The Wrap: The Sherbrook shuttered, hybrid work still supreme, high praise for Bones, sand mine controversy and from Sagkeeng to the Marvel Universe

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

'We did our best to run a tight ship'

West Broadway staple The Sherbrook Inn, which has found itself linked with multiple violent incidents over the years, has closed its liquor sales operations indefinitely according to former staff.

Some of those employees say the Sherbrook’s unsafe reputation was unfair, since the neighbourhood became inundated with crime.

Malak Abas:

Infamous Sherbrook Inn shutters bar, vendor

The Sherbrook Inn, a controversial West Broadway neighbourhood fixture for nearly 60 years, has closed its bar and beer vendor. While the living quarters above the bar remain operational, people st... Read More

Get ready to savour Manitoba's freshest summer flavours

'We’re still learning what the impact of remote work is and can be'

Downtown Winnipeg advocates have called for a wide-scale return of office workers, as local businesses struggle with sales. But for many of downtown’s biggest employers, hybrid reigns supreme — and there’s no signs of change.

Gabrielle Piché:

‘Weight of Winnipeg’s downtown on their shoulders’

Hybrid work set-ups reign amid tug-of-war between employers, employees and advocates on both sides Read More

'To know that he cares about you as a person goes a long way '

Rick Bowness isn’t big on talking about himself or his accomplishments.

As comfortable as he might be when it comes to doling out praise and providing direct feedback to others, the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets doesn’t really enjoy being the centre of attention.

In Toronto this weekend, that will be inevitable. He’s going to draw a sizeable crowd in the centre of the hockey universe for the NHL All-Star festivities, along with Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and winger Kyle Connor.

His is a remarkable story.

Ken Wiebe:

‘Always coming from a good place’

Bowness’s ability to communicate has been key to long-term success of Jets universally admired coach Read More

'I think what Sio Silica offers is pipe dreams'

When Sio Silica announced its plan to become a publicly traded company in November the out-of-province sand miners expressed confidence they were on the verge of breaking ground.

Such confidence would come as a surprise to some residents of the small agricultural communities just a stone’s throw from Winnipeg, where Sio Silica has announced plans to drill thousands of holes through two aquifers over the next two decades.

As far as these communities were aware, Manitoba’s environment department was still poring over the company’s hotly contested application for an environmental licence — and a decision wasn’t coming any time soon.

Julia-Simone Rutgers:

Shifting sands, mounting concerns

Controversy has been further stirred over proposed silica sand-mine after company’s assurances to investors of imminent permitting and growing allegations of political manipulation Read More

'It was such a special privilege to play an Indigenous deaf woman'

Winnipeg’s Katarina Ziervogel’s acting debut is in the new Marvel series Echo, where she plays the main character Maya’s mother, Taloa.

Ziervogel had previously worked as a screenwriter, penning Finality of Dusk with Madison Thomas in 2022, but was convinced to audition when she saw the notice for Echo. They were looking to cast a deaf, Indigenous woman, so Ziervogel — who is both — figured it was worth a shot.

Ben Waldman:

Echoes of success

Sagkeeng First Nation actor propelled into Marvel Cinematic Universe Read More