News briefs for Saturday, September 2, 2023

Crews respond to two fires Saturday morning

11:58 AM

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was in the 400 block of MacGregor Street around 9 a.m. when crews noticed a fire in a vacant building.

Crews called for more units to assist with the blaze and it was under control around 20 minutes later.

Firefighters were also on scene in the 200 block of Dufferin Avenue art 7:49 a.m. responding to a fire in a two-storey townhouse.

The fire was under control at 8:01 a.m.

Both fires are under investigation.

Winnipeg man, 48, facing weapons charges

12:10 PM

A 48-year-old man from Winnipeg is facing various firearms and weapons charges after an incident Friday afternoon.

Winnipeg police say they responded to reports of an “erratic male discharging a firearm” behind a residential property in the 700 block of Logan Avenue.

A suspect was located with a loaded Norinco 9mm handgun in his possession, according to a release Saturday.

The Major Crimes Unit say the suspect arrived at the home of a 31-year-old male victim and went to the backyard. There he allegedly discharged multiple rounds of ammunition which struck the residence and an unoccupied parked vehicle.

Police say the suspect and victim were not known to each other. No one was injured during the incident.

The suspect was detained is custody.

As strike enters second week, MPI calls on union to accept binding arbitration

1:51 PM

As 1,700 Manitoba Government and General Employees Union members prepare to enter a second week of striking, Manitoba Public Insurance is calling on the union to accept binding arbitration.

MPI has fired back stating its offer of 17 per cent over four years could be actioned immediately, according to a release from the crown corporation Saturday. MPI argues the specific issue of general wage increase could be resolved through a fair binding arbitration process.

To mitigate service delays as a result of the strike, MPI says it will be opening one of its Winnipeg locations on Sept. 11 for scheduled hail estimating appointments. Those in need of an appointment are asked to open a claim using MPI’s online claim form.

Two arrested, two wanted in connection to Thompson homicide

4:35 PM

RCMP have arrested and charged two men, and have issued warrants for two others in connection to a shooting at an apartment complex in Thompson Aug. 30.

Investigators say four men became involved in an altercation with two other men at the residence on Ashberry Place, which led to the shooting of a 33-year-old man.

The 33-year-old later succumbed to his injuries.

Mounties arrested and charged Noah Crane, 26, from Oxford House, and David Linklater, 20, from Thompson.

Arrest warrants have been issues for Ashley Clipping, 34, of Winnipeg, and a 16-year-old boy from Oxford House.

RCMP say more information on the wanted teen will be provided as it becomes available.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Valour falls to Pacific out west

5:47 PM

Winnipeg’s pro soccer squad dropped a tight one in Victoria on Saturday.

Valour FC fell 2-1 to Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium, the team’s third consecutive defeat.

Ayman Sellouf scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute for the hosts, less than eight minutes after Matteo Camillo Paul de Brienne pulled Valour into a 1-1 tie.

Valour has just four triumphs and five draws in 22 outings in the 2023 Canadian Premier League season. The team is ahead of only Vancouver FC in the eight-team loop.