News briefs for Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Former band office burns

12:17 PM

Two men are facing arson charges after the former band office in Gods Lake Narrows was set on fire Monday.

RCMP were sent to the scene of a disturbance involving two men at the building at about 1:30 p.m.

“It was reported that one male was armed with a weapon and threatening to light the former band office on fire,” RCMP said Wednesday.

The building — a supply storage site that contained historical records — was on fire when officers arrived. The building is believed to be a total loss, RCMP said.

A 39-year-old Gods Lake Narrows man and a 45-year-old Crane River First Nation man have both been charged in connection with the incident.

Police search for ‘persons of interest’ in East Elmwood slaying

12:01 PM

The Winnipeg Police Service is asking for the public’s help in finding three people in connection with a killing in the East Elmwood neighbourhood.

Officers found Joseph Robert Campbell, 24, suffering from serious injuries in the 300 block of Keenleyside Street at about 11:20 p.m. on Oct. 14. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

The homicide unit assumed the investigation. Police have since identified three men who were in the area around the same time and are believed to be “persons of interest,” the WPS said in a news release Wednesday.

The WPS is asking anyone with additional information, video, or tips regarding the identity of the men to call investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).

Peg City Car Co-op to have vehicles at new Forks development

11:46 AM

Peg City Car Co-op will have a permanent presence at The Forks’ new mixed-use development.

The Forks Renewal Corporation will acquire five vehicles for Railside at The Forks. The vehicles will have fixed locations, and two of the five will be fully electric, The Forks announced Wednesday.

Railside at The Forks will see two surface parking lots turn into about 1,200 rental and condo homes, along with green spaces and commercial retail spots.

Adding car-sharing to Railside is part of The Forks’ overall plan to create a sustainable neighbourhood, according to a news release.

Man struck and killed on road in Cranberry Portage

11:29 AM

A 57-year-old man was struck and killed while lying on a rural road late Saturday night, RCMP said.

The collision happened on Lake Trout Bay in Cranberry Portage shortly before 11 p.m.

Officers found the man who had been hit under the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The investigation has determined the male had been lying on the road, in a poorly illuminated area, prior to the collision,” RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.

Teen charged in Chemawawin Cree Nation daycare blaze

11:05 AM

RCMP have charged a youth who’s accused of lighting a daycare centre on fire in Chemawawin Cree Nation.

Mounties in the community, which is about 200 kilometres southeast of The Pas, were called to the burning daycare centre on Airport Road at about 7:50 p.m. on Oct. 18.

The Office of the Fire Commissioner determined the following day that the fire had been intentionally set.

RCMP officers obtained video footage from the daycare, which allegedly showed a youth entering the building after hours. On Oct. 20, a 16-year-old youth was charged with break-and-enter, arson causing damage to property and theft under $5,000. He was remanded into custody and is due in court in The Pas on Thursday.

Winnipeg police officer charged with traffic offences after April collision

10:50 AM

A Winnipeg Police Service officer has been charged with traffic offences after a collision downtown in April.

The Independent Investigation Unit said on Wednesday it had concluded its probe of the April 16 collision between a motorist and police officers in a marked car at Notre Dame Avenue and Donald Street that caused the civilian driver’s rib to be broken.

The IIU, which investigates most serious incidents involving police in the province, said Const. Landan Ramage has been charged with failing to use a siren and failing to drive with due regard to safety under the Highway Traffic Act.

Bombers announce team award winners

10:20 AM

The CFL’s premier running back, Brady Oliveira, has been named the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ most outstanding player and most outstanding Canadian player for the 2023 season.

Oliveira, a Winnipegger, has rushed for 1,498 yards on 252 carries (over 17 games) to lead the league in those categories, and has also scored nine touchdowns on the ground. He has also caught 38 passes for 482 yards and four TDs.

The Bombers also announced their other award winners:

• Most Outstanding Defensive Player: defensive end Willie Jefferson
• Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick
• Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: placekicker Sergio Castillo
• Most Outstanding Rookie: punter Jamieson Sheahan

The voting was conducted by members of the local chapter of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and the league’s head coaches.

Missing Lac la Croix man found safe

8:48 AM

Clifford Whitefish, 77, of Lac la Croix First Nation and who was missing since last Friday, has been safely located, according to the RCMP.

The RCMP thanked the public and the media for their assistance.

Manitobans land nods for Governor General’s Literary Award

7:45 AM

A debut poetry collection by Winnipeg writer Hannah Green has landed on the list of finalists for the 2023 Governor General’s Literary Awards.

Green’s Xanax Cowboy, published in April by House of Anansi Press, is among five books in contention for the prize for poetry. The finalists in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, translated works and drama categories were announced on Wednesday morning; the winners will be announced Wednesday, Nov. 8.

In the drama category, Misipawistik Cree Nation writer and actor Darla Contois from Grand Rapids is among the finalists for the top prize for her play The War Being Waged, published by J. Gordon Shillingford in October 2022.

Another finalist with a Manitoba connection is Winnipeg-born, Ontario-raised and L.A.-based author and illustrator Jon Klassen, whose book The Skull is a finalist in the young people’s literature category for illustrated books.

The winner in each category will receive $25,000; for a complete list of finalists see ggbooks.ca.