Shannon Dueck

It has now been more than a month since Jean Backman was reported missing in the Rural Municipality of Piney. And, RCMP today published a new photo, with hopes that it might lead police to solving this case.

Corporal Julie Courchaine with Manitoba RCMP says it was on October 19th when they first received a call to check on the well-being of the 70-year-old Backman. Police attended her property and residence in the RM of Piney but were not able to locate her. 

It has now been more than a month since Jean Backman was reported missing in the Rural Municipality of Piney. And, RCMP today published a new photo, with hopes that it might lead police to solving this case.

Corporal Julie Courchaine with Manitoba RCMP says it was on October 19th when they first received a call to check on the well-being of the 70-year-old Backman. Police attended her property and residence in the RM of Piney but were not able to locate her. 

A mental health worker in Steinbach says we are entering the time of year when a lot more people start showing signs of depression. 

Cheryl Dyck is Mental Health Clinician with the Mental Health and Addictions Program of Southern Health. She says Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that is connected to the changing seasons. 

Wednesday could end up being the warmest day so far this month in Southern Manitoba. But that will be followed by another day of more winter-like weather.

Environment Canada is calling for a forecast high of 11 degrees on Wednesday. If it hits even 10 degrees, it would be the first time reaching a double-digit high temperature since late October. 

Meteorologist Samantha Mauti says 11 degrees would likely make it one of the warmest November 15th on record for. The record high for this date is 19.1 degrees set in 2001 at the Gretna Environment Canada weather station.

Do not be surprised to hear an emergency test go off on your smart phone this afternoon. That same test will be heard on local radio stations.

The Mayor for Ritchot says there is growing concern towards the amount of theft happening at local businesses.

Chris Ewen says there seems to be an increase in the number of break-and-enters, noting this is becoming devastating for business owners. Ewen says those being targeted appear to be ones that sell items which can be easily moved to another province to be sold. These places could be automotive centres, those involved in powersports or businesses selling enclosed trailers. 

***Updated Thursday, November 9th at 4:55 pm***

Steinbach RCMP responded to an anonymous bomb threat made against the daycare in La Broquerie.

There is a Canada-wide warrant out for the arrest of a suspect after shots were fired Tuesday morning in Bloodvein. 

Bloodvein is approximately 300 kilometres north of Steinbach, however, the suspect is considered armed and dangerous and anyone who has information on his whereabouts is asked to notify police.

On Tuesday at 1:05 am, Bloodvein RCMP responded to a report of shots fired outside a residence on Bloodvein First Nation.

The search continues for a missing woman from the Rural Municipality of Piney. Seventy-year-old Jean Backman was last seen at her residence three weeks ago.

Her daughter Vanessa Backman says they continue with ground searches. She notes numerous organizations have offered their support with the search. 

Motorists will have to wait a couple more weeks before driving down the newly constructed southbound lanes of Highway 75.

In spring, crews began the task of rebuilding the highway from Ste. Agathe to Morris. The work includes 27.7 kilometres of surface reconstruction, as well as shoulder, drainage and intersection improvements. The surface is being reconstructed using concrete pavement.