News briefs for Thursday, March 21, 2024

Jets downed 4-1 by Devils

8:57 PM

NEWARK — A three-game winning streak has come to an end for the Winnipeg Jets.

They fell 4-1 on Thursday night to the New Jersey Devils.

Jack Hughes scored twice, while Nico Hischier and Timo Meier (into an empty-net) had the others for the home team. Nikolaj Ehlers had the lone goal for Winnipg.

The Devils went 3-for-4 on the power play, while the Jets went 0-for-4.

Winnipeg is now 44-20-5, including 2-1-0 on this five-game road trip. It continues on Saturday afternoon against the New York Islanders, then wraps up Sunday afternoon against the Washington Capitals.

One killed in Barren Lands house fire

3:12 PM

One person is dead after a house fire in Barren Lands First Nation.

Thompson rural RCMP were told at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday that three people had been inside the home and that one, a male, was unaccounted for.

Firefighters were able to enter the home hours later, at about 3:30 a.m., and found the dead male’s body.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, RCMP said.

Lockdown at Gordon Bell High School ends, ‘no threat’ to students: police

3:06 PM

Gordon Bell High School was locked down Thursday afternoon after city police were given information about a student who might have a gun but was not on site.

Police were sent to the school at about 2:10 p.m.

The Winnipeg Police Service determined before 3 p.m. that there was “no threat” to the school or students. Officers spoke to the youth, who is not facing any charges.

The Free Press has reached out to the Winnipeg School Division regarding the lockdown.

Thompson man, 40, missing since Monday

1:48 PM

RCMP are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing Thompson man.

RCMP were contacted late Monday night about 40-year-old Adolph Dumas. He was last seen that evening near a business on Churchill Drive in Thompson.

Mounties are concerned for the man’s well-being, they said in a news release Thursday.

Police have checked at several addresses where Dumas might be in the northern Manitoba city but haven’t found him.

Thompson RCMP said they believe Dumas is still in the community. They are asking anyone who knows where he is to call them at 204-677-6909 or 204-677-6911, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Man charged in mall thefts

12:25 PM

Police have linked a man arrested for stealing sunglasses from Outlet Collection Winnipeg to previous mall thefts.

Officers were sent to the Sterling Lyon Parkway mall at about 2 p.m. Wednesday and saw a suspect fleeing.

Police followed on foot, tracked a suspect to the 1700 block of Taylor Avenue and arrested him. The Winnipeg Police Service said officers found three pairs of sunglasses valued at about $1,400 in his possession.

Police have since linked the man to 10 previous thefts at the same mall, Polo Park and St. Vital Centre. He stole a total of more than $16,400 in products, including sunglasses, watches and clothing, the WPS said.

A 26-year-old Winnipeg man was charged with 11 counts of theft under $5,000 and detained in custody.

Transportation advocates slam Via on Churchill route

12:08 PM

A citizen-based sustainable transportation advocacy group has slammed Via Rail for its shoddy service on the Winnipeg-to-Churchill route.

Transport Action Canada says it is unacceptable that dining options on the three-day trip are now limited to pre-prepared microwaved food, even though those trains typically have a Skyline car with a kitchen. They say travelers are forced to bring their own food.

A spokesman for the group said that the meal service on that route is the worst in the Via network.

The group is also calling for more sleeper cars noting that the service is down to one sleeper car whereas before the pandemic there were three.

In a letter to Via’s CEO, the group said its concerns about the route are crucial to the Northern tourism industry, “who must plan and market trips well in advance.”