News briefs for Friday, July 10, 2026

Cocaine seized, woman arrested at airport

1:18 PM

A 27-year-old woman is accused of transporting crack cocaine after arriving at the Oxford House airport.

Police said two packages wrapped in electrical tape and two other smaller packages were found in her purse after a search on Thursday, RCMP said in a Friday news release.

The value of the drugs is estimated at more than $180,000.

The Bunibonibee Cree Nation woman was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and remains in custody until a Thompson court date.

Oxford House RCMP continue to investigate.

Dauphin Ukrainian fest cancelled

12:31 PM

Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin has been cancelled.

The festival’s board announced the event, which was scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 2, would not proceed due to concerns about the closure of the Dauphin hospital due to flooding.

The Dauphin Regional Health Centre has been closed since early July after heavy rain flooded its basement. There is no timetable to reopen, Prairie Mountain Health has said.

“Emergency health-care services have been relocated to rural communities more than 30 minutes away, creating significant challenges in providing timely medical care for our large event,” the board said in a social media post Friday.

The festival board consulted with the City of Dauphin, the Rural Municipality of Dauphin, the area MLA and MP, and its insurance provider in making the decision, “with great disappointment.”

All passes purchased for this year’s event can be used for next year. Refunds will also be issued. Information about the refund process will be posted on the event’s website and social media in the coming days, the post said.

Woman dead in ATV crash on northern First Nation 

10:55 AM

A 59-year-old woman is dead after an ATV crash on a northern Manitoba First Nation Thursday.

RCMP received a report of the crash at O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation around 6 p.m. and found the woman on a road and an ATV in the ditch, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday.

Officers and paramedics from the Manitoba Wildfire Service, who had flown in from Leaf Rapids to assist, provided emergency care to the victim, but she died at the scene, RCMP said.

The woman, a member of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin, was among the essential workers who remained in the community, which is under an evacuation order due to a wildfire threat.

The community, also known as South Indian Lake, is located about 770 km north of Winnipeg.

RCMP continue to investigate.

Advance voting for byelection starts Saturday

10:30 AM

Advance voting for the July 21 byelection in The Pas-Kameesak begins Saturday.

Advance polls are open July 11-20 at the Elections Manitoba office at 237 Fischer Ave. in The Pas; July 11-18 at Peguis Multiplex Centre in Peguis First Nation;  July 11-14 at Otineka Mall in Opaskwayak Cree Nation; July 13 at Pinaymootang First Nation Conference Centre in Fairford;  July 14 at Carrot Valley Community Centre in Carrot River, Chemawawin Cree Nation Band Office in Easterville, Cormorant Community Council Office in Cormorant, Fisher River Hall in Fisher River Cree Nation, Grand Rapids Community Complex in Grand Rapids, Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation Band Office in Jackhead, Moose Lake Community Council Office in Moose Lake, Pine Dock Community Hall in Pine Dock and Wanless Community Hall in Wanless.

Voting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on election day, have lived in Manitoba for at least six months immediately before election day and live in The Pas-Kameesak electoral division. Identification to vote is required — either one piece of government-issued photo ID with a current address, such as a driver’s licence, or two other pieces. The voter information card can be used as one of the two pieces of ID, Elections Manitoba said in a news release.