News briefs for Friday, September 11, 2026

$103K in banned items seized at Stony Mountain prison

4:06 PM

Stony Mountain Institution officers seized about $103,000 worth of banned items, including THC concentrate, on Sept. 2, the Correctional Service of Canada says.

The federal department credited “vigilance” of staff members but did not explain how the packages were discovered or delivered to the prison. Police were notified.

Officers intercepted $1.8 million worth of THC concentrate and other banned items in packages Aug. 30. The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers told the Free Press that staff spotted a drone delivering the packages that day.

CSC recently said a pilot program to halt drones using jamming technology is being expanded. The department did not identify the prisons that are or will be using the technology.

‘Serious incident’ shuts down stretch on Broadway

3:35 PM

Winnipeg police are investigating a “serious incident” that left people injured following a police pursuit near Broadway and Young Street Friday afternoon.

Police said the incident has ended, but the scene remains secured as officers investigate. No details about the number or severity of injuries were immediately released.

Broadway is closed between Furby and Young streets until further notice. Motorists are being asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Police said more information will be released as it becomes available.

Cocaine seized at Bunibonibee Cree Nation airport

1:58 PM

A woman has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking in Bunibonibee Cree Nation after a First Nation safety officer found she had arrived by plane with a bag of cocaine, RCMP say.

Oxford House RCMP were called to the airport by the safety officer just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday, after safety officers took the woman into custody.

The safety officers advised Mounties that while conducting routine searches of passengers arriving to the community, one of them found an unusual package believed to contain illicit drugs in the suspect’s clothing.

RCMP say the package had cocaine that would be worth about $44,000 on the street in the remote community.

A 23-year-old woman was charged and held in custody.

Police searching for missing vulnerable woman

1:56 PM

Winnipeg police have issued a silver alert for a missing and vulnerable woman in her 40s.

Police say Bettina Olarewaju, 46, was last seen in the area of Sargent Avenue and Sherbrook Street at about 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.

She is 5-4 tall with a medium build, black hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a white sweater, grey shirt, white pants and blue Crocs. She was also wearing a black lanyard around her neck.

Police ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.

Former interim police chief to retire

1:19 PM

After nearly five decades with the Winnipeg Police Service, deputy chief Art Stannard is retiring.

WPS Chief Gene Bowers noted the departure during a Winnipeg Police Board meeting Friday.

“If you ever had a question you went to Art … That’s a long period of time (in) his life that he gave to our members and our city,” said Bowers.

Stannard began working for the WPS in 1978 and spent time in almost every division since that point, most recently in support services.

He served as interim police chief from about September 2024 to March 2025, filling the role between the time Danny Smyth retired and Bowers became his permanent replacement.

Giveaway weekend returns

12:31 PM

Your junk, their treasure.

Winnipeggers can once again cast aside unwanted items to the curb as part of the city’s giveaway weekend, Saturday and Sunday.

Reusable household items can be placed at the front street curb labelled with a ‘free’ sticker or sign.

The city says people can give away books, CDs, DVDs, furniture, electronics, mirrors, sports equipment, toys, yard tools, small appliances, clothing and construction materials (such as nails, paint and wood).

Unsafe items, bedbug-infested items, and toilets with a flush volume of 13 litres or more are not acceptable.

Residents are asked to remove leftover items by dusk Sunday. Failure to do so could be considered a littering violation under city bylaws.

Delays possible on Perimeter Saturday

12:18 PM

Motorists might experience delays on the Perimeter Highway Saturday owing to a special event, the province said Friday.

The Truck Ride for Special Olympics begins at 9:30 a.m. at the TC Energy Centre in Île des Chênes and drivers will travel north on Highway 59 before turning onto the Perimeter. The group will complete one lap counter-clockwise around the Perimeter.

The Special Olympics Manitoba event raises funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities.