Local authothorities have arrested three male youths in an alleged stabbing incident.

 

On Apr. 28 at approximately 9:30 p.m, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of an injured male on Princeton Drive. Officers arrived and located a 26-year-old-male with multiple stab wounds. The male was transported to hospital in serious condition and has since been upgraded to stable.

 

Witnesses reported seeing three suspects flee the scene to a nearby residence. Officers including a Police Service dog attended to this address and arrested three male youths.

 

The youths, ages of 16, 15 and 14, remain in police custody at this time and will face a charge of Aggravated Assault.

 

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or may have information is asked to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

 

Thompson RCMP along with Forensic Identification Services continue to investigate.

Girl Guide cookies are now on sale here in Thompson!

 

The cookies sales, which usually take place in March with Girl Guide members going door-to-door were put on hold due to concerns over COVID-19.

 

The organization reached out to Thompson Family Foods, Canadian Tire and Safeway to help sell the cookies. Now Thompson Family Foods is selling the chocolate mint cookies, while both Canadian Tire and Safeway are selling the classic sandwich cookies. N

 

adine Vokey, former Area Commissioner with the Thompson Girl Guides, says cookies are $5 a box and sales will continue while supplies last.

 

Money raised with cookie sales helps the local unit purchase supplies for crafts and program activities, badges, and helps towards the costs of sleepovers and camps.

On the morning of April 26th, a 28-year-old man passed away suddenly in Thompson.

 

The death is believed to be related to an incident that took place on April 25th at a house party and is being investigated as a homicide.

 

An autopsy is scheduled for later today.

 

Thompson RCMP along with Major Crimes Services and the Forensic Identification Unit continue to investigate.

A representative from Thompson Emergency Services has told Arctic Radio News that they are well-stocked with personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Deputy Chief of EMS, Selby Brown, says any concerns around the stock of PPE was quickly addressed.

 

“ When the pandemic first started there was a bit of a concern because everybody was looking for the same PPE, so I don’t know if you’d call it a shortage but it wasn’t on hand. But Shared Health and the Northern Health Authority were quick in finding the solutions for us so that we would have incoming PPE on hand and us, as a department, we have different types of PPE on hand anyway because of the wide variety of emergencies we deal with up here in Thompson.”

 

Brown details some of the types of personal protective equipment Thompson EMS has to work with.

 

“We have the gloves, the gowns, the N-95 masks, we have on stock half-masks with filters on that we got locally here. We have the sanitizer, all the cleaning agents.”

 

Brown said the half-masks were sourced by Sling Choker and are reusable.

 

According to a news release last week from the President of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, Bob Moroz, rural paramedics don’t have access to the same protective gear as their counterparts in Winnipeg.

 

Brown says this is not the case in Thompson and he is unaware if that’s an issue in other northern jurisdictions.

Following MP Niki Ashton’s letter to Manitoba’s top doctor asking for construction at the Manitoba Hydro Keeyask site to be temporarily suspended, the crown company states they are following the public health orders that are in place.

 

A spokesperson for Manitoba Hydro, Bruce Owen, says all the protocols they’re adhering to are based on guidance from provincial and federal public health officials.

 

Regarding the ten cooks coming in to the site, Hydro says they are the only new staff allowed into the site, and are replacing staff that have left the site, and that the employees were approved to return by the Northern Public Health Officer.

 

The company notes that the cooks are Manitoba residents, many are Keeyask Cree Nation members, and have previously worked at the site and are being recalled for a four-to-six week rotation to again minimize traffic in and out of camp.

 

Since Friday, Hydro says they’ve had nine people transferred off-site for assessment and testing, stating that screenings determined three individuals didn’t need testing, and the remaining six had their tests come back negative.

Local authorities are looking for more information surrounding a firearms incident on Juniper Drive where a man pointed a gun at another person.

 

On Apr. 23 at approximately 3:23 PM, the Thompson RCMP were dispatched to a report a man had pointed a shotgun at another man outside of a residence on Juniper Drive.

 

Multiple police officers responded and 51 year-old man from Thompson was arrested without incident.

 

A search warrant was later executed at this man's residence and multiple firearms and an assortment of ammunition were seized.

 

This man faces multiple firearms charges, namely pointing a firearm, careless use of a firearm and unsafe storage of a firearm.

