Good morning!
Slow and steady: We begin the day with results from a new survey that show Manitobans are endorsing Premier Brian Pallister and Finance Minister Cameron Friesen’s go-slow approach to balancing the province’s books. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of Manitobans prefer the Progressive Conservatives’ gradual strategy for balancing the budget, while only 23 per cent would prefer to see the budget balanced sooner, according to a new survey by Probe Research for the Free Press. Eleven per cent of participants did not state an opinion or were not sure. READ MORE
Your forecast: It would be wonderful to truly embrace Environment Canada’s seven-day forecast. So, let’s do it. We’ll drop the cynicism and put our faith in the weather experts who are calling for a run of sunny days stretching all the way through the Canada Day long weekend. The good stuff begins today with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 22 C. Daytime temperatures are expected in the low 20s most of the week, with the really hot days coming on Friday, July 1 (Canada Day) when the mercury could hit 25 C, Saturday when the high is 28 C and Sunday when the temperatures rises to 29 C. Believe, folks… believe.
In case you missed it
SUBMITTED PHOTOThe Falcon Lake underpass is completely impassable Sunday morning. RCMP were directing motorists to use the West Hawk Lake underpass to get to Hwy. No. 1.
Wild weekend weather: Homes and businesses lost power, roads were washed out, fallen trees damaged cottages and rising lakes and streams are causing plenty of worry following a weekend of heavy rain and wind in southern Manitoba. More than 4,000 customers lost electricity in parts of Killarney, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Falcon Lake, West Hawk Lake and The Pas. The Whiteshell was battered by storms, making some roads near West Hawk, Caddy and Falcon lakes impassable. READ MORE
Child fights off abduction: An 11-year-old boy screamed and fought off man trying to grab him off the street Saturday afternoon in East Kildonan. The child was walking near Simpson Avenue and Besant Street when an unknown man drove toward him in a black van and got out. Police said the man yelled “Get in my car now,” grabbed the boy’s right wrist and started dragging him to the van. The boy started yelling and hitting the man’s arm, breaking free and running home. He suffered a minor injury in the incident. No one has been arrested. READ MORE
Up next
Developing a great downtown: The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is hoping to generate thousands of ideas for re-energizing the city’s downtown. The BIZ is unveiling a strategy today to get business owners, community partners, stakeholders and the public engaged in turning the downtown from good to great. A kickoff media event is slated for today at 12:15 p.m. at the Urban Lab, 354 Portage Ave. (at Carlton Street).
Three amigos summit: Mexico’s president arrives in Canada today as part of a summit between all three North American leaders. Enrique Pena Nieto heads to Quebec City first before dining with Prime Minister Trudeau in Toronto and then heading to Ottawa on Tuesday for an official state visit. The two leaders will be joined by U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday’s for the so-called Three Amigos summit. Expect Britain’s split from the EU to be a major topic of discussion, along with trade and climate change issues.
Around the water cooler
WAYBE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILESWinnipeg police are investigating a homicide that occurred early Thursday morning in the West End. Initially, a police spokesman said a serious assault had occurred around 3 a.m. in an apartment complex in the 400 block of Furby Street near Ellice Avenue, however, police are now calling the incident a homicide. A press conference has been called for noon at the new Winnipeg Police Service headquarters on Graham Avenue.
Victim had notorious past: A Winnipeg man who was stabbed to death inside a Furby Street apartment last Thursday was once the head of the provincial chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. Police identified the homicide victim as James Edsel Tucker; 45, however, officials also confirmed the man’s previous identity as Bill Harcus. In 1992, Harcus, then just 21, and two other members of the KKK were charged with hate crimes in Manitoba, but the charges were eventually stayed. READ MORE
Looking for new nest: Hundreds of parrots living at a Vancouver Island sanctuary need new homes as the World Parrot Refuge is due to close by August. The future of the refuge has been in doubt since February’s death of founder Wendy Huntbatch, and money to keep it open is quickly running out. Huntbatch was an avid animal rights advocate who opened the refuge about 150 kilometres north of Victoria, in 2005. READ MORE
Trending now
JULIO CORTEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESSArgentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after losing 4-2 to Chile in penalty kicks in the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match, Sunday, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Lionel Messi: The Argentinian forward has announced he is retiring from International soccer, following a loss to Chile in the Copa America final.
#WhatIBelieveIn5Words: How succinct are you in your guiding faith? Let Twitter be your model: “Be kind. People are imperfect.” “Math before noon is diabolical.” “Double check before any assumption.” And, perhaps, a fine morning philosophy: “There are no bad donuts.”
On this date
On June 27, 1953: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that Peter Taraska, a federal Liberal candidate in Winnipeg North, said a movement would be launched to form a Manitoba Liberal Party to oppose the “Liberal Porgressive” party of Premier D.L. Campbell. In England, Prince PHilip was involved in an automobile accident hours after he had made a plea for safe driving. In Manitoba, the RCMP was expected to be out in force over the Canada Day long weekend, enforcing new anti-drunk-driving laws.
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