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Cats in Manitoba can no longer be declawed.

Declawing is a practice to surgically remove a cat’s claws by amputating the toe bones of the cat.

Typically a pet owner would request the operation to protect their furniture or clothing from being damaged by the claws.

Manitoba joins BC, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, New Brunswick, and Alberta in banning declawing.

Declawing cats has also been banned in 30 countries.

Last night a Manitoba First Nations Police officer responded to a disturbance in Waywayseecappo at the gaming centre.

In the parking lot, an altercation occurred between the officer and multiple suspects.

During the altercation, the officer was stabbed multiple times, he also discharged his weapon striking one of the suspects.

Additional MFNPS and RCMP officers responded to assist him.

After being treated for serious injuries, the 29-year-old officer was released from the hospital.

A 21-year-old male is currently in hospital in serious but stable condition with a gunshot wound.

Manitoba RCMP is now investigating the stabbing of the officer as per the Provincial Police Services Act.

Numerous resources have been deployed, including officers from multiple detachments, Forensic Identification Services, and Major Crimes Services. Officers remain on scene and the investigation is ongoing.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has initiated an investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Five men have been arrested for sexually assaulting a woman near Riding Mountain National Park.

RCMP say the woman reported she had been sexually assaulted in a home in the RM of Harrison Park, just south of Riding Mountain National Park.

Police were called around 3 pm on Saturday, May 25th and all five suspects were arrested within 24 hours.

The suspects range in age from 23 to 27 years old and two are from Wawanesa, and Boissevain, while one is from Winnipeg.

The men have been released with a promise to appear in Minnedosa Provincial Court, August 27.

The RCMP haven't released any names because the men haven't been formally charged.

46-year-old Perez Cleveland will be locked away for a long time.

He was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2016 death of 42-year-old Jennifer Barrett.

Cleveland shared a home with Barrett and five other women, one of which was his adult daughter.

Court heard how Cleveland abused and manipulated Barrett and four of the women who were referred to as "sister wives”, before he killed Jennifer and put her in a barrel.

The barrel was found in the backyard of a home in Winnipeg`s Waverley Heights neighbourhood on December 1, 2016. Police say the barrel was filled with chemicals meant to speed up decomposition.

Four of the women that testified during the trial said Perez was initially charming, but he turned psychologically, physically abusive.

A 34-year-old woman who tried buying a car earlier this week in Brandon is in some big trouble.

The woman was in court yesterday facing charges that included possession of a false ID and methamphetamine.

When she went back to the Brandon Correctional Centre from court, it was discovered that she was at court under another false name.

The police and correctional centre then used the fingerprint database to find out who she actually was.

Her new charges now include Public Mischief, Impersonation, Obstruction of Justice, and Breach of Recognizance from previous court appearances.

This Saturday you can expect to see people cleaning the ditches along the highway from Swan River to Bowsman.

Angela Mullin, head leader of the Big Woody Light Horse and Beef Club, says the highway cleanup is a 4H project done every year with Manitoba Infrastructure.

High visibility vests, garbage, recycling, and clear bags will be provided to the group.

Mullin says they are taking part this year to give back to their community.

They will be cleaning 20 kilometres of highway and will receive 25 dollars for each kilometre from MI, totalling 500 dollars for their work.

They are receiving extra help from another club because members of that club wanted to be a part of the cleanup even though their club won’t be.

Mullin says they would welcome more help and you can give her a call at 204 238-4499 if you’re interested.

The government of Manitoba unveiled new traffic signs that will remind drivers that they have to “Slow Down, Move Over” when passing stopped emergency vehicles, including tow trucks.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said that slowing down and moving over is a matter of safety, common sense and courtesy and yet near misses and close calls happen too often.

The signs are regulated as traffic control devices and municipalities can install them on any roads, including busy rural roads. The signs will be used on all major routes entering Manitoba and departing major cities and lesser used roads as well to ensure reasonable coverage.

While Slow Down, Move Over laws have been in effect for almost a decade in Manitoba, emergency service members have seen too many close calls. They believe that having more signage will make people more aware of the law and its importance.

The Highway Traffic Act requires all drivers to slow down when passing emergency crews, to 40 kilometres per hour in zones where the maximum speed limit is less than 80 km/h and 60 km/h in zones with maximum speeds above 80 km/h.

Drivers also must move over on multi-lane highways, if it's safe to do so.

More than 100 tow truck drivers are killed every year in North America.

Drivers who fail to slow down will face a fine of $298 and two demerits on their licence.

