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Honey Badgers rally to beat Sea Bears

Thursday, 8:20 PM CDT

Cody John hit a pair of clutch free throws to lift the Brampton Honey Badgers to a 75-71 triumph over the Winnipeg Sea Bears in Canadian Elite Basketball League action at the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ont., Thursday night.

The Sea Bears, who are now 1-1 on the season, led 66-62 at target score time with 3:09 remaining in the fourth quarter but the Badgers rallied for their first victory in three games to start the season.

Teddy Allen had 18 points to lead Winnipeg, which continues its road trip in Scarborough against the Shooting Stars Friday. Christian Vital replied with a team-high 17 points for the hosts.

 

Young girl presumed drowned in Brochet

Thursday, 3:13 PM CDT

A five-year-old girl is presumed to have drowned after she was found in a lake near her home.

Thompson RCMP were called about the death in Brochet, a remote fly-in community, at approximately 7:45 p.m. Wednesday.

RCMP said the child wandered away from her home. Her family searched for her, and she was found in a nearby lake near her home.

The child was rushed to the local nursing station and pronounced dead, RCMP said.

 

Occupants flee Whyte Ridge house fire

Thursday, 10:32 AM CDT

The occupants of a home in Whyte Ridge that caught fire early Thursday managed to escape to safety, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says.

Fire crews were called to the two-storey house on the first 100 block of Hammersmith Road at 1:21 a.m., where they found smoke and flames coming from the structure.

Firefighters attacked the blaze from the outside, protecting nearby homes, before going inside to finish the work. Crews got the fire under control in just over an hour, WFPS says.

The WFPS is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Boil-water advisory issued for Rosser

Wednesday, 8:03 PM CDT

The Town of Rosser has issued a boil-water advisory after samples taken on May 30 showed the presence of coliform bacteria.

It said until further notice, water used for consumption should be brought to a rolling boil for at least a minute.

The advisory will remain in effect until the threat to public health ends.

Winkler man accused of trying to disarm RCMP officers

Wednesday, 3:13 PM CDT

A man is accused of trying to disarm RCMP officers who had tried to arrest him at a home in Cypress River on Saturday.

RCMP say officers from the Treherne detachment were called to the home for a reported assault at about 11:45 a.m., where they found a woman with minor injuries.

Officers found a suspect and told him he was under arrest, but as they tried to cuff him, he "became combative" and assaulted them, RCMP say, before trying to take their guns. The Mounties then managed to get him in cuffs but received minor injuries in the fray. RCMP say the suspect then threatened the officers and spat on one of them.

A 21-year-old man from Winkler has been charged with three counts of assaulting a peace officer, two counts of uttering threats, and one count each of disarming an officer, assault and resisting arrest. He's still in custody.

Man found dead on road in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation

Wednesday, 2:42 PM CDT

Mounties are investigating after a 21-year-old man was found dead on a road in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Tuesday morning.

RCMP say officers from the Virden detachment were called to the scene on Cemetery Road at about 9:15 a.m. When the Mounties arrived, they noted the victim appeared to have been hit by a vehicle.

RCMP say the victim, who was from the community, had been walking with friends when he split off from the group to head down the road where he was found. Officers seized a vehicle in the community that RCMP say is "of interest to the investigation."

Mounties, including criminal collision investigators, are still examining the vehicle and probing the incident. The community is about 50 kilometres west of Brandon.

Man enters high school bathroom, confronts female students

Wednesday, 12:27 PM CDT

Winnipeg police are warning the public after a suspicious man entered the women's washroom at Maples Collegiate and confronted female students.

Investigators responded to reports of the incident on Monday. They learned the man was inside the washroom and confronted the girls when they entered. The students ran away and reported the man to school staff. The suspect fled, and police were immediately alerted, the WPS said in a release.

None of the students were physically injured, police said.

School officials alerted parents and nearby schools to the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to call investigators at 204-986-6245 or Crime Stoppers at 204-986-TIPS (8477).

Fatal stabbing victim identified, suspect arrested

Wednesday, 12:22 PM CDT

One man is in police custody and another is dead after a stabbing in the William Whyte neighbourhood.

Winnipeg police were called to the 400 block of Burrows Avenue around 3:45 a.m. Tuesday and found a 22-year-old male who had been stabbed.

In a release issued Wednesday, police identified the victim as Alan Henry Anderson, 22.

