News briefs for Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Province announces two new measles cases

7:36 PM

Manitoba Health announced two new confirmed cases of measles in the province Wednesday.

That brings the total number of confirmed and probable infections reported in Manitoba to 12 since Feb. 10.

Both individuals attended Southwood School in the Rural Municipality of Stanley during the infectious period, a news release late Wednesday stated. The cases were confirmed after recent travel to Mexico.

Public-health officials asked anyone who may have been exposed at the school on April 14-15 or on buses servicing Southwood and Prairie Dale schools on those days to contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free in Manitoba at 1-888-351-9257.

The measles virus spreads through close contact with an infected person and through the air via cough or sneeze. The virus can be spread by droplets that can stay in the air for several hours. Infection can result in serious illness or death. Symptoms generally appear 21 days after exposure.

Public-health officials urge Manitobans to stay up to date on immunization, the only means of protection from measles.

Floods cause states of emergency in three Manitoba municipalities

5:09 PM

Three municipalities in western Manitoba have declared states of emergency in response to early spring flooding and two highways have been closed indefinitely.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor briefed the legislative assembly on the state of overland flooding across Manitoba on Wednesday afternoon.

Grandview, Gilbert Plains and Russell-Binscarth have all entered crisis mode to address respective run-off challenges.

Provincial roads 579 and 584 have been shuttered for related reasons.

“Staff from my department are inspecting and monitoring drains, highways and bridges to ensure stability,” Naylor said, noting that one bridge is undergoing repairs after suffering ice damage.

The minister said officials are on high alert as western and southwestern Manitoba brace for a weather system that is expected to bring significant precipitation to the region in the coming days.

A flood watch remains intact along the Assiniboine River, from the Shellmouth to Brandon.

Naylor urged all Manitobans to stay away from waterways for their safety.

Carney making second Winnipeg campaign stop Thursday

4:09 PM

Liberal Leader Mark Carney will be holding a rally in Winnipeg on Thursday.

The event is set to begin at 5:30 p.m., but the location has yet to be announced.

This will be the second time the prime minister has stopped in Winnipeg during the campaign period. Carney’s first visit, on April 1, included stops at New Flyer Industries and a visit with Premier Wab Kinew but no policy announcements.

Police warn of ‘Assassin’ game

2:32 PM

City police are advising the public about a game among high-school students that might worry unsuspecting people.

The Winnipeg Police Service said the social-media trend has reached local high schools. Called Assassin, the live-action game involves graduating students “taking out” fellow students using water pistols. The goal is to become the last surviving player.

People unfamiliar with the game, which is not limited to school property and can occur at any time of day, might call 911, the WPS said.

“The resurgence of this social-media trend can add unnecessary strain on police resources as units are dispatched away from community members with legitimate calls for service,” the WPS said.

All gun calls, real or perceived, are investigated, police said. 

The WPS encouraged parents to tell students to refrain from playing the game to prevent worrying unsuspecting community members and straining police resources.

Burglars camped out at fly-in lodge: RCMP

12:52 PM

RCMP are investigating after people apparently broke into cottages at a fly-in lodge in northern Manitoba and camped out this winter while hunting caribou.

Thompson RCMP were called about the “numerous” break-ins at the privately owned lodge near Nueltin Lake on the morning of April 14. The spot is about 30 kilometres south of the Nunavut border.

Police are investigating the break-ins, while Conservation officers will investigate the harvesting of caribou.

$1.2M for zoo’s Journey to Churchill 

10:56 AM

The provincial government is giving the Assiniboine Park Conservancy a $1.2-million grant for the zoo’s Journey to Churchill exhibit.

The funds will be used to buy and install a permanent chiller to ensure the pool is at the perfect temperature for polar bears.

The grant will also be used for upgrades and repairs to the exhibit’s geothermal heating and water filtration system, as well as improvements to the bear-holding facility and the Gateway to the Arctic building.

Weapon fired inside Polo Park mall, teen faces charges

10:40 AM

A 15-year-old boy is facing charges after a weapon was fired inside Polo Park mall.

Police were sent to the mall at about 2:55 p.m. Tuesday after being told several male youths were brandishing a handgun in a public area. Mall security also told police the weapon had been fired.

Police arrested two youths in the food court and seized the weapon, which turned out to be an airsoft pistol.

No one was injured, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Wednesday. One male is facing charges of possession of a weapon and causing a disturbance. He was released on an undertaking.

The other male was released without being charged.

Woman killed in Berens River hit-and-run

9:47 AM

A woman was killed when she was hit by a pickup truck in a hit-and-run incident in Berens River last week.

RCMP officers were sent to the crash site on the community’s main road at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. They found the 24-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man with non-life-threatening injuries.

They were struck by a northbound truck while walking on the north side of the road. The driver fled the scene, RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.

The driver was later identified as a 42-year-old local man. He was charged with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and driving while prohibited.