News briefs for Friday, January 16, 2026

Missing Sapotaweyak woman last seen Jan. 6 

4:04 PM

RCMP are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing woman from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.

Rhoda Brass, 19, has not been in contact with family members since Dec. 29. She was last seen with a friend on Jan. 6 at a shack-like structure that has since burned down.

Brass was reported missing to Swan River RCMP on Tuesday. She is described as 5-2 in height, with short black hair.

Police asked anyone with information regarding the young woman’s whereabouts to call Swan River RCMP at 204-734-3454 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Interchange coming at Perimeter and McGillivray

2:29 PM

The province has earmarked $235 million to build an interchange at the Perimeter Highway and McGillivray Boulevard.

It is part of the government’s Perimeter Freeway initiative, a long-term plan to upgrade the highway. The interchange will include a four-lane divided highway and a two-lane undivided overpass.

Construction is expected to begin in early spring, with completion anticipated by 2030, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said in a news release Friday.

Body found in burning truck

12:38 PM

A body was found in a burning truck near Briercliffe Road in the Rural Municipality of Springfield late Wednesday night.

Oakbank RCMP were called about the fire shortly after 10:30 p.m. and found the truck in a ditch, fully engulfed in flames. Human remains were found inside after firefighters extinguished the blaze.

“An autopsy and review of dental records have been ordered to positively identify the victim,” a Friday news release said. “RCMP are investigating whether icy road conditions may have factored into the vehicle going off the side of the road.”

Home invasion victim tied up, assaulted

12:31 PM

A man returned to his home near Gimli to find his wife tied up with extension cords after a home invasion last week.

The man, 50, called RCMP shortly before 8:45 a.m. to report what had happened at his home, about three kilometres north of Gimli, roughly three hours earlier.

He told police he was in Winnipeg when he saw unusual activity on his security cameras and went home.

Police determined two women who had been staying in the guest house on the property broke into the main home, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday. The women assaulted the 51-year-old victim, threatened her with a knife, tied her up and robbed the home, the release said.

The two women allegedly stole a car from the property, which was found abandoned in the Gimli Industrial Park that afternoon.

A 27-year-old woman turned herself in to police at the Gimli RCMP detachment Wednesday. Officers arrested a 47-year-old woman at a home in the Interlake community later that afternoon.

Both accused remain in custody and have been charged with a number of offences, including forcible confinement and assault with a weapon.

Court records show the first woman arrested pleaded guilty to drug possession in January 2025. She has outstanding weapons charges. The second woman arrested has an assault conviction from 2008, and outstanding charges for theft over $5,000 and uttering threats.

Trans-Canada closed west of Winnipeg

12:08 PM

The Trans-Canada Highway is closed in both directions between Headingley and Provincial Road 352 at Sidney because of poor conditions.

Highway 75 is closed from Morris to the North Dakota border.

“These closures are due to poor winter driving conditions, due to blowing snow,” the Manitoba government said in a news release.

Manitoba RCMP advised motorists Thursday afternoon to be careful. In a news release, Mounties said there were multiple collisions in both directions on the Trans-Canada between Headingley and Portage la Prairie that day. They included two multi-vehicle collisions west of Portage, near Oakville, shortly after 11:15 a.m.

At least five vehicles were involved in one of the collisions, including an RCMP vehicle. Mounties and emergency crews took people to hospital, but there were no known serious injuries, the release said.

“Motorists heading out on the highway are encouraged to reconsider until conditions improve,” the release said.

Push for final $1.5M to restore Musée de Saint-Boniface launched

12:02 PM

Les Amis/Friends of the Musée de Saint-Boniface launched the final phase of a capital campaign Friday.

The foundation is seeking to raise the remaining $1.5 million needed to complete the restoration and renewal of Winnipeg’s oldest surviving building, which was completed in 1851.

About 75 per cent of the required funding is already in place, a news release said.

Man dies after industrial workplace incident near Altona

11:54 AM

A man died after he was pulled into machinery at a food-manufacturing factory in the Rhineland Industrial Park north of Altona on Thursday.

Pembina Valley RCMP were sent to the factory, where the 42-year-old man was being treated by emergency crews, shortly before 11:45 a.m. He was taken to Health Sciences Centre, where he later died from his injuries.

Police, and provincial officials with Workplace Safety and Health, are investigating.

Pedestrian, 80, killed in Selkirk collision

11:37 AM

An 80-year-old man died after he was hit by a vehicle while crossing Main Street in Selkirk on Thursday.

The man was hit by a southbound vehicle while crossing Main at the intersection with Selkirk Avenue, where there are no traffic signals, shortly before 4 p.m., Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday.

The female driver called 911 and remained at the scene, the release said.

The man was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to hospital.

Police continue to investigate.

YMCA-YWCA campaign surpasses $10-M mark

11:29 AM

YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg’s Heart of the City capital campaign to develop its downtown site has surpassed $10 million.

The campaign was announced in 2024.

“We know we have a lot of work left to do to reach our $18-million goal, but we wanted to take a moment and celebrate all the supporters who have helped us reach this incredible milestone,” CEO Cordella Friesen said in a news release Friday.

Of the $10.2 million raised, the province is the largest funder at $5 million, through its Sport, Culture, Heritage & Tourism department.

Shellmouth Reservoir outflow to increase

11:17 AM

The provincial government is increasing outflow from the Shellmouth Reservoir to decrease reservoir levels in preparation for spring runoff from the upper Assiniboine River.

The outflow will be increased from 300 cubic feet per second to 400 on Friday.

This move will result in a half-foot increase in water levels on the Assiniboine from Shellmouth to Brandon. The increase will diminish closer to Winnipeg.

Man arrested for beer-vendor robberies

10:08 AM

A man has been charged in three beer-vendor robberies late last month.

The first incident happened at the Charleswood Beer Market at 6600 Roblin Blvd. shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 21. A man grabbed items and threatened to kill an employee before getting into a taxi.

The second incident was at the Howard Johnson beer vendor at 3740 Portage Ave. at about the same time the next night. A man grabbed items, indicated to an employee that he had a gun and left in a cab.

The man returned to the Roblin Boulevard vendor on Dec. 27, grabbed items, threatened to kill an employee, left in a taxi and then did not pay for part of his fare.

In each of the three robberies, the man stole two cases of alcohol valued at $120. All of the robberies were recorded on security cameras.

The major crimes unit began investigating, and a 40-year-old man was arrested Wednesday, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Friday. He has been charged with three counts each of robbery and uttering threats and one count of fraudulently obtaining transportation.

The man, who was detained in police custody, was already facing three charges, including robbery with violence and theft under $5,000, from late November. His convictions in Manitoba, dating back to 2005, include possession of a firearm, fraud under $5,000, theft under $5,000, counterfeiting, drug possession and many counts of failing to comply with conditions.