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Tories accused of playing politics with MPI

Danielle Da Silva 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:59 PM CDT

Manitoba New Democrats have accused the Tory government of using an external review of Manitoba Public Insurance as political cover for a potential rate hike, arguing customers should know before the fall election if their Autopac bill will increase.

In question period Thursday, MPI critic MLA Matt Wiebe challenged the government to reassure ratepayers their costs won’t spike in the wake of an organizational review at the Crown corporation.

This Just In

Investigation into fatal assault spree ends with four arrests

Friday, 9:58 AM CDT

Winnipeg police have arrested four suspects in relation to a spate of assaults that left three people dead in Point Douglas last summer.

The suspects and victims did not know each other, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release Friday.

On August 22, 2022, Danielle Ballantyne, 36, Marvin Felix, 54, and Troy Baguley, 51, were seriously assaulted. Ballantyne was found dead inside a Jarvis Avenue apartment, while Felix died of his injuries days later.

Baguley, who suffered life-altering damage in the attack, never recovered from his injuries and died March 3, 2023.

On March 21, investigators arrested 21-year-old Tristan Colten Moose at Headingley Correctional Centre, charging him with second-degree murder in relation to Baguley, police said.

Officers have also arrested three youths, ages 14-, 15-, and 16-years-old.

The elder teens were arrested shortly after the assault and held at the Manitoba Youth Centre, while the younger teen was arrested at his home April 5.

Police have finished their investigation and all four suspects remain in custody, police said.

Three charged in Wasagamack shooting

Thursday, 12:12 PM CDT

Island Lake RCMP have arrested three people in connection to the shooting of a Wasagamack First Nation man on Monday.

The victim, 27, had to be flown to Winnipeg for medical treatment after he was injured around 12:35 p.m., RCMP said. He remains in hospital. Mounties initially arrested a 35-year-old man early Tuesday morning, but he's since been released without charge.

A 23-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent, careless use of a firearm and using a firearm in the commission of an offence. He's still in custody, RCMP said.

Two men, 27 and 31, are charged with obstruction for trying to enter and then clean a crime scene the community's safety officers had secured. They're still in custody.

Indigenous Friendship Centre will rebuild on old grounds

Thursday, 12:08 PM CDT

The construction of a new Indigenous friendship centre, set to replace the one shuttered after a troubled history in 2018, will begin this month.

The Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre will be built at 45 Robinson St., in the same lot as its predecessor, the Winnipeg Indian and Métis Friendship Centre. Bulldozing the former centre, which was damaged after a fire in October 2022, will begin within weeks.

The centre is set to be built in phases: the base Friendship Centre, where people can access resources and supports, a larger community gathering area, and finally, a residence for Indigenous elders.

The original centre was closed in 2018 after struggles with financial mismanagement and board upheaval. It had been active for nearly 60 years and was seen as a crucial space for Indigenous people living in the city.

Woman slain in Thompson

Thursday, 11:23 AM CDT

RCMP are investigating after a woman was found dead in a house in Thompson last month.

Thompson RCMP said on Thursday the 36-year-old woman was found and pronounced dead in a residence on Grey Wolf Bay on March 24.

But RCMP said it wasn’t until an autopsy was done that officers confirmed she was the victim of a homicide on April 4.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call RCMP at either 204-677-6909 or 204-677-6911, or leave an anonymous tip at Crime Stoppers at either 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

 

Armoured truck hits Portage Avenue skywalk pillar, flips

Thursday, 11:13 AM CDT

Winnipeg police are investigating after an armoured security truck flipped after striking a support pillar for a Portage Avenue skywalk early Thursday.

Major crimes investigators think someone may have taken property from the vehicle after it flipped, police said.

Police officers on patrol came across the scene at about 1 a.m. on westbound Portage Avenue near Carlton Street. The truck had hit a concrete pillar for an overhead skywalk and flipped on its side.

The driver was trapped while a passenger managed to get out, police said. Officers gave the passenger medical care until the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service arrived to take over. Firefighters got the driver out and both occupants were taken to hospital in unstable condition, where they were later upgraded to stable, according to police.

Police ask anyone with information on the incident to call the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477.

Brady Road landfill still closed

Thursday, 9:57 AM CDT

The city says the Brady Road landfill and 4R Depot continues to be closed after the body of a woman was found there on Monday.

Linda Beardy, a mother of four from Lake St. Martin First Nation, was found on Monday about two hours after being deposited by a garbage truck in the landfill’s active area.

Police continue to investigate what they have called her "suspicious death" and the landfill is closed until further notice.

 

 

Vacant home hit by fire again

Wednesday, 2:02 PM CDT

A fire broke out on a property on Pritchard Avenue early Wednesday for the third time in less than a year.

Firefighters were sent to the vacant two-storey house in the 600 block of Pritchard Avenue at 4:51 a.m.

The fire was declared under control at 7:21 a.m. Firefighters also worked to protect neighbouring homes.

No one was inside when firefighters entered the house.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

There were previous fires on the property last month and in July, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said.