 

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has private video surveillance of this incident are asked to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Manitoba’s child advocacy centre has put out a call-to-action to communities across the province to help protect children who are most vulnerable to child abuse or neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Christy Dzikowics, the executive director of the Snowflake Place, says that the measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 are critical, but adds that those measure do have unintended consequences.

 

Dzikowics explains that child abuse reports have seen a significant drop in Manitoba since school closed over a month ago, as most reports of child abuse come from an adult who is not a parent to the child in question, such as teachers, coaches, or parents of their friends.

 

However, she notes that teachers have been vigilant in staying connected with their students during the pandemic, and adds that there are ways people can spot the signs of child abuse while in isolation.

 

For more information, you can visit snowflakeplace.ca.

Mathias Colomb Cree Nation is recognizing one of their First Nation Safety Officers after he saved three lives.

 

Bobby Castel, an FNSO supervisor, was on regular overnight patrol last Sunday when he saw a skidoo accelerating on mile 99, which he proceeded to follow in his truck.

 

After catching up with the skidoo at the Duck Shoot area, Castel continued his investigation on foot towards the lake, where he found three people in need and assisted them to his truck. He then proceeded to take all three individuals to the nursing station.

 

Chief Lorna Bighetty says it’s incidents like this that show the dedication of FNSOs, particularly Castel, who has faced personal attacks and assaults while on the job and on social media.

 

Bighetty goes on to thank all FNSOs for their service.

Long-time city councillor Judy Kolada passed away this weekend.

 

Kolada served as a city councillor for Thompson for nearly 25 years, served in multiple city council committees during that time, and worked with four mayors.

 

Mayor Colleen Smook says one of the initiatives Kolada was proud of was the creation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Manitoba and Nunavut.

 

The agreement was authored and signed during her time as the president of the Northern Regional Development Corporation Board.

 

Smook adds that Kolada was always involved when it came to plans for the downtown homelessness strategy, as well as in various boards and committees in the community at large.

 

Smook goes on to say that the City of Thompson offers their condolences to Kolada’s family.

25 users of the Thompson Homeless Shelter are being housed in the YWCA dormitories to help with social distancing measures during the pandemic.

 

The City of Thompson’s newsletter, The Northern, states the individuals were relocated yesterday morning, and were chosen based on their elevated risk such as age and medical risk.

 

The YWCA has set aside an area specifically for shelter users, and they have been screened for temperature and recent history when they arrived at the building.

 

The YWCA is providing food, and those who are staying at the facility are encouraged to remain near the building during the provincial public health orders.

 

The city has been inspecting the Polaris six building as a long-term plan to house people experiencing homelessness in Thompson, but the structure would need extensive repairs before it can be used.

 

The city, the Thompson Homeless Shelter, and the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness are looking for other options for pandemic-safe housing.

 

Additionally, MKO and KTC have applied for additional COVID-19 specific funding for support projects for vulnerable people in the north.

 

The newsletter says housing provided by the YWCA is being funded entirely through the Reaching Home strategy to address homelessness, and MKO has donated hygiene hampers for the homeless residents being housed at the building.

UPDATE: Kalli Sinclair has been found safe and sound. The RCMP thank the public for their assistance.

 

Thompson RCMP is asking the public's assistance in locating a missing teen.

 

16-year-old Kalli Madison Rain Sinclair was last seen on Apr. 12 on Hudson Bay in Thompson. Sinclair was reported missing to local authorities on Apr. 15.

 

She is described as being 5'4" and 120 pounds.

 

Anyone with information on Sinclair's whereabouts is asked to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

 

 

The federal government announced more assistance for small and medium-sized businesses last week, something the CFIB has been lobbying for over a month.

 

Jonathan Alward, the director of the Prairies for the organization, says both the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance and the expanded criteria for the CERB are encouraging changes.

 

Since the federal government must work with provinces when it comes to the commercial rent assistance, Alward explains Manitoba businesses would benefit from being offered actual subsidies instead of just referrals.

 

He adds that this is especially important for businesses that have been forced to close due to the Public Health Order that has been in effect since April 1st.

 

If you're an independent business, visit cfib.ca for resources and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic

School closures in the province have affected how breakfast programs are now being delivered.

 

Three elementary schools in the School District of Mystery Lake actively engage in  breakfast programs.     These programs receive their funding through donations and grants and are operated by volunteers.

