News briefs for Thursday, February 27, 2025

Predators snap Jets’ winning streak

9:54 PM

NASHVILLE – The franchise-record winning streak has finally come to an end.

The Winnipeg Jets got another strong goaltending performance from Eric Comrie, but special teams let them down in a 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

The Jets’ league-leading power play has been flat since returning from the break and that trend continued on a night the team went zero-for-five with the man-advantage. Winnipeg is now zero-for-14 during the past four outings.

For the second time in as many games, the Jets were unable to cash in on a lengthy five-on-three that lasted one minute and 54 seconds.

To compound matters, the Predators got a power-play marker from Tommy Novak for what was the game-winning goal.

Neal Pionk scored the lone marker for the Jets, who got 28 saves from Comrie.

Juuse Saros made 23 saves for the Predators.

After rattling off 11 consecutive victories, the Jets slipped to 42-15-3 for the season and they’ll host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday at Canada Life Centre.

Fifth person charged in slaying

3:26 PM

Police have charged a fifth person in connection with a July homicide, and upgraded charges against another.

Dregus Daniel Young, 24, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Ashley Isabella Murdock of Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation (Jackhead). She was found dead in an apartment complex on the 300 block of Kennedy Street on July 5.

Kenneth Walter Young, 28, was arrested in July and charged with accessory to murder but is now charged with first-degree murder, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Thursday.

Kelly Marie Kroeker, 32, was charged with second-degree murder in July, while Devon Charlie Colomb, 26, and Charles Harold Wood, 38, were charged with accessory to murder that month.

Brandon police officer charged in 2023 collision

2:36 PM

A Brandon police officer has been charged with two offences after a fleeing suspect was struck by a cruiser car in 2023.

The incident happened shortly after 4:20 p.m. on Sept. 24 of that year, after police were called about a man reportedly trying to attempt arson.

The man fled, and the police car hit him in front of the Brandon Police Service headquarters.

He was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital, where it was determined he had a broken arm.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said in a news release Thursday it has determined that the officer driving the car should be charged. Const. Myran Hamm faces charges of assault causing bodily harm and dangerous driving causing bodily harm, another Criminal Code offence.

Hamm has acted as a media spokesman for the BPS.

A video of the incident shared on social media that fall shows a man being pursued by police running onto the street. An officer in a cruiser appears to intercept the man by swerving into him, the Brandon Sun reported.

A pickup truck obscures the video during the moment of contact between the man and the cruiser, though the man’s body can be seen bouncing off the pavement and then lying on the ground until officers surround him.

Low to moderate flood risk for Manitoba

1:04 PM

The risk of significant flooding in Manitoba this spring is low to moderate, the province says.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre released its February flood outlook Thursday and noted there is a moderate risk of flooding along the Red, Assiniboine and Pembina rivers. There is also a moderate risk for the Fisher and Icelandic rivers in the Interlake.

The risk of flooding is low for the Roseau, Rat, Saskatchewan and Churchill rivers.

The province noted the flood risk depends on weather conditions from now until the spring melt.

Cutting and breaking of ice is underway on the Red River to reduce ice jam-related flooding, the province said. The Icelandic River will be targeted next.

The next flood update is expected in late March.

Bus driver assaulted, man arrested

12:34 PM

A 38-year-old man faces charges after a bus driver was assaulted.

Winnipeg Police Service officers were sent to Cavalier Drive and Hamilton Avenue at 1 a.m. Thursday, found a suspect near a Winnipeg Transit bus and arrested him.

Police said the man had been travelling on the bus and began to cause a disturbance. The situation escalated to the point where the accused threatened and assaulted the driver, the WPS said.

Police found a small utility knife on the man while searching him.

The driver, 35, suffered minor injuries “to his upper body,” police said in a news release. He did not require medical attention.

The accused faces charges of assault, uttering threats, possession of a weapon and failing to comply with conditions of a release order.

The man was detained in custody.

Deal reached to improve access to drugs for rare diseases

11:33 AM

Ottawa and the province of Manitoba have signed an agreement to improve access to new drugs for rare diseases.

The $48-million, three-year National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Disease deal will support enhanced access to existing drugs, early diagnosis and screening for rare diseases, a news release said.

The federal government announced an investment of up to $1.5 billion over three years to support the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Disease in March 2023.

Senior robbed, injured in Exchange District

11:19 AM

A Winnipeg senior was hospitalized after a daytime robbery Tuesday.

City police were sent to the 300 block of William Avenue at about 12:45 p.m. and found an 83-year-old woman on the ground suffering injuries to her “lower body,” the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release.

The victim was taken to hospital in stable condition, where she remained Thursday morning, police said.

The major crimes unit is investigating.

On Saturday, police announced charges against a 49-year-old man accused of randomly assaulting a 70-year-old woman in the downtown skywalk system on the morning of Feb. 21.

The woman was bodychecked by the man, fell to the ground and was injured, the WPS said previously. Off-duty officers observed the incident and arrested the man.

Feds announce $10M for Women’s Health Clinic 

11:17 AM

The federal government will provide the Women’s Health Clinic with $10 million to upgrade its building.

“Funding will support critical upgrades to the clinic’s aging mechanical, electrical and elevator systems,” and will reduce carbon emissions, a news release said.

“These improvements will ensure the clinic can continue delivering essential services in a safer, more sustainable environment and can fully meet accessibility needs for anyone WHC may serve in the future.”

The clinic reopened Tuesday after a week of disruptions related to a broken boiler and burst pipes. The clinic’s aging infrastructure has long been an issue for the clinic.

Man found slain on Magnus Avenue 

9:40 AM

Police are investigating the city’s latest homicide after a man was found dead in a Magnus Avenue home Tuesday afternoon.

Officers were sent to the home on the 500 block at about 3 p.m.

Police identified the victim as a former Winnipeg resident, 35-year-old Matthew Robert Pelletier.

An autopsy is pending. The victim’s family has been notified, the Winnipeg Police Service said.

The WPS asked anyone with information about the killing to contact the homicide unit at 204-986-6508, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online.