News briefs for Monday, December 22, 2025

Province warns of more potential measles exposures in southern Manitoba

4:06 PM

The Manitoba government has issued a warning about three new sites where people may have been exposed to measles this month near Winkler, Morden and Mitchell.

The sites include:

• The Outpost Grill, near Winker, on Dec. 13 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Morden Collegiate Institute on Dec. 15 and Dec. 17 from 8:50 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.
• Mitchell Elementary School on Dec. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Anybody who was at the locations during the exposure times should monitor for symptoms through the first week of January. They should also ensure they are up-to-date with the measles vaccine, the province said in a news release Monday.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes.

Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body.

City police seize guns, grenade in North End raid

3:58 PM

City police seized an arsenal of guns, weapons and drugs from a North Point Douglas home last week, including a loaded crossbow and a grenade.

A drug trafficking investigation that began earlier this month led police to a home on the 200 block of Austin Street North, where tactical officers executed a search warrant just after 6:30 p.m. on Friday, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Monday.

Officers seized more than $11,000 worth of illicit drugs and roughly $12,000 in cash. They also found three rifles, a shotgun with an obliterated serial number, two crossbows, brass knuckles, firearm parts, a stockpile of ammunition and an MK1 grenade — which is being examined to determine whether it is live or inert, WPS said.

A 54-year-old man and 46-year-old woman are facing numerous charges related to drug trafficking, possessing prohibited weapons, and unlawful possession of firearms.

Two other men, ages 29 and 44, were arrested at the scene but released without charges, WPS said.

Winnipeg Sally Ann $127K behind in donations

3:07 PM

The Salvation Army in Winnipeg says it’s looking for a miracle.

The charity, which fundraises for less fortunate families, is $127,000 shy of its $357,000 Christmas kettle campaign goal, it said in a news release Monday.

Tuesday is the last full day of the campaign and donations can be made at: Costco on Regent Avenue, Costco on Portage Avenue and London Drugs at St. Vital Centre. Donations can also be made at the following Salvation Army buildings: Winnipeg Heritage Park Temple, Winnipeg Living Hope Community Church and Winnipeg Southlands Community Church.

The kettle donations go towards Winnipeg food banks, clothing, homelessness prevention, school supplies and more.

First Nations safety officers seize drugs, gun on Manto Sipi Cree Nation

2:22 PM

First Nations safety officers arrested three people suspected of trafficking drugs on Manto Sipi Cree Nation this month, before turning them over to the RCMP.

First Nations safety officers were working in the community on Dec. 5, when they arrested two women at the airport and seized drugs, cash and other drug-related paraphernalia. The following day, a small quantity of drugs, cash and a firearm were also seized from a home, where a 35-year-old man was taken into custody, RCMP said in a news release Monday.

Mounties from the God’s Lake Narrows detachment flew into the community — located nearly 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg — and the three accused were turned over to their custody, along with the seized drugs and other items.

“The God’s Lake Narrows RCMP would like to acknowledge the efforts made by chief and council and the First Nations safety officers of Manto Sipi Cree Nation on their efforts to reduce the amount of illicit contraband from entering their community and endangering the lives of its people,” RCMP Sgt. Corbin Allingham said the release.

The women, ages 37 and 34, were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. They were released from custody and will appear in court in the community in February. The man, 35, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and unsafe storage of a firearm. He was also released and will appear in court on the same date, RCMP said.

Five cases of chronic wasting disease identified

1:38 PM

Five new cases of chronic wasting disease have been detected in Manitoba, the province announced Monday.

The disease, which affects members of the deer family, was found for the first time in the Rural Municipalities of Swan River and Victoria.

The other three cases were in areas where the disease was previously detected: two near Coulter in the Municipality of Two Borders and one in the Parkland region, near Dropmore.

Chronic wasting disease, sometimes called zombie deer disease, is an incurable, fatal condition that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose and caribou.

The disease is not believed to pose a risk to humans but meat from an affected animal should not be eaten, the province said in a news release.

Those who hunt in areas where there have been confirmed cases of the disease should have harvested animals tested, the province said. Hunters are also reminded to properly dispose of carcasses to help reduce the risk of spreading the disease. Hunters should also refrain from transporting high-risk parts (such as the brain, eyes and spine) outside the harvesting area.

There have been 35 confirmed cases of the chronic wasting disease in Manitoba since first detected in 2021.

The five new cases include three mule deer and two white-tailed deer.

Hunters with questions or concerns can email CWD@gov.mb.ca for more information.

Unlicensed driver caught with drugs, cash: police

11:47 AM

Two people are facing numerous charges after Mounties in Dauphin seized drugs and cash during a traffic stop on Dec. 19.

Officers were patrolling in the community after 4 p.m. on Friday when they stopped a vehicle travelling on 6th Avenue SW. Officers discovered the female driver did not have a licence, and was bound by conditions not to enter the community, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Monday.

Officers searched the driver and the vehicle, where they located 22 grams of methamphetamine and an undisclosed amount of cash, oxycodone, clonazepam and other drugs, the release said.

The driver, a 31-year-old woman from Camperville, also tested positive for cocaine on a roadside screening test, police said.

Officers took her into custody and charged her with a slate of offences, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, failing to comply with a release order and driving without a licence.

Police also arrested a 44-year-old man from Dauphin, who was a passenger in the vehicle. He is charged with trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

Police investigate slaying

10:59 AM

City police have launched a homicide investigation after a man was slain inside an apartment in the Weston neighbourhood over the weekend.

Police responded to the apartment complex, located on the 300 block of Blake Street, just before 2 p.m. on Dec. 20. Arriving officers found a man dead on scene, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Monday.

Investigators have identified the victim as 56-year-old Christopher Sean Brown.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 204-986-6508 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or winnipegcrimestoppers.org

Bombers hire Condell as OC, Thomas retires to become D-line coach

10:26 AM

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers revealed massive changes to their coaching staff early Monday.

First-year offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan has been replaced by veteran playcaller Tommy Condell.

Condell, who spent the last two seasons as the OC in Ottawa, has been with five different teams in 15 CFL seasons. Hogan will remain on staff as the team’s running backs coach.

It was also revealed that veteran defensive tackle Jake Thomas will transition from his playing career to become the team’s new defensive line coach, replacing retiring coach Darrell Patterson.

Thomas played 13 seasons for the Blue and Gold, and his 223 career games ranks fourth-highest in Blue Bombers history after only Bob Cameron (394), Troy Westwood (293) and Chris Walby (249).

Head coach Mike O’Shea will speak with reporters at 1 p.m. today to discuss the changes to his staff.