 

Now that classes are suspended, the need for the programs is still there.   In response to that need, schools have sent home breakfast supplies and will be checking in with their families to see if they require additional supplies. 

 

The supplies are now delivered with students’ homework packages. 

Updated public health orders were announced this afternoon, which mandates that travel to northern Manitoba is prohibited.

 

The mandate takes effect beginning Apr. 17 until May 1, with travel prohibited north of the 53rd parallel.

 

Residents of northern and remote communities may continue to move within the north.

 

Exceptions to the mandate include the delivery of goods and services, as well as for those who travel to the north for employment, medical treatment, or to facilitate child custody agreements.

 

Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Doctor Brent Roussin says northern residents who travel south can return home, but recommends all Manitobans stay in their home communities during the outbreak.

 

He adds that the province is working on ways to enforce these measures.

Thompson RCMP are looking to identify the suspect who used a lost debit card at a local gas station.

 

Local police received a report on Mar. 10 that a lost debit card had been inappropriately used  by the finder at the Fas Gas on Cree Road.

 

Authorities are asking the public for help in identifying the man suspected of using the debit card.

 

Anyone with information on the identity of this man is asked to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

In her latest MP report, Niki Ashton praised the people of northern Manitoba for their unprecedented mobilization to fight COVID-19.

 

Ashton remarked that she’s proud of the decisive action taken to shut down Northern communities in order to keep the coronavirus from reaching them.

 

She also acknowledged the extra efforts of healthcare professionals and front line essential workers including those in grocery stores, pharmacies and transportation, such as taxi drivers and truckers.

 

She still pushed for more testing and protective equipment, referencing the vulnerability of many residents of northern First Nations.  

 

Ashton encourages those who can stay at home to do so with the ultimate goal of protecting ourselves and our communities.

                                                           

The call is out for more nurses to help fight the pandemic here in Manitoba.

 

Health Minister Cameron Friesen announced on April 1st that the province was changing the rules to help bolster health-care staff by temporarily allowing nurses currently not practicing to register for work.

 

Katherine Stansfield, the CEO and Registrar for the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba explains how it works.

 

“The temporary registration is for a four-month duration and it can be renewed once. It’s a very time-limited registration and it is essentially for support of the care of individuals during the pandemic. Now, that doesn’t restrict those registered nurses who are registered under this classification to only care for patients with COVID-19.”

 

The College of Registered Nurses is waiving the application and registration fee to support this initiative and the government of Manitoba is covering the liability protection for these nurses.

 

Stansfield explains who is eligible to apply at this time.

 

“Some might be retired, some might also be individuals who have taken an educational LOA (leave of absence) or maternity leave. The requirement is that they must be current in their practice and that is demonstrated by having a minimum number of hours of practice in the last 5 years. It can also be demonstrated by completing your entry level education program within four years or some remedial education in the last four years.”

 

To get the details on the province’s bid to recruit more nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 here on 102.9 CHTM.

 

Or you can listen to the podcast on thompsononline.ca. Click on the HOME banner, click on AUDIO and then Thompson Today.

The Manitoba RCMP received a number of calls related to COVID-19 over the past week or so.

 

A press release from the RCMP states 64 calls were made to detachments across the province between Apr. 8-13, with 17 of them for the north district.

 

The majority of the calls were reports of ten or more people gathering at a location and not respecting the orders in place under the Public Health Act, with six warnings issued in the Northern District.

 

Enforcement was not necessary for 46 of the calls, as they either didn’t fall under police jurisdiction or were resolved through education and guidance given by responding officers.

 

There were no fines or arrests made during this time period.

 

Manitobans living outside of Winnipeg are reminded not to call 9-1-1 for COVID-19 related issues, and reports of non-compliance can be made to the Manitoba Government Inquiry line at 204-945-3744.

The Manitoba legislature is being recalled for an emergency sitting today to help expedite up to$1 billion in assistance to fight COVID-19 and protect Manitoba’s most vulnerable through the Manitoba Protection Plan, Premier Brian Pallister announced.

 

“Our government is enacting the necessary measures to protect our most valuable service – the front line of our health-care system – and Manitoba’s most vulnerable as we fight this global pandemic together,” said Pallister.

