News briefs for Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Trial in school attack case set for spring

9:06 PM

Trial dates have been set for a Rivers teen who’s accused of planning an attack on his high school.

The 14-year-old boy, who appeared in Brandon provincial court via video from the Manitoba Youth Centre in Winnipeg on Tuesday, will stand trial from April 5 to 8 and May 25 to 28 in Brandon.

The youth has been in custody since RCMP arrested him on a school bus on March 16.

He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, counselling the offence of murder and two counts of uttering threats.

RCMP allege the teen and a 15-year-old girl from Bridgewater, N.S., were planning simultaneous attacks to harm students at Rivers Collegiate and Park View Education Centre in Nova Scotia.

Refunds considered for youth bus passes

2:55 PM

Winnipeg Transit may soon offer refunds to those who bought student bus passes before the program that offers youth rides free of charge.

The provincially funded Free Youth Transit Pass Pilot program will provide no-cost rides to youths between the ages of 11 and 17 and high school students between the ages of 18 and 21.

Schools are set to dole out the passes on a staggered basis this month. Students in Grade 11 and 12 were able to begin claiming them last week, while Grade 9 and 10 students should get them the week of Sept. 21. Students in grades 6 to 8 should receive passes during the last week of this month.

If city council approves, Transit will be directed to create a refund program for already paid youth fares that were not used.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said that could include partial refunds of monthly and other passes.

“We want to help families to recover some of the expenses that they’ve laid out that they’re not going to need,” said Gillingham.

City council will vote on the matter on Sept. 24.

Fourth response system passes city hall hurdle

2:39 PM

The City of Winnipeg is one step closer to creating a fourth emergency response that would divert non-violent 911 calls from a traditional police, fire or ambulance response.

On Tuesday, the executive policy committee voted to adopt the Winnipeg Community Crisis Response model that involves sending some calls to community agencies.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said nearly 650 calls of that nature have been successfully diverted to the Downtown Community Safety Partnership by Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service since July, a more limited effort he believes shows the potential of the broader program.

“It frees up firefighters and paramedics to get back to their posts to respond to the calls that they’re really trained for, while DCSP … can respond to the calls that are lower acuity,” said Gillingham.

A recent review estimated more than 10,000 crisis-related police and fire/paramedic calls could be diverted through such a system each year.

The motion, which would require final approval from city council, also calls for the city to seek a partnership with the province to support the new emergency response.

Man found dead eight days after 911 call, police watchdog investigating

2:12 PM

Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating after a man was found dead eight days after officers were unable to locate him following a 911 call from Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation in 2024.

The Independent Investigation Unit said the call came in just after midnight on Nov. 22, 2024, with a disturbance audible in the background. GPS coordinates traced it to the First Nation, 305 kilometres west of Winnipeg, prompting Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers to search the area.

Officers could not find the caller, whom they believed to be a local man. Eight days later, on Nov. 30, MFNPS conducted another search and found a man dead.

The death was initially referred to RCMP Major Crime Services as suspicious. The RCMP later returned the case to MFNPS for possible referral to the IIU because of concerns about the eight-day delay in locating the man. MFNPS notified the IIU on Sept. 15, 2026 — nearly two years after the incident.

The IIU, which is required to investigate incidents involving a death potentially connected to police actions or conduct, said its investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information or video footage that could assist investigators is asked to contact the IIU at 1-844-667-6060.

New year sees pop concerts come to town

1:19 PM

Coming to the Centennial Concert Hall on Feb. 9, The Simon & Garfunkel Story tells the tale of one of pop music’s most beloved duos, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. The tribute show covers the group’s beginnings as Tom & Jerry, their success as one of the bestselling music groups of the ’60s, and their 1970 split, culminating with the famous 1981 Concert in Central Park reunion.

Featuring a set list of nearly 30 songs, the production combines live performances with photos, video projection and original film footage. Audiences will hear classics including Mrs. Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Homeward Bound and many more.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at centennialconcerthall.com. Prices have not been announced.

Another legendary duo is actually appearing in town on Feb. 28: Australian pop act Air Supply is celebrating 50 years of performing together with a tour that brings them to Canada Life Centre with Canada’s Glass Tiger. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock will perform such love-heavy hits as Lost in Love, All Out of Love and The One That You Love, along with tracks from their first studio album in 15 years, A Matter of Time.

Tickets (prices TBA) go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.ca.

Arkells bringing intimate three-night stand to Winnipeg

12:57 PM

Hamilton’s Arkells are bringing their Between Us City Takeover tour to Winnipeg Nov. 10-12, playing three consecutive shows at three different venues. The unique tour sees the Juno-winning rock band, known for his including Leather Jacket and Knocking at the Door, playing extended stands in cities across Canada in intimate clubs and theatres instead of arenas.

In Winnipeg, Arkells play South Osborne venues Side Stage (Nov. 10) and the Park Theatre (Nov. 11), and the downtown Burton Cummings Theatre (Nov. 12).

Tickets (prices TBA) go on sale Friday at 10 a.m., with fan pre-sales on Wednesday at 10 a.m.. Fans are encouraged to sign up for pre-sale access at arkellsmusic.com.

Police search for Dauphin robber armed with crowbar

12:35 PM

Police are asking the public’s help to identify a suspect accused in an armed robbery in Dauphin.

A man entered the Main Street South store on Monday at 6:25 a.m. wearing a mask and carrying a crowbar, RCMP said in a news release Tuesday. Police said an employee was threatened as the suspect walked behind the counter and stole several packs of cigarettes. He also stole several bags of potato chips and a drink before fleeing, police said.

Officers searched the area but couldn’t locate the man.

Anyone with information on the incident or suspect is asked to contact Dauphin RCMP at 204-622-5020, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Two drivers suffer minor injuries in Highway 8 crash

12:30 PM

Two men sustained minor, but not life-threatening injuries after a crash on Highway 8 at Whytewold Road in the RM of St. Andrews Monday afternoon.

At 3:45 p.m. Selkirk RCMP responded to the two-vehicle collision, which happened after a vehicle travelling south on Highway 8 collided with a westbound vehicle that was crossing the highway from Whytewold Road.

The driver of the southbound vehicle, a 26-year-old man, and the driver of the westbound vehicle, a 24-year-old man, both from the RM of Gimli, were involved. The 24-year-old was ticketed for proceeding before safe to do so.

ATV driver dies in community’s second fatality in a week

11:37 AM

A 59-year-old old man was killed in an all-terrain vehicle crash in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation early Sunday morning – the second ATV fatality in a week in the western Manitoba community.

The man, who died at the scene, was found near the ATV, which was in a ditch, when the Manitoba First Nations Police Service and paramedics were called shortly after 1 a.m.

Police said the initial investigation revealed the the driver lost control while the ATV was being driven at high speed. He was wearing safety gear, including a helmet.

MFNPS said a 29-year-old ATV operator died after he drove through an intersection without stopping and crashed into the back of a pickup truck in Sandy Bay at about 1:20 a.m. on Sept. 6.

Police said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in both crashes. MFNPS reminded ATV drivers to exercise caution and follow off-road vehicle laws and regulations.