Heat warnings spread in B.C. as records tumble in second heat wave for July

Gordon Bell rings in a century

Mischka Valencia had gotten used to the hum of heavy machinery at Gordon Bell High School.

“Ever since I’ve been here, it’s all been under construction,” the Grade 12 student said, standing on the sidelines of the brightly painted revamped outdoor basketball court. “I had no idea this was a court.”

The Filipina teenager landed in Winnipeg several months after the inner-city campus had transformed into a construction site.

It was the fall of 2023 and Mischka’s priorities were fitting in, befriending classmates and learning a third language via first-period French.

Heat warnings spread in B.C. as records tumble in second heat wave for July

VANCOUVER - More than two dozen daily heat records were broken or tied in British Columbia on Wednesday as sweltering temperatures swept across the province.

At least 27 communities set daily temperature records across B.C., and Lytton was the province’s hot spot at 42 C, shattering the 2009 record of 35.3 C.

The heat wave also hit Lillooet and Ashcroft with temperatures over 40 C.

Temperatures in the high 30s were seen in numerous communities, including Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops.

A day on the campaign trail: Winnipeg's mayor, seeking a second term, does double duty

In the weeks leading up to the civic election, Scott Gillingham has been performing a juggling act: he’s running to be Winnipeg’s 45th mayor, while still serving as its 44th.

“If someone asks me about the campaign, I’m going to answer them. But I think for most people, I’m the mayor of Winnipeg, even if I’m showing up as a candidate,” Gillingham, 57, says. “I try to do all I can to maintain that distinction.”

The Free Press joined Gillingham on a recent rainy September Saturday on the campaign trail, where he served in both roles during an event-laden day. City council’s final meeting before the Oct. 28 election was days earlier.

In Winnipeg, it’s rare for an incumbent to be defeated. But Gillingham knows his win in 2022 wasn’t exactly a landslide — he won with 27.5 per cent of the vote — and he’s been thinking about his second term ever since.

As political jockeying begins, don’t forget job No. 1

The goal, for all parties in a democracy, is to make the best legislation and bring in the strongest policy forward for voters and citizens.

Jets bench boss Arniel talks rebuilding from last season’s struggles

Scott Arniel has a lot on his plate these days.

But the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets took some time Thursday to sit down with Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe to discuss a number of topics on the eve of a new hockey season. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Wiebe: What was the evaluation of last season like? What did you personally do in an attempt to improve after going from first-overall to 26th-overall?

I just went back and looked at things and made sure my communication was where it needed to be with my players. Was my communication where it needed to be with my boss, with my general manager (Kevin Cheveldayoff)? How our coaching staff worked. How we handled highs and lows. Things I felt I could have done better.

Safety upgrades completed at Whiteshell park falls where brothers drowned

Safety improvements have been completed at Sturgeon Falls in Whiteshell Provincial Park, where two brothers from Winnipeg drowned in July, the province announced Friday.

The Sturgeon Falls trail was closed for upgrades after Maximo Au Ramirez, 10, and Aaron Au Ramirez, 13, disappeared in the fast-moving rapids. Their bodies were recovered days later.

The trail and viewing areas have reopened. Viewing areas are now fenced to prevent people from walking onto hazardous slippery rocks. Signs were installed to warn visitors of drowning hazards.

A new portage gives canoeists and kayakers access to and from safe shoreline areas adjacent to the falls, the province said.