The Wrap: Ankle monitors return, 7-Elevens closing, bus safety, patio praise and Mary Poppins

The provincial government is launching an electronic monitoring program for some people accused of crimes who’ve been granted bail by the courts.

The device will use voice, audio and vibration commands to communicate with the alleged offenders outfitted with them, as well as loud alerts if the person enters a location they’re barred from attending.

7-Eleven may close 10 of its Winnipeg locations if a solution to growing theft isn’t found first.

Two city councillors say they recently met with the company’s leaders, who sought help to combat a surge in theft.

The company indicated one of the stores recently experienced $300,000 of theft in a short period, with people removing “whole shelves of goods” at a time, said a councillor.

Joyanne Pursaga reports on the theft problem facing small businesses, and the impact the stores’ closures could have on surrounding neighbourhoods.

Following a stabbing aboard a Winnipeg Transit bus, the union representing bus drivers is warning that operators are quitting rather than deal with the violence — which could threaten a transit overhaul slated for next year.

The city employs 21 transit safety officers, but the union head says it’s not nearly enough, and he also wants drivers to be fully enclosed by shields.

When it comes to the expeditious issuance of permits related to buildings and building expansions, Winnipeg doesn’t often win accolades from groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

But, according to a recent CFIB survey, Winnipeg is now the undisputed Canadian champion of patio permitting: It’s the only city in the country where “temporary” permits are issued with just one document in 24 hours at no cost.

Business reporter Martin Cash takes to the sidewalks.

Eleven years ago, Colleen Furlan was  a member of the ensemble in Rainbow Stage’s production of Mary Poppins, playing a nanny promptly dispatched at the start of the show.

Now, the Winnipeg performer is back in the musical’s titular role.

Arts writer Ben Waldman talks to Furlan as well as choreographer Josh Assor and the children playing Jane and Michael Banks.