Good morning!
Meth use on rise: The city’s youth are fuelling a surge in methamphetamine use because it’s a cheaper way to get a long-lasting high. In fact, because of the drug’s “affordability,” addictive nature and accessibility, the methamphetamine user base in Winnipeg has increased significantly over the last few years, allowing traffickers to prosper, police say. And they don’t expect the situation to get better any time soon. READ MORE
Your forecast: It will be mainly sunny, although clouds will form this afternoon and there’s a 30 per cent chance of showers in the late afternoon. Expect a high of 22 C. The wind will be from the south at 20 km/h. It will rain late this evening, with accumulations of 10 to 20 mm. The low will be 13. On Friday, expect more rain, gusty north winds and a high of 17.
In case you missed it
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILESLen Kropioski gives a thumbs up prior to the first period of a Jets hockey game.
Kroppy mourned: Hockey fans mourned the passing of Len Kropioski, the Jets superfan famous for his salute during the singing of ‘O Canada’ before hockey games. He was 98. Jets players and politicians alike paid tribute to the Second World War veteran on Wednesday. READ MORE
Risky driving: It seems some drivers — including those who pilot city transit buses — aren’t getting the message about slowing down in school zones. That’s what city police and CAA Manitoba found out Wednesday when they did their annual check of selected school areas. Over a 90-minute period they recorded 548 instances of risky or illegal behavior, including a transit bus going 40 km/h in a 30 zone and one driver who was clocked at 65 km/h. READ MORE
Centreport expansion: Centreport is about to become home to another successful Winnipeg company’s expansion. Imperial Seed is building a new $8-million seed-packaging, processing and testing site on a 20-acre site in the northern section of Centreport, the 20,000-acre inland port and foreign-trade zone north and west of the airport. The state-of-the art facility will more than double Imperial Seed’s current processing, packaging and storage capacity, setting it up for further growth. READ MORE
Up next
United Way drive: The United Way is hosting a community breakfast this morning to launch its annual fundraising campaign for programs to address the growing challenges facing kids and families in Winnipeg.
Goldeyes on tap: The Winnipeg Goldeyes, fresh from a victory in the opening game in their American Association final series last night, are to take on the Wichita Wingnuts again tonight at Shaw Park — if the weather co-operates. READ MORE
Around the water cooler
TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILESPatrik Laine
Laine confident: Jets’ top draft pick Patrik Laine knows he’s a good player and he isn’t afraid to say so. Paul Wiecek writes that it’s refreshingly rare in hockey to hear a player actually say what he thinks, and fans everywhere would be better served if more players spoke with such refreshing frankness. READ MORE
Rolling the dice: The NDP’s bad casino bets during more than 16 years in power are now coming home to roost, Dan Lett writes. And now the new Pallister government faces some difficult options with the questionable hand that it’s been dealt. READ MORE
Bad landlords: The North Point Douglas rooming-house fire that claimed the lives of two residents in July has prompted local organizations to develop a campaign to improve living conditions along with a tip line for bad landlords. Local activist Sel Burrows said rooming-house residents need the community’s help. READ MORE
Trending now
AM
Travis Vader: The name of the accused in the killing of an elderly B.C. couple who went missing more than six years ago is trending in Canada as the judge is expected to hand down a verdict today. READ MORE
Kroppy: The nickname of the late Winnipeg veteran who was also an ardent Jets fan is still trending locally. READ MORE
On this date
On Sept. 15, 1950: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that Canadian destroyers provided cover fire for U.S. marines and infantry storming ashore at three points along Korea’s coastline. The simultaneous amphibious invasions were launched well behind Communist lines. In Winnipeg, the price of milk was set to rise by one cent, but the milk control board would hold a public hearing into the matter. A prairie frost, combined with snow, wind and rain storms, had a severe effect on what had been expected to be a bumper wheat crop in Canada, leading to losses amounting more than $100,000,000. READ MORE
|