Investigators learned Anderson was walking with a group near the intersection of Salter Street and Burrows when a fight broke out with another group in the area. Anderson was stabbed and later died in hospital from his injuries.

The suspect fled before police arrived.

Officers arrested Cory Dylan Watt, 24, in the 300 block of Mountain Avenue around 4:30 a.m. the same day. He remains in custody and is facing charges of manslaughter and failure to comply with conditions of a release order.

Both men are from Winnipeg. They did not previously know each other, police said.

Police do not expect to make any more arrests relating to the incident, WPS said.

Hide Caption Police were on scene near the intersection of Salter Street and Burrows Avenue Tuesday investigating the fatal stabbing of Alan Henry Anderson. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)
Police were on scene near the intersection of Salter Street and Burrows Avenue Tuesday investigating the fatal stabbing of Alan Henry Anderson. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Girl, 12, dies after off-road vehicle rollover

Wednesday, 10:41 AM CDT

Neepawa RCMP say a 12-year-old girl died after the utility terrain vehicle she was riding in rolled off a rural road in early May.

Mounties were called to the rollover on Road 76 West, south of Road 83 North, at about 7:45 p.m. on May 1, where they found the three girls who had been ejected from the vehicle, RCMP said. Officers have determined the vehicle slid into the ditch and rolled.

The driver and one passenger, both 14, were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while the third girl, 12, was rushed for treatment for life-threatening injuries. She died on May 5. None of the girls were wearing helmets or seatbelts.

Task force touts 42% bite out of COVID backlog

Wednesday, 10:26 AM CDT

There’s been a 42 per cent overall reduction in Manitoba’s surgery and diagnostic test backlog, the province’s task force announced today.

In a progress update, leaders of the surgical and diagnostic recovery task force said more than 72,300 procedures have now been completed, less than 500 of them done out of province.

Task force officials David Matear, Dr. Ed Buchel and Dr. Peter MacDonald announced a nine per cent increase in the number of surgeries completed since their last update in April, representing 46 per cent reduction in the surgical backlog.

The task force will continue to pursue private-sector contracts and investments in the public health system, task force officials said. Buchel said “rhetoric” around public versus private is harmful, saying all of the task force’s secured agreements are publicly funded.

The task force is setting target wait times for procedures across the province and expects more information to come this summer.

 

Fire on Westminster forces street closure

Wednesday, 8:59 AM CDT

A fire in a house on Westminster Avenue closed the street to traffic early Wednesday.

Firefighters were sent to the two-storey house in the 600 block of Westminster at 5:05 a.m., fought the fire from inside and declared the blaze under control at 6:30 a.m.

Westminster Avenue was closed between Sherbrook and Langside streets while firefighters battled the blaze.

Hide Caption Smoke billows from a building on Westminster Avenue on Wednesday morning. (Winnipeg Free Press)
Smoke billows from a building on Westminster Avenue on Wednesday morning. (Winnipeg Free Press)

Vacant house burns in Elmwood

Wednesday, 8:58 AM CDT

Crews extinguished a fire in a vacant house in Elmwood on Tuesday night.

Firefighters were sent to the home in the 300 block of William Newton Avenue at 6:56 p.m. and declared the fire under control at 8:45 p.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

Fort Gibraltar events on hold until engineer issues report

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Preview

Fort Gibraltar events on hold until engineer issues report

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read 7:11 PM CDT

Fort Gibraltar is closed and upcoming events are on hold pending an engineer’s report after a section of the historical site’s elevated walkway collapsed under the weight of students and a teacher during a school trip Wednesday.

The Seven Oaks School Division redirected two groups that were scheduled to visit Whittier Park – a popular destination for students of all ages, wedding parties and history buffs – on Thursday.

Owing to the uncertainty at the venue, the classes changed their plans and went to Kildonan Park instead, said superintendent Brian O’Leary.

Festival du Voyageur, which maintains and operates the trading post, declined to comment on how many field trips had been planned for June.

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7:11 PM CDT

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

An elevated walkway at Fort Gibraltar collapsed during a school field trip, causing 17 children, and an adult to be taken to hospital Wednesday.

Province commits half of $1.4M cost for Route 90 expansion design study

Danielle Da Silva 3 minute read Preview

Province commits half of $1.4M cost for Route 90 expansion design study

Danielle Da Silva 3 minute read 1:52 PM CDT

Manitoba taxpayers will foot half of the $1.4-million bill to conduct a design study for an expanded Route 90.

