Thompson RCMP have seized drugs, cash and electrified knuckles in a drug bust earlier this week.

On October 28, 2019 at 6:00 pm, RCMP executed a search warrant under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act at a house on Deerwood Drive.

As a result of this search, officers seized oxycodone pills, cannabis, a large amount of cash and electrified knuckles.

53-year-old Todd Burton of Thompson has been arrested and charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.

Burton has been taken into custody, and RCMP continue to investigate.

The Society of Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD) held their fourth annual Employer Appreciation Awards yesterday.

Rayleen Rudnicki, the supervisor and rehabilitation counsellor at SMD, says the organization has the awards as a way to say thanks to the businesses and organizations they work with to help get students of the Thompson Supported Employment Program (TSEP) gain work experience.

Businesses who received awards include the Boreal Discovery Centre and the Thompson Canadian Tire.

Jo Huddle, the office manager at our local Canadian Tire, says the department store has employed four students since being involved with the program for a year, with one of the students currently working at the store.

Huddle also talks about what it’s like to work with SMD and the students from TSEP.

"All of the students that we've had over the year have been awesome. They all show up everyday on time. But working with the staff that gets them to us, they've paired them up so well to do the jobs we have for them," Huddle explains.

She goes on to say that Canadian Tire looks forward to continue working with SMD to help introduce more TSEP students into the workforce.

Another award recipient was Tyler Jennings, who received the Award of Excellence.

Rudnicki says Jennings was awarded because he worked hard to find the perfect placement for himself with Thompson Bus Line and Freight.

He's been working with the bus company since mid-August, and shares what it's like to work with them.

"They've been such a great company to work for. They've been pretty supportive, they teach me everything that I didn't even know like how to turn on the lights on the buses."

City Mayor Colleen Smook was also in attendance, and deemed October Disability Employment Awareness Month for Thompson.

The full list of award recipients are below:

• Canadian Tire
• Tim Horton's
• Boreal Discovery Centre
• Anything Grows
• The Northern Inn and Steakhouse
• Thompson Children's World
• Thompson Bus Line and Freight
• River View Restaurant
• Quality Inn and Suites Thompson
• and Tyler Jennings (Award of Excellence)

One man was arrested after a failed theft at a local retail store.

On Oct. 26 at around 1:14 a.m, Thompson RCMP received a burglary alarm complaint at Mark’s Work Wearhouse.

Police arrived at the scene shortly afterwards, and found a 23-year-old man inside the store trying to steal merchandise.

The man was arrested for break and enter, and has been released to appear in court at a later date.

Thompson RCMP seized coke while executing a search warrant over the weekend.

Police found approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine along with drug trafficking items and around $1, 000 in cash at a residence on Yale Avenue on Oct. 27.

38-year-old Charlene Louise Wilson face multiple charges, including Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, and Possession of Property obtained by crime under $5, 000.

Wilson is in police custody, and is awaiting an in-custody court appearance.

With the National Screen Institute’s Northern Voices pilot program finished up, one student from Thompson talks about what her experience with the program was like.

Ten northern Manitoba students took part in the four-week pilot program where they learned to develop storytelling skills across film, TV, and digital media.

The Northern Voices program was presented in partnership with University College of the North, and the pilot program took place at the institute's The Pas campus.

Tricia Bland says she’s always been interested in helping people, and found storytelling through art and media to be a compelling way to reach out.

As one of the main purposes of the program was to help creators produce stories from a northern Manitoba perspective, Bland explains what she decided to write about during the course.

"The script that I had wrote, and I think I'm going to keep pursuing, is centered on domestic violence." She adds that she feels this is an issue not just in northern Manitoba, but across Canada.

"I had an incident around it, and I got away. One of the instructors actually told me go forward with, since there's another program coming up where the final project is a 10 minute documentary, so I'm applying for that."

Bland adds that she is looking for people in and around the Thompson area who’ve had similar experiences and are comfortable in sharing them, as she feels it could help those get out of the situations that they’re in.

She says those who are interested in participating in her project can reach her through email at triciabland@outlook.com, by phone at 431-337-2140, or through Facebook.

Bland goes on to say she found out about the program through social media, and adds that she hopes the program is brought back soon and made available in Thompson, as there are many people with storytelling potential in the city.

