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Councillor criticized for calling users ‘drugged-out zombies’

Kevin Rollason 4 minute read Updated: 10:36 AM CDT

City council’s most senior member has again sparked outrage, telling constituents Winnipeg needs more policing “due to all the drugged-out zombies” on its streets.

In a social media exchange this week, Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan, first elected in 2006) also said he disagrees with drug harm reduction and safe needle distribution sites, because “providing clean needles is only enabling” such behaviour.

He stood by his comments in an interview Wednesday.

Dr. Susan Cuvelier, who runs a hepatitis clinic at the Mount Carmel Clinic, doesn’t live in in Browaty’s ward but was offended by the online messages, nonetheless.

This Just In

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.

RCMP investigating ‘targeted’ shooting on Skownan First Nation

Tuesday, 7:08 PM CDT

Winnipegosis RCMP are seeking two suspects after a 32-year-old man was shot in Skownan First Nation Monday night.

The victim, a 32-year-old man, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police believe he was speaking with two men in a black Jeep when an argument broke out and one of the men shot him and the pair fled.

One of the suspects is described as Indigenous in appearance, between 30 to 40 years old and with a beard, and the other is described as Caucasian in appearance, between 30 to 40 years old, and wearing a white hoodie. The Jeep was a black four-door with tinted windows.

Investigators believe the incident was not random and called it "targeted" in a press release. Anyone with information is asked to call Winnipegosis RCMP at 204-656-7003, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or send a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Manitoba well represented in Under 21 men’s national volleyball team roster

Tuesday, 2:11 PM CDT

Volleyball Canada released the roster for the Under 21 men's national team that will compete in upcoming tournaments and a quarter of the team hails from Manitoba.

The 16 man roster includes Manitoba's own Jonah Dueck, Spencer Grahame, Josh Jehle and Samuel Ludwig. University of Manitoba's Arnd (Lupo) Ludwig and Mike Stephens were also named as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, for the Canadian squad.

The Canadian team will compete in the NORCECA Men’s U21 Pan American Cup from June 3-11 in La Habana, Cuba, and in the FIVB Men’s U21 World Championships from July 7-16 in Manama, Bahrain.

 

 

 

Serious crash closes Broadway and Sherbrook

Tuesday, 12:10 PM CDT

A serious crash at Broadway and Sherbrook Street has resulted in road closures.

An SUV was on its side with people in the vehicle shortly after noon, according to a Free Press photographer at the scene.

Police said eastbound Broadway is closed between Maryland and Furby streets, while westbound traffic is being diverted onto Sherbrook.

Sherbrook, a one-way northbound street, is shut at Sara Avenue.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area.

Hide Caption Paramedics carry a stretcher to the ambulance after firefighters got a driver and a passenger out of an SUV on its side after an accident at Broadway and Sherbrook Street. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)
Paramedics carry a stretcher to the ambulance after firefighters got a driver and a passenger out of an SUV on its side after an accident at Broadway and Sherbrook Street. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Man fatally stabbed on Burrows Avenue

Tuesday, 12:05 PM CDT

City police are investigating the city's latest homicide after a man was stabbed on Burrows Avenue.

Winnipeg Police Service officers were sent to the 400 block of Burrows at about 3:45 a.m. and found a 22-year-old male who had been stabbed.

The man was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries, the WPS said late Tuesday morning.

No arrests have been made. Police are asking anyone with information about the case or security video that might help investigators to call the homicide unit at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS.

Hide Caption Police outside a store north of the intersection of Salter Street and Redwood Avenue. (Adam Treusch / Winnipeg Free Press)
Police outside a store north of the intersection of Salter Street and Redwood Avenue. (Adam Treusch / Winnipeg Free Press)

Accused killer claims vehicle damaged by hitting deer

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Preview

Accused killer claims vehicle damaged by hitting deer

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read 6:00 AM CDT

A Manitoba man on trial for running down his neighbour and then shooting him dead claimed in jailhouse phone calls that damage to his vehicle was caused by hitting a deer, jurors were told this week.

“I ain’t smoked anybody with my car. I smoked a deer, just like I did nine or 10 f---ing times before,” Eric Wildman said during a Dec. 16, 2021, call to an unidentified man while he was in custody at Headingley Correctional Centre.

Wildman, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in the June 7, 2021, killing of 40-year-old Clifford Joseph. Wildman and Joseph lived on neighbouring properties near Stead, about 90 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

In a phone call to a different man recorded Dec. 19, 2021, Wildman, unprompted, repeated the claim, causing the other man to question why he brought it up.

Read
6:00 AM CDT

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Prosecutors allege Joseph was trying to steal a trailer winch on Eric Wildman’s property when Wildman arrived and ran Joseph over with his Chevrolet Impala, breaking Joseph’s leg and jaw.