Premier Heather Stefanson announced Thursday that the Manitoba government will contribute $700,000 to the City of Winnipeg to move the proposed project into its next phase.

“Infrastructure corridors like Route 90 support new housing and business development in Winnipeg and promotes industry and trade, allowing for quicker access to business areas, such as CentrePort and the Winnipeg airport,” Stefanson told reporters gathered in a field just west of Kenaston Boulevard.

The funding covers 50 per cent of the city’s identified costs for the project’s next phase, the province said.

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1:52 PM CDT

Premier Heather Stefanson (above) along with Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage Obby Khan, and Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham announce funding to study the expansion of Kenaston Boulevard. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Chief vows to trim police budget

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Preview

Chief vows to trim police budget

Erik Pindera 5 minute read 6:50 PM CDT

Winnipeg’s police chief said the service should be able to cut spending, as per the city’s demand, but he couldn’t specify by how much.

The projected police budget deficit is $12.8 million.

A city council finance committee report, based on data until March 31, 2023, suggested Winnipeg will finish the year with a $27-million deficit, the bulk of which is due to losses from city emergency services.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service expects to end the year $7.4 million short, largely due to firefighter overtime and workers compensation bills.

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6:50 PM CDT

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Police Chief, Danny Smyth.

Severed lines ignite St. Norbert fire

Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Preview

Severed lines ignite St. Norbert fire

Kevin Rollason 2 minute read 6:09 PM CDT

A St. Norbert homeowner didn’t dial before he dug — twice.

Instead, because no inquiry was made for Manitoba Hydro to come out and mark where the underground natural gas and electrical lines were located, an excavator cut through both Wednesday at about 11:50 a.m.

The result was natural gas escaping from the broken pipe, the cut hydro line creating an electrical spark, the gas igniting and a fire erupting, summoning both utility and emergency crews to the scene.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt,” Manitoba Hydro spokesman Bruce Owen said Thursday. “We squeezed the pipe to shut the escaping gas off and we repaired the pipe and the electrical cable.”

Read
6:09 PM CDT

SUPPLIED

An excavator cut through underground natural gas and electrical lines in St. Norbert on Wednesday, creating an electrical spark, the gas igniting and a fire erupting.

Goldeyes seek change to city lease so team can pursue provincial grants

Joyanne Pursaga 3 minute read Preview

Goldeyes seek change to city lease so team can pursue provincial grants

Joyanne Pursaga 3 minute read 3:12 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club is asking for two new changes to its city land lease, amid a municipal proposal to tweak the deal and finally get it over home plate.

On Thursday, the team’s legal representative said the organization needs to have Riverside Park Management, its non-profit entity, named as the lease holder to assist its post-pandemic recovery.

“COVID, of course, has created difficulty for all sorts of organizations and the Goldeyes are no different and they’re simply seeking access to… provincial grants,” Mark Newman told reporters after calling for the changes at a property and development committee meeting on Thursday.

Newman said changing the name on the lease, which is currently listed as the for-profit Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club, would allow the team to qualify for provincial grants.

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3:12 PM CDT

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files

The Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club is asking for two new changes to its city land lease, amid a municipal proposal to tweak the deal and finally get it over home plate.

New tech to make provincial election appearance

Katie May 3 minute read Preview

New tech to make provincial election appearance

Katie May 3 minute read 6:30 PM CDT

Provincial election results are expected to be announced more quickly after polls close this fall, thanks to electronic vote counting.

Elections Manitoba is using the technology for the first time in the 2023 provincial election.

Instead of going into a regular ballot box, votes will be put through a counting machine at advance polling stations and on election day (expected Oct. 3). The machines could cut in half the time it takes to count, verify and report the election results.

Shipra Verma, chief electoral officer for the province of Manitoba, said it typically takes three or four hours to count the ballots, on average. This year, it is expecting the manual count to be wrapped up in one or two hours. Many of the ballots will be counted by machines.

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6:30 PM CDT

Shipra Verma, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Manitoba (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press files)

City orders report on ‘community cat management’ bylaw changes

Joyanne Pursaga 3 minute read Preview

City orders report on ‘community cat management’ bylaw changes

Joyanne Pursaga 3 minute read 5:09 PM CDT

Claudia Allen is willing to break City of Winnipeg rules by harbouring stray and feral cats to help mitigate an apparently growing population of unowned felines.

