News briefs for Friday, July 11, 2025

Wildfire prompts pre-evacuation alert in Thompson

5:01 PM

The City of Thompson issued a pre-evacuation alert Friday, warning that a mandatory evacuation could be ordered in the next few days if a wildfire closes Highway 6.

Northern Manitoba’s largest city told its 13,000-plus residents to prepare in case an evacuation is necessary.

If a mandatory evacuation order is issued, residents will be given 12 hours to pack what they need and leave.

Highway 6 links Thompson to southern Manitoba and other routes in the North. There are fears that a fire about 100 kilometres southwest of Thompson could force the province to close the highway within days.

RCMP search for missing man last seen near Waboden in late June

4:42 PM

Manitoba RCMP are searching for a 40-year-old man who disappeared from northern Manitoba in June.

Travis Bittern was last seen on June 27 at 9:45 a.m., walking southbound along Highway 6 about two kilometres south of Wabowden, police said in a news release Friday.

Waboden is located about 100 kilometres south of Thompson.

Bittern’s family told investigators he was heading to Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation (Norway House), which is located nearly 120 kilometres further south.

He is described as 6’3″ tall and weighing 210 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Police do not know what clothing he was wearing when he disappeared.

Anybody with information about Bittern’s whereabouts should call investigators at 204-689-2152, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Zoo Nights event cancelled due to smoke

2:43 PM

The Assiniboine Park Zoo announced its Zoo Nights event, scheduled for tonight, has been cancelled due to severe air quality in Winnipeg.

The zoo said anyone who purchased tickets for the event should watch for an email with instructions on how to exchange tickets or receive a refund.

Winnipeg’s air quality health index at 2 p.m. was 10+, the maximum rating, the federal government’s website said.

The website recommends people limit time outdoors and reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.

Police watchdog investigating after man critically injured during arrest

1:51 PM

Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating after a man fell and was critically injured following an armed and barricaded incident in St. Boniface on Thursday night.

City police arrived at an apartment suite on the 200 block of Bertrand Street at 7:23 p.m., after receiving reports that a man in his 60s was armed with an edged weapon and suicidal, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Friday.

Officers tried to communicate with the man through the suite door, but he refused to come out and threatened to kill himself. The man was barricaded for about two hours, before he exited the suite and was taken into custody, WPS said.

“He was placed in handcuffs for safety. As he was being led down the apartment staircase, he broke free from the officers and fell down the stairs. Police provided emergency medical care and requested an ambulance,” a release said.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba confirmed it was contacted by WPS and launched an investigation because the man was seriously injured.

In a separate release, the IIU said the man was taken to hospital in critical condition and treated for a possible traumatic brain injury.

WPS said his condition has not improved.

Witnesses or people with information or video footage that may help investigators are asked to contact the IIU at 1-844-667-6060.

Travelling group of fraudsters believed to be in Winnipeg

12:14 PM

The Winnipeg Police Service is warning the public to be on alert after receiving multiple reports of theft and fraud believed to be linked to a travelling group of criminals.

Members of this criminal organization typically approach unsuspecting victims in broad daylight and busy public areas like gas stations, banks, grocery stores, casinos and mall parking lots, police said in a news release Friday.

Sometimes, the individuals start a conversation by asking for directions or money to help pay for gas. In exchange, they offer fake jewelry or valuables. In other instances, the individuals distract their victims and then secretly steal their victims’ jewelry, police said.

“These individuals prey on your kindness. If approached in a similar manner, decline the request, avoid engagement, and make a police report,” WPS said.

These criminals travel in groups, often in vehicles with out-of-province license plates. They may have children with them to lower suspicion, police said.

People who have fallen victim to such scams, or who have information about them, should contact investigators at 204-986-2426 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or submitting a tip online.

Premier announces grant to improve Oak Lake

11:56 AM

Premier Wab Kinew announced a $95,000 grant to develop an aeration system in Oak Lake to improve water quality, support fish populations and help reduce algae blooms.

The aeration system is designed to reduce algae blooms in the summer and improve levels of dissolved oxygen that supports the food chain on which fish species rely, especially during the winter months. On Friday, Kinew was in Oak Lake, 52 kilometres west of Brandon, to announce the grant money.

The province said in a press release that water aeration is a common water management practice primarily used to enhance water quality for various purposes including improving drinking water, enhancing fish populations and reducing algal blooms.

City police search for missing man

11:40 AM

The Winnipeg Police Service is asking for help locating a missing man, last seen near Polo Park mall on Wednesday.

Jayden Poetker was last spotted in the area around 7:55 p.m. He is described as 5-7, with a thin build, blonde hair and brown eyes, WPS said in a news release Friday.

Police said he was wearing a hat, t-shirt, shorts and shoes — all in the colour black — when he disappeared.

Poetker is driving a 2005, red Toyota Tacoma double-cab pickup truck with a V6 engine and Manitoba licence plate KWN 729.

Police are concerned for his well-being and ask anybody with information to contact investigators at 204-986-6250.

Second suspect arrested in South Indian Lake slaying

11:35 AM

Manitoba RCMP have charged a second suspect in connection to the slaying of a 61-year-old man on a northern First Nation last year.

The suspect was arrested Wednesday and charged with manslaughter, more than one year after the victim’s remains were found in a wooded area outside O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (South Indian Lake) on May 4, 2024, RCMP said in a release Friday.

The community is located about 133 kilometres northwest of Thompson.

Police arrested O-Pipon-Na-Piwin resident Joanne Elizabeth Baker-Spence, 28, just three days after the slaying and charged her with manslaughter.

Jesse Baker, 25, also from O-Pipon-Na-Piwin, is now facing the same charge, RCMP said.

Senior charged with assault, uttering threats

11:18 AM

A senior in rural Manitoba has been charged with assault, after police say he fought with two other older men — striking one with a cane and then threatening to shoot and burn them both.

Mounties responded to reports of an assault in the nearby RM of Gilbert Plains around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday.

Police said a 73-year-old man is accused of pushing a 61-year-old man and then hitting a 68-year-old man with his cane before making the threats.

Officers located the suspect and arrested him shortly after. Police obtained a search warrant for the man’s home Thursday and seized multiple firearms and ammunition, which were unlawfully possessed, RCMP said.

Gerald Robb, from Gilbert Plains, is facing nine charges related to the incident, including assault with a weapon, uttering threats and unsafe storage of firearms.

Robb was taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing, RCMP said.

RCMP search for suspect after Swan River business seemingly torched

10:49 AM

Mounties are searching for a suspect spotted outside of a Swan River business, shortly before it caught fire early Thursday morning.

Police in the town, located about 375 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, responded to reports of a fire at a business in the 500 block of Main Street around 5:20 a.m., Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday.

Arriving officers encountered heavy smoke, and the building’s interior was significantly damaged, police said.

“With assistance of a fire investigator, the preliminary investigation has determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary,” RCMP said.

Investigators recovered video surveillance from nearby cameras that shows an unknown man riding a bike past the business right before the fire broke out.

RCMP asks anybody with cameras in the area to review footage between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. People with information should contact investigators at (204) 734-4686, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Man drowns at Caddy lake

8:43 AM

A 23-year-old Winnipeg man drowned after entering Caddy Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park Thursday afternoon.

Falcon Lake RCMP were called to the lake at 1:22 p.m. after receiving reports that two men entered the water but only one resurfaced. The Whiteshell fire department and emergency medical services also attended the scene.

The man was found under the water and was pronounced dead at the scene.