News briefs for Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Bombers sign Prukop, release Pigrome

8:32 AM

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have brought back a familiar face, inking QB Dakota Prukop to a one-year contract on Tuesday.

Prukop, 29, spent the 2022 CFL season with the Bombers as their short-yardage QB, but opted to sign this year with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL. He was released last week, creating speculation that a return to Winnipeg might be imminent.

To make room for Prukop, the Bombers cut QB Tyrrell Pigrome. Pigrome had impressed during the preseason but struggled with short-yardage duties in the regular season, ultimately leading to his release.

Shotgun seized after man spotted carrying firearm in Cross Lake

11:57 AM

RCMP in Cross Lake arrested a man accused of carrying a stolen shotgun around the small community in broad daylight.

Mounties were called about the man at about 12:30 p.m. Friday and quickly began patrolling, RCMP said Tuesday.

Officers spotted a suspect running towards a home, which they surrounded and then searched. RCMP found a suspect hiding in the basement and arrested him, seizing the shotgun. Mounties said the gun had been reported stolen earlier that day.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, weapon possession contrary to an order and possession of a weapon obtained by crime. He was held in custody.

Brandon police, bylaw officers chasing moose on loose

12:34 PM

A moose is on the loose in Brandon.

Bylaw officers and police in the western Manitoba city are trying to corral the wild moose that had wandered into the west end of the community, the Brandon Police Service said in a social media post Tuesday morning.

“We would like to ask everyone to please stay clear of the area while we try to safely move the animal along,” the BPS said.

Jets 2023-24 schedule released

2:25 PM

The Winnipeg Jets now have dates, times and opponents for the 2023-24 regular-season after the 82-game schedule was released Tuesday afternoon.

Winnipeg will start the campaign on Oct. 11 in Calgary against the Flames.

That will be followed by three straight at Canada Life Centre, beginning with the home opener on Saturday Oct. 14 against the Florida Panthers. It’s a 3 p.m. puck drop that day.

Visits from the Los Angeles Kings and Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights will follow.

Winnipeg ends the season on April 18 at home against the Vancouver Canucks.

Missing man last seen in Wolseley area

2:41 PM

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

Eric Black, 36, was last “heard from” in the Wolseley area on the morning of June 17, the Winnipeg Police Service said Tuesday.

He is described as 5-6 with a stocky build, blond hair in a brush cut, and blue eyes.

Police are concerned about his well-being and are asking anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to call the WPS missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.

Body found in Saskatchewan River likely tied to The Pas missing person probe

3:28 PM

RCMP in The Pas say the body of a man found dead in the Saskatchewan River is likely related to an ongoing missing person investigation.

Mounties say the body was found in the river, which runs between The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation, at about 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

The victim has not yet been positively identified, RCMP say, but they believe it’s tied to the missing person probe.

Mounties say an autopsy is pending and local officers, along with the chief medical examiner’s office, are investigating.

Missing Thompson woman found safe

3:35 PM

A Thompson woman who was reported missing last week has been found safe, RCMP say.

Alexis Dick, 26, was reported missing from a home on Nickel Road in the northern city on June 22. Mounties put out a public request for helping locating her on Monday.

On Tuesday afternoon, RCMP announced she had been located.