News briefs for Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Missing senior last seen in Heritage Park area

8:49 AM

City police are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing senior.

Albert Fleury, 74, was last seen in the Heritage Park area on Monday, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release shortly after midnight Tuesday.

He is described as 5-9 in height, with a thin build and longer white hair.

He was last seen wearing a black puffer jacket, a white belt and shoes with grey shoelaces.

Fleury is considered a vulnerable person, the news release states. The WPS is asking anyone with information about Fleury’s location to call the missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.

Vehicle shot at in West End

10:19 AM

Winnipeg police are investigating after a vehicle was shot at in the city’s West End Monday evening.

Officers were called to the 600 block of Maryland Avenue for a report of gunshots at about 7 p.m.

One vehicle was damaged, Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Claude Chancy said, but no one was hurt physically.

Major crimes police officers are leading the investigation and have not yet identified any suspects. Chancy said he had no further information to provide early Tuesday.

City staff now trained to use opioid overdose reversing drug

11:09 AM

Staffers in some City of Winnipeg facilities have learned how to administer an opioid overdose reversing drug as part of their first-aid training.

The city said Tuesday staff at recreation and leisure centres, indoor pools, fitness centres and libraries are now able to use nasal-spray naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose temporarily and restore breathing, as part of their standard first aid procedures.

“Opioids continue to be a significant public health concern and increasing access to naloxone will save lives,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a statement.

Missing senior found

12:25 PM

A missing senior last seen in the Heritage Park area on Monday has been found, police said Tuesday afternoon.

The Winnipeg Police Service asked for the public’s help in finding Albert Fleury, 74, shortly after midnight Tuesday.

Fleury was considered a vulnerable person.

Heinola returns to lineup as Jets begin road trip

1:45 PM

DETROIT — Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ville Heinola will return to the lineup after two straight healthy scratches as the club begins a three-game road trip in Detroit.

Heinola will take the spot of Dylan Samberg.

There could be another lineup change, as forward Kevin Stenlund is a game-time decision due to illness. Forward David Gustafsson would take his spot if he can’t go.

Kyle Capobianco will be the other scratch.

Connor Hellebuyck starts in goal as the Jets look to extend a season-high five-game winning streak. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. CT.

Balloon of meth found after Selkirk hitchhiker arrest

2:43 PM

Selkirk RCMP arrested a hitchhiker wanted on warrants who’s accused of swallowing methamphetamine as an attempt to smuggle the drugs into a prison.

Mounties on patrol on Selkirk’s Main Street at around 3:25 a.m. Monday were flagged down by a driver, who said he’d picked up a hitcher who was causing a disturbance and refusing to get out of his car.

Officers confirmed the man’s identity and discovered he was wanted on several warrants. He was arrested and taken to the local detachment, RCMP said. Mounties suspected he swallowed drugs to smuggle them, as he “repeatedly asked to be taken” to a certain undisclosed prison.

Officers took him to hospital, where he passed a balloon with 34 grams of meth stuffed inside, Mounties said. A 26-year-old Anola man is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and was remanded into custody.

Police oversight agency investigating after man fleeing RCMP dies

4:42 PM

A 29-year-old man who fled from RCMP in a rural area south of Crane River later died of suspected hypothermia in the woods.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, which probes all serious police incidents in the province, are looking into the man’s death.

RCMP reported the incident to the civilian agency on Jan. 6. Officers responding to a call for service on Dec. 30 found a “suspect vehicle” in the ditch of Provincial Road 481 south of Crane River and arrested three of its occupants, while the fourth man ran.

On Jan. 4, the man was reported missing, but Mounties patrolling in the area that day didn’t find him, the IIU said. On Jan. 5, RCMP went back to the road where he was last seen and found him dead.

The IIU has asked for anyone with information on the incident or video footage to call the agency at 1-844-667-6060.

Heinola, Stenlund scratched for Jets due to illness

5:55 PM

DETROIT — A pair of Winnipeg Jets players won’t suit up tonight as they battle a non-COVID illness.

Defenceman Ville Heinola and forward Kevin Stenlund are both sidelined as the club opens a three-game road trip against the Detroit Red Wings. Dylan Samberg and David Gustafsson will take their spots in the lineup.

Kyle Capobianco is the lone healthy scratch for Winnipeg, which is looking to win a sixth straight game.