Winnipeg’s jewel

Parents praise water-safety education

Winnipeggers at Kildonan Park Pool were offered education about water safety on Sunday and one parent who had a previous drowning scare said the lessons could save a life.

One of several events this summer hosted by the Manitoba Coalition for Water Safety as part of National Drowning Prevention Week, the poolside event saw volunteers from the Lifesaving Society educating people on things like how to throw a rescue line and how to “swim to survive” which requires participants to fall in a pool, tread water for one minute and then swim 50 metres to safety.

Ashley Shepherd said she and her six-year-old son Logan, who was taking part in some of the exercises Sunday, had a close call at Birds Hill Park in 2024, with the incident happening in seconds.

She recalled how she turned around to help her young daughter who had lost her footing. A second later, her son fell off a floaty into the water and was quickly swept away. She went after the boy in a flash, but found herself tangled in seaweed and panicked, going under herself, a nearby couple coming to their rescue.

Animal rescue worker reportedly killed in dog attack

Police are investigating after a woman died on the Sandy Bay First Nation, reportedly after being attacked by dogs.

The woman was identified by family as 37-year-old Amanda Nobiss.

“It’s just disbelief,” said Sherri Nobiss, her mother, in a phone call. Her family is devastated by the loss. “You just want to know what has happened.”

She said Amanda was a dedicated animal advocate who was volunteering with K9 Advocacy Manitoba in the community at the time. Amanda, who was from Winnipeg, is pictured with a dog in almost all of her photos on social media.

Fringe reviews #8: Experience points awarded

Another Side of Rice, The Crown Witness, The Cult of the Comfy Wizard, Dead Chef, Embarrassed Naked Female, Goose!, How Bono Saved My Life, Paper Fathers, Rumours in Motion, Site #57.

Longtime CNIB volunteer says he’s still amazed at people’s resilience

After decades of helping blind and partially sighted Manitobans live their dreams, Ken Curtis says he’s still inspired by the courage and strength the clients of the CNIB demonstrate every day.

“For me, they’re just the most unbelievable people in the world,” he said.

Curtis has been volunteering for 40 years with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, which helps blind and partially sighted people find innovative ways to achieve their goals.

“The bravery that these people show in terms of what they’ve accomplished and who they are and their positive attitude, I just fell in love with all of our clients,” he said. “And of course many of them are good friends now.”

‘It wasn’t a fit’: Redblacks coach on sending QB Dru Brown back to Winnipeg

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks may be 0-5, but Ryan Dinwiddie has no regrets about how the Dru Brown situation unfolded.

The head coach and general manager also stands by his decision to name Jake Maier — who has struggled mightily this season — the team’s starting quarterback over Brown.

“When you make a decision, and you feel this guy is your best quarterback, what am I going to do, cater to Dru and say ‘Hey, you don’t want to be the backup? OK, we’re gonna name you the starter.’ That’s not how things work,” Dinwiddie told the Free Press in a one-on-one chat.

“It worked out that way, it wasn’t a fit, and now we’re trying to move forward and trying to find some answers here in our building.”

Fringe reviews #9: Farming for fringe gold

Celine & Cher, The Commensality Project, Couch Surfing, False Profits, Martin Dockerty, The Game of Bluff, How Much Can you Change, Human$, The Mistress of Wholesome, Winnipeg is a Lie.