The new signs will be placed this summer.

Tonight there’ll be a family violence community awareness meeting at Dauphin First United Church at 7 pm.

Ilene Dowd, volunteer on the board of directors for the Parkland Crisis Centre and Women’s Shelter, says the meeting is to raise their profile and raise awareness on the services they offer.

They will be talking about how family violence is the route of lots of violence in our world, and they’ll be talking about a survey that’s important for the future of shelters.

Dowd’s hoping for educators, caregivers, health care workers, addictions workers, RCMP officers, victim’s services, and anyone concerned about a loved one to come out to the meeting.

There isn’t an admission fee, but they do ask anyone that goes to bring a non-perishable item, craft item, paper products, cosmetics or anything for the Parkland Crisis Centre and Women’s shelter.

All provincial political candidates will now have to provide a criminal record check to the public.

A bill passed in the house requiring candidates for the legislative assembly to reveal offences they’ve pleaded or been found guilty to under the Criminal Code, the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and federal and provincial income tax laws.

Someone who fails to disclose a criminal offence could receive a fine, up to 10 thousand dollars and one year in prison.

The bill was created by Fort Richmond MLA, Sarah Guillemard. Fort Richmond is a neighbourhood in the south end of Winnipeg.

The Manitoba government announced that it will be investing nearly $28 million in capital projects for health care facilities across the province.

Health Minister Cam Friesen said these investments are being made to ensure health care facilities can continue to provide quality care.

The money is being invested in care homes and other health centres and includes everything from roof repairs to fire system repairs. The projects in the Prairie Mountain Health Region receiving funding are:

Hamiota Health Centre/Personal Care Home

shingled roof replacement

Brandon Regional Health Centre/

Dauphin Regional Health Centre                             

installation of ligature-free environment

Grandview Personal Care Home                             

roof replacement

Neepawa Health Centre                                          

fire alarm system repair

Ste. Rose Health Centre                                          

fire alarm system repair

Regional Labs (Neepawa, Russell, Killarney,

Treherne, Glenboro)                                                

renovation assessments

Reston Health Centre                                              

nurse call system replacement

Westman Laboratory                                               

reheat pipe replacement

Assiniboine Centre (Brandon)                                 

nurse call system replacement

Melita Personal Care Home                                    

nurse call system replacement

Elkhorn Personal Care Home

nurse call system replacement

Birtle Health Centre                                                 

nurse call system replacement

Souris Health Centre/Personal Care Home            

patient wandering system replacement

Roblin Health Centre                                               

kitchen flooring replacement

Hamiota Personal Care Home                                

patient wandering system replacement

Westman Personal Care Home (Virden)

fire safety upgrades

Carberry Clinic                                                        

foundation repairs

Cartwright Health Centre                                                

nurse call system replacement

Specific cost estimates haven’t been released, as they are subject to the tendering process. Work on these projects will start once they are publicly tendered and awarded.

It’s that time of the year that a lot of people like spending more time outside. Whether it’s having a BBQ, going for a walk, or simply soaking in the sun, it’s a beautiful thing.

What’s not a beautiful thing, however, are mosquitos. The blood-sucking bugs annoy most people, but for some people, that annoyance can become a severe illness.

West Nile Virus is something that’s always brought up when it comes to mosquitos. Last year in the Parkland, mosquitos with West Nile Virus were active. Alone in the Parkland, 49 West Nile Virus mosquitos were collected by Prairie Mountain Health.

“In Manitoba overall, the number collected increased from 39 in 2016 to 186 in 2018,” said Dr. Mahmoud Khodaveisi, Medical Officer of Health with Prairie Mountain Health.

During the months of July, August, and September is when you are at the highest risk of contracting West Nile Virus.

80 percent of people who contract West Nile Virus don’t experience any setbacks or illnesses. The remaining 20 percent can expect general symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

“Less than one percent of people will experience a severe illness that will affect the central nervous system,” said Khodaveisi. “If this is the case, you’ll have a high fever and severe neck stiffness.”

People over the age of 50 and peoples with diabetes are at a greater risk of being affected by West Nile Virus. That also includes people with a weakened immune system.

If you’re looking to avoid the risk of contracting West Nile Virus, the only thing you can really do is stay inside. Any time a mosquito lands on you, you’re at risk of contracting WNV.

“It’s also recommended to always apply mosquito repellent when you’re outside for an extended period of time, that’s really the only thing you can do,” added Khodaveisi.