The July fire was contained to an outbuilding attached to the house. The WFPS said at the time that the house and garage had already sustained heavy damage from a previous fire or fires.

Body found outside in Snow Lake

Wednesday, 1:18 PM CDT

RCMP are investigating after a man's body was found outside a business in Snow Lake.

RCMP were sent to the scene on Lakeshore Drive at about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday and found the body of a 44-year-old Thompson man in the snow.

The cause of death has yet to be determined but it is believed the man had been outside for a period of time, during which the temperature had dropped to as low as -24 C.

RCMP and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating.

<p>JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS</p>
<p>Archbishop Richard Gagnon walks carrying a cross on Osborne St. on Friday for the Way of the Cross walk. Hundreds joined him in singing and reflecting while they walked.</p>

Way of the Cross walk, April 7, 2023

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Archbishop Richard Gagnon walks carrying a cross on Osborne St. on Friday for the Way of the Cross walk. Hundreds joined him in singing and reflecting while they walked.

Creating goodness with every Easter egg

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

Creating goodness with every Easter egg

Malak Abas 4 minute read 9:23 AM CDT

At Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Grade 5 students from all walks of life listen intently as their teacher tells them a Ukrainian folk tale: the more pysanky eggs that are made, the more goodness will prevail.

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9:23 AM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Pysanky eggs are made with melted beeswax and dye. They are an Easter tradition.

Families minister receives initial report on Link services

Carol Sanders 2 minute read Preview

Families minister receives initial report on Link services

Carol Sanders 2 minute read Yesterday at 7:13 PM CDT

The Manitoba government has received an interim report concerning service delivery and financial accountability at one of the province’s largest child welfare service providers.

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Yesterday at 7:13 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Families Minister Rochelle Squires said Deloitte has filed an interim report from its review of the Link (formerly Macdonald Youth Services) and that she is reviewing it.

North Dakota at ‘crossroads’ as major flood fears rise

Kevin Rollason 3 minute read Preview

North Dakota at ‘crossroads’ as major flood fears rise

Kevin Rollason 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:40 PM CDT

The Colorado low weather system that recently dumped snow on both sides of the international border, accompanied by snow that hasn’t melted yet in North Dakota, has U.S. forecasters bumping up the risk of a major flood.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:40 PM CDT

Jim Kaiser, a warning co-ordination specialist with the National Weather Service, said 14 cm of snow in Fargo, N.D., and amounts in communities and fields across eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, has increased the chances of a flood on the U.S. side. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press files)

Patients, critics question the way Manitoba’s physician watchdog handles cases of misconduct and discipline

Katrina Clarke 12 minute read Preview

Patients, critics question the way Manitoba’s physician watchdog handles cases of misconduct and discipline

Katrina Clarke 12 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:05 PM CDT

At least five Winnipeg-area doctors have conditions on their medical licences limiting the treatment they can provide to female patients, a Free Press investigation reveals.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:05 PM CDT

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press

Indigenous friendship centre to rise again in Winnipeg

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

Indigenous friendship centre to rise again in Winnipeg

Malak Abas 4 minute read Yesterday at 6:51 PM CDT

It’s the first step to bringing back an important community organization for Indigenous people in Winnipeg.

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Yesterday at 6:51 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Plans for the new centre, which include a drop-in space, community centre, bingo hall and residence for Indigenous elders, were unveiled at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Thursday.

Winter uses of city golf courses debated

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Preview

Winter uses of city golf courses debated

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:01 PM CDT

To use its golf courses to their full potential, the City of Winnipeg must devote more attention to the winter use of the green spaces, according to several residents.

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Yesterday at 5:01 PM CDT

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Windsor Park Nordic Centre is located at the Windsor Park Golf Course.

Killer’s father outs witnesses as ‘rats’

Dean Pritchard 5 minute read Preview

Killer’s father outs witnesses as ‘rats’

Dean Pritchard 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 12:38 PM CDT

When Tron Gamblin took to Facebook and outed two women whose testimony in court helped convict his son of murder, he condemned them to a lifetime of fear and “looking over their shoulder,” a court was told this week.

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Updated: Yesterday at 12:38 PM CDT

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Jesse Gamblin was convicted in the 2019 murder of Norma Andrews.

Homeowners sue rental company in wake of destructive house party

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Homeowners sue rental company in wake of destructive house party

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Yesterday at 3:26 PM CDT

The owners of a house just outside Winnipeg that was trashed in a raucous youth party in late February have filed a lawsuit against a short-term rental firm.

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Yesterday at 3:26 PM CDT

The owners of a house just outside Winnipeg that was trashed in a raucous youth party in late February have filed a lawsuit against a short-term rental firm.

Jets focused on pesky Predators

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Jets focused on pesky Predators

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Yesterday at 4:41 PM CDT

They couldn’t find success in the biggest game of the season. The Winnipeg Jets, however, say a short-term memory is the best way to handle their current situation.

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Yesterday at 4:41 PM CDT

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Jets forward Nino Niederreiter in action Wednesday against the Calgary Flames. Niederreiter says it’s an exciting time of the year to be playing hockey with a playoff spot on the line.

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