It’s Giving Tuesday, and the Canadian Cancer Society is one of the organizations hoping to bolster its fundraising efforts today.

The society has its Holiday Campaign, which spokesperson Lina Mohamed states will go towards cancer research.

"It feels world class discoveries had really formed our understanding of cancer. Of the largest, national, charitable funder of cancer research; the Canadian Cancer Society invests in the most promising research across all cancer types and across the entire cancer continue. We have a rich legacy of really adapting research that helps Canadians and Manitobans live with and beyond cancer."

Mohamed says the COVID-19 pandemic has increased demands for many of the society’s programs due to backlogs in the healthcare system.

Additionally, donations made today will be matched up to 70 thousand dollars by an anonymous donor.

For more information visit cancer.ca/holiday or catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

On November 25, 2021, at 4:35 pm, Thompson Rural RCMP received a report of a missing 54-year-old male from Split Lake.

Lawrence Walton Flett was last seen on Sunday, November 21, leaving the community on a snowmobile. He did not provide any information on his intended destination but he may have attempted travel to York Landing which is situated 20 kilometres south of Split Lake.

Flett is described as 6’1” 220 lbs with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Lawrence Flett are asked to call the Thompson Rural RCMP at 204-677-6909, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thompson Rural RCMP continue to investigate.

A walk-in clinic for Pfizer BioNTech’s COVID-19 pediatric shot will be held Nov. 27.

The walk-in clinic will be at the TRCC supersite from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m on, and the vaccine is for children aged 5 to 11.

Parents and caregivers are reminded to bring their child’s Manitoba health card and fill out a consent form, which can be found on the Manitoba government’s COVID-19 webpage.

Thompson's Deputy Mayor Brian Lundmark encourages everyone in the community to get their COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot to help curb the spread of the virus and to lessen the burden on the health care system.

Lundmark adds the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre will also be doing a Children’s Christmas Vaccination Clinic on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recovery efforts for small businesses are continuing to go a bit slower than anticipated.

That’s according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which states only a third of Manitoba businesses are back to normal sales for this time of year and less than half are fully staffed.

Kathleen Cook, senior policy analyst for the CFIB, adds staffing shortages are something a number of businesses in northern communities continue to contend with.

As a way to assist small businesses, particularly in the retail sector, the CFIB is commemorating Small Business Saturday this weekend, coinciding with the Black Friday weekend.

People are encouraged to shop local this weekend, and have an opportunity to win cash prizes. Visit smallbusinesseveryday.ca to enter or for more information.

Hear the full interview on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more on Small Business Saturday.

Four people were arrested following a drug bust earlier this week.

The Thompson General Investigation Section, along with the Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Service, executed a search warrant at a residence on Princeton Drive on Tuesday.

This led to the seizure of around 860 grams of cocaine, a small amount of Canadian currency, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

The suspects arrested at the scene include two men and a woman from Thompson, along with a man from Toronto.

The investigation is ongoing.

The local Salvation Army is holding a number of charity initiatives this holiday season to help low-income community members.

They have been accepting applications for their annual Christmas hamper campaign this month.

The final day to sign up for the Christmas hamper is this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army church.

Other initiatives include the Christmas Kettle campaign and the Fill a Cruiser Toy Drive.

Tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more information.

The Santa Claus Parade is this coming up this weekend, and the organizer of the event spoke to Arctic Radio about what will be different this time around.

Bobbi Montean says the route this year will begin by the personal care home and will end at the TRCC parking lot.

The route was extended this year to ensure spectators had more space for physical distancing.

The Salvation Army Thompson will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items, winter gear like toques, mittens, scarves, and jackets, and will have a Christmas Kettle set up as well.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, union postal workers can't join the parade and collect letters to Santa. Children are still encouraged to send in a letter by Dec. 10.

The Santa Claus Parade will be held this Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

Hear the full interview on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

With the snow here to stay, motorists are reminded to practice safe driving habits this winter.

Constable Sandy Deibert says drivers should clear the top and hood of their vehicle of snow to ensure it doesn’t fall and obscure their view when driving.

"Please remove the snow from the top of your vehicle or the hood of your vehicle before you head out for the day. You could end up having snow covering your windshield and obstructing your view which can be really hazardous. Windshield wipers are not going to be able to keep up with that windshield if a whole chunk of snow falls from the top of your car. As well, snow from the roof of your vehicle can cause other motorists to be blinded from the snow and snow debris left on the road can cause accidents. So be a responsible driver and brush that snow off the roof of your vehicle and, as a motorist, if you don’t do that, you could be charged with driving with an unsecure load."

