News briefs for Saturday, July 12, 2025

Avoid gel cap mushrooms: folk fest

10:35 PM

The Winnipeg Folk Festival is warning festivalgoers about laced gel cap mushrooms on site.

“Gel can mushrooms should be avoided as they may also have an additive in them, which can lead to fainting,” the folk fest said in an email Saturday.

Several concertgoers at the Birds Hill park fest have received first aid after they experienced an “adverse reaction,” the email said.

The 50th edition of the fest wraps up Sunday.

Rainbow Stage cancels Saturday matinee

10:54 AM

Rainbow Stage has cancelled its matinee performance of Rock of Ages due to poor air quality Saturday.

The musical theatre company said it is monitoring the forecast and hopes to proceed with its 7:30 p.m. show tonight.

Those with tickets to today’s 2 p.m. show will be given an option to attend the evening performance instead. Refunds will also be provided.

“As an open-air theatre, this is now, regrettably, one of the many nature-related challenges that we face,” the company said in a news release. “Everyone here at Rainbow Stage is equally disappointed to be in this position.”

The air quality index forecast for Winnipeg at 2 p.m. is 10-plus, or very high risk.

Man facing charges after WFPS member assaulted

10:20 AM

A 25-year-old man is facing various charges after police say he damaged a fire truck and assaulted a Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crew member.

Winnipeg police say WFPS was called to the 300 block of Princess Street Friday around 1:20 a.m. for reports of a pick up truck on fire.

As the fire truck travelled to the scene, a man began hitting it with a metal pole near Princess Street and Logan Avenue, a Saturday media release states.

Once WFPS parked, a crew member exited the truck and was confronted by the man who allegedly hit him in the face with the pole.

Police say the man was linked to the vehicle fire.

He is facing charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, mischief under $5,000, arson causing damage to property, possession of incendiary material and fail to comply with condition of release order.

The man was detained in custody.

Folk festival advises attendees to bring masks

10:08 AM

With a severe weather alert indicating an air quality index of 11 at Birds Hill Park this morning, the Winnipeg Folk Festival sent out an advisory via its app this morning for people travelling to the site today to come prepared with masks.

Wildfire smoke is blanketing the province, reducing air quality significantly.

An 11 rating is a very high health risk. People, especially at-risk populations, children and seniors, are advised to reduce strenuous activities outdoors, especially if experiencing symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.