Grim discovery postpones announcement on future of controversial inner-city housing complex

A long-awaited housing announcement involving a once-promising core-area housing complex shuttered out of safety concerns after years of neglect and criminal behaviour was called off at the last minute Friday after a body was discovered inside.

Housing Minister Bernadette Smith, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine and Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs representatives were scheduled to begin the event at Centre Village on Balmoral Street at 9 a.m.

It had to be cancelled when Winnipeg Police Service officers arrived at the Manitoba Housing apartment complex at about 8:30, responding to a report of a body inside, spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said, adding the person appeared to be a male and the death is believed to have been medical matter, not a criminal one.

“I’m not seeing anything… suspicious in nature,” he said, offering no other details.

Indigenous MLA ‘worried’ about First Nations gaining control of child welfare

A First Nations government backbencher, who is also a foster parent, worries about who will speak up for children in care once their communities assume complete control over child welfare. “As an Indigenous woman and former Indigenous chief and council member, I can say this: I’m really worried about the First Nations handling this authority,” northern NDP MLA Amanda Lathlin told the legislative affairs committee, which is reviewing of the Advocate for Children and Youth Act, on Friday. “I’m worried about the nepotism that’s currently going on in every office,” Lathlin said, referring to “band politics” and “bullshit” before apologizing […]

Residents begin going through the rubble after tornadoes hammer parts of Nebraska and Iowa

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Residents began sifting through the rubble Saturday after a tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, demolishing homes and businesses as it moved for miles through farmland and into subdivisions, then slamming an Iowa town.

Dozens of reported tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest, causing a building to collapse with dozens of people inside and destroying and damaging at least 150 homes in Omaha alone.

But no fatalities were reported, and fewer than two dozen people were treated at Omaha-area hospitals, said Dr. Lindsay Huse, health director of the city's Douglas County Health Department.

“Miraculous” she said, stressing that none of the city's injuries were serious. Neighboring communities reported a handful of injuries each.

Jets get good news on Dillon, look to rebound after ugly third period in Game 3 loss

DENVER - A handful of Colorado Avalanche players participated in an optional skate Saturday after an emphatic win over Winnipeg a day earlier.

The Jets went the opposite way, holding a full-team regular practice as they look to rebound from a third period and Game 3 loss they'd like to forget.

Colorado scored five times in the final stanza — including three goals over a six-minute stretch — for a 6-2 win and 2-1 series lead. The teams face off again Sunday afternoon at Ball Arena.

"We have these five-, six-, seven-minute lapses that are really slipping away from us," said Jets defenceman Neal Pionk. "I think in a couple of games we’ve given up two, three goals in a five-minute span. So we’ve got to stick with it and the leaders have got to lead."

Winkler Flyers ride OT victory to first MJHL title in 26 years

The Winkler Flyers scratched a 26-year itch Friday night.

Spurred on by a boisterous sellout crowd of 1,300 at Centennial Arena, the Flyers captured their first Turnbull Cup title since 1998 with a 5-4 overtime triumph over the Steinbach Pistons.

Zach Nicolas’ sixth goal of the MJHL post-season, coming during a 5-on-3 power play 4:59 into extra time, allowed Winkler to sweep the best-of-seven MJHL final from the defending league champs.

“It’s huge — not just for the team, not just for the coaching staff but the community here,” said Nicolas. “They’ve been waiting a long time and we brought it in this year.”

Witness complications result in plea deal for machete killers

A Winnipeg man and woman who admit attacking and killing a woman with machetes have dodged possible convictions for first-degree murder after one of the main witnesses against them died and another disappeared.

Amos Joe Kematch and Leah Carol Clifton entered guilty pleas to second-degree murder Thursday in the February 2022 slaying of 26-year-old Heather Marie Cheyane Beardy. The pair’s guilty pleas came as the result of a plea bargain reached shortly before a jury was to be selected that same day in their impending trial.

The mandatory sentence for first-degree murder is life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. A conviction for second-degree murder also results in a mandatory life sentence, but parole eligibility can be set anywhere between 10 and 25 years.

The distinction between first- and second-degree murder is that first-degree murder refers to a killing that is both planned and deliberate, while second-degree murder refers to a killing that is deliberate, but not planned.