News briefs for Thursday, July 23, 2026

Vehicle-ORV accident closes Trans-Canada Highway

11:32 AM

A collision between a vehicle and an off-road vehicle closed a portion of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Austin in western Manitoba Thursday morning.

Around 9:45 a.m., RCMP responded to the crash, near Road 71 West. Paramedics and local firefighters were also responding to the scene, RCMP spokesman Kevin Engstrom said in an email.

There is no information on whether there were any injuries. The eastbound lanes from Road 72 West to road 70 are closed, Manitoba Highways advised.

Brown set to start at QB again

11:14 AM

Quarterback Dru Brown will make his third straight start for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night when they host the Calgary Stampeders.

Starting pivot Zach Collaros remains on the six-game injured list.

Safety Redha Kramdi has also been moved to the six-game injured list. Jake Kelly will start in his place.

String of Polo Park thefts totalling $27K leads to charges

9:24 AM

A 23-year-old man has been linked to a string of commercial thefts at Polo Park shopping centre totalling more than $27,000.

In July, the Winnipeg Police Service began an investigation regarding a string of retail thefts to a number of businesses. Investigators determined a man was involved in a number of thefts including:

• Between June 29 and July 4, a man attended a store five times and stole merchandise valued at $4,805
• Between July 16 and July 20, a man attended a store five times and stole merchandise valued at $22,985
• July 21, a man attended a store and stole merchandise valued at $123

All incidents were captured on security cameras and reported to police. Officers identified a 23-year-old man as a suspect and on July 21 arrested him. He’s been charged with nine counts of theft under $5,000 and two counts of theft over $5,000.

He remains in custody.

Man charged after BB gun seen out car window

9:13 AM

A 25-year-old man is facing charges after a car was seen driving erratically on the Trans-Canada Highway while a BB handgun was waved from the vehicle.

On Tuesday just before noon Portage la Prairie RCMP received a report a man driving erratically on the Trans-Canada Highway had waved a handgun through his vehicle’s sunroof after passing another car east of Portage la Prairie.

About 20 minutes later officers located the suspect’s vehicle travelling west of Portage la Prairie and pulled him over near the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 16. RCMP found and seized an airsoft replica BB handgun.

The man is facing numerous weapons charges, as well as uttering threats and causing a nuisance causing injury. He was released on an undertaking and has a court date slated for September.