Jets’ Scheifele injured, out for remainder of game
8:10 PM
Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele has been ruled out for the remainder of tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks after suffering an injury early in the second period.
The team’s top centre appeared to hurt himself while skating hard on a backcheck. He quickly pulled up and was favouring his left side. Moments later, the team announced his night was over for a lower-body ailment.
Scheifele leads the team with 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) through the first 40 games of the season.
Bombers and Streveler in talks about a return to Winnipeg
7:12 PM
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and quarterback Chris Streveler are in preliminary talks about a return to the CFL, multiple sources tell the Free Press.
Streveler jetted to the NFL — including stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets — after helping lead the Bombers to a Grey Cup win in 2019. He’s dressed for 10 games in the NFL, completing 17 of 25 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also had 16 carries for 111 rushing yards.
Streveler spent two seasons with the Blue and Gold, where he became a fan favourite for his boisterous personality, physical play on the field and antics during the team’s Grey Cup parade, where he was barechested, donning a white cowboy hat, a gold chain and a fur coat. The Illinois native completed 65 per cent of his passes for 2,698 yards, along with 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, while rushing for 1,167 yards and 22 more scores.
Sources noted that talks with the Bombers are in the early stages, with Streveler simply expressing a strong interest in returning to the CFL. He hasn’t ruled out taking another shot at the NFL, having recently worked out with the Chicago Bears, but there’s a feeling a move to the CFL is his best option in 2024.
The Bombers have been in regular contact with the 29-year-old pivot since he left for the NFL and Streveler’s familiarity and fondness for Winnipeg has them as the early front-runner for his services. There are other CFL clubs interested, so it should make for some interesting days or weeks ahead.
Increase in invasive meningococcal, streptococcal infections
3:26 PM
Public health officials are warning about an increase in reported cases of invasive meningococcal disease and streptococcal infections in Manitoba.
Eight cases of invasive meningococcal diseases have been reported in Manitoba in the past month, among six adults and two children. The cases don’t appear to be linked, the provincial government stated in a news release today.
The illness can present as meningitis or as an infection of the bloodstream.
More information is available from Manitoba public health here:
Man, 19, killed in Arrow Street stabbing
1:47 PM
Police are investigating after a young man was fatally stabbed in northwest Winnipeg on Wednesday night.
Officers were sent to the first 100 block of Arrow Street at about 7:20 p.m. and found an injured 19-year-old man. He was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died.
The Winnipeg Police Service identified the man as Binesi Kennedy, 19, on Thursday.
The WPS homicide unit is asking anyone with information about the killing, or video, to call 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).
Witnesses still sought in serious Trans-Canada Highway crash
1:24 PM
RCMP are again asking witnesses to a serious crash on the Trans-Canada Highway last month to call them.
A 54-year-old man has been in hospital for 38 days after suffering significant, “life-altering injuries,” police said in a news release Thursday.
The collision happened near the intersection with Settlers Road in the Rural Municipality of Springfield at about 6:35 a.m. on Dec. 4, police said in a news release Thursday.
The man’s vehicle was hit by a westbound vehicle, believed to be either a semi-trailer or large cube truck.
“The suspect vehicle failed to remain at the scene of the collision,” RCMP said.
The day after the crash, Mounties asked for witnesses to contact them. They are again asking anyone with any information about the collision to call Oakbank RCMP at 204-444-3391 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Police said last month that investigators believe the victim’s vehicle either entered the intersection from the south or was westbound on the highway when it lost control and spun sideways before it was hit by a westbound vehicle.
Road conditions at the time of the collision were “very icy,” with “heavy fog in the area,” RCMP said on Dec. 5.
Temporary extended winter route parking ban declared
12:04 PM
A temporary extended winter route parking ban is in place in Winnipeg after heavy snowfall.
The ban prohibits parking on designated winter routes from midnight to 7 a.m. It will be in place until 7 a.m. Sunday.
The winter routes take priority for snow-clearing and ice-control.
Vehicles parked in violation of the ban will face a $100 ticket ($75 if paid early). They might also be taken to a towing company’s compound.
The seasonal winter route parking ban will start as scheduled at 2 a.m. Tuesday and will likely be in place until spring.
Prisoner escapes while on escorted absence in Winnipeg
10:27 AM
Police are searching for a Stony Mountain prison inmate who escaped during an escorted temporary absence in Winnipeg.
The escape took place sometime before 9:45 p.m. Wednesday. A warrant for the inmate’s arrest has been issued, Correctional Services of Canada said.
Terry Dutko is 24 years old, 5-11 in height, about 241 pounds, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on both sides of his neck, and on his right hand and right arm.
Corrections officials are asking anyone who knows where Dutko is to call the Winnipeg Police Service.
“CSC will investigate the circumstances of this incident and is working with the police to locate the offender as quickly as possible,” a news release posted online early Thursday states.
“CSC has given the police all of the information available to help arrest the inmate.”
Dutko is serving a nearly 12-year sentence for robbery, theft, fraud, aggravated assault and flight from a peace officer, among other offences.
Prison inmates are eligible for escorted temporary absences for various reasons, including work, attending programs and medical appointments.
