Good morning!
Your forecast: In the category of famous birthdays today, British-born singer/songwriter James Blunt turns 42 today. He’s the dude who co-wrote and sang the 2004 hit single You’re Beautiful, which reached No.1 on the charts in Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. What a terrific tune to hum when thinking about this week’s above-normal Winnipeg weather. The overnight snow that fell will end this morning but possibly begin again this afternoon, and our daytime high temperature is projected to be -2 C. On Tuesday, expect a mainly cloudy day and a high of -5 C, while the sun returns Wednesday and the high reaches another mild -5 C. Environment Canada is calling for a sunny Thursday and a high of -4 C, while Friday could get above freezing to 2 C. That’s beautiful, it’s true. READ MORE
In case you missed it
JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rayan Sprott gears up inside the Minto arena.
A wonderful read: Free Press writer Randy Turner and photographer Joe Bryksa travelled more than 1,200 kilometres in one weekend to chronicle life in 10 rural rinks. Trust us, it’s a slice of Canadiana at its finest. READ MORE
Surviving an avalanche: A 40-year-old Winnipeg man remains in hospital in Golden, B.C., after he was hurt in an avalanche in the Quartz Creek area just west of the popular ski community. He was with a group of snowmobilers when the avalanche happened Saturday. A Calgary man, 30, was killed in the slide. Then on Sunday, seven others had to be taken to the hospital when another avalanche occurred in the Chatter Creek area, also near Golden. READ MORE
Dangerous cargo: The airport in Bathurst, N.B., closed as a precaution Sunday night because of concern over a potentially radioactive package. Workers at the airport discovered the package was damaged while being unloaded from an Air Canada flight, and that’s when the potentially radioactive substance was discovered. Two employees were placed in quarantine to ensure their safety, but it was determined there was no damage to the product and no possibility of radioactive exposure. Air Canada says the flight left for Montreal once the package was removed. READ MORE
Up next
SuppliedCooper Nemeth was last seen Feb. 14.
Remembering Cooper: Tonight, the Bear Clan Patrol – a volunteer safety group that patrols city streets – joins the Nemeth family, friends and those who didn’t know Cooper for a traditional circle and smudge ceremony at 6 p.m. at Gateway Recreation Centre, 1717 Gateway Rd. Cooper Nemeth, 17, was found dead late Saturday night outside a home in Valley Gardens after being missing for nearly a week. A 22-year-old man is in custody facing a second-degree murder charge. Cooper attended River East Collegiate and played midget hockey with the River East Marauders, who honoured him prior to their final regular-season game Sunday night. READ MORE
Canadian economy: Canada’s finance minister, Bill Morneau, will provide a clearer picture today of just how much the economic downturn has curbed growth in the country when he holds a town hall meeting in Ottawa at a local community centre. A government official says Morneau will reveal updated economic numbers that are normally included in the federal budget. READ MORE
Morning Wheaties: The Brandon Wheat Kings, who occupy the top spot in the Western Hockey League’s East Division, play a rare morning game in Saskatoon today. The Blades host the Wheaties at 11:30 a.m. for the 2nd annual Kinsmen Club junior game, and about 8,000 kids get a chunk of time away from school for the best field trip ever.
Around the water cooler
JONATHAN HAYWARD / THE CANADIAN PRESSTeam Canada skip Jennifer Jones calls a shot during the third draw against P.E.I. at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Sunday.
Jones trouble keeping up: Team Canada, guided by skip Jennifer Jones, is off to a bit of a rough start at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts national women’s curling championship in Grande Prairie, Alta. The Winnipeg team and reigning Canadian champions are just 1-2 entering Day 3 of the rockfest. Meanwhile, Manitoba’s Kerri Einarson is 2-1, while Alberta’s Chelsea Carey, a former Manitoba titleist, is unbeaten at 3-0. READ MORE
Closing arguments: After 61 days in a courtroom in Ottawa, the case against Canadian senator Mike Duffy is finally coming to some kind of a conclusion. Closing arguments begin today but could last well into next week. The former journalist is facing 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. Duffy, 69, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which stem from allegedly questionable expenses and living claims. READ MORE
Trending now
Matthew Mead / Associated Press filesA cranberry mint infused margarita.
#NationalMargaritaDay: Really, it’s a thing. “Loved and consumed by millions, friends and families around the world honor this sacred tequila, triple sec and lime drink every year on February 22,” says the website that bears its name. READ MORE
#mondaymotivation: No one’s all that jazzed anywhere in Canada about a Monday in the middle of February, but some in Twitter world are trying their best to pump us up. Inspirational words, pictures and videos are being tweeted out en masse to get us through the day. READ MORE
On this date
On Feb. 22, 1979: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that the provincial ombudsman said conditions at The Pas jail, where juvenile offenders were housed alongside adult prisoners, were “scandalous” and needed to be ended immediately. The Chinese army pushed 19 kilometres into Vietnam’s northeast corner. Canadian companies reported profits were up 38.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 1978. A Winnipeg family was charged $8,300 for the return of a relative’s body from Guadeloupe.
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