News briefs for Thursday, August 31, 2023

Orr off to super start at senior golf championship

9:44 AM

Rhonda Orr of Winnipeg’s Southwood course is tied for third place heading into Round 2 of the Canadian senior women’s golf championship in Woodstock, P.E.I.

Orr fired a four-over-par 76 and is four shots back of leader Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. The championship wraps up Friday.

Here are the results of other Manitoba competitors:

• Tammy Gibson (Niakwa) 83
• Susan Wright-Cassan (Emerald Greens) 89
• Lisa Benson (St. Charles) 92
• Heather Shayna (Southwood) 92
• Mary Turner (Players Club) 92

Goldeyes eliminated from playoff contention

9:45 AM

The Winnipeg Goldeyes were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday night.

A 7-4 loss in Sioux Falls sealed the deal.

Winnipeg is now 42-54 and can’t catch the final postseason spot in their division with just four regular-season games remaining, which will all be played in Fargo starting on Friday night.

City library picks Moloney as writer-in-residence

10:55 AM

The Winnipeg Public Library has chosen bestselling author and screenplay writer Susie Moloney as its new writer-in-residence.

The Winnipegger is known for the 1997 horror novel A Dry Spell, but has also published several other novels. Her first feature film screenplay, Bright Hill Road, premiered in 2020 and her latest effort, ROMI, debuted earlier this month at Montreal’s Fantasia Festival.

Manitoba Music hires record exec to top job

11:21 AM

Manitoba Music has named Vanessa Kuzina, most recently with Six Shooter Records, as its new executive director.

Kuzina, who begins the job Sept. 11, was director of artist management for the Toronto-based label, which represents Manitoba artists such as William Prince, Boy Golden and Whitehorse. She had also been on Manitoba Music’s board of directors from 2013 to 2019.

She has more than 16 years of experience in the music industry, which includes being a member of the roots group Oh My Darling.

IIU investigating after man suffers broken ribs during arrest

11:29 AM

The Independent Investigation Unit is investigating after a man suffered three broken ribs while being arrested in Dauphin on Tuesday.

RCMP told the IIU on Wednesday that officers spotted a man on a motorcycle driving dangerously and at a high rate of speed on Highway 5 near Dauphin the day before. Officers were unable to stop the driver until more police units arrived.

The IIU said “a use of force encounter” happened during the arrest. The driver was treated at the scene and taken to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre. A police dog was used to restrain and control the man, but no serious injuries resulted from that, the IIU said.

The IIU is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage that might help investigators to call the IIU at 1-844-667-6060.

Police ID suspect in alleged arson at Winnipeg church

11:33 AM

Winnipeg police believe they have determined the identity of a suspect in a fire that destroyed an Elmwood church last week.

Police posted on social media Thursday morning saying they now knew the identity of a person in photos released on the weekend in connection with two fires at the Tweed Avenue church on Aug. 22 and 23, as well as a fire in a shed on Harbison Avenue on Aug. 22.

A photo of then-unknown suspect was released by police on Aug. 26.

“Update: Suspect Identified,” police posted Thursday on social media. “Thank you for your assistance in this matter.”

Fall leisure guide sign-up coming soon

12:00 PM

Winnipeggers can soon sign up for swimming lessons and other city-run activities.

The city released its fall leisure guide on Thursday, with registration beginning Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. for Winnipeggers and Sept. 14 at 8 a.m. for non-residents.

Folks can sign up for activities online or by calling 311.

One-day, in-person registration is also available at Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex (on Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to noon only), while sign ups can occur at 395 Main St., 170 Goulet St. and any city indoor pool during regular operating hours.

School-zone speed limits start Friday

12:07 PM

Reduced speed limits in school zones resume in Winnipeg and other municipalities on Friday.
Friday is the first day of September.

The maximum speed limit of 30 km/h is in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays — including holidays — from September through June.

NDP promises ‘Centre of Excellence’ at Concordia

1:28 PM

The Manitoba NDP is promising to create a “Centre of Excellence” for hip and knee replacements at a reopened Concordia Hospital ER.

Party leader Wab Kinew made the pre-campaign pledge Thursday afternoon.

Kinew is promising to improve surgical capacity at Concordia by focusing on recovery. Within six months of the NDP forming government if elected, Kinew said the plan is to establish six beds for step-down units for post-op patients and increase the number of nurses working in post-op care.

The ER would be reopened after the NDP recruits more nurses. Kinew has promised to hire 300 additional nurses the party says left Manitoba’s workforce under the Progressive Conservative government.

Man charged in hammer incident in The Pas

3:01 PM

A man is facing charges after The Pas RCMP said he tried to hit passing vehicles with a hammer.
The incident happened on 7th Street at about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Officers found a suspect in the middle of the street. He fled on foot, police said, but was arrested after a brief pursuit.

Police searched the man and seized a knife, pepper-spray and a hammer.

The 22-year-old resident of The Pas has been charged with three counts each of possession of a weapon and failing to comply, and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon.

He was released from custody, with conditions, on a release order.

Man, 33, fatally shot at Thompson home

3:18 PM

RCMP are investigating after a man was fatally shot in Thompson on Wednesday night.

Mounties were sent to a home on Ashberry Place at about 7:30 p.m. and found 33-year-old man who had been shot.

He was transported to hospital, where he died from his injuries.