News briefs for Friday, July 24, 2026

Off-duty cop arrests women at retail outlet

2:34 PM

Two women have been arrested after an off-duty officer intervened when he saw a woman steal merchandise from a store on Concordia Avenue Thursday.

Police said Friday the officer was at a business on the 1100 block of Concordia Avenue. He went outside the store, identified himself as a Winnipeg police officer and tried to take the woman into custody, but she refused to comply.

The second accused interfered and tried to obstruct the officer from making the arrest.

Both women fled the scene. Officers arrested them nearby a short time later.

A 21-year-old woman whas been charged with robbery, resisting a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer charges. A 38-year-old woman is facing a charge of obstructing a peace officer.

Both women were released on undertakings.

Province expands eligibility for hepatitis A vaccine

2:18 PM

Anyone aged six months or older who lives in or travels frequently to an Indigenous community is eligible for one free dose of a hepatitis A vaccine, amid the ongoing outbreak in Manitoba.

The province has also included those who have household visitors from an Indigenous community, it said in a news release Friday.

Children who meet one of the above criteria and were born on or after Jan. 1, 2010, continue to be eligible for a second dose.

As of July 16, there have been 898 cases of hepatitis A reported since September 2024, with 197 hospitalizations, eight intensive care unit admissions and seven deaths, the release said.

The outbreak, declared in April 2025, initially affected several communities in northern Manitoba and has evolved to include cases in communities across Manitoba, including Winnipeg, where it has spread among homeless people and those with connections to other outbreak communities.

Fires probed on First Nation in Interlake

11:07 AM

RCMP are investigating nine suspected arsons on a First Nation in Manitoba’s Interlake that destroyed multiple vacant buildings.

The fires occurred between May 15 and July 8 on Pinaymootang First Nation, located about 240 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. All of the buildings were deemed total losses, RCMP said in a news release Friday.

Police said it is not yet known whether the fires are connected. No suspects have been identified, although investigators said a four-wheeler was seen near several of the blazes.

The investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gypsumville RCMP at 204-659-2682 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Man charged in God’s Lake Narrows slaying

10:52 AM

A 19-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter after a 38-year-old man was fatally stabbed in God’s Lake Narrows First Nation earlier this month.

Manitoba RCMP arrested Alvin Spence in Winnipeg Thursday. He remains in custody.

He was charged after a stabbing in God’s Lake Narrows July 18.

RCMP were called to a home at about 9:30 a.m. after reports of a possible stabbing and learned the victim had already been rushed to the community nursing station. The 38-year-old man was being prepared for transport to hospital in Thompson but died of his injuries.

The investigation continues.

City library temporarily closed for repairs

10:48 AM

Munroe Library in northeast Winnipeg is being temporarily shuttered for repairs.

The facility, located at 489 London St., will be closed until mid- to late August to repair damage caused by a burst water pipe above the library’s washroom area, the city said in a release on Friday.

The damage was limited to the washroom and immediate surrounding area. Crews are removing damaged materials and will be replacing the insulation and drywall before painting and cleaning the carpet.

The library completed a $220,000 renovation at the facility in 2022.

Customers who had library materials on hold can pick them up at Henderson Library at 1050 Henderson Hwy. Borrowed items, meanwhile, can be returned to any branch or by using the after-hours return at Munroe Library.

For alternate branch locations and hours of operation, visit winnipeg.ca/library.