News briefs for Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Collaros ruled out for Friday

4:23 PM

Dru Brown will start at quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) on Friday when they host the Toronto Argonauts (8-6).

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea confirmed after Wednesday’s closed practice that starting pivot Zach Collaros is still working his way back from a head injury he suffered in the Banjo Bowl.

The Bombers are 2-2 in games started by Brown this season.

“He’s out for this game,” said O’Shea when asked about Collaros. “It’s the same thing we talk about with anybody – this is why we have teammates because they have an opportunity now to step in and honour a guy who can’t play.”

Two women charged in Sandy Bay drug trafficking probe amid OD spike

3:56 PM

Two women are facing drug trafficking charges after the Manitoba First Nations Police Service launched an enforcement operation in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation amid a recent increase in overdoses in the community.

The MFNPS’s Crime Reduction and Enforcement Unit carried out the operation Tuesday, arresting several people and seizing illicit drugs and proceeds of crime.

Police said officers seized about 48 grams of methamphetamine, approximately $2,000 in cash and a digital scale believed to be connected to drug trafficking.

A 33-year-old Portage la Prairie woman was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and disobeying a court order.

Investigators also executed several search warrants, including at a residence on Lake Road South in Sandy Bay, about 165 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

A 57-year-old woman was arrested following that search and charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking involving methamphetamine, fentanyl and codeine.

Both women were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests and charges are anticipated.

Police nab second suspect in West Broadway stabbing

3:17 PM

Winnipeg police have arrested a second man in connection with an August stabbing in West Broadway that left a 47-year-old man in critical condition.

Police said the victim was in a nearby park around Broadway and Young Street around 10 p.m. on Aug. 8 when he was approached by two men. An interaction with one escalated into a physical altercation before the second allegedly attacked the victim with an edged weapon.

Officers found the victim with life-threatening injuries and provided emergency care before he was taken to hospital in critical condition. He was later upgraded to stable.

A 31-year-old man returned to the scene while police were still there and was arrested. He was charged with aggravated assault and released on an undertaking.

The major crimes unit later identified a second suspect as Jamie Nathanial Neilson, 46. Neilson was arrested Monday in the 700 block of Selkirk Avenue. He has been charged with aggravated assault and remains in custody.

Jets trim roster by 12

2:00 PM

The Winnipeg Jets are one step closer to getting down to their opening-day roster after cutting 12 players on Wednesday.

Among those assigned to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League are goalie Isaac Poulter, defencemen Alfons Freij, Lukas Gustafsson, Ashton Sautner and Dyson Mayo and forwards Colby Barlow, Kevin He, Jacob Julien, Fabian Wagner, Lucas Wahlin, Kieron Walton and Davis Burnside.

The Jets close out the exhibition schedule on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Driver, 62, killed in highway crash

10:25 AM

One person was killed and a second was injured in a crash involving an SUV and semi-truck just outside Sanford on Tuesday morning.

RCMP said the semi-truck was eastbound on Highway 3 when it collided with the SUV, which was being driven south on Provincial Road 334 by a 62-year-old Sanford man, who died at the scene.

The collision happened shortly after 5 a.m.

Police said the semi-truck’s driver, a 58-year-old Morden man, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

RCMP continue to investigate. Sanford is about 20 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

No one hurt after weapon brandished at northern Manitoba school

9:48 AM

A rural Manitoba school division said there were no injuries after a student brought an edged weapon to school and verbally threatened a group of classmates.

The incident occurred Monday at Berens River School in Berens River, about 366 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

A letter from school vice-principal Sara Doucette informed parents and community members about the incident, which happened while Grade 9 students were in the school’s temporary learning space at the band hall.

“Staff immediately intervened to de-escalate the situation, and the student was safely removed from the building,” the letter said. “No injuries were reported and all students and staff were kept safe.”

The school division has been in contact with RCMP and a risk assessment is taking place.

The incident comes on the same day a 14-year-old was taken to hospital in Winnipeg after he was stabbed by another teen at Portage Collegiate Institute in Portage la Prairie on Monday. A 15-year-old from Long Plain First Nation was arrested in connection with the stabbing.