CMU suspends in-person classes for two weeks

CMU suspends in-person classes for two weeks

Winnipeg’s code-red pandemic restrictions have put Canadian Mennonite University’s in-person classes on hold.

The university began the academic year with a hybrid model of in-person and online classes, said Terry Schellenberg, vice-president external.

“We knew from the start that could change” depending on the situation he said, adding things “were set up for us to shift, to pivot quickly at a moment’s notice. Code red is that moment.”

Although CMU has not experienced a single case of the novel coronavirus, it decided to shut down in-person classes for two weeks, “in order to do our part not to feed the spread of COVID on our campus or in the community,” he said.

Police search for suspect in random Wolseley sex assault

Winnipeg police are looking for a male suspect after a woman reported being sexually assaulted and robbed at random in Wolseley.

The incident happened near Canora Street and Picardy Place, close to Vimy Ridge Park, at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

The woman told police she walked southbound on Toronto Street and crossed Portage Avenue, near Picardy, when she was grabbed by a shirtless stranger.

He threatened to harm her if she screamed, and pulled her into an alcove where he choked, sexually assaulted and robbed her.

Cab companies hailed for improved Indigenous relations

Three taxi drivers have been fired and others suspended without pay since a zero-tolerance policy for mistreatment of Indigenous passengers was implemented by Winnipeg’s two largest cab companies.

Unicity Taxi and Duffy’s Taxi began working with the guidance of an Indigenous-led safety committee to improve driver-passenger interactions in 2022, including the filming of a series of training videos and building in-depth policies in response to passengers’ complaints.

At a Thursday event to recognize the action group, leaders from both companies said there’s been a sharp decline in the number of complaints.

Unicity Taxi manager Abhishek Tara said three of their drivers have been fired since they adopted the zero-tolerance policy, which commits to investigating complaints of harassment, violence, abusive language and racism against passengers. Each vehicle is equipped with video and audio surveillance that’s accessible only to police and the city’s vehicles for hire department.

Safety assessment planned following drownings

The Manitoba government will conduct an assessment of high-risk trails and areas in its parks system following the drownings of two siblings at Nutimik Lake in the Whiteshell.

Environment Minister Mike Moyes has ordered his department to identify high-risk areas after Maximo Au Ramirez, 10, slipped on rocks near Sturgeon Falls and fell in the lake Saturday. His brother, Aaron Au Ramirez, 13, went in to try to save him.

The body of Aaron was recovered Thursday evening, 24 hours after his brother’s body was found Wednesday.

“We have a lot of beautiful parks and spaces, but to flag any areas that could need greater improvements for safety, and so we’re going to take a really comprehensive approach to ensuring that Manitobans can enjoy nature, but do it in a way that’s safe,” Moyes said Thursday.

Body of younger brother found in Nutimik Lake on fifth day of search

The body of a 10-year-old boy — one of two brothers presumed drowned — has been recovered from Nutimik Lake.