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The two buildings in the 100 block of Spence Street after a fire in February 2024. Both buildings were later demolished. (Mike Deal / Free Press files) Architectural renderings made available to the City of Winnipeg Appeals Committee show the proposed development for the West Broadway lot. (City of Winnipeg)

Care home, social services facility going up on vacant Spence Street lot

Kevin Rollason 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

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A care home and social services facility will soon fill an empty lot in West Broadway where fire destroyed a vacant house last year.

Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corp. is behind the project on Spence Street just south of Broadway.

The project was approved at a civic appeal committee hearing in June. The conditional-use permit allows construction of a care facility that exceeds six beds.

The province had “nothing further to add to any information that may have already been made publicly available about these properties,” a spokesman said.

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Duha Colour Services to move U.S. firm’s operations to Winnipeg, add 94 new jobs

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Duha Colour Services to move U.S. firm’s operations to Winnipeg, add 94 new jobs

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Fresh off its acquisition of one of its leading U.S. competitors, Winnipeg-based Duha Colour Services Ltd. has announced it will use government grant money to expand its operations.

The federal and Manitoba governments said on Wednesday they have tabbed $160,000 for the Duha Group subsidiary — the world’s largest manufacturer of paint swatches and colour charts — to upgrade its local plant and train 136 employees.

Duha Group first announced bringing the U.S.-based Colwell Color Ltd. brand under its banner in October 2024.

It said this week it is transporting equipment and operations to Winnipeg from Colwell’s facility in Indiana. The move — and government grant — will create 94 new positions and allow the firm to train 42 current employees.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Rick Duha, Chief Business Officer, Duha Colour Services Ltd. – the Winnipeg-based company announced it will use government grant money to expand its operations.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Rick Duha, Chief Business Officer, Duha Colour Services Ltd. – the Winnipeg-based company announced it will use government grant money to expand its operations.

City asking for input on Garden City library

Free Press staff 4 minute read Preview

City asking for input on Garden City library

Free Press staff 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Police seek public’s help to ID suspect

City police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect connected with an assault outside of a downtown nightclub in June.

Police released surveillance images of the individual they believe is involved with a serious assault involving an 18-year-old man in a parking lot near the nightclub in the 400 block of Main Street as it was closing around 2:30 a.m. on June 28.

Anyone who knows the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219, or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
City asking for input on Garden City library

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Beloved family physician with a passion for learning made sure to be there for family, friends, community

Janine LeGal 6 minute read Preview

Beloved family physician with a passion for learning made sure to be there for family, friends, community

Janine LeGal 6 minute read Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025

Former patients and medical school classmates and colleagues noted his genuine and personalized care for people, his kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness. He took the time to listen. For every joyful moment, every milestone and celebration, for all things meaningful and important, Dr. David Crawford was there, for his community, his patients and his family.

Not one for fanfare, he preferred to be called Dave, sometimes Dr. Dave. The husband, father, grandfather and physician was down to earth and fully present for everyone he interacted with.

Crawford died on Sept. 20, 2024, at age 69 from complications related to prostate cancer.

Born in Winnipeg, Crawford had a passion for learning, and led an active lifestyle from a young age. He was involved in Boy Scouts and recreational sports. While attending St. John’s High School in Winnipeg’s North End, his interest in math and the sciences took hold, laying the foundation for his career.

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Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025

Supplied

Crawford adored his cat Oz.
Supplied Crawford adored his cat Oz.

Downtown groups plead for parking reprieve

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Preview

Downtown groups plead for parking reprieve

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

The city is being urged to explore expanding paid parking beyond downtown before making any changes to the fees charged for city centre spaces.

“It is critical for the economic health of our city that we don’t discourage people from coming downtown (through parking fees),” said Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, during Thursday’s public works committee meeting.

The city is considering a five-year parking strategy that could eventually overhaul parking practices and prices.

Paid parking times could be extended into evening and/or weekend hours, prices could increase to ensure turnover in high-demand areas and new fees could be charged where parking is currently free, the strategy notes.

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Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, argued against changes to paid parking in downtown Winnipeg at Thursday’s public works committee meeting.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, argued against changes to paid parking in downtown Winnipeg at Thursday’s public works committee meeting.

‘He could come for me again’: stabbing victim fears for her life if court removes hospital attacker’s high-risk designation

Dean Pritchard 3 minute read Preview

‘He could come for me again’: stabbing victim fears for her life if court removes hospital attacker’s high-risk designation

Dean Pritchard 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

It has been four years since Trevor Farley nearly killed Candyce Szkwarek during a frenzied knife attack inside Seven Oaks General Hospital, but it still feels like it happened yesterday, the now-retired nursing manager told a judge Thursday.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of what he did to me,” Szkwarek said. “I struggle to fall asleep and often wake up reliving the attack.”

