News briefs for Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Jets slip to 8th overall in 2026 NHL Draft

6:49 PM

The Winnipeg Jets now own the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft after the conclusion of the draft lottery, which was held on Tuesday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs jumped from fifth to first overall after winning the lottery, while the San Jose Sharks moved up considerably to the second overall pick.

After missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Jets will be hoping to add some additional talent to the pipeline when the draft takes place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on June 26 and 27.

The Jets currently have seven picks in the 2026 NHL Draft: one in each of the first, third, fourth, fifth and six rounds and two in the seventh.

Three charged with breaking into water plant

1:50 PM

Three men accused of breaking into a northern First Nation’s water treatment plant and stealing more than $100,000 worth of power tools have been charged.

The break-in on April 29 halted operations at the Garden Hill First Nation water treatment plant. Island Lake Mounties were called to the plant at about 9 a.m., where staff said suspects entered the building in the early morning hours and damaged some of the machinery.

Staff also reported the theft of numerous power tools, necessary to the operation of the plant.

Three men were arrested the following day, RCMP said in a Tuesday news release, noting additional officers were deployed to the community to help.

Police executed two warrants at residences in the community where the tools were found and seized.

An 18-year-old Garden Hill man was charged with numerous offences, including breaking and entering, theft over $5,000 and mischief over $5,000 — damage to property. He was remanded into custody.

A 20-year-old Garden Hill man faces similar charges. He was released on an undertaking pending a court date.

A 53-year-old man from Oxford House was charged with possession of property obtained by crime and released on an appearance notice.

RCMP said testing at the water plant determined it was safe to drink.

Standup Jimmy Carr adds second Winnipeg show

12:11 PM

British comedy star Jimmy Carr has added a second Winnipeg performance on his Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny tour. The newly announced late show will take place on Nov. 14 at the Centennial Concert Hall at 9:30 p.m.

Carr is known for his hosting on such shows as 8 out of 10 Cats and Last One Laughing U.K., and his appearance on late-night talk shows and comedy roasts.

Tickets — $59 to $147 — for the second local show go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at jimmycarr.com.

Emergency alert test Wednesday

11:33 AM

The province will conduct a test of its emergency alert system Wednesday.

The trial of the national alert system, Alert Ready, comes as part of Emergency Preparedness Week.

The alert will be broadcast at 1:55 p.m. on TV, radio, and compatible cellphones.   

The test will be done to ensure the Alert Ready system operates as it should and allows the public to see what the alerts look like, in the event of an actual emergency.

RCMP arrest five more in connection to northern Manitoba drug-trafficking network

10:50 AM

Five people are charged in what police have described as a “sustained police investigation” that uncovered a drug trafficking network operating in northern Manitoba.

Mounties launched a probe into illegal drug shipments in January, dubbing the investigation Project Darling. Investigators uncovered drug shipments between Winnipeg and several northern communities, including Island Lake, Split Lake, Oxford House and Thompson, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Tuesday.

The investigation led officers to a home on the 3000 block of Pembina Highway, where officers executed a search warrant on April 29 and seized about $58,000 in cash.

Five people at the property were arrested. A 28-year-old woman from Winnipeg has been charged alongside a 26-year-old man from Calgary. Three men from Ontario, ages 22, 24 and 27 years old are have also been charged.

Project Darling comes on the heels of a similar operation called Project Derry, which resulted in charges related to drug trafficking against 27 people in Bunibonibee Cree Nation, Winnipeg and Thompson late last year.

Project Darling focused on the same criminal network, RCMP said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Prolific shoplifter arrested, charged: WPS

8:58 AM

Winnipeg police have arrested a man accused of being a prolific shoplifter, accusing him of stealing more than $8,000 worth of goods in 17 separate incidents.

Police allege the crime spree began on June 29, 2025 and continued until May 2, when loss prevention officers at a retail store on the 800 block of Leila Avenue apprehended the suspect as he attempted to leave with about $285 worth of stolen goods, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Tuesday.

Police said most of the alleged thefts were captured on store video surveillance and reported online. The property crimes unit launched an investigation, identified the suspect and linked him to the incidents, WPS said.

The 43-year-old man is charged with 17 counts of theft under $5,000 and remains in custody.

Youth pastor charged with sex offences against teen

8:51 AM

City police have charged a youth pastor with sex crimes, accusing him of grooming a teenager.

Police received information about a sexual assault involving the suspect in March, and learned he directed a youth camp group, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Tuesday.

“Between August 2025 and March 2026, the pastor forged a sexual relationship by grooming and gaining the trust of a youth camp counsellor who was a teenager at the time. The survivor met with the accused on multiple occasions in private and also received sexually explicit material sent by the accused,” the release said.

Last week, police charged Carson Alexander Parago, 23, with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, luring, and the transmission of sexually explicit material to a minor. He was released on conditions, police said.

Man, 40, accused of killing cat

8:29 AM

A 40-year-old man is facing animal cruelty and assault charges after a cat was killed and a woman was attacked with a knife.

Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 400 block of William Avenue on Saturday about 11 p.m. and arrested the man, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Tuesday.

Police said the victim, 43, checked the hallway of her building after she heard what she believed was a cat in distress. She discovered the dead animal, then confronted the accused, a resident of the building, because she believed he was responsible, police said.

The accused then threw a kitchen knife at the woman, but it did not hit her, police said.

The man is facing charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, and killing or injuring animals. He was released on an undertaking.