However, she’d much prefer the city change its bylaws to allow such “community cat management” practices.

“Right now, the only places that community cat management is allowed is (in) industrial areas, so that is private business land. That’s it, no place else, not public areas, not private residences… (The bylaw) specifically says residents are not allowed to harbour any animals, and that includes cats,” said Allen, director of Winnipeg Lost Cat Assistance.

Her organization is one of many groups and individuals who trap, spay/neuter and release feral cats to help control the population.

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5:09 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Claudia Allen, director of Winnipeg’s Lost Cat Assistance.

Meta to test blocking news on Facebook, Instagram

Mickey Djuric, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Meta to test blocking news on Facebook, Instagram

Mickey Djuric, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 8:25 PM CDT

OTTAWA - Meta is preparing to block news for some Canadians on Facebook and Instagram in a temporary test that is expected to last the majority of the month.

The Silicon Valley tech giant is following in the steps of Google, which blocked news links for about five weeks earlier this year for some of its Canadian users in response to a controversial Liberal government bill.

Bill C-18, which is currently being studied in the Senate, will require tech giants to pay publishers for linking to or otherwise repurposing their content online.

Meta said it's prepared to block news permanently on Facebook and Instagram if the bill passes, which the government said could happen this month.

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Updated: 8:25 PM CDT

The Facebook logo is seen on a mobile phone, Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Michael Dwyer

Radio host Wheeler drops 2018 wrongful dismissal lawsuit

Katie May 3 minute read Preview

Radio host Wheeler drops 2018 wrongful dismissal lawsuit

Katie May 3 minute read 5:42 PM CDT

A wrongful dismissal case involving a Winnipeg radio morning show host has concluded.

Dave Wheeler discontinued his lawsuit against Rogers Sports & Media in May, five years after he sought court-ordered damages from the Toronto-based corporation he claimed encouraged him to be controversial on the air.

An employment lawyer representing Rogers Sports & Media, the corporate owner of 92.1 CITI FM radio station, confirmed the lawsuit was dropped.

“I can advise you that Mr. Wheeler chose not to proceed with his case,” lawyer Howard Levitt stated.

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5:42 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Local DJ Dave Wheeler dropped his lawsuit against Rogers Sports & Media, the corporate owner of 92.1 CITI FM radio station.

Health-care union sets June 15 strike date

2 minute read Preview

Health-care union sets June 15 strike date

2 minute read Updated: 6:20 PM CDT

Allied health-care workers will hit the picket line June 15 if their union cannot secure a new contract with Shared Health.

The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals announced Thursday it had set a strike deadline of 8 a.m., June 15, for its 6,500 members — lab techs, pharmacists, rural paramedics, addiction counsellors, midwives, respiratory therapists — who work at 200 sites across the province.

Essential service agreements will keep a minimum number of health workers on the job, but the union warns job action could cause widespread delays and cancellations.

Workers voted 99 per cent in favour of strike action earlier this year after being without a ratified contract for the past five years, along with a wage freeze.

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Updated: 6:20 PM CDT

Jason Linklater, president the of Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals. The MAHCP members will hit the picket line June 15 if their union cannot secure a new contract with Shared Health. (Tyler Searle / Winnipeg Free Press)

Province to rework plan for seized houses: Burrows

Erik Pindera 2 minute read Preview

Province to rework plan for seized houses: Burrows

Erik Pindera 2 minute read 2:34 PM CDT

A community advocate says the province is looking at reformulating its redevelopment plan for homes seized in Point Douglas, after government faced criticism the project wouldn’t help those most in need.

The province seized multiple homes in the Point Douglas and Elmwood areas through criminal property forfeiture legislation two years ago, as part of a Winnipeg police drug trafficking investigation.

Recently, the justice and families departments jointly announced a plan to sell six of the homes to an Indigenous or non-profit organization for $1 each, with the goal those agencies would develop the properties into affordable, single-family homes meant for sale to low-or-moderate incomes.

Long-time neighbourhood activist Sel Burrows, who had pushed justice officials to instead donate the properties to be used as affordable housing, had publicly criticized the province’s plan Monday.

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2:34 PM CDT

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Long-time neighbourhood activist Sel Burrows, who had pushed justice officials to instead donate the properties to be used as affordable housing, had publicly criticized the province’s plan Monday.

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