The Wrap: Mental-health crisis intervention, construction restarted, Freddy’s coming, and window washing at the CMHR
Plus: Saying goodbye to a very good boy

Someone in crisis calls 911. Police are dispatched. In rare cases, the outcome turns deadly.

Each year, Winnipeg police perform thousands of wellness checks, many of which involve people with mental-health challenges.

Does the current approach to crisis intervention work in the city? Is there a better way?

Mayor Scott Gillingham says it’s time to consider a fourth arm of emergency services: professional-peer counsellor teams to deal with non-violent crises.

Free Press columnist Dan Lett investigates.

A 14-storey mixed-use rental apartment tower at Donald and St. Mary is going to go up after all.

The foundation and main floor concrete have been in place for close to two years, but the construction site had been sitting idle after the previous developer had to shut down operations and seek creditor protection in April 2023.

Carrington Real Estate has taken over the project, which will have 160 rental apartment units and be the future home of a new downtown location for The Keg Steakhouse + Bar.

Martin Cash reports in our Business section.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, an American chain, has marked Winnipeg as its initial Canadian franchise location.

The first of three — possibly five — Winnipeg sites will open in the city’s east end in the spring of 2025, says local franchisee John Hall.

Gabrielle Piché talks to Hall about his plans, and looks at Manitobans’ enthusiasm for other American restaurant chain arrivals.

When Samson was a new puppy, he was able to fit into the palm of Jen Zoratti’s hand.

Twelve years later, he died in her arms.

Jen pens a moving tribute to Sammy and reflects on the emotional weight of making the decision to say goodbye.

It’s an autumn rite of passage for many — cleaning windows before the snow and cold arrive.

That job is carried out on a much larger scale at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Free Press photographer Ruth Bonneville recently joined a window-washing crew as they tackled the building’s massive glass facade.