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UPDATE:
The warning that was in effect for the Municipality of Roblin including Makaroff Shortdale and Bield, the RM of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville, and Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Provincial Forest has been downgraded to a severe thunderstorm watch.
All other areas in the Parkland remain under a severe thunderstorm watch.
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A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for southwest and central Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan.
There's also a severe thunderstorm warning for the Municipality of Roblin including Makaroff Shortdale and Bield, the RM of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville, and Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Provincial Forest.
Environment Canada says that conditions are favourable for developing dangerous thunderstorms that could produce heavy rain, strong winds, and large hail.
An unstable airmass that has lingered over the southern prairies for the last week will once again produce severe thunderstorms this afternoon. Thunderstorms are expected to weaken as the sun sets.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update posted at 10:43 am on June 8:
The RCMP has arrested Shawn Spence.
Shawn Spence has been arrested. The RCMP thanks the public and the media for their assistance. #rcmpmb
— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) June 8, 2023
Details: https://t.co/1tYsGxunoD pic.twitter.com/Rcx22YPylz
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Original Article Posted at 3:40 pm on June 7:
The Manitoba RCMP has identified a suspect in yesterday's deadly shooting on Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation.
A warrant for the arrest of 26-year-old Shawn Owen Spence of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation has been obtained. Spence is wanted for First Degree Murder, Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited, and Possession of a Firearm knowing its Possession is Unauthorized.
Spence is considered armed and dangerous. He should not be approached, and you should call 911 immediately if you see him. Police say that Spence lives on Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, and is known to frequent Ebb & Flow First Nation.
Spence is 6'3", 180 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of the Pittsburgh Penguins logo on the left side of his neck. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Sandy Bay Detachment at 204-843-7701, or their local police.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in the province, both for those who live here and for all the tourists that frequent Manitoba's waters.
There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that keeps the sport going.
Manitoba's Regional Fisheries Manager Maxime LeGal shares some of the details and dedication that goes into keeping the waters of Manitoba known far and wide as some of the best fishing around.
"The hatchery system overall produced about 34 million walleye fry and so these are allocated to different water bodies in the province, about 55 different lakes across the province."
Walleye is by far one of the most popular fish that many anglers want to see on their line, but the hatcheries in the province are always looking to create diverse populations.
"Our Whiteshell hatchery also produces different trout species such as rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and splake, and those are stocked through different lakes across the province as well."
LeGal detailed the critical importance of the work he and his teams do, as many of the bodies of water are considered "put-and-take" fisheries, where the annual stocking is the only thing keeping the number of walleye and trout sustained.
With the millions of fish going into the dozens of lakes, you'd think more people would spot the hatchery trucks driving around, but LeGal jests that the massive work that gets done can feel more like a covert operation at times.
"I joke around sometimes that we do this under the cover of darkness and depending on where we're stocking and how far we're traveling, sometimes we are literally stocking at night and in the dark. If you're lucky enough to see the hatchery truck going by then maybe you catch a glimpse and you know, but for most people its something that happens that no one is even aware of"
If you are out on the water, or casting from the shore, be sure to think of and thank the hard work of the people like Maxime LeGal and everyone with Manitoba's fisheries.
To reel this story in, LeGal said it best; "If you're wanting to go out fishing, good luck and tight lines".
Happy fishing!
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Three of the streets around Mackenzie Middle School will be closed this morning (Thursday, June 8th) starting at 9.
The closures will affect school buses and parents/guardians who pick up students after school. Buses will pick kids up on 2nd Street NE behind the playground. Parents can pick their children up on 2nd Street NE as well, but just a little further up the road. See the map below for details.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Update posted at 2:45 pm on June 7 below:
The RCMP has arrested an 18-year-old male in connection with the home invasion. He remains in police custody at this time, and the RCMP say they'll provide further updates when possible.
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Original article posted at 1:40 pm on June 7 below:
The Wasagaming RCMP is looking for the suspect in a home invasion in Erikson.
Around 1:55 am on June 6th, the RCMP received a complaint of a home invasion at an address located on 2nd Street NW in the community.
Officers found a 30-year-old female with significant, but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to the hospital and later transferred to Winnipeg where she remains in stable condition.
The male suspect fled the scene before police arrived, and wasn't known to the victim. No arrest has been made at this time, but police don't think there is a heightened threat to the public, and they're working to find the suspect.
Wasagaming RCMP, along with RCMP Major Crime Services and RCMP Forensic Identification Services, continue to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Wasagaming RCMP at 204-848-2442, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Areas as far north as Grand Rapids and as far south as the US border are under a severe thunderstorm watch.
Conditions are favorable to see storms bringing heavy rains, high winds, lightning, and a possibility of hail.
These conditions are known to carry a possibility of tornados as well.
To report a severe storm in your area, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and keep an eye on Weather Canada's Website to stay up to date on the storm watch and conditions.
- Details
- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A new program intended for Indigenous students is coming to Assiniboine Community College's Parkland Campus in Dauphin.