Deibert goes on to say motorists should pay attention to their surroundings and watch their speed, especially during peak driving times.

Hear the full interview with Deibert on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

OTTAWA - Health Canada has approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 in Canada.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech submitted a request for approval of a child-sized dose of its mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 on Oct. 18.

The companies say the results of their trials in children show comparable safety and efficacy results to those recorded in a previous Pfizer-BioNTech study in adults aged 16 to 25.

Health Canada said it would only approve the vaccine for children if its analysis showed the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Pfizer-BioNTech has changed the formulation of the pediatric vaccine slightly, so new vaccines must be delivered to Canada before children can receive a shot.

Canada is expecting an accelerated delivery of 2.9 million child-sized doses, enough for a first dose for every child in the five to 11 age group.

It’s Financial Literacy Month, and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is encouraging residents to make a change that counts to help build financial resiliency.

Julie Hauser, the senior engagement and outreach officer with the agency, explains money management can be overwhelming for many Canadians, stating finances continue to be the biggest source of stress for people.

"Financial Literacy really comes into play every time we make a financial decision or a transaction and just to define financial literacy a little bit includes the skills and capacity to make informed financial decisions as well as actions or behaviours that lead to positive financial outcomes. I think it’s something that is really important for a lot of people even if they may not talk about it being financial literacy"

The focus points of the campaign include managing expenses, managing debt, managing savings, and navigating the financial marketplace.

Hear more about Financial Literacy Month by catching Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

The Manitoba RCMP’s North District has seen an overall increase of call for service last month when compared to October 2020 at 13 per cent.

Notable increases include wellbeing checks at 65 per cent, missing persons reports at 59 per cent, and mischief at 46 per cent.

While assaults had gone up by 22 per cent, reports for robberies, extortion, harassment, and threats went down by eleven percent.

Drug enforcement was also down when compared to the same time last year by 21 per cent.

The YWCA Thompson has been hosting its annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes campaign for the month of November.

The month-long initiative is a way for the organization to raise money for its women’s programming and give men an opportunity to show support to women and girls who need it.

Instead of a walk, Thompsonites are asked to submit a photo of them wearing a pair of heels, which the YWCA can provide.

Those interested in participating can register by calling 778-1209.

To learn more about Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

This year, the local Tim Horton’s raised nearly $4, 000 for BGC Thompson through their annual Smile Cookie campaign.

The organization’s executive director Lianne Denysuik explains the money will go towards sponsoring around ten spots for the club’s paid summer camp programming next year.

The summer camp typically has roughly 60-80 spots, but COVID-19 has dropped capacity down to about 45.

Denysuik says donations like the one by Tim Horton’s are crucial in allowing the non-profit to improve the quality of the programs they offer.

Constable Sandy Deibert with the Thompson RCMP spoke to Arctic Radio about the donations of handmade quilts they received to give to children who experience traumatic events.

Deibert explains the quilts are from a southern Manitoba group called Goodland Quilting, who sends a bundle of around six quilts every couple of years.

When children and youth have experienced a traumatic event and have to speak with police officers, they are given a quilt when they leave the detachment as a way to provide them comfort.

Deibert notes the quilts have been well-received by the children who receive them

She thanks Goodland Quilting for sending the quilts up north, saying they’re a thoughtful and needed gift.

Thompsonites can view the local Remembrance Day service online on Facebook and Youtube for the second year in a row.

Captain Dan Colosie, the Poppy Chair at the Royal Canadian Legion in Thompson, explains they’re doing a virtual service to keep the public safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Here, Colosie shares why it’s important for residents to commemorate Remembrance Day and observe the service.

"As a Canadian and a Thompsonite, we’re part of a city and a country that represents a piece of the world that has a bigger picture and we’re a people who support that throughout going overseas and fighting for the freedom that we enjoy. Those Canadian Forces members deserve our respect, deserve our recognition and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice deserve for us to take a small moment of our day, a small moment of our year, to remember them."

The broadcast will begin at 10:20 tomorrow morning on the Thompson Legion’s Facebook Page and Youtube Channel.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for the full interview with Colosie.

The Nursing Students Association at the University College of the North campus here in Thompson is hosting a walk to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease later this week.

Hannah MacMillan, one of the organizers of the walk, shares why the student group decided to hold the fundraiser.

'The Thompson Nursing Students Association is always looking for things that we can do to help out and this event was something that I brought to the group and when I did, they were more than happy to help me with it. So, a few years ago, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and so this walk and fundraiser particularly is something very close to my heart. I want to be able to help those affected by the disease and also help those who may be affected by it in the future as much as I can. We also wanted to spread knowledge about the disease since not many people know what it is.'