 

“This isn’t about partisanship; this is about doing the right thing to ensure our resources are there where they are needed, when they are needed most.”

 

A priority will be updating the province’s borrowing and spending authority to ensure the Manitoba government has sufficient ability to meet unexpected expenditures amidst declining revenues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the premier noted.

 

This authority is over and above what was presented in Budget 2020. The Manitoba government will also be introducing several new bills to support Manitoba’s most vulnerable and advocating for expedited passage of several existing bills to address the growing impacts of COVID-19 on Manitobans.

 

“We are taking concrete steps to move forward the Manitoba Protection Plan to help ensure we are doing everything we can to support Manitobans during this unprecedented and difficult time,” said Pallister.

 

“We are demonstrating that Manitoba is Canada’s most resilient province and together, we will get through this.”

 

To ensure compliance with current two-metre social distancing measures, during today’s sitting, all parties have agreed to limit attendance to one-third of the 57 members of the legislative assembly.

 

Members will not be seated at their usual desks, but rather be spread throughout the chamber to abide by two-metre social distancing measures.

 

The public gallery will remain closed, although Manitobans can observe the sitting at: www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/business/house_broadcasts.html.

The CEO of the Northern Health Region says the authority is making sure that people who are ill stay home.

 

Helga Bryant adds they are screening every person at the beginning of every shift to ensure the safety of staff, patients, hospitals and other sites from COVID-19.

 

Bryant explains that in turn creates challenges for them in terms of being able to maintain their baseline staffing so they have reduced some services that can safely be postponed until they are through the pandemic.

 

She says that way they can focus on the folks that need to be in hospital and are in need of acute care, and there may be more service reductions as they navigate through this.

 

Bryant also praised staff, physicians and volunteers for their hard work and the community for their co-operation during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Thompson’s mayor and council have voted to close all city operated play ground structures to the public at Monday night’s meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

City Manager Anthony McInnis clarified that the play ground areas themselves would still be opened, but the play structures will be barricaded off from public use.

 

McInnis adds that while there won’t be active enforcement of ensuring that people stay off the structures, but if there is a report of someone not following the measures, the city can then enforce the closure.

 

The city says there are currently plans to keep both the Millennium Trail and the dog park open in an effort to have as many recreational activities available in the city as possible.

 

However, McInnis says there are discussions talking place at the provincial level as to whether dog parks should be kept open during this time.

 

Thompson’s city council has also approved to receive emergency funding from the federal government for the city’s response for the vulnerable population’s risk of contracting COVID-19.

 

The Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program has set aside two hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year for people experiencing and at risk of homelessness in Thompson.

 

The city says the funding will be used to address homelessness in downtown Thompson, and are planning with the both federal and provincial governments as how to use that money in the community.

 

McInnis says Thompson is considering using the Polaris buildings as a way to protect the homeless population in the long term, but inspections of the buildings have shown that they require extensive work before they can be used.

 

In the short term, the city has been in contact with two different hostels or hotels that may be able to host people experiencing homelessness.

 

McInnis goes on to say that the additional funding will not be enough to address homelessness during the pandemic in our community, and the city has told the federal government that more funding will be needed to better respond to the situation in Thompson.

 

He explains the city has money from the usual Reaching Home fund that needs to be approved for spending, and that they will also be applying for community grants.

Residential recycling pick-up in the city has been suspended for the rest of the week due to repairs.

 

Billie Jo Thompson with the Thompson Recycling Centre says they are working to repair a length of chain on the sort line conveyor belt, which ceased to function properly on Monday.

 

Thompson elaborated that because of how the sort line is designed; the outside hopper is exposed to the elements, which in turn can cause wear-and-tear for the chain.

 

She says the recycling centre had planned to do some maintenance work on the chain in the summer before the unexpected repairs surfaced this week.

 

Thompson explains they’re still collecting commercial recycling at this time, but asks that residential recycling be held for one cycle.

The province has created a web portal to help families whose children are learning at home during the suspension of in-school classes because of COVID-19.

 

The web portal is called My Learning at Home, and Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen says it’s a tool to supplement learning, but not replace the work that teachers are continuing to do remotely for students across the province.

 

My Learning at Home went live on Thursday April 9th, and is available in English and French, and has separate resource material for elementary, middle, and high school students, which will be updated overtime as more tools are developed for K to twelve students.