Neither NSI or UCN have said whether the proragm would be returning or expanding to other campuses.

Manitoba RCMP have released an update on their investigation into the homicide of Bobbie-Lynn Lee Moose.

On October 1, 2019,  29-year-old Moose of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation was dropped off by her sister at the Walmart located on Mystery Lake Road in the city of Thompson. This would be the last time she would see Bobbie alive.

Police believe Moose was staying with friends in Thompson over the three week period, and was last seen wearing a plain black winter coat over top a grey North Face jacket with red trim, black tights and black boots.

"We believe community members may have seen Bobbie between October 1 and October 17 and are asking them to come forward and speak with the RCMP," said Sgt. Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP. "We are also asking anyone who recalls seeing someone who may have been wearing clothing that matches this description to contact us."

If anyone has information related to this homicide, Bobbie Moose's activities, or anyone matching the description, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, call CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thompson RCMP along with Major Crime Services continue to investigate.

Three people are facing multiple charges after they were arrested for a home invasion.

Early this morning before 4 a.m, Thompson RCMP was called to deal with a break and enter in progress on Silver Crescent.

As police attended the scene, two 18-year-old men and a 17-year-old male attempted to escape in a vehicle, but RCMP were able to intercept and arrest them.

The 17-year-old youth who drove the vehicle was impaired, and provided breath samples more than double the legal limit.

The charges the three males face include break and enter, possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace, mischief under $5, 000, possession of break-in instruments, in addition to possessing coke. The 17-year-old driver also faces impaired driving charges, as well as a charge of resisting arrest.

The three suspects are in police custody, and in-custody court appearances are pending.

There will be a candle light vigil held tonight for Bobbie-Lynn Lee Moose.

Moose was found dead near Nelson Road last week, and RCMP and the Major Crime Services unit are investigating her death as a homicide.

The vigil will be held at 23 Nelson Road at 6 p.m. to honour her.

Family, friends, elders, and community members are welcome to attend, and are asked to bring candles and to dress for the weather.

More information about the candle light vigil can be found on MKO's Facebook page.

Thompson RCMP has confirmed the identity of a body found last week.

The body of 29-year-old Bobbie Lynn Lee Moose from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation was located near Nelson Road on Thursday, and her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Police are requesting anyone who may have information in relation to the homicide, as well as her activities between October 1st and October 17th, 2019, to call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909.

RCMP, along with the Major Crime Services unit, continues to investigate.

Multiple youths were arrested in the city throughout the weekend.

On Friday night at approximately 9:20 p.m, police attended to and located multiple intoxicated people, after receiving a complaint of a loud party on Brandon Crescent.

Two youths were arrested in the incident, with a 16-year-old male having multiple warrants for his arrest, and was breaching strict court release conditions.

The other youth, a 17-year-old male, was arrested due to not adhering to strict court release conditions to live elsewhere in the province and not reside in Thompson.

In a separate incident just after 7 a.m. on Sunday morning, a 15-year-old was arrested after reportedly using pepper spray inside the McDonald’s restaurant.

This youth is facing multiple weapons offences, breaches of a court order, as well as mischief to property.

Following a great reception the first time out, Music at the Museum will be back at the Heritage North Museum this week.

Amy Caldwell, the administrative assistant at the museum, will be hosting the event, and says there will be some changes this time around.

"The first time we did it over the summer was a trial run. We held it on a Saturday afternoon."

"The biggest change we're going to have is that we'll be holding it in the evening. It's going to running between 7 and 9, just because we think it might work a little bit better."

Additionally, Caldwell added that this time around, Music at the Museum will be held as a fundraiser, and the museum will be asking for a five dollar donation at the door.

Music at the Museum will be held this Thursday.

For more on Music at the Museum, tune into Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Thompson RCMP dealt with a number of drug seizures and arrests into the weekend.

On Friday night at around 8:30 p.m, a 48-year-old man was arrested following a traffic stop, after three ounces of cocaine was found on him.

Then early Saturday morning at approximately 2 a.m, a 27-year-old man was arrested at the Meridian Hotel as he had multiple arrest warrants. Upon his arrest, police  found cocaine on his person.

Later that morning at around 7:30 p.m, a 30-year-old man was arrested at Striker’s Lounge for trafficking coke.

