What’s happening today
The first community COVID-19 testing site and assessment clinic in Winnipeg opened at the St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool and Fitness Centre in April 2020. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Another COVID-19 anniversary: The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on this date two years ago, and life in Canada hasn’t been the same since. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Highways closed: The south Perimeter Highway remains closed this morning. The Perimeter has been closed six times in a season blighted by frequent blizzards, blowing snow, freezing rain and sudden temperature swings. Chris Kitching reports. READ MORE
Brier battle: Manitoba teams skipped by Mike McEwen and Jason Gunnlaugson will play a tie-breaker this morning, with the winner advancing to the playoffs of the national men’s curling championship. The winner of the Brier will be decided Sunday. READ MORE
Tourney set to start: The AAA varsity boys provincial hockey championship tournament begins at the Selkirk Recreational Complex this morning. READ MORE
Weather
Your daytime forecast: Mainly sunny beginning later this morning, with a mix of sun and cloud this afternoon, a high of -16 C, wind chill as low as -37 and wind from the northwest at 40 km/h gusting to 60. A blowing snow advisory remains in effect. READ MORE
What’s happening this weekend
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CPWinnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie keeps an eye on the puck after a save during the third period of the Jets 2-1 victory against New Jersey Devils Thursday in Newark. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
Friday evening faceoff: The Jets play the New York Islanders at 6:30 p.m. CT tonight after winning the first of three consecutive road games in New Jersey last night. The Jets face the Blues in St. Louis on Sunday evening. Mike McIntyre reports. READ MORE
Sombre milestone: The second anniversary of the first COVID-19 cases announced in Manitoba is Saturday. READ MORE
Time change: Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead by one hour this weekend. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday. READ MORE
In case you missed it
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSBrendan Scott, president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union.
Kicked out of courses: Nearly 1,300 University of Manitoba students were de-registered from at least one in-person course this term because they didn’t provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19. Maggie Macintosh reports. READ MORE
Ad campaign to attract riders: A Winnipeg Transit campaign to encourage riders to return to public transit will begin next month. City Coun. Scott Gillingham says the increasing reliance on bus shelters by homeless people must be addressed as part of the effort to attract passengers. Joyanne Pursaga reports. READ MORE
Plea in random bus killing: A man pleaded guilty Thursday to fatally stabbing another bus passenger in an “unprovoked” attack in May 2020. Dean Pritchard reports. READ MORE
‘Built to win’: Former Quebec premier Jean Charest formally launched his bid to become leader of the federal Conservative party in Calgary last night. The last ex-premier to become prime minister was Nova Scotia Conservative Charles Tupper in 1896. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
‘Just a genuine guy’: Harvey Warner, who spearheaded the resurgence of horse racing in Manitoba, has died at 74. George Williams reports. READ MORE
On this date
On March 11, 1971: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that premier Ed Schreyer promised Manitobans there would be a reduction of property tax in the coming year without a corresponding increase in the provincial sales tax. Social development minister Rene Toupin promised a nearly 50 per cent boost in the number of Winnipeg probation officers, with new hires beginning April 1. Increased unemployment insurance benefits of up to $100 a week were expected to be in effect by late summer because of new federal legislation. READ MORE
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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