17 children, adult rushed to hospital after elevated platform collapses on school field trip

Chris Kitching and Maggie Macintosh 7 minute read Updated: 6:40 AM CDT

Sex shop owners not feeling the love

Repeated business interruptus from costly break-ins, shoplifting kills good retail vibrations

Gabrielle Piché 6 minute read Yesterday at 5:23 PM CDT

Philanthropist Albrechtsen’s foundation makes record-setting $27M donation to CancerCare Manitoba

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

Philanthropist Albrechtsen’s foundation makes record-setting $27M donation to CancerCare Manitoba

Malak Abas 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:05 PM CDT

Paul Albrechtsen wasn’t one for the spotlight, but a record-breaking donation made in his name to CancerCare Manitoba announced Wednesday has further cemented his place as one of the most prolific philanthropists the province has ever had.

Three years after his death, the Paul Albrechtsen Foundation has donated $27 million to the CancerCare Foundation, the largest charitable gift to a health-care organization in Manitoba’s history.

“I really wish he could have been here today. He would have been smiling, but not speaking,” Scott Albrechtsen, Paul’s son and president of the foundation, said Wednesday. “And he would have been proud, in his humble way.”

The funding will largely go to renewing three floors of the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute to bring them up to date and allow an expansion of research programming. Along with this $17 million endeavour, the institute will be renamed the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba.

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Yesterday at 4:05 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Patti Smith, president and CEO of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, announces a $27 million donation from the Paul Albrechtsen Foundation.

Homicide victim was defending girlfriend: family

Tyler Searle 4 minute read Preview

Homicide victim was defending girlfriend: family

Tyler Searle 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 7:13 PM CDT

A Winnipeg man fatally stabbed this week in the William Whyte neighbourhood died defending his girlfriend from an attack, his family says.

“I just keep hoping I am going to wake up from the nightmare,” said Rebecca Ouellette, aunt of Alan Henry Anderson, 22, who was slain Tuesday on the 400 block of Burrows Avenue.

Ouellette said she learned the details of the attack after speaking with city police and two witnesses who were with the man when he was stabbed.

Anderson was attending a party at a Burrows Avenue apartment when he left the building with his girlfriend and a few friends sometime after 3 a.m. The group walked toward a nearby convenience store but were approached by another group and a fight broke out, Ouellette said.

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Updated: Yesterday at 7:13 PM CDT

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Alan Henry Anderson.

Ottawa improving intelligence handling: adviser

David Fraser, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Ottawa improving intelligence handling: adviser

David Fraser, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 11:10 AM CDT

OTTAWA - The prime minister's national security adviser says Ottawa needs to improve the way it manages intelligence, and officials are taking steps to address breakdowns in communication within government.

Jody Thomas made the comments this morning at a meeting of a parliamentary committee that is investigating allegations that members of Parliament were targeted by foreign interference.

Thomas said she wouldn't speculate on the specifics of what took place before her tenure, after watchdog David Johnston found in a recent report that there were serious issues in the way the government handles confidential information.

The former governor general's first report found that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service was aware of indications Chinese officials were contemplating action directed at Canadian MPs, but did not identify negligence at the highest political levels.

Read
Updated: 11:10 AM CDT

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

MJHL shield rule gets facelift

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:08 PM CDT

Food inflation keeps hard pinch on Manitobans

Tessa Adamski 4 minute read Preview

Food inflation keeps hard pinch on Manitobans

Tessa Adamski 4 minute read Yesterday at 6:48 PM CDT

Janna Ingeberg says high inflation has taken a bite out of her budget for healthy food. Sometimes, she can only afford to buy a bag of carrots from the produce aisle.

“It’s absolutely mortifying,” she said. “It affects low-income people the most — the people who are already struggling.”

Ingeberg said she spends about $100 a week on groceries, and shops at multiple stores to get the best deals. During the weekend, she stopped at a Food Fare location and spent her weekly budget of $75 on cat food, juice, two cans of soup, and something to tuck away in the freezer.

“I’ve started making my own bread at home because the cost of bread is ridiculous,” she said. “Even those foods like Kraft Dinner, things that people who are low-income rely on as pantry staples, are hard to afford now.”

Read
Yesterday at 6:48 PM CDT

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press

Janna Ingeberg says high inflation has taken a bite out of her budget for healthy food.

‘Bones of Crows’ uproots residential school trauma

Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘Bones of Crows’ uproots residential school trauma

Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 10:15 AM CDT

TORONTO - Reminders of Canada’s shameful treatment of Indigenous Peoples were constant as Marie Clements shot parts of her sweeping drama “Bones of Crows” at a former residential school, where hundreds of suspected graves were discovered two years ago.

The writer/director says fictional scenes depicting abuse at a residential school were shot at the Kamloops, B.C., facility where the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation said it had found 215 suspected unmarked graves in May 2021.

"We were literally shooting in the residential school and looking out the windows and seeing the memorial site," Clements said in an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, when the film premiered.

"In some ways that made it even more real, you know. It made it really (important) that we had to do it and we had to do it right."

Read
Updated: 10:15 AM CDT

Marie Clements, creator of the film "Bones of Crows," poses for a photograph during the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

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