 

The province adds that additional supporting resources for adult learners and early childhood years will be updated regularly as well.

 

The My Learning at Home web portal can be found on the Government of Manitoba website.

The Thompson Festival of the Arts has cancelled all remaining events for the year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

President of the festival executive committee, Jolene Browz, says they were fortunate that the dance discipline was able to proceed.

 

The festival executive will begin issuing refunds to remaining discipline participants for entries that have been cancelled.

 

Browz adds that someone from the committee will be in touch with school reps or individual participants to confirm where the refunds should be sent.

 

She goes on to say that the executive committee looks forward to holding the entire festival again next year once things have returned to normal.

The CEO of our local health authority spoke to Arctic Radio News to give an update on the COVID-19 situation in our region. 

 

Helga Bryant with the Northern Health Region says as of April 8th, there are three confirmed caes of COVID-19 in the region.

 

Bryant elaborates that all three patients are currently self-isolating and recovering at home.

 

When asked abou the province's decision to release information about where the cases are by regional health authority rather than town or city, Bryant echoed Manitoba's Public Health Officer's words, saying that people should be following the recommendations of health officials regardless of which comunities the cases are from.

 

She goes on to say that people should seek out accurate information from credible sources, such as the Government of Manitoba website or the Northern Health Region website.

Our MP Niki Ashton is advocating for the people in our north during this difficult time.

 

She has called on the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to ensure that people in Northern Manitoba have full access to Canada Emergency Response Benefits and Employment Insurance funds.

 

Ashton pointed out that our health systems are already under significant strain and we must take every precaution necessary to keep people and our communities safe.

Grand Chief of MKO, Garrison Settee, spoke with Arctic Radio News to share an update on steps they're taking during the COVID-19 pandemic. One important initiative undertaken was to set up checkstops at the entry points to first nations communities. Settee encourages first nations members to remain in their communities to keep COVID-19 at bay. "It is a challenge for First Nation people because self-isolation is virtually impossible because of the crowding housing that we have to live in and the inadequate supplies and inadequate medical services. But at the same time it is something that we have to continue to encourage our people to stay within their first nations. Our response will determine the impact of COVID-19 in First Nations." Settee says another main challenge facing first nations during this pandemic is the lack of reliable phone and internet services. This impedes MKO's efforts to reach their leadership and will also impact education for students on first nations. Rather than online or distance education options that urban centres have, first nations students will have to rely on educational packages dropped at their homes. Settee also provided an update on what's happening in regards to supplies making it to northern First Nations. "We've been in contact with the corporations working with our First Nations communities to ensure that their inventory is going through and that's been happening. But the medical supplies, as you know, there's a shortage everywhere in Canada for hand sanitizer and masks. So those things are a bit of a challenge still." Settee says hunters and medicine people have been encouraged to go out to stock up on the traditional foods and medicines that they rely on to promote good health. He says the response has been very good and could be essential in providing food in the communities if supplies are delayed. To hear the update with MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee check out the podcast here on thompsononline.ca. Go to the "Home" banner, then "Audio" and then "Thompson Today" to find the full interview.

Anyone with information on Moose's whereabouts is asked to contact the Thompson RCMP at 677-6909 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at www.maniobacrimestoppers.com.

The City of Thompson has approved the use of single-use plastic bags during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

The City responded to inquiries from businesses who felt uncomfortable with accommodating the re-usable bags while the novel coronavirus is spreading.

 

Once the pandemic has subsided, the ban on single-use plastic bags will be reinstated.

Everyone is being encouraged to seek out and spread only accurate information during the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes our MP, Niki Ashton.

 

CEO of the Northern Health Region, Helga Bryant, sent a letter to Ashton last week. In it she noted that information Ashton has posted on social media has created worry, bordering on panic among northern residents.

 

In addition, healthcare staff is now experiencing threatening in-person and over-the-phone interactions with people demanding to be tested who do not meet the provincial screening criteria. 

 

Screening tools provided by the province will indicate if testing is required or not. If not, the person is provided with information about the virus and how to self-monitor at home.  

 

If testing is indicated, a more detailed screening takes place.  That often, but now always, indicates testing.   

 

Bryant encourages all northerners to go to their website at northernhealthregion.com for the latest COVID-19 information.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin has released the latest COVID-19 numbers.

