Your forecast
Mainly cloudy, clearing early this afternoon. An Air Quality warning is in effect for Winnipeg as smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. Wind becoming northwest at 30 km/h early this afternoon. High 27 C. Humidex 33. UV index 7 or high.
Thirty-five highways remain closed weeks after torrential rain caused destructive flooding in several Manitoba communities.
Crews continue to assess flood damage and repair roads and highways as conditions allow, after historic precipitation washed away many routes.
Some areas in the Parkland region of the province received more than 200 millimetres of rain between June 6 and July 1. Nicole Buffie has more here.
Flooded farmland along Highway 10 between Minitonas and Swan River, Manitoba. (Tim Smith / The Brandon Sun )
What’s happening today
🏐 It’s that time of the year again for Manitobans to participate in an iconic summertime event. Super-Spike is back and better than ever with a whopping 3,100-plus players — the most the event has had since 2017.
Taking place at Maple Grove Rugby Park this upcoming weekend from July 17-18, volleyball players of all levels of experience will be bumping at the outdoor courts in hopes of dusting off their skills or to simply have a little fun in the sand. Grace Penner has more here.
The Super-Spike volleyball tournament returns for its 24th year on Friday with over 400 teams and 3,100-plus volleyballers set to participate. (Joey Senft photo)
Today’s must-read
Patty Wiens was already a cycling enthusiast when she got an electric bicycle in early 2023, but she didn’t realize how much it would transform the way she got around Winnipeg.
She started riding throughout winter and stopped relying on her vehicle. Eventually, she sold her car. “It’s not a replacement for a bike,” she said. “It’s a replacement for a car.”
Patty Wiens, bike mayor of Winnipeg, with her e-bike on the NorthEast Pioneers Greenway on Monday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)
Not everyone is as effusive about e-bikes as Wiens.
As more people turn to e-bikes and other personal electric vehicles, including e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles, there is consensus that regulations are needed for how they operate on Winnipeg streets and pathways.
The province is preparing new rules that will introduce speed limits, helmet requirements and other restrictions after receiving complaints that the lack of regulation has created unsafe conditions. Zoe Pierce and Joyanne Pursaga have the story.
On the bright side
It was a full circle moment for a CFL superstar whose game included giving back.
Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Andrew Harris was one of 12 Order of Manitoba recipients honoured at the Manitoba legislature on Thursday.
“It’s an indescribable feeling,” Harris said after the ceremony while holding one of his sons in his arms.
Harris joined Juno award-winning artist Chantal Kreviazuk, Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Joss Reimer, former premier Brian Pallister and others who have enriched the province, said Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville as she honoured the recipients. Morgan Modjeski has more here.
Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville (left) high-fives Axton Harris, age three, after his dad, Andrew Harris, was awarded the Order of Manitoba at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Thursday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)
On this date
On July 17, 1972: The Winnipeg Free Press reported the United States’ blockade of North Vietnam began to spring leaks and the Hanoi government, with the help of China, was working to expand them. In Winnipeg, Marie Ouellette won the first prize worth $100,000 in the Manitoba Golden Sweepstakes at Assiniboia Downs; she said her winnings would allow her to move back to Manitoba.
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.
|
