NewsNow
Following a high-profile trial that lasted more than a month, Jeremy Skibicki will be spending the next at least 25 years behind bars.
On Thursday morning, the serial killer was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of four women in Winnipeg. Manitoba Court of King's Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal delivered the ruling.
One of the females who was murdered was Rebecca Contois, who was 24. Contois was a member of O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation, also known as Crane River. Morgan Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26, were both members of the Long Plain First Nation. An unidentified woman community leaders have given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman was the fourth victim.
Skibicki had previously pleaded not guilty to the four counts. While he did admit to the killings, he argued that he should not be found criminally responsible because of a mental disorder, specifically schizophrenia. Once the verdict was handed out, the courtroom erupted with cheers and applause.
In a media release, Premier Wab Kinew had the following to say on the verdict.
Today is a significant day in the history of Manitoba. It is important that there is accountability for what are some of the worst crimes in our province’s history. I thank Chief Justice Glenn Joyal for showing respect to the victims, their families and the context of MMIWG2S+ in which the verdict was delivered.
This verdict is a relief for so many in our province because it meets our expectations on how any of us as Manitobans would want our families to be treated if we were thrown into such a terrible situation.
Women are sacred and what the admitted serial killer has been found guilty of represents a dark violation of the way our society is supposed to function and of the basic dignity to which each person is entitled.
Skibicki now faces an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Following the verdict, Kinew says he spoke to the families of Myran, Harris, and Contos to offer them support and hear their reactions.
On behalf of the Manitoba government, I thank the families of these women. The people of this great land join you in remembering your loved ones," said Kinew.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The three people charged in relation to a trio of armed robberies in Dauphin in early March have all made recent court appearances.
24-year-old Mallory Catcheway of Brandon was in Dauphin court on Monday and had her matters put over until August 27th.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Lorenzo Ducharme and 30-year-old Desmond Parenteau - both of Duck Bay - appeared on Tuesday and were remanded back into custody until their next appearances - this Friday for Parenteau and September 10th for Ducharme.
And a Dauphin man accused of assaulting one person and then assaulting and spitting on a police officer was also back in court.
30-year-old Shayne Lavallee had his case recessed until July 18th.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The province has launched its latest round of applications for the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant.
The fund, which gives funding to Manitoba businesses to help them train new and current employees, benefitted 485 companies and organizations during the 2023-24 intake period and trained 9,615 employees - including 763 new hires.
Over the last two years, a total of $10 has been made available through this grant, which gives funding to Manitoba businesses to help them train new and current employees.
This year, $3 million is being made available through the Labour Market Transfer Agreement with the Federal Government.
Employers are eligible to receive up to $10,000 per employee and up to $100,000 per training project.
Small employers with 100 or fewer employees can receive up to 75 per cent of eligible training costs, while larger employers can receive up to 50 per cent of training costs.
Applications will be accepted until July 24th through the government's website gov.mb.ca.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The entire Parkland region, as well as all of Central and Southern Manitoba, is under a heat warning by Environment Canada.
The weather service says humidex levels are expected to reach 40 degrees, both Thursday and Friday.
An upper ridge that has blanketed the rest of Western Canada this week has moved into Manitoba today.
A slight reprieve is likely beginning late Friday into the weekend as the warmest air shifts southward, though temperatures will remain well above seasonal into early next week.
Environment Canada adds extreme heat can affect everyone’s health, with the health risks greater for older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, people with physical and/or mental illnesses, and people with disabilities or mobility issues.
Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and the worsening of some health conditions.
You are also encouraged to drink plenty of water regularly to decrease your risk of dehydration.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin RCMP detachment will be closed on Thursday.
The reason for the closure is due to unforeseen circumstances.
The detachment is set to re-open on Friday morning at 8:00. If you have an emergency, call 911 or 622-5050.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
It's a massive and more modern upgrade for the Mossey River Municipality, as the Winnipegosis Fire Department has purchased a pumper truck.
This 2014 model replaces two older trucks from '72 and '89, and Fire Chief Gerry Vermette says it has some great new features.
"The big feature we really like, it's going to be a benefit, it's got a 3-inch top mount monitor gun. That'll be great help in fighting structure fires and even for grass fires and stuff. That was one of the big features that we liked about it."
This truck was purchased in partnership with the Municipality and funding from the Manitoba Hydro Community Development Initiative at a price tag of roughly $285,000.
Gerry also noted departments like this do a lot more than just put out fires.
The Winnipegosis Fire Department is host to a STARS air ambulance mobile fuel cache that extends their rescue range by 150km.
It also orchestrates water rescue operations and attends to car accidents and other critical rescue operations.
Vermette wants to thank not just the funders, but the people that dedicate their time to save lives.
"Thanks to all our past and present firefighters for the commitment and support they've given to our fire department"
He expects this new truck to last for quite some time.
As well, the Firehall is always looking for new members. If you're looking to try your hand at these life-saving roles, they are accepting applicants, and also offer a youth training program for those between 16 and 18.
Stop by the Firehall, or contact them on their Facebook page to find out more details on how you can get involved
- Details
- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Effects of excess moisture continue to impact our producers, as the RM of Dauphin has also declared a state of Agricultural Disaster.
This follows the recent announcement from the Mossey River RM that also acknowledged the damage seen in their area.
In the release, Reeve Ernie Sirski noted the excess rain piled onto problems caused by a big early season melt.
