News briefs for August 19, 2020

The Manitoba Soccer Association informed members Wednesday one of its youth players has tested positive for COVID-19.

There are few details included in the letter sent out by MSA executive director Hector Vergara, but it is mentioned the youth is part of the Winnipeg region. The age, gender and specific club the youth belongs to is not disclosed.

“As per the MSA and provincial public health authorities protocols, a public health officer has been assigned by the province to the case,” the letter reads. “The public health officials have begun to conduct contact tracing to identify anyone who is considered a close contact of this individual as soon as possible.”

Vergara told the Free Press the association would not comment until receiving further direction from the province.

The letter did not specify any immediate steps being taken by the MSA.

There have been 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in people 19 and younger in Winnipeg, according to health officials.

Hockey Manitoba, the governing body for minor hockey in the province, has decided to not allow sanctioned tournaments or events prior to Nov. 1.

The decree, made on the advice of the provincial government, includes the cancellation of Hockey Manitoba’s U15 AAA male and female showcase event that was scheduled for Oct, 2-4. The event will not be rescheduled.

In addition, Hockey Manitoba announced previously via its Return to Play plan that travel permit applications will not be accepted for out-of-province travel until Oct. 15 and will only be granted for travel after Nov. 1.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has closed a probe into allegations an RCMP officer improperly stored a firearm.

The alleged incident happened Nov. 1, 2019. The RCMP notified the IIU of the matter Nov. 7, 2019.

A civilian witness reported seeing an officer’s duty belt and firearm stored behind a receptionist desk at a physiotherapy office, where an officer had an appointment.

Following its investigation, IIU civilian director Zane Tessler forwarded the case to Manitoba Prosecution Service for review.

The Crown’s office told the IIU the case “did not meet the prosecution-charging standard and therefore, there was no purpose in laying any Criminal Code charge.”

Fraser Aird, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Dylan Carreiro and José Galán booted goals in the final 25 minutes of play to spark Valour FC to a resounding 4-0 victory over Atlético Ottawa this afternoon in Canadian Premier League soccer action.

It’s the Winnipeg pro team’s largest margin of victory since the league formed for the 2019 season. Valour had 11 shots on goal. 

Valour has now posted a victory and a loss at the regular-season tournament held in Charlottetown, P.E.I., dubbed ‘The Island Games’.

The squad battles York9 (Toronto) on Saturday afternoon.

Winnipeg police are asking for public assistance locating a woman who has been reported missing since Aug. 8.

Shaina Pilon, 34, was last in contact with family on June 26 and may have been in the Toronto area until the end of July. She is described as caucasian and 5’0" with a thin build.

Anyone with information should contact the Winnipeg Police Service Missing Persons Unit at 986-6250.

A man has been charged in connection with the July slaying of Danielle Harper.

Investigators believe Harper was assaulted at a residence on the 700 block of Manitoba Avenue on July 12, 2020. She died soon after.

On Aug. 18, Winnipeg police arrested a suspect, Silas Ammaklak, 51 of Winnipeg. He’s been charged with second-degree murder and detained in custody.

A 32-year-old man is facing a string of charges after a short police chase Tuesday night. 

Police patrolling District 3 saw a stolen truck on McGregor Street and Manitoba Avenue at 11:25 p.m. Aug. 18, but when the officer tried to pull the truck over, it sped off, leading police on a short pursuit.

The police helicopter located the suspect and the vehicle shortly afterward in the 300 block of Alfred Avenue. 

Douglas Gordon Martin has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, fleeing while pursued by police, dangerous driving, and driving while prohibited. He was detained in custody.

The Winnipeg Police Service has closed a case into partial human remains discovered on the riverbank earlier this month.

Police were called to the 600 block of Henderson Highway after the remains were found on Aug. 7. Investigators later identified the individual as Wayne Leslie Melnychuk.

Police believe that Melnychuk, 42, “entered the Red River on his own accord on or about April 12, 2020."

One day prior to entering the Red River, began investigating the death of Julie Racette, 34, eventually concluding her death was a homicide. On April 20, the police issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Melnychuk.

Premier Brian Pallister announced masks will be made mandatory in schools for teachers and students in Grades 4 to 12. 

The announcement was made Wednesday during the provincial government’s pandemic response plan press conference. 

Previously, public health officials strongly recommended mask wearing for students in Grade 5 to 12 and for staff in schools.

Masks will be mandated in schools for Grades 4 to 12 and staff when physical distancing of two metres is not possible. 

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society has called for masks to be mandatory in schools. 

Nearly 19,000 Manitobans participated in the Restoring Safe Schools telephone town hall with Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen and chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin on Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for the provincial government said.

Police are looking for a man and a woman who robbed three victims at gunpoint in downtown Winnipeg Monday afternoon. 

Around 3:30 p.m., three people — two men and a woman — told police they were robbed of their bicycles and cellphones by a man and a woman who threatened them with a gun and a large knife. The incident happened at Waterfront Drive and Lombard Avenue.

Police are searching for two suspects, both described as Indigenous and in their 20s. The male suspect was described as being 5’6” tall with a large build, wearing a black baseball cap, a black shirt and black shorts. The female suspect was described 5’7” tall, with a small build and tattoo by her eye. She was wearing a purple shirt and black jean shorts.

The major crimes unit is investigating. Police are asking anyone with information to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Le Burger Week will be going ahead in Winnipeg amid the coronavirus pandemic with more than 125 local restaurants participating in the annual food festival from Sept. 1 to 7. 

The national event is in its eighth year locally and this fall chefs are tasked with creating the city’s best cheeseburger. 

A list of participating Winnipeg restaurants will be posted at leburgerweek.com.

A Manitoba man in his 60s has died marking the province’s 12th death related to COVID-19 since March.

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said the man was from the Grey health district in the Southern Health–Santé Sud region and was a previously announced case connected to a known cluster. He was hospitalized and in the intensive care unit.

The province announced 15 new cases of the virus on Wednesday and a five-day test positivity rate of 1.6 per cent. The new cases were announced in the Prairie Mountain Health region (13), Southern Health–Santé Sud region (1) and in Winnipeg (1).

Six people are in hospital with the virus including two in intensive care. There are 223 known active cases and 528 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 

Public health is advising of a potential exposure to COVID-19 on Aug. 13 and 14 from 3 to 10 p.m. and Aug. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Wigwam Restaurant (132 Wasagaming Dr.) in Wasagaming. 

Risk of transmission is considered to be low. People should seek testing if they develop symptoms.

Fire crews encountered smoke coming from a two-storey home after they responded to a fire on Langside St. on Tuesday evening.

Just before 4 p.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to the 500 block of Langside Street, where they quickly a launched a defensive attack.

The fire was under control within the next hour, the WFPS said in a news release, with no injuries sustained.

Fire workers searched the home and no occupants were located.

An investigation is underway to determine cause of the fire and estimate damages.