News briefs for Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Lightning is suspected as the cause of a fire in a home on Forbes Road Monday night.

Fire crews were sent to the home in the 1000 block of Forbes, south of the south Perimeter Highway, shortly after 9 p.m. The fire was declared under control at 10:35 p.m., the City of Winnipeg said in a news release.

Everyone inside the home got out safely before fire crews arrived, the release stated.

Hours later, crews fought a fire in a three-storey apartment building in the 700 block of Wellington Avenue. Firefighters were sent to the scene at 2:07 a.m. and declared the fire under control at 2:50 a.m.

Popular sports broadcaster Sara Orlesky has taken a job with the Winnipeg Jets, ending her years-long run at TSN, the team announced early Tuesday.

Orlesky joins the Jets content team for the 2022-23 NHL season, in an official role as senior host and producer. In a statement released by True North Sports and Entertainment, Orlesky will be “producing new Jets content features,” as well as assuming “the role of co-producer and host for a new post-game show,” and will also provide pre-game hits.

Orlesky, who is a Winnipeg native, spent the last 11 seasons as the host of Jets on TSN broadcasts, and had been a sideline reporter for CFL on TSN broadcasts since 2008. Through a partnership with TSN, Orlesky will continue to make regular appearances on TSN broadcasts, though it wasn’t clear exactly what role she will play.

“Having covered the Jets since day one, I know how incredibly passionate fans are about this team,” Orlesky said in a statement. “I’m excited to join the organization and help provide fans with new and exciting coverage of their favourite players and team.”

The Winnipeg Police Service will receive $17,000 from the provincial government to track illegal firearms.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the funding provided through the criminal property forfeiture fund will be used to purchase equipment that allows police to restore obliterated serial numbers.

The funding will also cover training for officers and grow the service’s Firearms Investigative Analysis Unit.

Portage la Prairie RCMP is searching for a missing 14-year-old girl.

Luisa Alvarenga was last seen at about 3 a.m. on Saturday when she left a home on 6th Street NE in Portage. She was reported missing that afternoon.

RCMP describes the girl as 5-2 with a slim build, dark brown shoulder-length hair, and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black sweater or windbreaker, grey pants, and white shoes.

RCMP asks anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the local detachment at 204-857-8767, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.