Chris Sumner

Several semi-drivers with ties to our region alerted us to a fiery scene Friday afternoon on the Trans Canada highway near Carberry.

Manitoba RCMP has confirmed it responded to a semi on fire, around 2 p.m., on Highway 1, just east of Carberry.

The driver was going west on the Trans Canada when he saw flames. He stopped the truck, and got out safely with two other passengers.

The semi and nine vehicles on the trailer were all completely destroyed.

No other details are available at this time.

In a decision released Monday, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) has announced it has ordered Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to implement an overall 5.0% decrease to insurance premiums for the 2024/25 insurance year, effective April 1, 2024. 

MPI had applied for no overall change in rates. The PUB's decision was partly because it expects the cost of claims to be lower in the coming years than MPI has forecast.

Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has released its Fall Conditions Report, which indicates soil moisture levels at the time of freeze-up, precipitation received over the fall and summer, and river and lake levels are all normal to below normal throughout the province.

The report notes although much of November precipitation fell as snow, warmer temperatures allowed for the snow to melt and contribute to soil moisture levels, leaving very little snow accumulation on the ground.

Singer-songwriter Steve Bell will be on stage later this week in Steinbach and Winnipeg, sharing stories and songs from Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

Listen to the AM1250 morning show this week for a chance to win tickets to his concerts as well as CDs.

Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Ian Bushie announced this week that the Manitoba government will be investing up to $1.46 million for nine projects prioritized from the third intake of applications under the Municipal Service Delivery Improvement Program.

The Rural Municipality of Brokenhead and Town of Beausejour have been approved for a shared services review.

Three approved projects are located in the Red River Valley:

RCMP has confirmed a serious two-vehicle crash this morning in the northbound lanes of Highway 75, just north of Letellier.

A large plume of black smoke could be seen along Highway 75 shortly after 8 a.m. when the collision occurred when the vehicles involved appear to burst into flames. Smoke and flames were seen coming from the front end of the semi, as well as the other vehicle involved. At this point, it's unclear what led to the collision.

RCMP has confirmed a serious two-vehicle crash this morning in the northbound lanes of Highway 75, just north of Letellier.

A large plume of black smoke could be seen along Highway 75 shortly after 8 a.m. following the collision when the vehicles involved appeared to burst into flames. Smoke and flames were seen coming from the front end of the semi, as well as the other vehicle involved. At this point, it's unclear what led to the collision.

No other details are known at this time, other than police have also confirmed the crash involved a semi and a passenger vehicle.

Roland Fire Department, and other emergency crews, were dispatched to a two vehicle collision near the corner of Road 18 North and Highway 3 late Sunday afternoon. The call came in around 5:15 p.m. 

According to the department, crews were on scene for about three hours. Injuries were reported but no specifics are available at this time. Traffic was temporarily detoured around the area for a period of time last night.

Additional details will be added should they become available.

A Plum Coulee man has been arrested a second time, and now charged in relation to a multi-agency investigation into the attempted 3D printing of a firearm.

The case began in September 2022 when Winkler and Morden Police Services, along with the Winnipeg Police Service Firearms Investigation and Enforcement Unit began an investigation which determined the man was attempting to manufacture 3D printed firearms in Winkler.  

Scott Siemens, R.M. of Morris Reeve had a big focus on growth and the record setting pace this year. 

"We are very pleased with the growth in the R.M. this year," stated Siemens. "We have a record 23 housing units that were started, and many of them are complete, and I know there are an additional seven that just began construction this week. We are very pleased with our developments, and how they are filling up. It feels like we started them just in time."