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First Nations man fights banishment from northern community

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

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A Manitoba father of five is seeking a judicial review of a decision banishing him from his First Nation after he was charged with driving through a community checkstop.

Fifty-three-year-old Terry Wayne Francois of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation filed a notice of application in federal court last week seeking to quash the banishment order, which prohibits him from going to the First Nation, which is 80 kilometres west of Thompson.

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, which includes Nelson House, has operated a permanent checkstop since 2019, allowing peace officers to search vehicles for contraband, detect human trafficking or gang activity, and ensure no one under banishment enters the community.

On Dec. 30, 2024, Francois was driving home from Thompson with his daughter when he stopped for the checkstop, says the review application.

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Patient accused of assaulting paramedic in ambulance, attacking driver in passing vehicle

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

A Pine Creek man is facing charges after police say he assaulted a paramedic and then wandered into traffic and attacked a passing motorist in front of a child.

A Mountie from the Winnipegosis detachment responded to the incident at 10:45 a.m. Monday, after receiving reports that a patient armed with shears had assaulted a paramedic in the back of an ambulance. The 38-year-old suspect was being transported from Pine Creek First Nation to a hospital in Dauphin, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Tuesday.

“The officer met the ambulance on Highway 20, north of Winnipegosis. When the officer opened the back of the ambulance, the male was still in possession of the weapon, and despite continued requests to drop the weapon, he did not comply,” RCMP said.

“The male then aggressively approached the officer with the shear.”

Fire threat triggers mandatory evacuation order for northern community’s 300 residents

Chris Kitching 5 minute read Preview

Fire threat triggers mandatory evacuation order for northern community’s 300 residents

Chris Kitching 5 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

About 300 residents of a northern Manitoba community were ordered to leave their homes by 1 p.m. Tuesday because of an out-of-control wildfire, while evacuees from a First Nation were relieved to be finally headed home.

A mandatory evacuation order was issued for Cormorant, about 70 kilometres northeast of The Pas, after residents were told to begin packing bags late Monday night.

“It’s scary because the fire is so close,” said Marie Lavallee, who was getting her six children ready before they had to leave. “We’re on the edge of town where there’s forest.”

In a social-media post, Cormorant’s council said provincial crews were mobilizing to battle the blaze, and a fire break was being constructed.

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Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

SUPPLIED

During a wildfire update Tuesday, the Town of Snow Lake said ground and aerial crews contained several flare-ups, and continued to extinguish hot spots near the town and mining areas.
SUPPLIED During a wildfire update Tuesday, the Town of Snow Lake said ground and aerial crews contained several flare-ups, and continued to extinguish hot spots near the town and mining areas.

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‘Innovative and inclusive’ approach to transform five Winnipeg properties into 700 housing units

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

‘Innovative and inclusive’ approach to transform five Winnipeg properties into 700 housing units

Malak Abas 5 minute read Monday, Jul. 28, 2025

Bryce Nelson knows how difficult it is for people with disabilities to live independently in Winnipeg.

Nelson has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and lives with his parents. Living at home gives him the freedom to be active in his community while having disability supports — a quality of life not afforded to some of his friends who struggle to find housing that is both accessible and integrated with their communities.

“I want to move out eventually, but I don’t know what I would do and who would assist me if I moved out,” the 36-year-old said Monday.

He hopes new accessible housing in store for St. Boniface will change that.

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Monday, Jul. 28, 2025

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS

Mayor Scott Gillingham talks with Bryce Nelson (wheelchair) and his mom, Margy Nelson, Special Projects Director, CoHabit, after the news conference at 825 Tache on developers selected to build affordable housing on city-owned properties.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Mayor Scott Gillingham talks with Bryce Nelson (wheelchair) and his mom, Margy Nelson, Special Projects Director, CoHabit, after the news conference at 825 Tache on developers selected to build affordable housing on city-owned properties.

Brandon judge denies bail for woman accused of mail theft

Skye Anderson 3 minute read Preview

Brandon judge denies bail for woman accused of mail theft

Skye Anderson 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:21 AM CDT

BRANDON — A Boissevain woman accused in a series of mail thefts was denied bail because the judge said releasing her could taint the public’s confidence in the justice system.

“This was an extensive spree… of theft and fraud spanning across a wide swath of Manitoba,” Brandon provincial court Judge Patrick Sullivan said Friday.

The crimes “impacted multiple communities and likely dozens of victims — if not more,” he said.

Jennifer MacDonald, 41, is one of two people facing 41 charges related to the string of mailbox thefts last winter. They include breaking and entering, theft from mail over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, fraud over $5,000 and theft of a credit card.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:21 AM CDT

The Brandon courthouse (File)
The Brandon courthouse (File)

Mexican caught in Morden headed to prison for human smuggling

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

A Mexican man arrested in Morden last year as he tried to smuggle five Mexican nationals into the United States has been sentenced to three years in prison.

“The gravity of this offence is very significant,” provincial court Judge Wanda Garreck told 35-year-old Jose Hilario-Pimental at a sentencing hearing Wednesday, saying a “clear message” must be sent to other would-be human smugglers that their actions won’t be tolerated by the court.

