Free Press Head Start for March 16

Good morning.

A Winnipeg man, whose conviction for killing a man when he was 16 was overturned on appeal, has been sentenced on a lesser charge and ordered released from jail. Dean Pritchard reports.

And harm-reduction groups in Manitoba want the provincial government’s new addictions services bill rescinded, saying it “closes that door” to supervised consumption sites “under the cover of regulation.” Meanwhile, on a visit to Winnipeg, Canada’s minister of mental health said some may be “misunderstanding” harm reduction, which she said saves lives. Katrina Clarke has the story.

— David Fuller

Your forecast

A mix of sun and cloud this morning, with a high of -10 C, low of -18. wind chill as low as -21 and wind from the north at 30 km/h and gusting to 50.

What’s happening today

Théatre Cercle Molière’s production of Empreinte(s), about an engineer tasked with finalizing a program to “clean up” the internet, is on now and continues to March 24. Ben Waldman has a review.

Daniel Péloquin-Hunter is Scott in Empreinte(s) at Théatre Cercle Molière. (Leif Norman photo)

Today’s must-read

City council may soon accept a multimillion-dollar settlement offer in lawsuits it launched for cost overruns linked to the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters project. Council’s executive policy committee unanimously approved the proposed settlement Wednesday. Full council will cast the final vote on the matter March 23. Joyanne Pursaga has the story.

The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

On this date

On March 16, 1950: The Winnipeg Free Press reported both government and opposition MLAs warned the cost of education for rural schooling had municipalities “reaching the breaking point” and in need of assistance from the provincial government. A Winnipeg MLA named four of the city’s oldest schools as having unsanitary conditions in their washrooms, affecting 1,000 students. In Sydney, N.S., a jury found former mayor Dan Jack MacLean not guilty of murder, but convicted him of manslaughter in a Dec. 18 killing. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

Top news

Katie May:

Death rate at Health Sciences Centre ER increases; officials try to determine why

The increase in ER deaths at Manitoba’s largest hospital — 21 so far this year — is being blamed on a rise of severely ill patients who show up needing care. Read More

Chris Kitching:

Allegations of child sexual abuse made in Manitoba against two ‘credibly accused’ Jesuit priests

Two priests were included on a list of clerics “credibly accused” of sexually abusing children based on allegations stemming from their time in Manitoba, according to the Jesuits of Canada. Read More

Erik Pindera:

Security procedures in spotlight as national lab guard accused of storing, selling drugs on premises

A 27-year-old security guard at the Winnipeg laboratory complex with the world’s strictest bio-safety security classification stored and sold illicit drugs as part of a large trafficking network while on the job, RCMP allege. Read More

New in Sports

Mike McIntyre:

Stars’ post-game silence speaks volumes

Mark Scheifele doesn’t owe the media anything. Neither does Kyle Connor. They’re entitled to reject requests for post-game interviews — within reason, per NHL regulations — as they did Tuesday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., following a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Read More

Mike Sawatzky:

Bisons seeking upsets at national volleyball tourney

The Manitoba Bisons put in an extra effort, winning a five-set Canada West bronze-medal battle with the Winnipeg Wesmen last week to earn their place at the U Sports women’s volleyball national championship. Read More

Jeff Hamilton:

Expansion a ‘huge priority’ for CFL

Commissioner very enthusiastic about placing team in Atlantic Canada Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

AV Kitching:

Rave on, family style

Wackydoodle Dance Party’s afternoon dance parties lets onetime club kids hit the dance floor with their kids Read More

New music

Reviews of this week’s CD releases Read More

Ben Sigurdson, Alan Small, Ben Waldman, Eva Wasney and Jen Zoratti:

What’s up

Andy and Norm take on the Burt Read More

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

CentrePort on track

Ottawa commits $18M for rail park Read More

Martin Cash:

Manitoba’s new venture capital fund makes first investment

Manitoba’s newly formed venture capital fund — Manitoba First Fund — has made its first investment of $25 million with the veteran Saskatchewan venture capital money manager, WestCap Management Ltd. Read More

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Action on physician shortage lacks urgency

It has been four months since the Progressive Conservative government announced its $200-million health human resource action plan to recruit, train and retain front-line staff. One of the key objectives of the initiative: to add 2,000 medical professionals to the system. Read More

Dan Lett:

Tories’ proposed licensing labyrinth a sign priority is changing lives, not necessarily saving them

Province seems intent on boarding up harm-reduction window before opening it Read More

David Matas and Sarah Teich:

Erdogan regime’s detentions unlawful

As Turkey continues to reel from the impact of last month’s earthquake, countries around the world continue to provide support to the Turkish people. Read More

Head Start