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that normally controls movement.

The walk will begin on Friday at 4 p.m. at the front entrance of UCN,

Those wishing to donate to the cause can do so at the event or by emailing mac mill 6 AT my u manitoba DOT ca

It’s National Lung Month and the Manitoba Lung Association is encouraging those who wish to quit smoking to take the next step to let go of the habit.

President and CEO Neil Johnston says about one-in-five Manitobans live with some sort of lung issue, including lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and smoking is one of the leading causes.

However, smoking isn’t the only cause of lung disease, as air quality also plays a major factor.

"Both indoor and outdoor air can have small particles. Right now, we’re thinking about Covid and the particles that are associated with the Covid Virus which, of course, causes respiratory illness.

But there is also dust and other particles and chemicals that can penetrate deeply into the lungs so it’s important to be aware of how clear the air is in your area that you happen to be.  There are ways of filtering the air and protecting yourself wearing a mask and things like that when you expect to be in a dusty or dirty environment.

So protecting yourself from dust and aerosols that’s important to be aware of."

Johnston encourages people looking to quit smoking to reach out to the Manitoba Lung Association for resources to help them out or to speak with a tobacco program educator.

Listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more on National Lung Month.

With diabetes on the rise in Manitoba, Diabetes Canada is reiterating the importance of residents being aware and proactive for Diabetes Awareness Month.

Regional Director Andrea Kwasnicki explains 28 per cent of Manitobans are diagnosed with the four types of diabetes: type one, type two, gestational diabetes which occurs in pregnant patients, and pre-diabetes.

Diabetes Canada is urging Manitobans to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise in order to reduce the risk of developing diabetes or manage the disease, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with type-two diabetes or pre-diabetes.

To learn more about this year’s campaign, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

November 6^th to the 12^th marks National Senior Safety Week, and the Canada Safety Council is providing tips on how people can help the seniors in their lives live in a safer home environment.

Falls are the number one cause of injury hospitalizations for seniors, and can happen anywhere at any time, even at home.

Some preventative measures people can take to reduce the chances of a loved one getting injured at home include installing grab bars and handrails, clearing clutter, and maintaining good lighting.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon to learn more about National Senior Safety Week.

Thompson MLA Danielle Adams gave her take on the new Premier of the province in her latest report.

Adams writes as former Premier Brian Pallister’s health minister, Heather Stefanson continually defended what Adams calls a “terrible pandemic response”.

She adds Stefanson has publically stated that she’s open to revisiting legislation like Bill 64, which would have replaced elected school boards with government-appointed councils.

Adams also mentioned the PC Leadership election controversy and how a number of party members didn’t get their ballots in time to vote for the next party leader.

Manitoba’s Elections Commissioner is investigating the incident, and PC Leadership candidate Shelly Glover is contesting the results in court.

A comedy night fundraiser will be held this month to raise money for a hamper program that helps low-income seniors and elders in the city who may have mobility challenges.

Penny Byer, the coordinator of the Thompson Seniors Community Resource Council, says she was approached by CHTM’s David James to hold the fundraiser after he learned about the hamper program.

The comedy night will be on Saturday, November 27^th at the Royal Canadian Legion, with the first show starting at 7 p.m. and the second at 9 p.m.

Attendees will have to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon to learn more about the comedy night fundraiser.

On October 26, 2021, at approximately 6:25 pm, Thompson RCMP received a call that a 17-year-old female was in distress in the Burntwood River, close to the Miles Hart Bridge in Thompson, Manitoba. Officers responded immediately and could hear the female in the water.

Thompson RCMP and Thompson Fire and Emergency Services deployed boats in the water and were able to locate and rescue the female as she was struggling to keep afloat. It is believed she was in the water for approximately 15 minutes.

RCMP transported the female to shore, where she was taken to local hospital for treatment.

Photo attached.

On October 30, at approximately 8:00 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a single-vehicle rollover on Provincial Road 280 between Thompson and Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), Manitoba. When officers arrived on scene, one male, 40, had been ejected from the vehicle and was deceased. Four people remained inside the vehicle.

The female front seat passenger, 21, had significant injuries. A female backseat passenger, 44, was deceased, a male backseat passenger, 42, had minor physical injuries, and the male driver, 30, had serious injuries. As medical attention was being provided, the driver succumbed to his injuries.

The 21-year-old female was transported to Winnipeg hospital, where she remains in stable condition. The 42-year-old male was treated and released.

All involved in the collision were from Tataskweyak Cree Nation.

A RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting in the ongoing investigation.