friday.

Hellebuyck was the starting goalie for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February and is expected to be the No. 1 guy again this time around.

Connor moved up and down the lineup, starting out on the top line with Jack Eichel, but he was a healthy scratch for the gold-medal game and is hoping to have an enhanced role this time around.

The Winnipeg Jets are back in action on Saturday when they close out a three-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators.