News briefs for Friday, October 20, 2023

One killed in boat crash on Island Lake

2:37 PM

A man was found dead after a boat collision on Island Lake on Thursday night.

RCMP were sent to the scene, between Stevenson Island and Garden Hill First Nation, at about 8:10 p.m.

They were told two boats had collided about 30 feet from shore and that both drivers went into the water. The drivers were swimming towards shore when one went under and wasn’t seen again.

The 44-year-old driver who made it to shore was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, RCMP said. A search continued for the other person, a 51-year-old man, into the night.

The search continued Friday morning, and the man’s body was found at about 8:35 a.m.

Island Lake RCMP are investigating the incident.

Bloodvein RCMP seek shooting suspects

2:16 PM

Bloodvein RCMP are searching for a woman accused in a shooting in the First Nation on Tuesday night.

RCMP were sent to a reported shooting at a home in Bloodvein First Nation, about 280 kilometres north of Winnipeg, at about 11:15 p.m. Monday.

Mounties said officers found a 22-year-old man who had been shot. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. RCMP believe three people, two women and a man, went to the victim’s home and tried to force their way in before firing a shot at him.

RCMP arrested a 26-year-old woman and charged her with aggravated assault, three firearms offences and four counts of fail to comply.

A second female suspect, Tashianna Hamilton, 20, is wanted on a warrant for three firearms offences and aggravated assault. Mounties think she might have left Bloodvein.

RCMP said Hamilton is 5-4 in height and about 110 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She should be considered armed and dangerous, RCMP said. Police are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to call 911.

Mounties are also seeking information on the third suspect, a man, and ask anyone with a tip to call the Bloodvein detachment at 204-395-2020 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

MMF unveils billboard, reward to help find long-missing child

1:57 PM

The Manitoba Métis Federation and family of a boy who went missing more than 23 years ago have unveiled a sign offering a reward for the discovery of his body.

Marcus McKay, eight-years-old at the time, went missing while his family were hunting near the Town of Mallard on July 15, 2000.

A family member had just shot a deer in the area, which is near the southern tip of Waterhen Lake in the province’s northwest, and the boy was waiting by the carcass while his family went to get the rest of the hunting party. He hasn’t been seen since, despite an intensive search at the time.

On Friday, MMF officials announced the Métis government would offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of McKay.

The MMF directed anyone with information to call RCMP or their local police, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Justice minister to discuss MPI’s board of directors at news conference

11:43 AM

Manitoba’s justice minister is holding a news conference about Manitoba Public Insurance’s board of directors on Friday afternoon.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe is set to speak to reporters at the Manitoba Legislative Building at 3 p.m. The news conference had been scheduled for 11:30 a.m. but was postponed shortly before it was set to start.

The news conference comes after Premier Wab Kinew promised changes to the boards of provincial Crown corporations — starting with strike-affected MPI — following the first meeting of the new NDP cabinet on Thursday.

The ongoing labour dispute involving some 1,700 unionized workers at MPI began Aug. 28. It is the first strike in the public auto insurer’s 52-year history, and came on the heels of a six-week Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. strike that ended Aug. 27.

One hospitalized, many displaced in Furby Street apartment fire

9:33 AM

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic service crews had to rush one person to hospital in unstable condition after a fire in a West End apartment building Thursday evening left more than two dozen people temporarily homeless.

Firefighters were called to the three-storey building at 583 Furby St. at 8:21 p.m., where they found smoke billowing from the apartment, WFPS said on Friday morning. Crews got the fire under control by about 9 p.m.

Most of the building’s residents got out before crews arrived, but firefighters needed to assist one person in evacuating. Paramedics assessed several residents at the scene and sent the one person to hospital.

The building’s approximately 28 residents weren’t able to return to their suites, as the apartment block was extensively damaged by smoke and water, the fire service said. The city’s emergency social services team helped to find them a place to stay.

Firefighters also evacuated several animals and city animal services as well as the Winnipeg Humane Society came to the scene to help care for the pets.