News briefs for Monday, December 12, 2022

Canadian defensive tackle Jake Thomas has re-signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on a one-year deal.

Thomas was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Thomas, the team’s longest-serving player, returns for his 11th season in blue and gold.

In 2022, Thomas registered four quarterback sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He has not missed a single game in the last five seasons and has missed just seven games in his entire career.

The Millennium Library will be closed Monday and Tuesday after a fatal stabbing that took place Sunday afternoon.

The city did not mention the incident in a tweet this morning announcing the closure.

“We apologize for any inconvenience,” the tweet said.

The Winnipeg Police Service said Monday morning that there was a “stabbing incident” at the library at about 4:40 p.m. Sunday. The WPS will be release more information about the incident later in the day.

A 26-year-old woman from Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation has been killed, and another 26-year-old woman is charged with second-degree murder.

Police are still investigating the homicide.

Virden RCMP received a report of a stabbing at a home on the First Nation around 12:20 a.m. Dec. 10. The victim was pronounced dead on scene.

The investigation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Rennie Kristyna Williams, from Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation. Williams was charged with second degree murder.

She was remanded into custody for a court appearance scheduled for Dec. 12 in Brandon, RCMP stated in a news release.  

Three male youths have been arrested after a man was fatally stabbed at the Millennium Library on Sunday afternoon.

The incident happened at 4:40 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service said.

The victim was an adult man. He was transported to hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

The library closed early on Sunday and will remain closed Monday and Tuesday because of the incident.

Manitoba’s largest post-secondary institute is again extending its mask mandate — one of few remaining — to limit transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses on its campuses. 

The University of Manitoba’s leader announced Monday that the requirement to wear face coverings inside buildings will remain in place at the start of the winter term. 

“Though we know a mask mandate can’t continue indefinitely, we also know that COVID and other respiratory infection cases are high and putting significant strain on our health care system,” wrote Michael Benarroch, president and vice-chancellor, in a notice. “Masks are among the most effective public health tools to reduce transmission, and use is far greater when supported by a mandate.”

Benarroch indicated the decision was made after consulting with public health experts and school community members, many of whom back the policy “to support a safe in-person environment.”

An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested after a woman in her 20s was stabbed and robbed early Saturday morning, Winnipeg police say.

At about 12:45 a.m. Saturday, police on patrol near Keewatin Street and Logan Avenue spotted the woman, injured, in a back lane. They gave her medical care before she was taken to hospital in stable condition, police say.

The victim told police she was in the area when a man confronted her, stabbing her and robbing her of her property before running away. Police found a suspect at a home on the 2000 block of Gallagher Avenue, where they also seized a knife, at about 2:30 a.m.

An 18-year-old man from Winnipeg is charged with robbery, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon. He was detained.

A “motor vehicle incident” has shuttered westbound Highway 1.

The provincial government’s road information service said the highway’s westbound lane, from Highway 11 to the Pine Grove Rest Stop about 26 kilometres east of Richer, is closed.

There’s no word yet on when the highway will reopen.

A man is dead after he was struck by a train in southern Manitoba Saturday.

Morris RCMP officers were called to railway tracks in Dominion City just before 10 a.m. Saturday, where a body had been found.

Mounties and emergency medical workers found the victim, a 30-year-old man from nearby Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, and pronounced him dead at the scene.

RCMP said their initial investigation suggests the man was hit by a train sometime overnight. Mounties and the Canadian Pacific Railway are still investigating.

A 26-year-old woman from Reinfeld is dead after a collision south of Roland on Friday.

Pembina Valley RCMP were called to the two-vehicle collision on Provincial Road 428, about three kilometres south of Roland, at about 5:30 p.m.

Mounties said a southbound pickup truck, driven by a 62-year-old man from Winkler, was passing two vehicles when he collided with a vehicle driving north.

The 26-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, while the truck driver was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. RCMP are still investigating.

RCMP have arrested a 15-year-old boy allegedly involved in a out-of-control house party in East St. Paul in late October.

The teen is the fifth arrested in the incident on Oct. 29 on Saddleridge Lane that culminated in police officers being verbally assaulted while suspects did serious damage to their vehicles.

The 15-year-old from Winnipeg was arrested last Thursday. He’s facing a charge of mischief and was released ahead of his first court date, scheduled for March 7 next year.