Aboriginal performers honoured

Jets’ Perfetti motivated to prove his worth following ‘life-changing’ contract

Adam Lowry’s wedding was the main event, of course. But the Winnipeg Jets had even more reason to celebrate this past weekend as they returned from their off-season homes for a spirited summertime gathering.

WestJet adding two new direct flights from Winnipeg to warm-weather destinations

Manitobans planning a trip to a warm destination this winter have direct access to two more options.

WestJet announced on Monday it will launch non-stop routes between Winnipeg and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and between Winnipeg and Belize City, Belize. Each will be offered once a week, starting on Nov. 28 and Dec 14, respectively.

The Alberta-based airline did not respond to an interview request. In a news release, John Weatherill, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, said the new routes support the growing demand for Latin Caribbean options.

“We are excited to offer more ways for guests to trade their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them, and we look forward to the travel stories that will take off from these exciting new options,” he said.

STARS moves to Brandon to fill gap after Dauphin hospital closes

STARS air ambulance’s operations are being temporarily relocated from Winnipeg to Brandon to help out in the region after an area hospital was forced to shutter due to flooding.

The Prairie Mountain Health region said the move is expected to reduce transport and response times for patients requiring rapid escalation to higher levels of care.

The Dauphin Region Health Centre was forced to evacuate its patients and close on July 1 after the region experienced severe flooding.

The hospital’s basement flooded and power was knocked out, which caused significant damage to the facility’s HVAC system. Fifty-four patients were sent to nearby health centres, including 24 patients who were transferred to the Brandon hospital.

Mosque’s restorative justice program helps newcomers find their way

The Masjid Bilal is a chunky grey building just off Logan Avenue surrounded by warehouses and railyards. It looks more like a bunker than a mosque.

But on a summer Friday afternoon, its green-and-white carpeted interior is humming with activity. Two men in white robes and flat woolen caps are seated on the carpet poring over a copy of the Qur’an. A few young boys dodge through hallways, poking curious noses into open doors. At the back, next to a table piled with prayer mats, two girls in hijabs share schoolyard gossip. In the kitchen, women are cooking up pots of rice and chicken for people who will soon arrive for Friday prayers.

The Masjid Bilal is a community hub for members of Winnipeg’s African diaspora as well as Muslims from many other countries.

It’s also home to the Bilal Community and Family Centre, an innovative, community-centred nonprofit that is meeting vital needs for newcomers in this city.

Lightning strikes again as Canada picks up second rugby win in Winnipeg in 33 years

The Canadian men’s rugby union touched down in Winnipeg for the first time in 33 years on Saturday and delivered a memory that will last a lifetime for its local supporters.

The world-ranked No. 25 Canadians earned a hard-fought 23-19 victory over No. 24 Zimbabwe in pool play of the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup before 6,712 fans at Princess Auto Stadium, including a small but boisterous contingent of Zimbabwe supporters.

Canada’s last appearance in the provincial capital also brought a triumph over the United States in 1993, and if those in attendance made one thing clear on this evening, it’s that the city’s hunger for international rugby has only grown since then.

“A lovely bit of history,” said Canada’s head coach Stephen Meehan. “First time in 33 years, to come here to win, to beat Zimbabwe in our first-ever international between the two countries — so we’re on the right side of the history books.