Their new Horticultural Production program, which is free for successful applicants, will start on Tuesday, July 4th, and finish in March 2024.
"We hope this is the first step in bringing more horticultural production programs to the Parkland region", said Carol Stewart, Director at ACC's Parkland Campus.
The program has 15 open spots. Admission requirements are a Grade 12 diploma, including math and english.
Part of the program is a 3-week paid practicum with Vermillion Growers, who have partnered up with ACC for the program.
"We are going to be doing a lot of practical work there, on-site, at the greenhouse", says Stewart, who adds it's very exciting having Vermillion Growers be part of their new Horticultural Production course.
To find out more information about the program, you can call the Parkland Campus at 204-622-2222 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the campus on Whitmore Avenue East.
The campus also has a survey online about what kind of programs and education you would like to see come to the school in the future.
- Details
- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Seeding progress in the province has surpassed the five-year average for the first time this year.
Provincial seeding is 97% done as of this week's crop report, just ahead of the 96% five-year average, and well ahead of the 87% for this time last year.
A mix of high temperatures, humidity, and showers/thunderstorms made for a mixed week in the Northwest region. High temperatures and soil moisture encouraged rapid growth, but extreme precipitation events cause damage in some areas.
Gilbert Plains and Ashville were the affected areas early in the week, with Ashville being the wettest location, seeing 53.6 mm. Over the weekend, the Swan Valley was the area hit the hardest, with two storms making their way through the area just south of Swan River, resulting in overland flooding, high water levels, and road washouts in some areas.
Spring Wheat in the region is around 98% seeded, with the majority of spring crops having emerged and looking uniform.
Pea and Soybean seeding is complete in the Northwest, with pea fields emerging and looking uniform, while the high temperatures have moved soybean crops along well.
Canola seeding is about 90% done in the region, with earlies seeded canola in the two-leaf stage, and starting to see some flea beetle pressure. Some of that pressure is requiring control.
Winter Wheat and fall rye are looking good and advancing, except for areas in the Swan Valley that saw a large amount of rain, which has plattened parts of the field.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Around 6:30 this morning, the Manitoba First Nations Police Service(MFNPS) responded to a report of a shooting outside a residence on Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation.
The victim, a 39-year-old male, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and police say it doesn't appear to be a random incident. The MFNPS has requested the assistance of the RCMP in the investigation.
The RCMP Major Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Unit, and the Emergency Response Team are currently in the community investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sandy Bay Detachment at 204-843-7701, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Roblin RCMP has gotten more information on a woman that's been missing since 2020.
Police are investigating the disappearance of Melinda Lynxleg as a homicide, and new information has led officers to an abandoned residence in San Clara.
Lynxleg, from Valley River First Nation, has been missing since March 31st, 2020, and this is the first update from police since November 19th, 2020.
Melinda Lynxleg
Starting yesterday, and continuing today, the RCMP Search and Rescue Team, RCMP Major Crime Services investigators, RCMP Forensic Identification Section, Roblin RCMP officers, and a forensic anthropologist are working in the San Clara area following up on the new information.
As it's an ongoing investigation, the RCMP isn't disclosing more information, including the reason for the police presence in the area, but is assuring the community there's no public safety threat.
The RCMP Major Crime Service Family Liaison has remained in contact with Melinda’s family, and they are aware of the new developments in the investigation.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Saturday was a historic day for the Manitoba Métis Federation, as thousands of Red River Métis citizens gathered in person in Winnipeg, at satellite sites, or virtually for an Extraordinary General Meeting.
At the meeting, citizens voted unanimously to approve the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty. Vice-President of the Northwest Métis Council, Frances Chartrand, says it was a huge step forward for the MMF.
"So to my understanding, we had over 4000 citizens there. Some of the elders were just shaking our hands and they were so grateful for the leadership, that we were able to finally move forward to sign the agreement where we could have our inherent rights back and the commitment that was made in 1870,"
The treaty solidifies the self-governance of the Red River Métis people, something that has been more than 150 years in the making says MMF President David Chartrand in a news release.
“With this vote, our treaty rights a wrong that took place 153 years ago, when our first treaty –the Manitoba Act – was negotiated and then ignored by Canada."
Saturday's meeting was the largest assembly in MMF history and followed the Red River Metis tradition to gather in Assembly when making decisions that affect the future of the Nation.
From Left: NWMC Executive Peter Fleming, NWMC VP Frances Chartrand, and NWMC Executive Richard Genaille
Frances Chartrand says their recent work across the Northwest Region shows their commitment to Red River Métis citizens and the region as a whole.
"During the pandemic, we spent 10 million dollars in the Parkland, where we were able to build three childcare centres, employ about 40 people in the Parkland area to have jobs and train them to work in the early learning childcare field. Ensuring that we have programming such as our Michif languages, our Saulteaux language, and having cultural land-based programs in each of our childcare centres."
Vice President Chartrand says all of this work was done to ensure that they were ready when the day came for the treaty to be signed.
- Details
- Contributed by Sam Brownell
