The Wrap: Skibicki trial continues, Clear Lake closes, new seniors home, trucker fines
Plus: a huge new addition to the Sea Bears

Good evening. Here’s a look at what our newsroom has been working on today:

'I believe… extreme desperate measures need to be taken'

The trial of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki heard Thursday that police found physical evidence of the victims in his Winnipeg apartment, including jewelry, clothing, DNA and a bloodstained bathtub.

Court heard testimony from a Winnipeg police constable who was assigned to the forensic identification unit and tasked with documenting and collecting physical evidence at the crime scene, including Skibicki’s McKay Avenue apartment.

Skibicki is charged with first-degree murder for the 2022 killings of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and an unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman. He has confessed to the slayings, but his lawyers are arguing that he’s not criminally responsible due to mental illness.

Dean Pritchard:

Serial killer used three different garbage bins to dispose of last victim’s remains, trial hears

Admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki disposed of the remains of his final victim in three different garbage bins, one of which was emptied into a garbage truck just a short time before police could ... Read More

Get ready to savour Manitoba's freshest summer flavours

'Doing our part to prevent zebra mussels from spreading'

The federal government will close Clear Lake to all watercraft this summer in an effort to stop the spread of zebra mussels.

The lake will remain open to swimmers, but the move pulls the plug on hopes for a busy boating season and the tourism dollars it brings to the summer vacation destination at Riding Mountain National Park.

Carol Sanders:

Watercraft banned from Clear Lake this summer to halt zebra mussels

The federal government will close Clear Lake to all watercraft this summer in an effort to stop the spread of zebra mussels in southwestern Manitoba. “Zebra mussels present a real and significant t... Read More

'My whole life is not preoccupied anymore with where am I going to live'

Almost three dozen homeless seniors now have a roof over their heads thanks to a new program operated by Siloam Mission.

The facility provides homes for seniors who had been staying overnight at the mission’s downtown Siloam shelter.

Kevin Rollason:

Siloam changing lives of homeless seniors by giving new life to century-old Charleswood building

Former Odd Fellows Home provides seniors with suites, meals Read More

'It’s exploitation... but it also makes our highways less safe'

Mistreatment of temporary foreign workers shadows Manitoba’s trucking industry, experts say — and companies are increasingly being fined for it.

Since January 2023, nine Manitoba businesses — seven of them trucking companies — were hit with a collective $426,500 in federal fines for not complying with the Temporary Foreign Worker and International Mobility programs.

Charges include breaking Canadian laws for hiring and recruiting employees and not providing pay or working conditions matching those given during offers of employment.

Gabrielle Piche reports.

Gabrielle Piché:

‘Extremely competitive’ path to non-compliance

Manitoba trucking companies fined for foreign worker program abuses ring industry alarms Read More

'A really high-level player'

The Winnipeg Sea Bears made size a priority with their final pre-season signing of 2024: Byron Mullens, a 7-foot centre who was a first-round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

The 35-year-old from Canal Winchester, Ohio, spent five seasons in the NBA and is a veteran of pro leagues around the world; his most recent stop was with the New Taipei Kings.

Mike Sawatzky:

Sea Bears add size and experience

Seven-footer a veteran of five NBA seasons Read More