Two years ago, Farley was found not criminally responsible for the October 2021 attack on Szkwarek and the slayings of his parents Stuart Farley and Judy Swain in separate attacks earlier that same day.

The not criminally responsible finding by King’s Bench Justice Ken Champagne was accompanied by an order that Farley be designated a high-risk accused — a first in Manitoba since former prime minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government introduced legislation creating the designation in 2014.

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Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

SUPPLIED

Trevor Farley is contesting the high-risk designation a judge placed on him two years ago.

SUPPLIED Trevor Farley is contesting the high-risk designation a judge placed on him two years ago.

Loading zones for taxis, ride-hailing vehicles eyed

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

Ride-hailing vehicles and taxis may have to have to share new loading zones.

The Winnipeg Parking Authority initially proposed a bylaw to establish new loading zones that would be reserved solely for ride-booking vehicles, such as Uber and Lyft, with a key goal to create safe spaces for drivers and riders to meet up.

On Thursday, council’s public works committee instead voted to let taxis use the spaces, too, pending city council approval.

The decision was made after members of the Winnipeg Community Taxi Association urged the committee to provide more “universal” access to the three proposed zones near Canada Life Centre arena and Burton Cummings Theatre.

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Veterinarian agrees to quit practice after regulator rules on latest complaints

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Preview

Veterinarian agrees to quit practice after regulator rules on latest complaints

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

A veterinarian who has an extensive history of being disciplined by the provincial regulator will stop practising next year.

Dr. Wenchao Zheng has agreed to retire on June 30 after he pleaded guilty to professional misconduct in front of the profession’s regulatory body earlier this year.

The peer review complaints committee of the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association held a hearing into four recent complaints against Zheng in July. Two were filed by members of the public in 2023, while the other two were referred to the committee by the regulator’s registrar in 2024.

In an order issued in September, the association banned Zheng from doing orthopedic surgeries.

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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Wenchao Zheng has agreed to stop practising as a veterinarian next year.
INSTAGRAM Dr. Wenchao Zheng has agreed to stop practising as a veterinarian next year.

Drug rehab staffer injured in attack by armed resident

Tyler Searle 4 minute read Preview

Drug rehab staffer injured in attack by armed resident

Tyler Searle 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

A staff member at a Winnipeg drug rehab centre, frequently used as an inpatient facility for people involved in the criminal justice system, was attacked and seriously injured by a resident armed with a weapon.

City police responded to reports of an assault at the Behavioural Health Foundation at 35 Avenue de la Digue shortly after 9 p.m. on Oct. 24. The victim, a person in their 20s, was transported to hospital in unstable condition, and later upgraded to stable condition, Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Claude Chancy said.

Officers arrested a 29-year-old woman and charged her with assault with a weapon and breaching a release order. Police withheld further details about the victim.

The Free Press has confirmed the accused involved in the attack is Jennifer Marie Pollard, who was being treated at the foundation’s inpatient facility in St. Norbert.

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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press

Police responded to reports of an assault at the Behavioural Health Foundation in St. Norbert on Oct. 24. The victim was transported to hospital in unstable condition and a 29-year-old woman was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon and breaching a release order.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Police responded to reports of an assault at the Behavioural Health Foundation in St. Norbert on Oct. 24. The victim was transported to hospital in unstable condition and a 29-year-old woman was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon and breaching a release order.

Councillors to vote on new parking plan that includes surge pricing

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Preview

Councillors to vote on new parking plan that includes surge pricing

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

The City of Winnipeg has unveiled a five-year parking strategy that includes more spaces and “surge pricing” during busy times and special events.

If the plan is adopted, the $270,000 strategy would pilot electric vehicle-charging stations downtown, develop an app for all parking needs and update accessibility signs for drivers with disabilities.

The strategy aims to manage the parking stock amid increased curb use.

“With the federal government providing funding for housing and transit, the city is densifying and we need our parking policies to better reflect that,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, who is chairwoman of the public works committee, which will vote on it Nov. 6. It requires final approval from council.

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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

Chairwoman of the public works committee, Coun. Janice Lukes, says Winnipeg’s increase in urban density needs to be better reflected in its parking policies.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Chairwoman of the public works committee, Coun. Janice Lukes, says Winnipeg’s increase in urban density needs to be better reflected in its parking policies.

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