News briefs for Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Missing Alberta teen found safe in Interlake

11:17 AM

A missing teen from Alberta has been found safe in Manitoba’s Interlake region.

Preston Bradstock, 15, was reported missing from Sylvan Lake, Alta., near Red Deer, to the local RCMP detachment on July 23.

Mounties said on Monday he had likely travelled to Manitoba.

Bradstock was found safe in Fisher Branch on Tuesday evening, RCMP said Wednesday.

Elections Manitoba workers looking for voters

11:30 AM

Elections Manitoba says it will be knocking on doors in new neighbourhoods and areas where people move a lot to register eligible voters.

Elections Manitoba said on Wednesday its registration agents will be out from Aug. 17 to 24, to register voters for the expected Oct. 3 election and to make sure the permanent voters list is up to date and accurate.

The agents will wear identification and will ask for the name, address and phone number of all eligible voters in the residence.

Besides new neighbourhoods, they will go to apartment blocks and residences near post-secondary campuses.

Manitobans who can vote have to be Canadian citizens, 18 or older before election day, and have lived in the province for at least six months.

Sex crime suspect sought after assault near Health Sciences Centre

12:32 PM

Winnipeg police sex crimes investigators are warning the public to be vigilant while walking near the area around the Health Sciences Centre after a woman was groped on Monday.

The victim, whose age has not been released, reported that she noticed a man following her as she walked west on McDermot Avenue and continued south on Tecumseh Street at about 12:45 p.m.

Police say the suspect then approached her from behind and touched her in an “inappropriate sexual manner” before he walked from the area. She was not hurt physically, police say.

She described the suspect as a black man with an average build, about 5-4 tall with short dreadlocks. The victim was unable to describe what he was wearing, police say.

Police have cautioned people to be particularly aware of their surroundings in the area, which is bordered by William and Notre Dame avenues and Arlington and Sherbrook streets, while the suspect remains at large.

Sex crimes investigators have asked the public to call the unit at 204-986-2987 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 if they have any information on the suspect’s identity.

Collaros non-participant on Wednesday

3:04 PM

According to head coach Mike O’Shea, Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros did not participate in Wednesday’s closed practise at IG Field.

Collaros is nursing a minor neck injury from last week’s game in Edmonton. The Bombers (7-2) head to Calgary tomorrow to take on the Stampeders (3-6) on Friday night.

Wine fest postponed owing to strike

4:49 PM

The ongoing provincial liquor workers’ strike has prompted organizers to postpone this year’s wine festival.

The Winnipeg Wine Festival was initially slated for Sept. 16 to 23. New dates haven’t yet been announced.

Festival organizers announced the decision in a news release Wednesday, saying Special Olympics Manitoba, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and Wines of Argentina decided to postpone because the labour strike situation is “rapidly evolving.”