Sickle cell disease added to newborn screening program
4:57 PM
The province has added sickle cell disease to its newborn screening program.
The expanded screening launched June 1, the Manitoba government announced Wednesday, which is World Sickle Cell Day.
The inherited blood disorder prevents red blood cells from carrying enough oxygen to the rest of the body and causes the cells to change shape and block blood vessels entirely. The disease is inherited when both parents carry the sickle cell gene.
The disorder is most commonly found in people of African, Middle Eastern, Asian and Caribbean descent.
More information on the newborn screening program can be found here.
Revolver shotgun, mace seized after threats
1:34 PM
Nelson House RCMP seized a shotgun and a can of bear mace after they were told two male youths were making threats toward community members.
Pictures of the gun were being shared on social media, RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.
Police were contacted about the threats on June 11 and, after obtaining a warrant, searched a home on McDonald Road in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. They found an SR-410 revolver shotgun and the mace.
Police continue to investigate.
Early morning house fire on Alfred Avenue extinguished
12:52 PM
Crews extinguished a fire in the William Whyte area early Wednesday.
Firefighters were sent to a one-and-a-half storey house on the 300 block of Alfred Avenue at 12:22 a.m. They fought the fire from inside and declared it under control at 12:46 a.m.
No one was inside the home. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Lane closures slated for Lockport bridge Monday
12:41 PM
There will be alternating lane closures on the bridge over the St. Andrews Lock and Dam on Monday.
One of the two lanes on the bridge in Lockport will be closed to alternating traffic from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., the federal government said in a news release.
Traffic lights or flag persons will be on site to direct traffic. Motorists should expect delays, the release said. The bridge will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians, and boats will not be affected.
Crews will be doing deck replacement work.
Homicide victim found near Thompson library indentified
11:45 AM
Thompson RCMP have released the name of the community’s latest homicide victim.
Wilkie Colon, 51, was found injured in the area of the northern Manitoba city’s library, which is located on Thompson Drive, at about 6:35 a.m. Saturday.
Colon was transported to hospital and later flown to Winnipeg in critical condition. He died from his injuries Sunday. RCMP first announced the homicide Tuesday.
RCMP are asking witnesses or anyone who might have seen or interacted with Colon on Friday night or early Saturday to contact the Thompson detachment at 204-677-6909, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or manitobacrimestoppers.com.
Man beaten and robbed as suspects record video
10:46 AM
Four suspects have been arrested and a fifth is being sought by police after a man was followed off a bus, assaulted and robbed at knifepoint.
Police were called about the man being assaulted by a group of young suspects in the 500 block of Besant Street at about 8:50 p.m. Saturday.
The 19-year-old man told officers he was followed off the bus by five people when he exited at the intersection of Besant and Munroe Avenue.
The group confronted the man at knifepoint, assaulted him and stole his belongings while recording video.
The Winnipeg Police Service said the victim declined medical attention. Police said in a news release that he might have some familiarity with some of the suspects, but the incident is believed to be a “crime of opportunity.”
Four people were arrested between Sunday and Tuesday. Two 18-year-old women, a 17-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy are facing robbery charges. One of the two women is also facing charges for possession of a weapon and two counts of breach of recognizance, and the girl is facing a charge of possession of a weapon.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of another 17-year-old boy.
The WPS is asking anyone with information regarding the robbery to contact the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.
Missing teens believed to be in Minnedosa area found
9:57 AM
Neepawa RCMP found two missing teens and thanked the media and people for their support.
Police were notified about the youths missing at about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Henry Gault, 14, and Dannis Martin, 16, are both safe.
MPI’s Gateway service centre closed after fire
9:46 AM
A Manitoba Public Insurance service centre in northeast Winnipeg is closed until further notice after a fire early Wednesday.
Scheduled appointments at the Gateway service centre, located at 40 Lexington Park in the McLeod Industrial area, have been cancelled. The appointments include driver testing, adjusting and estimating services.
Customers are being contacted to reschedule. MPI said in a news release that all other customers are encouraged to visit another MPI service centre or an Autopac agent. Walk-in knowledge testing appointments for all licence classes are available on the second floor of Cityplace from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
MPI said updates on the Gateway closure will be shared at mpi.mb.ca as they are available.
Firefighters were sent to the building at 3:27 a.m. after an alarm sounded. Crews found smoke coming from the building and declared the fire under control at 4:12 a.m.
No one was found inside.
“The fire remains under investigation at this time,” the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said in a news release. “Damage estimates are not available.”