Police seized multiple bags of cocaine from him, in addition to $900 in cash.

Following a search of the man’s residence, RCMP found $3, 000 in cash and multiple weapons, such as a machete and brass knuckles.

All three men face multiple drug-related charges, as well as charges for other offences.

With flu season underway, the Northern Health Region and Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Active Living are encouraging everyone to get their flu shot.

The health authority says the annual flu vaccine is especially important for those at an increased risk of serious illness from the flu, including:

• People 65 years of age and older
• Residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities
• Children six to 59 months of age
• Those with chronic illness
• Pregnant women
• Health care workers and first responders
• Regular caregivers of children up to five years of age
• Household contacts of anyone at increased risk of serious illness from the flue inclusing those with infants under six months of age and/or expecting a newborn
• Indigenous peoples

Manitobans over the age of 65 may also get a pneumococcal shot at the same time as the seasonal flu shot, and most adults only need one pnemococcal shot in their lifetime.

There will be an opportunity to get your flu shot tomorrow and next Saturday from noon to 4 at City Centre Mall, as well as on Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 6 at the TRCC.

Additionally, there will also be a flu clinic at the Thompson Public Library on Thursday, October 24th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

People who are planning to get their flu shot are reminded to bring their Manitoba Health Card.

You can find the full Flu Clinic schedule at the Northern Health Region's website.

Thompson RCMP are responding to a body that had been located near Nelson Road.

Police received the a report from the public yesterday afternoon after 5 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers located the body of a deceased female, and the death is being investigated as a homicide.

Officers from Major Crime Services, Forensic Identification Services and Thompson Detachment are on scene and will have the area secured for an extended period of time as part of the ongoing investigation.

There is no additional information available about the victim at this time and an autopsy is being scheduled.

Manitoba’s police watch dog is looking into an incident surrounding the arrest of a teenage girl in Thompson, who sustained a serious injury.

On Wednesday, the RCMP informed the Independent Investigation Unit of an incident on October 8th, where officers used force to take the 16-year-old into custody, who was resisting arrest.

She was taken to the detachment following her arrest, where she was later released, and on October 12th, she went to Thompson Hospital complaining of a sore arm.

She was later diagnosed with a dislocated right elbow and fractured right wrist. A fractured wrist is defined as a serious injury under the IIU regulations, which mandates the agency to look into the incident.

The investigation is ongoing, and witnesses or other individuals who have information or video footage that may help in the investigation are asked to call the IIU tool free at 1-844-667-6060.

Thompson RCMP are asking residents to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity at or near vacant houses in the city.

They request that any observations of youth continually frequenting vacant residences to be reported to the police.

RCMP also encourage any property owners of vacant properties to continually check them for signs of break-ins or mischief to the building.

Anyone with any tips or information on this activity are asked to call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

Thompson RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating a missing youth.

15-year-old Jersey Zander Moose was reported missing on Friday, and had been away from her home since last Wednesday.

She is described as being 5'2" and 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Moose's whereabouts are asked to call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

Yesterday, Niki Ashton along with other federal NDP candidates across the country announced the party’s Indigenous Peoples and northern platform.

Ashton spoke of reconciliation and the failure of the Trudeau government to bring about effective change.

"Reconciliation is meaningless unless we talk about ending the housing crisis on First Nations and in northern communities. Unless we're talking about proper funding for healthcare that is badly needed across our north. Unless we're talking about fully supporting education, not just K-12, but also post-secondary, for people coming from First Nations, Metis, and northern communities."

Ashton also addressed the failures of the Conservative and Liberal governments when it comes to health care.

"Healthcare: a huge need across our north. Not just in Indigenous communities, but in all northern communities. We recognize that in many instances, there are more and more people that are falling through the cracks as we see provincial cuts and federal under-funding continue. Stephen Harper a number of years ago cut the transfers to healthcare to our provinces. Despite his commandments to reverse that, Justin Trudeau did not reverse those cuts."

Ashton said the NDP are committed to improving infrastructure, especially in northern communities where there are no airports and those than can no longer rely on winter roads due to climate change.

For the full announcement, listen to the podcast in the Thompson Today tab.

The fifth annual Jamming for Jackets will take place tomorrow.

The event will be live at the Juniper Centre from 6 to 9 PM.

