News briefs for Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Main Street Project evacuated due to carbon monoxide

9:31 PM

People in the Main Street Project shelter at 637 Main St. were forced to evacuate Tuesday after a buildup of carbon monoxide triggered the alarm system.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said crews responded to a report of a potential fire just before 6 p.m.

While there was no fire, they determined the alarms had been triggered by carbon monoxide.

All occupants were evacuated and the building was ventilated.

The buildup of carbon monoxide is believed to have been caused by the use of diesel-fuelled construction equipment in the building.

Two people were taken to hospital.

Their conditions were not believed to be related to the carbon monoxide buildup, WFPS said.

Man pulled from house fire in Earl Grey

7:49 PM

Witnesses say a man was pulled from a burning house on Lorette Avenue Tuesday.

Neighbours said a couple noticed smoke billowing from 859 Lorette Ave. after 5 p.m. They broke down the door and pulled a man out of the residence minutes before fire crews and police showed up.

As of 6:30 p.m. police and fire inspectors were at the home taking photos.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said later that one individual had been taken to hospital in critical condition

River restaurant relocated

3:49 PM

The uncertain condition of the river ice near The Forks has forced organizers of RAW:Almond to move their pop-up restaurant, which opens Wednesday, on land, according to their Instagram account.

The eatery, which hosts local, national and international chefs through Feb. 18, will be located on the Parks Canada ground next to the Manitoba Children’s Museum. The Nestaweya River Trail, which allows skaters to explore the Red and Assiniboine rivers, remains closed. Visit raw-almond.com for tickets.

Snake killed in St. James house fire

2:11 PM

A pet snake was killed in a fire in St. James on Tuesday morning.

City firefighters were sent to a one-and-a-half storey house in the 200 block of Guildford Street at 7:34 a.m.

They fought the fire from inside and declared it under control at 8:05 a.m.

The occupants of the house, and their dog, got out safely. Firefighters found a pet snake dead inside.

“Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by faulty electrical equipment,” the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said.

Four suspects still sought in Ebb and Flow robbery

1:56 PM

Mounties are still searching for four suspects in connection with a gunpoint robbery at a home in Ebb and Flow First Nation last month.

Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP were sent to the home on Provincial Road 278 at about 2:20 a.m. Dec. 31, where they were told five men armed with guns and bear spray had assaulted four adult residents.

A 33-year-old man was hospitalized in Dauphin before he was sent to Winnipeg, while the other three victims were treated for the effects of bear spray at the scene. The suspects, who arrived in a white pickup truck, stole a vehicle belonging to one of the victims, and both vehicles fled the scene.

RCMP announced on Jan. 2 that they were searching for two identified suspects — Braden Moar, 27, and Mason Moar, 19. The older man was arrested at a home in Ebb and Flow on Jan. 16.

Mason Moar, who is wanted on robbery, aggravated assault and firearms charges, remained at large as of Tuesday afternoon.

RCMP are searching for two other suspects. Richard Ross, a 30-year-old man from Silver Ridge who is also known as Cole Ross, is wanted for aggravated assault, robbery with a firearm, five counts of assault with a weapon, theft and other offences. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

A fourth, unnamed suspect is described as being Indigenous in appearance, with a “39” tattoo between his left thumb and index finger. The identity of the fifth suspect is not known.

RCMP are asking anyone who knows where Mason Moar or Richard Ross is, or can identify the fourth suspect, to call Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP at 204-447-3082 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Jets still waiting on status of Vilardi for matchup with Maple Leafs

1:29 PM

TORONTO – The Winnipeg Jets still aren’t sure if they will get forward Gabriel Vilardi back for Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Vilardi was part of a small group of players who took part in an optional skate on Tuesday in Toronto and he seemed to be skating a bit better after sitting out Monday’s game against the Boston Bruins with a lower-body injury.

“I see that. He was a little stiff to start. By halfway through, he was moving a lot quicker,” said Bowness, whose club is set to close out a three-game road trip.

Jets centre Mark Scheifele shed his non-contact jersey for Tuesday’s session, but remains “day-to-day” and is likely going to miss a fifth consecutive game with a suspected groin injury.

“When you get to this point, you just see how they feel tomorrow and make the decision at that time,” said Bowness.

Laurent Brossoit is scheduled to start in goal against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

Law society seeks to disbar ex-dean of Robson Hall

11:08 AM

The Law Society of Manitoba is requesting the disbarment of an ex-law dean and seeking $36,000 to cover the cost of a recent disciplinary hearing held to weigh accusations of professional misconduct and embezzlement.

Last month, a disciplinary panel concluded Jonathan Black-Branch was guilty of acting without integrity for filing hundreds of phony expense claims and pursuing costly professional development on the university’s dime.

The three-person panel heard arguments in the case against Black-Branch, who oversaw Robson Hall between 2016 and 2020, in autumn at the regulatory college’s headquarters in Winnipeg.

On Tuesday, during a consequences hearing, society representative Rocky Kravetsky recommended the former dean’s license be revoked. “You don’t get to do the kinds of deliberate, planned, morally reprehensible fraudulent things that he did and call yourself a member of this profession,” Kravetsky said.

Man faces charges after foot chase

10:10 AM

A Fairford man is facing charges after a stolen pickup truck was followed by the police helicopter.

Officers spotted a stolen 2016 Ford F150 XLT Supercrew at Selkirk Avenue and McPhillips Street at about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday and followed it from a distance, asking the Air1 helicopter to monitor the truck.

Police said the driver noticed the police presence and sped off, but officers used a stop-stick to partially disable the pickup.

The driver and passenger got out of the truck near Clifton Street and Ellice Avenue and fled on foot.

A man and a woman were arrested hiding in separate yards in the 700 block of Clifton. Officers recovered a sawed-off .22-calibre bolt-action rifle in a backyard, allegedly discarded by the man while he fled.

Stolen licence plates and a stolen reciprocating saw were seized as evidence from the vehicle. The truck had been reported stolen to Steinbach RCMP on Nov. 28.

The female passenger was released without being charged. The 41-year-old man is facing several charges, including impaired driving and possession of a prohibited or restricted gun with ammunition. He was detained in custody.