News briefs for Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Jets cap regular season with overtime victory over Ducks

8:41 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have ended their greatest regular-season on a winning note.

Centre Mark Scheifele scored 71 seconds into overtime to lead the team to a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre.

Neal Pionk had scored in regulation for the Jets, while Troy Terry had the lone goal for the visitors.

Winnipeg finishes the year at 56-22-4, setting franchise records for wins and points in a season. They also captured the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top team while winning the Central Division and Western Conference titles.

They’ll open the playoffs this weekend against the St. Louis Blues. Dates and times have not yet been released by the NHL.

COVID-19 vaccination program begins in May

3:17 PM

The spring vaccination program aimed at people with the highest risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes will begin May 1.

The program will run until June 30.

An additional dose will be available to people who received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine since fall 2024, provided it has been at least three months since that dose. They must be 65 or older, Indigenous and 45 or older, seniors who live in group settings, or six months or older and moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Vaccines for people under 12 years old will only be available until June 14.

The provincial government advises any Manitoban who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the fall 2024 vaccination program to get a dose before June 30. Starting July 1, routine COVID-19 immunizations will only be available in special circumstances.

Man sought after fleeing First Nations police

2:30 PM

Police are searching for a man wanted on arrest warrants who allegedly fled on foot after officers found him hiding in a vehicle.

Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers saw the man during a traffic stop in Swan Lake First Nation on April 3.

“When told that he was under arrest, the male fled on foot from the vehicle,” a Wednesday news release said.

More officers were sent to the area, along with a police dog, but the MFNPS did not find him.

Terry Ray Martin, 37, is wanted for resisting arrest, being unlawfully at large, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He is also wanted on two warrants resulting from investigations by the RCMP and MFNPS.

The MFNPS asked anyone who knows where Martin is to contact its Swan Lake First Nation detachment at 204-836-2606, or the TIPS line anonymously at 1-833-978-0048 or TIPS@mfnp.ca.

Three charged in Opaskwayak Cree Nation gun incident

2:20 PM

Three people are facing charges after two victims were threatened with a gun in Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers were sent to a business’ parking lot at about 7:45 p.m. on April 8 after three people in a vehicle approached the victims. A man inside the vehicle pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victims, police said Wednesday.

Officers arrested three people at a home near Clearwater Provincial Park and seized a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition.

Two men — ages 33 and 25 — and a 20-year-old woman, all from Moose Lake, have been charged.

Two communities share $500,000 for new fire trucks

12:48 PM

The Manitoba government is giving more than $500,000 to two Interlake communities to help them buy fire trucks.

A news release said the Rural Municipality of St. Laurent will receive $472,000 for a new truck, while the town of Winnipeg Beach will get $40,000 to buy a specialized truck that can tow a boat used for water rescues and other water-related incidents.

The funding is part of a $42-million Manitoba growth, renewal and opportunity program.

Male held after truck crashes through bar’s wall

12:20 PM

One person was taken into police custody after a pickup truck crashed through the wall of a south Winnipeg pool hall early Wednesday.

The collision happened at Hidden Pocket Billiards, Bar & Bistro, formerly known as the Hangar, at 121 Scurfield Blvd., just east of Kenaston Boulevard.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was sent to the scene shortly before 12:50 a.m., a spokeswoman said.

A spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Police Service said a male was taken into custody. No injuries were reported.

City golf courses open Saturday

10:29 AM

City of Winnipeg golf courses will open for the season Saturday.

That includes the Canoe Club golf course. City council voted in February to approve a plan to hire staff members to run the city-run course, which was previously run by a private operator.

Golfers can now book tee times for the Canoe Club, Crescent Drive, Kildonan Park and Windsor Park courses online or by calling the pro shops or 311.

The city will be offering spring rates on green fees at the Kildonan Park and Windsor Park courses until May 2.

Three face charges in St. Mary’s Road store break-in

10:12 AM

Three males are facing charges after thieves smashed a front window at a cannabis store and stole about $12,000 in merchandise.

Patrolling police noticed two males running from the store at about 4 a.m. Monday. Police did not identify the business, but the Free Press has learned it was the Spiritleaf cannabis and nicotine store at 1510 St. Mary’s Rd.

Major crimes unit investigators identified a third suspect and arrested him at a home on the 1400 block of Mars Drive that afternoon.

Police said one culprit waited outside while two broke into the store, causing about $8,500 damage.

One male, 16, has been charged with breaking and entering. The other two males, ages 19 and 15, face the same charge and were released on undertakings.

Iafallo inks extension with Jets

9:35 AM

The Winnipeg Jets have signed versatile winger Alex Iafallo to a three-year contract extension, the team announced on Wednesday morning.

Iafallo, who has 15 goals and 31 points in 81 games this season, told the Free Press in an interview last month that he was interested in sticking around and the two sides found common ground on money and term to ensure that would happen.

The new deal calls for Iafallo to carry an AAV of $3.667 million, which is slightly lower than the $4 million AAV on his current deal.

Iafallo and the Jets close out the regular season on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks before opening the Stanley Cup playoffs this weekend in a best-of-seven series with the St. Louis Blues.