The initiative is a way to address the issues of homelessness, addiction, and poverty in the north.

Jesse McKay, one of the organizers for the event, explains how he and his fellow organizers came up with the idea for Jamming for Jackets.

"As musicians... we were doing a lot of events, just thorwing shows and conerts in town.We wanted to grow from that,as well as wanting to do something for the community, just to birng everyone together in a sense."

While Jamming for Jackets is free to attend, they will be accepting winter clothing and non-perishable food items for donations.

The line-up can be found on our Event Calender, or on the Jamming for Jackets Facebook event page.

Simonhouse Bible Camp announced on social media that several items were stolen from the camp recently.

Some of the items stolen include two outboard motors, a mitre saw, a chainsaw, an air compressor, and a jerry can of fuel.

Anyone with information about this theft is asked to call 204-472-4040.

Simonhouse Bible Camp is located near Cranberry Portage.

The Thompson RCMP dealt with two incidents last night.

On Wednesday night just before 11 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle on Grey Wolf Bay.

As a result of this traffic stop, approximately one ounce of individually bagged cocaine was seized by police. 

A 40-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, both from Thompson, face multiple drug trafficking charges.

In a seperate incident at approximately 12:43 a.m. today, RCMP were dispatched to a complaint of males breaking into vehicles on Cornell Place.

Police attended and arrested a 16-year-old male youth. 

Attempts are ongoing to locate and arrest another youth suspect, a 13 year-old male youth. 

Multiple charges are expected to be laid against both youth.

As we’re in the midst of Fire Prevention Week, our Deputy Fire Chief Steve Malloy spoke to Arctic Radio News about the theme of this year’s awareness campaign, and why it’s important to be prepared.

This year’s theme is “Not every hero wears a cape: Plan and practice your escape”, which Malloy says is important because everyone should have an evacuation plan for their schools, workplaces, and homes.

The Deputy Chief also shared some safety tips.

"Always check your smoke detectors on a monthly basis. Typically, we change the batteries when our time changes in the spring and the fall, so be sure to change the batteries twice a year."

"When we're using wood-burn appliances such as stoves are gas, ensure that you have the carbon monoxcide as well as the smoke detectors on as well, because while we're asleep at home, they're our eyes and ears for our personal safety.

Malloy also recommends that every home have a small, portable fire extinguisher, saying that a fire doubles in size every 30 seconds, and that controlling it in the early stages is proven to be effective.

The Thompson Urban Aboriginal Strategy and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak will be hosting a special event tomorrow.

The event is to recognize children from Northern Manitoba who attended residential schools.

It will also be the soft launch of the historical residential school monument  to remember the legacy of the residential school system in our region.

The event will be tomorrow afternoon at 1, and will be held at Thompson Lions Park.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event.

The Liberal Candidate running for the Churchill Keewatinook-Aski Electoral District, Judy Klassen, released a statement regarding the Trudeau Governments decision to appeal a Canadian Human Rights tribunal ruling.

The ruling ordered Ottawa to pay compensation to first nation’s children and their families that were separated by the child welfare system.

Klassen stated that they believe that collaboration rather than litigation is the best way to advance reconciliation and in moving forward with compensation its critical to sit down and have these conversations with our partners something that isn’t possible during an election.

She added that she agrees with the need for compensation and that it should be part of the healing process to those that have experienced significant wrongs.

Klassen says she is committed to ensuring that these conversations occur in a way that will focus on reconciliation and healing if elected as MP.

Thompson RCMP is investigating numerous incidents involving youth crime.

In one incident early yesterday morning, police responded to a complaint of a taxi driver being attacked with a machete near Southwood Mall.

Multiple teenagers were arrested, and have criminal charges pending against them.

The taxi driver was uninjured.

Our local RCMP is also looking into multiple overnight break-and-enter reports in the city.

The break-and-enters were being reported in the Westwood and Deerwood areas.

There are currently seven youths arrested in relation to the incidents, including a ten-year-old child.

Anyone with information about these incidents, or who have surveillance footage of a break-and-enter or mischief taking place on your property, are asked call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.ca.

A Winnipeg man has been charged with multiple firearm-related offences, following an incident in Paint Lake.

Early Sunday morning, the Thompson Rural RCMP was dispatched to a report of multiple gun shots fired at Paint Lake.

