News briefs for Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Remains of newborn baby or fetus found between homes

4:45 PM

RCMP are investigating after the remains of a newborn baby or a fetus were found between two homes in a northern Manitoba community.

Police were called to the scene in Umpherville, just outside of The Pas, shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday.

“RCMP can confirm the remains are those of a newly born infant or fetus,” a news release said.

Manitoba RCMP’s major crime services, officers from the detachment in The Pas, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call The Pas RCMP at 204-627-6204.

New NDP MLA Flett sworn in

1:20 PM

Manitoba’s newest MLA took the oath of office today in a ceremony at the legislative building.

New Democrat Jennifer Flett won a July 21 byelection in The Pas-Kameesak held after the Mar. 21 passing of NDP incumbent Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman elected to the Manitoba legislature in 2015.  

Flett acknowledged Lathlin’s contributions to the people of the northern constituency and promised to do work with and for them. Flett said she was looking forward to working with the NDP government and attending her first caucus meeting following Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony.

Flett is a former vice chief and councillor of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and has also worked for 20 years with the Correctional Service of Canada. More recently, she has worked with the Treaty Five administration office. Her career has been rooted in public service, community leadership and advocacy for northern Manitoba, an NDP caucus news release said.

The Manitoba legislature fall sitting begins Sept. 29.

Pump failure leads to sewage spill

12:47 PM

About 730,000 litres of untreated sewage spilled into the Red River Saturday, due to a pump failure.

The spill took place over about 33 minutes that morning at the Mager Drive wastewater pumping station, a city report notes.

A maintenance crew reset the station’s electrical system, which restored normal operations.

“We are now investigating to find the cause of the failure and identify and implement corrective measures,” the report states.

The spill took place within a combined sewer district, where precipitation and wastewater are collected in a single pipe.

At the time of the pump failure, wet weather was already causing a separate sewage overflow of the combined sewer.

The estimated volume of sewage discharged does not include sewage released due to the weather event.

Part of Logan Avenue to close for repairs

11:33 AM

Part of Logan Avenue is about to shut down for more than a month.

Eastbound Logan, between Winks and McPhillips streets, will close at 9 a.m. Thursday to allow for water main renewal work. It will not reopen until Sept. 22.

Drivers are urged to take alternate routes and expect delays in the area.

Three Winnipeg Transit stops will be relocated during the closure, including stops 10317, 10319 and 10321. New location details will be shared on X: @transitalerts.

Second man arrested after $140,000 in property crimes investigated

11:18 AM

A suspect wanted on a warrant over $140,000 worth of stolen property has been arrested.

Police are investigating 13 criminal incidents between April 20 and June 28, including stolen vehicles, stolen licence plates, break-ins and thefts, around Winnipeg and the rural municipality of Headingley. Stolen property included trailers, lawn equipment, motorcycles, mechanical equipment and a vehicle.

On Aug. 4, Andrew Hanson, 35, was arrested after a high-speed vehicle chase. He faces 22 criminal charges, including breaking and entering, theft, and weapons charges. He remains in custody. An arrest warrant was put out for Jesse Troy Lafreniere, 41, believed to be involved.

On Tuesday, Lafreniere was located by police and arrested. He faces 25 charges related to breaking and entering, theft and possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and failing to comply with the conditions of a court order. He remains in custody.

ATV, generator stolen from Manitoba cottage

9:53 AM

RCMP are seeking the public’s help to identify a person of interest after an all-terrain vehicle and other belongings were stolen from a cottage in southern Manitoba.

The theft happened near near Provincial Road 440 in the Rural Municipality of Louise, about 150 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, on Aug. 11.

Police said surveillance video showed a man walking onto the property at about 2:30 p.m. while covering his face and holding power tools.

A grinder was used to open a locked shipping container, where a 1982 Honda ATC200 all-terrain vehicle, a Honda EU2000i generator and a Stihl FS90 trimmer were among the items stolen, RCMP said. One of two Spypoint trail cameras was also reported stolen.

Investigators are looking for a person of interest who RCMP described as bald and clad in construction boots, blue shorts and a blue-grey Under Armour shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call Manitou RCMP at 204-242-2017 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.