"It wasn't just one snowstorm, there was at least 2 that I remember, and if I'm not mistaken, there were 3 in March that hit. A lot of that moisture didn't run off, as the ground wasn't very frozen. it went down."
Sirski was also concerned about the rising tensions and stress among producers, hoping there could be amicable interactions with his staff and constituents.
" A lot of us involved in Municipal politics live agriculture. Not just crops and livestock, but every other aspect of it as well. And you know, the thing that doesn't help is coming up and yelling at councilors or managers or staff. Using foul language doesn't help any. We understand your situation, all we ask is a little understanding on the way back."
The release requests the Province initiate a financial assistance program for all those affected, possibly even seeking federal assistance as well.
- Details
- Contributed by Michael Brossart
If you use the Alonsa Vet Clinic for your animal needs, you must find a new option for now.
In a Facebook post, it was announced that Dr. Ronald Mentz died suddenly at his home on Tuesday evening.
As a result, the Vet Clinic will close until further notice.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A number of Manitoba communities can expect extreme daytime temperatures and warm overnight lows on Wednesday.
Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for several Northern Manitoba communities, including Flin Flon, Norway House, and Cross Lake.
According to the weather agency, the warm temperatures are being brought on as an upper level ridge settles over the Prairies.
It notes that daytime highs reaching 30 C and overnight lows of 16 C will continue through Thursday. Temperatures will cool down by the end of the week.
EC is warning that extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. The effects of heat illness include swelling, rashes, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Manitobans are reminded to drink lots of water, schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day and limit direct sun exposure. EC also warns that people and pets should never be left inside a parked car.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 35-year-old man from Lake St Martin faces several charges after Mounties received reports of threats being made towards another individual in that community.
The original complaint came in to Gypsumville RCMP on July 4th, with the investigation finding that a suspect, who was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms, was in possession of several firearms at his home in Lake St Martin.
A traffic stop was conducted the following day on Provincial Road 513, where a suspect was found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine.
Police say a search of a property on Memorial Crescent turned up three firearms, ammunition, cash, and a small quantity of drugs, pills, and other drug-related paraphernalia.
35-year -old Leonard Dorion faces charges including uttering threats, possession of property obtained by crime, three counts of unsafe storage of a firearm, and other firearms related offences.
He remains in custody as Gypsumville RCMP continues to investigate.
- Details
- Contributed by Jeff Henson
This week's Manitoba Crop Report saw a great deal of precipitation in the Northwest region.
Isolated heavy rains hit most of the province, but the Fork River logged the most, with 82.1mm of rain. This was the most seen in the province, with the least falling on St.Lazare (1.1mm)
Not all this rain came in liquid forms, as hail was observed in the Northwest. Damage is still yet to be assessed in the crops affected.
Growing degree days are also still a bit behind the average, as the province has seen near or below 90% of the normal average. the cooler weather has left things still quite saturated.
An overview of the various crops has some mixed results.
In cereals, Fall rye, and winter wheat are at the soft dough stage with the most advanced fields ripening. Spring wheat ranges from flag to heading, and fungicide applications are being applied where conditions allow for it.
Spring wheat is rated fair to mostly good, but roughly 10% of the crops are reported as poor in the Central, Interlake, and Northwest regions. As well, corn ranges from V6 to V8.
Oilseeds are moving along, with canola ranging from rosette to flowering, and fungicide applications taking place where possible. Sunflowers are between V8 and V12, and flax is between growth stages 5 and 7.
In Pulses and Soybeans, field peas reached the R1-R2 stage, with fungicides applied for blight. Soybeans range from the second to fourth trifoliate stages with some flowering reported in the earliest planted crops. Dry beans are in the third and fourth trifoliate stages as well.
The excess rain is starting to weigh on forages and livestock. Hay cuts have been tricky in many areas as drying times are insufficient. Some producers are concerned about the quantity and quality of harvested feed that will be carried into the winter seasons.
Grasses and alfalfa are both bountiful, but there's a lot of difficulty in getting to processing it. There is worry that forage quality will drop as the plants mature,
No issues with keeping dugouts full, and the cattle in the pasture are doing well overall. Low-lying areas are potentially seeing issues with foot rot, pink eye, and excess flies.
Taking a closer look at the Northwest region, summer thunderstorms brought yet more rain and some hail. As mentioned earlier, the damage assessment is still ongoing.
The earliest field peas are now in R1 stage, and for the most part, fields are looking good. However, there are fields affected by the excess moisture and doing poorly.
Spring wheat has sprung up a bit faster with some more consistent heat with most of the fields progressing to the flowering stage. There are some compounding issues arising from the moisture.
Fields affected by excess moisture are yellowed and stunted, and the excess humidity increases the risk of fusarium head blight. on top of that, fungicide application is a challenge with the soft, soaked soil.
Canola crops are varied, with the earliest crops flowering and the remainder in the bolting and rosette stages. Flea beetles are subsiding as plants mature and the season shifts.
The warmer weather has been helpful for soybean crops as they are now in the second to fourth trifoliate stages and generally looking good.
Winter wheat and fall rye crops in our area are not running into too many excess moisture problems. It looks good and is in the grain development stage.
With the hot week this week, Agro-Manitoba might finally be getting the summer it needs. Warm, sunny weather is sure to bolster growth and dry up the fields, allowing more maintenance to be done.
Until next week, here's wishing for a productive, and hopefully drier, season for producers.
- Details
- Contributed by Michael Brossart
