News briefs for Thursday, April 9, 2026

Patient rescued from garbage truck in Portage la Prairie

6:59 PM

A person was rescued from a garbage truck in Portage La Prairie early Thursday morning after firefighters say they were accidentally dumped by waste crews.

Little information was available, but a social media post from the local firefighters union said crews were called to the rear of a business on Saskatchewan Avenue E at about 4:40 a.m.

When they arrived, emergency responders and RCMP were assessing a patient from the top of the truck, the union post said. Crews then entered the truck using ladders, safely removing the person using ropes and harnesses.

The patient was treated for minor injuries.

Electrical issue caused fire that killed boy: RCMP

4:36 PM

A house fire that killed a 12-year-old boy in Portage la Prairie on March 1 was caused by an electrical issue, an RCMP spokesperson said Thursday.

The cause of the blaze was not suspicious, the spokesperson said.

Alexander Beaulieu Jr. died after the fire spread and he became trapped in his bedroom, his uncle, Clint McIvor, told the Free Press last month.

Family members were sleeping when the fire was detected at about 4:40 a.m. Alexander’s parents and five siblings escaped the house, located in the first 100 block of 8th Street Northwest.

Two Winnipeg hospitals among measles exposure sites

3:37 PM

Healthcare officials are cautioning the public about five new spots where they may have been exposed to measles, including two Winnipeg hospitals.

Taking place over the last six days, the first exposure was Saturday morning at the Ray of Hope Medical Centre on Henderson Highway.

Then on Sunday afternoon there was an exposure at the extended hours primary care clinic at Concordia Hospital, as well as the urgent care from 10:30 p.m. Sunday into Monday morning.

Exposure was also recorded at the Shoppers Drug Mart on Henderson Highway late Sunday afternoon.

According to Health Canada, there have been 442 cases of measles recorded in Manitoba as of March 28.

RCMP arrest man wanted in February homicide

2:30 PM

RCMP have arrested a wanted man in connection to the February homicide of a 33-year-old man from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

Officers arrested Draven Mercredi Thursday without incident.

He was one of three people wanted by RCMP in connection to the death, which happened on Feb. 27, said an RCMP release.

At roughly 2 a.m., officers from The Pas detachment responded to a reported fight at a home in the community. When they arrived, they found a man suffering serious injuries. He would later die.

Two men were charged with second degree murder shortly after the assault and a warrant was issued for Mercredi’s arrest.

RCMP thanked the public for their assistance in finding the wanted man.

Man arrested after high-speed crash near daycare

1:15 PM

A man was arrested in Rossburn after RCMP say he drove a van into three parked cars while kids and parents were leaving a daycare nearby.

The crash happened on the afternoon of April 2 on Victoria Avenue when the van hit the three cars while driving at a high rate of speed, according to an RCMP release Thursday.

All vehicles were severely damaged in the crash. Shortly after, RCMP say the suspect was said to have attacked another man at a nearby hotel. The victim was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Several people pointed out the man to police while he was walking in the area and he was arrested without trouble.

A 31-year-old man from the Keeseekoowenin First Nation is now charged with assault with bodily harm, uttering threats, impaired driving and failing to stop after the crash.

Police looking for person of interest in Henderson Highway arson

12:43 PM

Winnipeg police are trying to identify a potential suspect in an arson investigation.

Officers on patrol at about 2:15 a.m. on March 25 spotted thick smoke billowing from a vacant and boarded-up building on the 100 block of Henderson Highway, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release, and called for firefighters.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service personnel got the blaze under control just before 3 a.m. and no one was hurt, but major crimes detectives have since identified a woman as possibly connected to the fire.

Police released images from a surveillance camera showing the woman. Police describe her as having a small build with long, dyed red hair. She was wearing mukluks with tassels, a black hoodie or jacket, black-and-grey striped mittens, black pants and glasses, and carrying a small black object, possibly a purse, at the time.

Police have asked anyone with information on her identity, or who may have relevant dash-cam, security or cellphone video from the area at the time, to call major crimes detectives at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477.

IIU investigating after man’s arrest by Winnipeg police

12:09 PM

The province’s police oversight agency is looking into the arrest of a man whose ribs were found to be broken after he was taken into custody by Winnipeg police officers.

The Independent Investigation Unit says it was notified by the Winnipeg Police Service of the incident, which occurred on Aug. 18 last year, on Wednesday.

The IIU said a man was driving north on Route 90 when he was rear-ended by another driver, who got out and identified himself as an off-duty officer. The off-duty officer spoke with a witness, then approached the man who was rear-ended and told him he was going to arrest him for impaired driving.

The off-duty officer “physically detained” the driver until on-duty officers arrived, who arrested him and transported him to the west district police station. He was released on an appearance notice.

The next day, the driver went for medical treatment and doctors discovered he had a fractured rib. It’s unclear whether his ribs were broken in the collision or during his arrest.

The man reported the incident to the Law Enforcement Review Agency early last month, who looked at medical reports and notified the Winnipeg police on March 31, who in turn reported it to the IIU.

The IIU asks anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have video footage of it to call investigators at 1-844-667-6060.

Three teens charged in gas station robbery

10:51 AM

Winnipeg police have arrested three teenagers following a gas station robbery last month.

Police say three teens entered a gas station on the 500 block of Pembina Highway around 11:40 p.m. on March 22 wearing face coverings and bearing pepper spray. The trio allegedly stole 18 packages of cigarettes and cash before fleeing on foot.

Three youths were arrested on April 5 without incident.

A 16-year-old-boy was charged with robbery, disguise with intent, and possession of a weapon. He was detained in custody.

A 13-year-old and a 14-year-old are facing robbery and disguise with intent charges. They were released on undertakings.

Manitoba Book Awards back for 2026

9:25 AM

After a two-year hiatus, the Manitoba Book Awards are returning for 2026, albeit on a slightly smaller scale. 

Founded in 1988, the awards were presented annually until 2024, when a feasibility study recommended the Manitoba Book Awards, and the governing coalition made up of Plume Winnipeg, the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, the Winnipeg Public Library and the Manitoba Writers’ Guild, be dissolved.

In an April 9 press release it was announced the 2026 Manitoba Book Awards, now run by an independent board of arts workers and writers, would be presented Sept. 19 at the Park Theatre (698 Osborne St.) after the short lists are revealed in August. Six awards in total will be presented including the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award, the Prix Littéraire rue-Deschambault for francophone literature as well as prizes for fiction, non-fiction, poetry and best first book.

“The Manitoba Book Awards have always been an important piece of the literary landscape in this province,” board president and author David A. Robertson said in the press release. “We are excited to revive the book awards and to ensure they are sustainable and supportive for years to come.” 

The awards website is now live at manitobabookawards.ca.