News briefs for June 2, 2020

Brandon University is the latest local post-secondary institute to roll-out a fall semester of e-learning. 

A press release states in-person instruction will be limited to where it is necessary to avoid potential mid-term disruptions as a result of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. A limited number of classes, labs, studios and practicums may be held in person. 

The decision to plan for a mostly online term gives students, faculty and staff certainty, the release states; employees are still being encouraged to work from home. Meanwhile, the school anticipates advising and educational library services will continue to be largely offered online while residence and food services will reopen in a limited capacity in September.

A man was arrested Monday for assaulting the chief of Birdtail Sioux First Nation.

Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers were called to the First Nation at 12 p.m. after the chief was involved in a verbal dispute outside the band office with a community member.

The band member allegedly attacked, punched and kicked the victim several times and then fled the scene, according to a press release.

The chief was taken to hospital for treatment. The suspect was found about two hours later and arrested. A 39-year-old man from Birdtail Sioux First Nation has been charged with two counts of assault and was released on a promise to appear in court.

A 16-year-old girl named Roberta Jonah Sumner has been missing since May 25, and RCMP in St. Pierre-Jolys are asking for public assistance in finding her.

Sumner was last seen on Redwood Avenue in Winnipeg, when she was dropped off to visit a friend and failed to return home. She is 5-foot-4, weighing 155 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. 

The City of Winnipeg is reopening 18 of its 21 stand-alone spray pads Wednesday and three of its libraries on June 8. 

The Old Ex and St. James Assiniboia Centennial spray pads remain closed while the province uses these sites as COVID-19 testing facilities. An opening date for the Shaughnessy spray pad has not been set due to necessary maintenance.  

Spray pads are free of charge and open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., including holidays. Usage is at residents’ own risk as the city will not be sanitizing facilities and onsite washrooms will not be open.

The Millennium, Henderson and Pembina Trail libraries will open on Monday for pick-up service on held books only. 

Public health officials say they’ve identified two new cases of the coronavirus in Manitoba, bringing the total number to 297.

The province did not provide any information about the two positive tests in a brief press release. Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, did not schedule a news conference today.

Before today, the three most recent COVID cases in Manitoba were related to travel, including one involving a temporary foreign worker in the Southern Region, part of a group of such workers who are now in self-isolation.

As has been the case in recent days, there are no Manitobans in hospital with COVID-19. On Monday, an additional 406 laboratory tests for the virus were performed.

Two men and two women have been arrested after RCMP found drugs during a search of a residence in Powerview-Pine Falls on Saturday.

Powerview RCMP said on Tuesday that the search at about 9 p.m. found about 28 grams of methamphetamine as well as heroin, psilocybin, prescription medication, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Two Powerview-Pine Falls men, aged 51 and 32, and two Sagkeeng First Nation women, aged 32 and 28, are facing charges of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The case is still under investigation.

Manitoba will be distributing $120 million to recognize the risks taken by front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province is collaborating with the federal government on a cost-sharing program to recognize front-line workers who put their own health at risk to keep others safe and provide crucial services during the COVID-19 pandemic

A one-time, income-tested payment will be made to eligible low-income front-line workers, with consideration given to the added risk due to COVID-19 and interaction with the public including clients, patients and inmates, a government news release said. Eligible public- and private-sector positions include the areas of health care, social services, justice, transportation and essential retail, food and beverage. 
 
The payment is available to workers employed on a part-time or full-time basis from March 20 until May 29, who either worked a minimum 200 cumulative hours (or would have worked that amount but were required to self-isolate under public health orders). An employee’s total pre-tax employment income during the eligibility period must be less than $6,250 ($2,500 per month for 2.5 months) and they cannot be enrolled in the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Northbound Watt Street between Harbison Avenue West and Munroe Avenue will be closed to motorists for water main renewal work between June 3 and July 31. 

One lane of Watt headed southbound will remain open during construction.

Lake Manitoba First Nation has delayed the powwow it planned for this month into late July, after Premier Brian Pallister objected to the plan as it would violate COVID-19-related restrictions.

"What I don’t want is division in my community," Chief Cornell McLean told the Free Press Tuesday morning. "We’d rather keep the members safe and not lose any sleep."

The band originally scheduled its powwow for the June 19 weekend; it decided Monday to move it to July 24 instead.

The province limits outdoor gatherings to 50 people. McLean expects at least one hundred dancers and more attendees, but says there are protocols to avoid the spread. He said spiritual ceremonies can help people cope with the pandemic instead of turning to drugs.

The Trudeau government has said it won’t intervene in Indigenous gatherings, while the Manitoba and Saskatchewan premiers say spiritual events must follow public-health guidance.

Winnipegosis RCMP are investigating the homicide of a man who was injured on the Skownan First Nation.

Police have not named the victim, a 31-year-old man, who was transported to hospital yesterday morning and later died of his injuries. 

The Skownan First Nation is located about 280 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. 

Cottagers and summer residents in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority may not be able to accesss home-care services owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority is advising seasonal residents that home-care staff in the area have been shifted to support requirements under the Public Health Act and the province’s pandemic response.

The home care program in IERHA is only now starting to resume services. 

Home care case coordinators will consider requests from seasonal residents on a case-by-case basis and they will not be able to accommodate all requests, according to a news release. If home-care services are provided, they may not be at the same level of care or service provided in prior years. 

Manitobans who travel to summer residences are asked to arrange their own care if the health authority cannot offer services. 

Winnipeg Police say 30-year-old Sonya Duck, previously reported missing, has been safely found.

Police previously announced Duck had last been seen on May 28 in Winnipeg’s West End.

No injuries reported after fire crews responded to a blaze in the rear of a commercial building on Main Street Monday evening. 

The Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic service (WFPS) was called to reports of a fire in the 900 block of Main Street around 5:30 p.m. on Monday night, the WFPS reported Tuesday.

Crews encountered heavy black smoke from an attached garage, worked to bring the fire under control shortly after 6 p.m. and ventilated smoke from the commercial building, reports said.

No occupants were found in the building and no injuries were reported. The WFPS said the cause of the fire is under investigation, and there are no damage estimates to report.