Free Press Head Start for Oct. 18

Good morning.

Now that we’re into the back half of October, there’s no shortage of creepy delights for young and old as Halloween approaches.

Shelley Cook wrote about taking her family to Boo at the Zoo for “a little bit of spooky magic.” At Lower Fort Garry, you can take part in after-dark ghost walks. There are also multiple outside scary attractions such as Heebie Jeebies, Six Pines Haunted Attractions and the Nightmare Factory. For horror-movie fans, the eponymous Halloween franchise is iconic, but Alison Gillmor writes that the purported final instalment doesn’t live up to the hype. And for those who prefer a hands-on experience, Jen Zoratti writes about how crafting — including making a Halloween wreath — has helped her peace of mind.

If that just whets your appetite, don’t worry; I’m sure there’s more to come. Pretty scary stuff, eh, kids?

— David Fuller

Your forecast

Mainly sunny with a high of 3 C and a low of -4. Windchill is -15 this morning.

What’s happening today

In Ottawa, outgoing mayor Jim Watson is expected to testify at the public inquiry into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act during February’s “Freedom Convoy” protest. The Canadian Press reports.

Police restrict access to the streets around Parliament Hill in Ottawa in February. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press files)

Today’s must-read

With just over a week until civic election day, high-profile endorsements are rolling in for Winnipeg’s top mayoral candidates in what political observers say is another way to sway undecided voters. Chris Kitching has the story.

Mayoral candidate Scott Gillingham (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

On the bright side

Sgt. Tommy Prince, Canada’s most decorated Indigenous war veteran and a Manitoba icon, has been honoured with a new Canada Post stamp. Malak Abas reports.

Tommy Prince Jr. (left) is presented with a stamp of his father, Sgt. Tommy Prince, Monday at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. (Jessica Lee / Winnipeg Free Press)

On this date

On Oct. 18, 1932: The Winnipeg Free Press reported a Hudson’s Bay Co., boat carrying captain, crew, and passengers including three nuns and the Mother Superior of Chipewyan, having left McMurray, Alta., a week earlier was overdue at Fort Fitzgerald; a sudden, severe change in weather raised fears for the party’s well-being. Nearly 1,000 convicts rioted for four hours in Portsmouth Penitentiary, near Kingston, Ont., before being subdued by guards and militiamen. In Winnipeg, police vigilance was stepped up in the wake of attacks on women pedestrians, but the suspect made no overnight appearance and avoided capture. 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

Danielle Da Silva:

Avian flu devastates 17 Manitoba farms

Close to 300,000 birds died or destroyed in past six weeks Read More

Joyanne Pursaga:

Winter of our discontent

Snowy sidewalks a nightmare for the mobility-challenged; mayoral candidates have ideas they hope gain traction with voters Read More

Maggie Macintosh:

Books remain closed on school trustee campaign finances

As school board candidates enter the final stretch of their campaigns, voters are all but clueless about who is financially backing the contestants who want to make decisions about K-12 education in their communities — and they may never find out. Read More

New in Sports

Mike McIntyre:

Jets peak early in 4-1 loss to Dallas

DALLAS — It’s usually never a good sign when you team peaks just 108 seconds into the game, but such was the case for the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, where a fast start gave way to a rough finish in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. Read More

Mike Sawatzky:

Bisons soccer women to host playoff game against Cougars

Star scorer in doubt after receiving post-game red card Read More

Mike McIntyre:

Bowness beloved in Big D

Stars aligned in praise for former bench boss Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

Ben Waldman:

Having a senior moment

Caryl Churchill play a rare opportunity for four women over 70 to command the stage Read More

Jen Zoratti:

If art is worth protecting, so is the future of Earth

On Friday, two young English activists walked into the National Gallery in London and threw tins of Heinz tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, one of the most well-known paintings of all time. Read More

Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press:

TV sexpert Sue Johanson passed the torch to a new generation of online educators: doc

TORONTO - When Sue Johanson started "The Sunday Night Sex Show" in the mid-1990s, it was taboo to talk about sex acts, dildos and STIs on TV. But even in retirement, the u... Read More

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

Loblaw freezes all No Name prices until end of January

Canada’s biggest grocer is freezing prices on its No Name brand items until the end of January, a move that affects more than 1,500 products. Read More

Martin Cash:

Province to announce chair of venture capital company

Mike Pyle, the CEO of Exchange Income Corp., will be announced as the chair of the province’s new arms-length venture capital management company later today. Read More

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Dawn of Britain’s new era has been delayed

As the week began, Liz Truss still held the formal titles of leader of Britain’s Conservative Party and prime minister of the United Kingdom. She had, however, lost the substance of leadership by abruptly reversing the taxing and spending plans that brought her to power. Read More

Dan Lett:

Cautious optimism gives way to great NDP expectations

The secret is finally out: the New Democratic Party of Manitoba fully and confidently expects to win the 2023 provincial election. Read More

Deveryn Ross:

Bill 36 fear-mongering misses mark

It is the worst kind of political theatre – the kind that plays on the anxieties of Manitobans who are already worried about the impact of rising costs on their ability to make ends meet. Read More

Head Start