Police arrested a 21-year-old man from Winnipeg, who faces multiple charges including Careless Use of a Firearm, Discharging a Firearm while Being Reckless, and Pointing a Firearm. He was also charged with Uttering Threats to cause death to a person.

The suspect is currently in custody.

The Thompson RCMP detachment had their hands full this weekend.

Thompson RCMP sent out a press release earlier today, outlining several incidents that took place between early Saturday and  Monday morning.

On Saturday, police arrested an intoxicated 45-year-old man from Winnipeg, who threatened to kill a patron at The Hub restaurant.

The man was arrested for uttering threats, breaching his court-ordered curfew, and as well as a condition to abstain from consuming alcohol.

Following his arrest, the man threatened to kill the attending officer as well as their family, and he was taken into custody and is facing multiple charges.

Also on Saturday afternoon, police responded to a complaint of an impaired driver, who was located at the intersection of Thompson Drive and Cree Road South.

The driver, a 33-year-old woman from Oxford House, was determined to be drunk, and provided breath samples nearly two and a half times the legal limit.

In another incident early Sunday night, RCMP was attending the scene of a separate case in Paint Lake, when they came across a 26-year-old man sleeping behind the wheel.

Police determined the man was inebriated, after he failed a roadside test and provided breath samples over the legal limit.

The man was released to appear in court at a later date.

Additionally, RCMP investigated a break-and-enter at a Stanford Bay residence after 1 a.m. Monday morning.

Police attended and arrested an intoxicated 41-year-old man from Thompson, who is in custody and may make an in-custody court appearance at a later date.

Almost two weeks after the Forest View Suites fire, a number of residents are still unable to retrieve their possessions or find other living arrangements.

One of those residents stated at Monday’s City Council meeting that they were living in quote “third world conditions” and nothing had been done about it.

On City Beat yesterday, Mayor Colleen Smook shared this advice.

“One of the issues that still remains is that, even though we’ve seen a lot of stuff on social media, the tenants really need to file official complaints with the Residential Tenancy Board so that action can be taken because they need documentation.”

“We have reached out to MKO, KTC, Ma Mow We Tak and those agencies, so if you have trouble writing a letter or need help, please go to one of the agencies and they will help you.”

Smook said the city is also suffering from a lack of available apartments.

Our province is set to mark its 150th anniversary in 2020 and the Manitoba 150 committee has three ways for Manitobans to participate.

The first is with the Build 150 fund. Through local community foundations, groups can apply for funding to create legacy projects.

Monique LaCoste, co-chair of Manitoba 150, explains how to get involved.

“We’re going to have a pot of about $2.5 million across the province and people are going to be able to apply to their community foundation - so the people of Thompson can do that in their area - and they would receive and review applications andd approve them based on community need.”

LaCoste says Build 150 projects can be for new structures and initiatives or to refurbish existing ones.

Next is Celebrate 150. Communities can access partial funding for one-time events such as festivals, food fairs or concerts.

Grant applications are available at manitoba150.com with the deadline being November 12th to apply.

LaCoste shares how the funds can be used.

“We’re looking for one-time event-based initiatives. These are picnics or food festivals or something a little different for your community. So in the name of Manitoba 150, we’re inviting people to think a little differently and come up with great opportunities to engage their community.”

Last is Honour 150, which will honour 150 Manitobans who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. For all the details on nomination criteria, go to manitoba150.com.

Deadline to nominate a worthy volunteer is January 31st.

On Monday afternoon, Thompson RCMP received a report of a break and enter into the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints on Copper Road.

The investigation determined a window had been smashed between Sunday evening and the time the incident was reported.

Entry was forced into an office. A computer monitor along with donations were reported to have been stolen.

If you have any information on this incident, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Manitoba Keewatinook Okimakanak will be having an event this Friday to commemorate Missing and Murder Indigenous Women and Girls.

The evening will include speakers, performers, a feast, and a candlelight vigil.

Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, who manages the Liaison Unit for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls at MKO, explains why it’s important for our community to come out and support this cause.

"It’s to bring the community together to support families who have been impacted, as well as to raise awareness for others to know that this is a crisis and that we all have to work together collectively to prevent all forms of violence against indigenous women and girls."

The event will be held at River Lodge Place beginning at 5:30 PM.