News briefs for Thursday, July 9, 2026

Canoeists rescued near Forks

6:48 PM

Winnipeg police are urging caution on Winnipeg’s waterways after two canoeists were rescued Thursday after their boat capsized on the Assiniboine River near The Forks.

Police said the canoeists were swept downstream by the current and had to be pulled out.

Police said to avoid being on the water until conditions improve, noting recent rain in the Westman and Parkland regions of Manitoba has made its way to Winnipeg, causing high water levels and a strong current.

“If you are near the river, keep a safe distance from the water’s edge and exercise extra caution,” the Winnipeg Police Service said in an Instagram post.

Mayor looks to reverse decision to cut $1.2 million from tree planting program

2:56 PM

Mayor Scott Gillingham hopes to cancel a decision that would chop $1.2 million from the city’s tree planting program, following public opposition.

The Manitoba government recently directed the city to spend an additional $1.236 million of its provincial “strategic infrastructure basket” funding on the Assiniboine Park Conservancy Journey to Churchill Exhibit, according to a city finance report.

Finance officials recommended transferring some tree funding to fill the gap, and council’s executive policy committee voted in favour of the plan on Tuesday.

However, the mayor said public feedback has now convinced him to raise a new proposal to find the money elsewhere.

“Winnipeggers care deeply about our urban forest, and I’ve heard that clearly,” said Gillingham, in a press release. “The public wants this tree-planting funding protected. I agree, and I’ll be bringing forward a plan to (city) council next week to do exactly that.”

The mayor said a detailed proposal will be raised at the July 16 city council meeting, which would require a final council vote.

Two injured in Canada Day bat attack

2:20 PM

A Canada Day argument between four women in the West End escalated into a baseball bat attack that sent two to hospital, police say.

Winnipeg Police Service officers were called to a house on the 1100 block of Sherburn Street at about 4:20 p.m. after receiving a report of two injured women.

Police performed first aid on a 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old woman, who had been assaulted. They were taken to hospital in critical condition and have since been upgraded to stable condition.

Officers learned the women had been attacked with a baseball bat. One of the suspects snapped photos of the assault and sent the images to other people.

One of the victims helped police identify the suspects. They were picked up later that night.

Miranda Crow, 26, and Chantel Margaret Owen, 30, face several charges, including aggravated assault.

Both remain in custody.

Winkler closes municipal offices in response to cybersecurity incident

11:10 AM

The City of Winkler has closed city hall and other municipal offices as it deals with a cybersecurity incident that has affected parts of the city’s information technology systems.

The incident was detected by the city’s cybersecurity protection systems, prompting officials to isolate affected systems and take some services offline while the situation is assessed.

Phone and payment systems are currently unavailable. City hall, public works and the Meridian Exhibition Centre administration offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.

The city said critical municipal services continue, and drinking water remains safe. The Winkler Aquatic Centre and Meridian Exhibition Centre remain open.

The city said it has engaged external cybersecurity experts to assist with the investigation and recovery efforts, and police have been contacted.

Officials are trying to determine the full scope and impact of the incident, including whether any city or personal information may have been involved.

“We recognize the inconvenience this situation is causing residents, businesses, and community organizations and appreciate their patience and understanding as City staff and external experts work through the recovery process,” officials said in a Wednesday release.

Eight taken to hospital after Furby Street apartment fire

10:10 AM

Eight people were taken to hospital after an early morning apartment fire on Furby Street on Thursday.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to the three-storey Manitoba Housing apartment building at 25 Furby Street just after 3 a.m. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the building and helped evacuate some residents while others got out on their own.

Paramedics assessed nine people at the scene. Eight were taken to hospital, including one in unstable condition and seven in stable condition.

One firefighter was also assessed for a minor injury but did not require transport to hospital.

The fire was brought under control at 4:20 a.m. Emergency Social Services and Winnipeg Transit assisted displaced residents by providing temporary support and shelter.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Winnipeg man charged in assault on child

8:16 AM

A 39-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with aggravated assault after a child was seriously injured this week.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s child abuse unit was contacted on Monday after a preschool-aged child was taken by ambulance and treated in hospital for serious injuries, the WPS said in a news release Thursday.

Investigators learned the child was being cared for by a man at a home in the 300 block of Thames Avenue when the injuries occurred, police said. The man contacted emergency services, and members of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service rushed the child to the hospital.

The man was arrested Tuesday and remains in custody.

Police did not release the suspect’s name because doing so would likely identify the victim, spokesman Const. Stephen Spencer said. The child’s age and gender were not released.

The child’s injuries could be potentially life altering, Spencer said.

“The injuries were quite severe,” he said.