 

He reports 15 new cases bringing the total to 182 adding they’re also announcing the second death related to COVID-19 bringing the total number of deaths to two.

 

He notes as of this morning 9 individuals are hospitalized, of that 6 are in intensive care and their reports indicate 11 individuals listed as recovered.

 

As well yesterday 634 tests were performed at Cadham Provincial Lab bringing the total number of completed test to 11,952.

 

There are still two confirmed cases in the north.

 

With cases being found in Manitoba communities Roussin again asks all Manitobans to continue to take precautions in all their activities most importantly stay home.

Manitoba Hydro says they’re complying with the latest recommendations at the Keeyask Construction Site, which will continue to operate during the two-week provincial health order that went into effect Apr. 1.

 

A spokesperson for the crown corporation states Manitoba Hydro reduced the number of employees at the site a few weeks ago, with the number of volunteers who stayed on the job is estimated at around 700 workers, which is nearly half the the staff normally at the site.

 

The company adds that there will be limited exceptions for key employees entering Keeyask in the next four to eight weeks of travel suspensions, as anyone arriving at the site without approval will be turned away.

 

Manitoba Hydro says other measures also implemented at Keeyask include enhanced cleaning protocols and distributing printed reminders around the camp, offices, and the work trailers detailing proper recommended personal hygiene practices. They also stated that they're enforcing two-metre physical distancing by closing the gym and ending intramural activities, closing the on-site theatre, and providing only take-out meals from the dining hall.

 

Material and supply deliveries will continue at the site to make sure employees can continue to work and have what they need. The spokesperson says strict measures are being enforced to ensure minimal contact between drivers and on-site staff. Both the north and south access roads remain accessible via vehicle, but the manned gate stations remain in place, restricting travel to and from the site.

 

The spokesperson explains that as of Mar. 21, all individuals referred off-site are being tested for COVID-19 before leaving Keeyask. Before Mar. 21, whether the people removed from the site received a COVID-19 test was up to medical staff in their home communities.

 

As of Apr. 1, the Manitoba Hydro says there are no confirmed or presumptive cases at the site.

 

The province-wide health order was issued by Manitoba's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin, which lasts from Apr. 1-14.

Some of University College of the North’s Faculty of Health students are helping medical staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Vicki Zeran, the Dean of the faculty at UCN, says the roughly 14 students who volunteered to help are comprised of the fourth-year students in the Bachelor of Nursing program in Thompson and The Pas and some students in the Diploma in Practical Nursing program in Swan River.

 

Zeran explains that the students are helping people who are entering the hospitals and testing sites. She goes on to say that some of those hours will count towards their community clinical practicum.

 

When asked about how the volunteers are feeling about this situation, Zeran says a majority of the students are feeling good and that this is a good learning experience. She did say that some students were fearful, but adds that staff at the Health Faculty have had discussions with them about professional responsibility and how they can protect themselves while volunteering.

 

She adds that pandemic response is covered in the curriculum.

 

Listen in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for the full interview.

The province’s police watchdog investigation surmises that a Thompson RCMP officer who arrested a 16-year-old female, who was injured during her arrest, did not use excessive force.

 

The incident in question took place last October, when Thompson RCMP was called to a possible domestic disturbance.

 

Upon arriving at the scene, officers tried to take the teen into custody, but she became uncooperative and force was used to arrest her.

 

The suspect was later released, and a few days later, the 16-year-old went to the Thompson General Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a dislocated right shoulder and a fractured right wrist.

 

A fractured wrist is defined as a serious injury under the Independent Investigation Unit regulations, which mandated the organization look into the incident.

 

In his report, IIU Civilian Director Zane Tessler wrote he was satisfied that the injury didn’t represent a serious injury, and that the arresting officer acted within authority and within reasonable limits.

UPDATE: Janie Captain has been found safe and sound. Thompson RCMP thank the public for their assistance.

 

The Thompson RCMP is asking the public to be on the look-out for a missing teenaged girl.

 

14-year-old Janie Captian was reported missing to local authories on Mar. 25, and the last time she was seen was at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Beaver Crescent the same day.

 

Captain is described as being 5'7" with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a green jacket, gray hoodie, gray leggings, and black runners.

 

Anyone with information on Captain's whereabouts is asked to contact the Thompson RCMP at 677-6909 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.