The wildfire danger in most of the province is now low. The Manitoba Wildfire Service says five major blazes are being held, and the fire near Lynn Lake is under control. There are still 149 active fires across the province with
a total of 417 to date, well above the average of 338 for this time of year.
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The recent search at a landfill near Winnipeg for the remains of two murdered Indigenous women was completed for $18-million. A report into the project says that’s far less than earlier estimates which put the potential cost upwards of $184-million. Equipment is now being moved to another landfill to search for the 4th victim of a convicted serial killer.
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A backpack and rifle belonging to a missing Norwegian hiker have been found in northern Manitoba near the fast-moving Hayes River. Police say 29-year-old Steffen Skjottelvik, who was trekking from James Bay to Alaska, was last heard from on August 14th. RCMP are continuing to search the area.
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Charges have been laid in the drowning death of a two-month-old baby in Lynn Lake last September. Mounties have charged a 38-year-old woman with criminal negligence causing death.
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RCMP say a 77-year-old man died after a capsized boat was found on Lake Winnipeg Wednesday afternoon. Police say the victim had been wearing a life jacket.
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We’re known for being friendly, but police warn to be wary of strangers asking for hugs or sharing sob stories after a string of distraction thefts across the country. Groups of thieves, acting like families, usually approach people in parking lots, strike up a conversation, then steal the victim’s jewelry.
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Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett joined leaders from 10 provincial cities this week in Steinbach for a meeting of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. A key topic was how to retain more doctors in rural Manitoba. Bail reform and how to deal with wildfires were also discussed.
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According to a new poll, a large number of Canadian parents say the cost of getting kids ready for the new school year is straining budgets. Items costing more this year include stationary and children’s clothing. To save money, parents were most likely to buy supplies at big-box retailers like Walmart or Canadian Tire – or from dollar stores.
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It appears Canadians are having a tougher time finding and keeping a stable job. Stats-Canada says those receiving Employment Insurance benefits rose at a faster rate than last year – up almost 13%. The biggest increase in new EI beneficiaries were those last employed in sales and service followed by manufacturing and utilities.
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The workers keeping our societies running are paying the highest price from climate change. The World Health Organization says climate change-driven heat is a “public health crisis” – and outdoor workers in jobs like construction and farming are at high risk. The group is urging governments and employers to develop heat-health plans, including ways for workers to take breaks and get out of the sun.
