News briefs for Friday, February 20, 2026

Restaurants can open early Sunday to show gold-medal game: province

5:28 PM

Team Canada jersey? Check. Foam finger? Check. Beer? Check.

The province announced Friday it will allow bars and restaurants to open early Sunday morning to allow patrons to cheer on Team Canada in its gold-medal men’s hockey game against the United States at the Winter Olympics.

Manitoba’s liquor laws allow restaurant hours to be extended for “events of community, provincial or national significance.”

Establishments applying to open early must televise the Olympic event and serve booze no earlier than one hour before the game begins.

Puck drop is set for 7:10 a.m.

Woman mauled by pack of dogs in First Nation

3:17 PM

RCMP and Ebb and Flow First Nation safety officers are investigating after a woman suffered “significant injuries” after she was mauled by a pack of dogs on Feb. 14.

A 22-year-old woman was walking along Highway 278 in the First Nation when she was attacked by four dogs, described as a “large breed,” an RCMP news release stated Friday.

Two people who saw the attack helped the woman escape, return home and call for help.

The woman was taken to a Dauphin hospital where she underwent surgery.

Police are trying to identify the dogs responsible for the attack. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP at 204-447-2513 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

UFC returns to Winnipeg

2:34 PM

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is returning to Winnipeg for the first time in nearly nine years.

The Canada Life Centre will host UFC Fight Night on April 18. The event was originally scheduled to take place in Ottawa.

It’s been announced that the headliner will be a welterweight contest between Canadian fighter Mike Malott (13-2-1) — the brother of former Manitoba Moose/Winnipeg Jets forward Jeff Malott — and Brazil’s Gilbert Burns (22-9-0).

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Black History Manitoba job fair set for Saturday

12:43 PM

Black History Manitoba’s employment fair aims to connect job seekers with businesses on Saturday.

The 24th annual event takes place at Holy Eucharist Parish Centre at 460 Munroe Ave. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Job seekers can meet with a variety of exhibitors — from local businesses to national organizations, a Friday news release from Coun. Markus Chambers stated.

Attendees are encouraged to brings resumés.

Gas Station Arts Centre receives $600K for upgrades

11:38 AM

The Gas Station Arts Centre is receiving a $600,000 investment from the federal government in support of its ongoing renovations.

The news was announced by Madeleine Chenette, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, at a small press conference in the Osborne Village theatre earlier today.

The Gas Station is in the midst of multi-year redevelopments. Upgrades include new seating, new carpeting, improved house lighting and ongoing modifications to the courtyard which, when complete in Spring 2026, will include permanent fencing, new trees and greenery and a performance area.

GSAC executive director Nick Kowalchuk says the additional funding will further empower the organization to expand their lobby, open a new café and wine bar and create upgraded gender-neutral washrooms in the coming year.

Federal funding was provided by Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and dovetails with federal commitments to infrastructural upgrades and cultural and economic protectionism under the prime minister’s so-called “elbows up” policies.

New fire truck increases rescue capability

11:10 AM

A new platform aerial ladder truck will help firefighters safely rescue Winnipeggers from fires.

The new truck, with a 100-foot platform aerial ladder, was unveiled at a ceremony at the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Station 1 at 65 Ellen St. on Friday.

The truck allows firefighters to have a stable platform to stand on while rescuing people and also gives them the capacity to create a “wall of water” when needed with its dual deck guns.

As well, the truck is able to be anchored to allow the ladder to be lowered into pits for rescues.