Hilario-Pimental was arrested March 8, 2024, after Morden police pulled over a van he was driving that had five passengers. The van had Ontario licence plates and was registered in another person’s name.

The five passengers, all of whom had Mexican passports, provided conflicting answers when asked where they came from and where they were going, said Crown attorney Colin Gray.

Spence neighbourhood residents want city to turn unsightly Furby Street lots into affordable infill housing

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Preview

Spence neighbourhood residents want city to turn unsightly Furby Street lots into affordable infill housing

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

A group of Spence neighbourhood residents are asking for the city to take control of eight long-vacant lots in the inner city, saying they would better serve the community if they were converted into affordable housing.

“They are depressing. It makes it look like your neighbourhood is dying,” said Cheryl Martens, one of about a dozen residents behind a letter sent to local politicians at every level of government Thursday.

The letter suggests the stretch of homes, all located on or near the 500 block of Furby Street, would be suitable candidates for infill housing development.

Many of the properties have been vacant since late 2018, owing to a rash of fires on the street. For years, neighbours have wondered when the empty lots would be replaced with homes. Instead, they are treated as pedestrian thoroughfares, attracting garbage and, sometimes, homeless encampments, Martens said.

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Cheryl Martens, is asking municipal and provincial politicians to expropriate several vacant lots in the Spence neighbourhood and replace them with affordable homes that can then be listed for sale.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Cheryl Martens, is asking municipal and provincial politicians to expropriate several vacant lots in the Spence neighbourhood and replace them with affordable homes that can then be listed for sale.

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‘Brutal attack’: judge sentences man to 18 years after blindfolded, hog-tied victim thrown in dumpster

Dean Pritchard 6 minute read Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

A Winnipeg man who tossed a bound, injured woman into a metal garbage bin on a cold winter night, fully expecting her to die, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Joey Audy, 36, previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder for the unprovoked attack in December 2023.

“The fact that (the victim) survived is by sheer luck,” provincial court Judge Rachel Rusen said Thursday. “Mr. Audy intended to kill (her).”

“This was a brutal attack on a vulnerable person,” she said. “Mr. Audy… demonstrated his complete disregard for human life.”

Order of the Buffalo Hunt conferred on teams that fought wildfires

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Preview

Order of the Buffalo Hunt conferred on teams that fought wildfires

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

One of Manitoba’s highest honours, the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, has been bestowed upon a long list of groups that battled the flames during the worst wildfire season in decades.

“The 2025 season reminded us once again of the courage and professionalism of Manitoba’s wildfire service and emergency management teams,” said Premier Wab Kinew at Thursday’s ceremony.

Recipient Loren Schinkel plans to hang his award in the RM of Lac du Bonnet municipal office to recognize staff who fought together.

“I might have been the pointy part of the spear, but it wasn’t just me that dealt with the horrific event in our community. It was everyone,” Schinkel, the reeve of the municipality, said at the legislature.

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Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press LOCAL - Order of the Buffalo Hunt Photo of Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (left), and Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister for the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, hold the Order of the Buffalo Hunt awarded to them both by the Premier of Manitoba in a ceremony earlier for guiding the province through one of its most difficult wildfire seasons, at a special ceremony at the Legislative Building Thursday. They had their photo taken with a larger group of heroes who also were recognized for their emergency work helping with the Manitoba Wildfires this past summer. Hayward and Stevens, are two of Manitoba’s top emergency leaders that were recognized for guiding the province through one of its most difficult wildfire seasons in recent years. Oct 09, 2025
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press LOCAL - Order of the Buffalo Hunt Photo of Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (left), and Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister for the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, hold the Order of the Buffalo Hunt awarded to them both by the Premier of Manitoba in a ceremony earlier for guiding the province through one of its most difficult wildfire seasons, at a special ceremony at the Legislative Building Thursday. They had their photo taken with a larger group of heroes who also were recognized for their emergency work helping with the Manitoba Wildfires this past summer. Hayward and Stevens, are two of Manitoba’s top emergency leaders that were recognized for guiding the province through one of its most difficult wildfire seasons in recent years. Oct 09, 2025

‘Teachers didn’t teach me right’: boy with dyslexia among dozens who back Manitoba literacy screening bill

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Preview

‘Teachers didn’t teach me right’: boy with dyslexia among dozens who back Manitoba literacy screening bill

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

A 10-year-old boy made an unusual appearance at a legislative committee on Wednesday night because, as he put it, “all teachers need know how to teach dyslexia kids.”

Grade 5 student Jacob Dyck was one of 38 people who registered to speak on a new private member’s bill that would require elementary teachers use a screening tool to check on how Manitoba’s youngest pupils are progressing with reading and writing.

Jacob introduced himself and, after stumbling over some initial “ums” and “likes,” spoke candidly about his early years in school and frustrations about needing a tutor.

“The teachers didn’t teach me right and it was hard and it was painful for me,” he told the standing committee on social and economic development at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

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Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

YOUTUBE

Grade 5 student Jacob Dyck Grade 5 spoke up at a Manitoba legislative committee meeting on Wednesday.
YOUTUBE Grade 5 student Jacob Dyck Grade 5 spoke up at a Manitoba legislative committee meeting on Wednesday.

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