News briefs for Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Woman, 67, charged with manslaughter in 2022 death

3:43 PM

Homicide detectives have charged a woman with manslaughter in the death of her husband in the Maples in 2022.

Winnipeg Police Service officers were sent to a home on Sardelle Crescent on Dec. 8, 2022, about the 65-year-old man’s death, which was initially considered suspicious. He has been identified as David Brian Zurawell.

Homicide detectives arrested a suspect last week after consulting with Crown prosecutors, police said Tuesday.

Alma Zurawell, 67, has been charged with manslaughter and was detained in custody.

Two teens charged after weekend escape from Manitoba Youth Centre  

3:05 PM

Two teens were arrested this weekend after escaping from the Manitoba Youth Centre hours earlier.

The males, both 16, escaped shortly after 7:15 p.m. Saturday. They found a way outside and met up with an 18-year-old woman and a 17-year-old female who were waiting in a vehicle nearby, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Tuesday.

Shortly before midnight, officers — using a drone and a police dog — found three people at a home on the 300 block of Flora Avenue. The two escapees tried to run away and were arrested after a brief chase, the WPS said. The woman was arrested at the home.

Police arrested the younger female at a home on the 100 block of North Point Boulevard shortly after 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Both males have been charged with escaping lawful custody, and one was also charged with being unlawfully at large.

The females are facing two counts each of rescue or permitting escape and were released.

Bombers practice cancelled owing to air quality

11:35 AM

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were scheduled to return to practice on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a 31-17 loss on Saturday in Toronto.

They will now have to wait until at least Wednesday as today’s session was cancelled owing to the air quality conditions, as per the CFL/CFLPA policy. This is the first time the Bombers have had to cancel a practice this season.

Environment Canada issued an air quality warning for Winnipeg which had an air quality forecast of 10+ or, very high risk.

Permit for controversial concert planned for Central Park denied

11:33 AM

The city has denied a permit for Christian singer Sean Feucht to perform in Winnipeg’s Central Park in August, citing “operational challenges.”

The American artist has spoken in opposition to gender diversity, abortion rights and the LGBTTQ+ community. He had planned to perform in Winnipeg on Aug. 20. Planned Feucht concerts across Canada have been cancelled recently, and some in Winnipeg called on the city to do the same.

A city spokeswoman said concerns about a possible high number of visitors could impact access to the park and calls for service in the surrounding supportive housing and personal care homes.

“On summer days, the small park is highly utilized by community members — many of whom rely on it as a consistent space to gather and play,” she said in an email.

“It is also frequently used by daycares and day camps. An influx of the more than 2,000 people the applicant expects would detract from the service the park provides to area residents.”

Fire crews battle two blazes Monday night, firefighter suffers minor injuries

8:48 AM

A firefighter suffered minor injuries Monday night while battling a blaze in a vacant North End home.

Crews were sent to the property on the 800 block of Pritchard Avenue at 7:58 p.m. and declared the fire under control by 8:15 p.m., the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a news release Tuesday.

Paramedics assessed an injured firefighter at the scene.

Earlier Monday, at 5:29 p.m., WFPS members were sent to a fire on Fossil Creek Crescent in the South Pointe West area. Crews found smoke coming from the house and declared the fire under control by 6:20 p.m.