Shannon Dueck

Oakbank RCMP have arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for several break-ins and thefts in the area.

On Saturday at approximately 8 pm, Oakbank RCMP responded to a report of an unknown male trying to break into a vacant residence in the Rural Municipality of Springfield. He fled in a vehicle which was confirmed to be stolen out of Winnipeg.

New data from Statistics Canada shows that communities in southeastern Manitoba continue to trend above the national average when it comes to charitable donations.

Statistics Canada released data this week from the 2022 tax year. The median donation per tax filer in Canada that year was $380 and for Manitoba, it was $590. Both those averages are up from 2021. The median amount represents the middle point: half of the donors gave more than the median and the other half gave less. 

The NDP government will deliver its first budget to Manitobans next month.

Premier Wab Kinew announced on Monday that they will present their 2024-25 budget on Tuesday, April 2nd. He notes this budget will deliver on their commitments to rebuild health care and provide lower costs for families.

The Rural Municipality of Stuartburn is offering a location for those wanting to get rid of used oil.

Reeve Michelle Gawronsky says for the third year now, they are running an oil recycling program. She notes the goal is to reduce the amount of pollution entering their landfill. 

The Manitoba Government has announced a plan in an attempt to make communities safer. 

Premier Wab Kinew was joined by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe on Thursday to announce a five-point plan that includes changes to our province's bail system. 

A RCMP sergeant has a message for seniors who receive phone calls of the Grandparent Scam.

It is considered the largest seizure of cocaine ever at an airport on the prairies. And it happened this month in Winnipeg.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reporting that on February 9th, during the examination of a flight originating outside of Canada, border officers identified two unclaimed suitcases. Upon examination of the suitcases, officers found 60 individually wrapped packages of suspected cocaine with a street value of over $9 million. The total weight of the cocaine was 74.8 kilograms.

The Rural Municipality of Ritchot is targeting April to launch its rural car share initiative. That is according to Economic Development Officer Ryan Faucher.

It was last July when our provincial government announced $150,000 for the initiative. Faucher says with the money, they would like to establish a "self-service public transit option." 

RCMP say another victim in the Steinbach area lost a substantial amount of money on Wednesday through the Grandparent Scam.

Temperatures this next week will take a roller coaster ride in southern Manitoba. 

Environment Canada's seven-day forecast for Southern Manitoba shows several extreme temperature swings from one day to the next, but none more extreme than what is expected on Monday.

Meteorologist Kyle McAulay explains that we are currently in a warm sector, ahead of a cold front. As a result, Friday's forecast high is -6 degrees, with warmer conditions expected through the weekend.  

The average daytime high for this point in February is -5 daytime and -15 overnight.