On July 25, 2022, at approximately 10:00 pm, Thompson Rural RCMP received a report of a missing 13-year-old female from Paint Lake Provincial Park.

The last confirmed sighting of Star Pronteau was on July 26, 2022, at approximately 8:00 pm in Thompson. It is believed she is still in Thompson and often frequents the basketball courts on Thompson Drive and the Westwood School area.  

Star Pronteau is 5'4", approximately 145 pounds, with long brown hair and brown eyes. Pronteau wears prescription glasses and has braces. She was last seen wearing a brown plaid jacket, a gray hoodie with a Paint Lake Lodge logo, black leggings and purple shoes.  She is also known to carry a black backpack.

Police and her family are concerned for her well-being.

Anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Star Pronteau are asked to call 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.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and a Canadian eye care organization is stressing the importance of using sunglasses not just during the summer, but all year long.

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society says Canadians aren’t wearing sunglasses often enough, citing a recent survey they conducted which indicates just two-third of the population wear sunglasses on a sunny day or during the summer months.

The survey adds that younger Canadians may not be taking enough precaution in protecting their eyes from harmful UV rays, with only a third of respondents saying their children regularly wear sunglasses during the summer.

UV rays have been linked to the development of cataracts, an eye disease that is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye that results in blurry vision and blindness if left untreated.

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

The Thompson Seniors Community Resource Council will be launching its Cycling Without Age program next week.

The program is a way for seniors and people with mobility issues to go for a bike ride and enjoy the summer weather thanks to four specially-designed bikes.

Here, coordinator Penny Byer goes into the different types of bikes that will be available for rides.

“Two of the bikes will accommodate wheelchairs so whether the person is in a wheelchair already, we can load their wheelchair onto the bike. They sit in front and their wheelchair is secured to the bike. They have a seatbelt on and they sit in the front of the bike with their bike pilot behind them. Another style is called the chat, it’s actually a rickshaw style of bike where two people would sit on a bench seat. It’s a front riding bike with the bike pilot behind.”

There is also a side-by-side bike where the passenger is sitting beside the bike pilot and can pedal the bike if they so choose.

The launch will be on Wednesday at the Heritage North Museum at 2 p.m.

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

We’re in the midst of National Drowning Prevention Week, and Lifesaving Society Manitoba is encouraging people to be water smart when out on the water this summer.

The organization says over 400 people fatally drown in Canada, with 22 in Manitoba on average, making it the second leading cause of unintentional death for children and the third leading cause in adults.

It adds Indigenous, northern, and new Canadians have a disproportionately high mortality rate.

The Lifesaving Society advises to always supervise children, boat sober, and wear a lifejacket to avoid accidental drownings.

For more on National Drowning Prevention Week, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service is hoping that precipitation and cooler temperatures that have been forecasted for the rest of the week will help efforts to fight the blaze that has caused citizens of a Northern Manitoba community to evacuate over the weekend.

Crews have been working to get two fires near Pukatawagan under control, one of which is about 500 meters from the community and is approximately 23, 000 hectares in size as of yesterday afternoon.

In addition to the local fire department, firefighters from Ontario and the North West Territories are also in Pukatawagan to help with the blaze.

Cailin Hodder with the service says it’s hard to say how long it will take for the fires to dissipate, explaining it could take several days to a few weeks depending on weather conditions.

As of yesterday, there are 59 wildfires across Manitoba.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested as a suspect in an attempted murder investigation.

The incident occurred Wednesday after midnight at an alley behind Churchill Drive.

Thompson RCMP says they attended the scene and found a man violently attacking a woman, adding a male victim was present as well.

The suspect fled and a short foot chase ensured, though police say he was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest.

Both victims suffered severe injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Jamie Captain has been charged with numerous offenses, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault causing bodily harm. Police say further charges may be pending.

RCMP is asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault to come forward to assist the investigation.

The organization that supports northern member First Nations is once again sounding the alarm over ongoing nursing shortages.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee says he’s concerned about the ongoing closures and reduced clinic services provided by nursing stations within the region.

He elaborates that nursing stations are often the only option for MKO First Nations to receive care.

Settee adds that between healthcare workers being tired and burned out from the pandemic and the need to address backlogs, a strong recovery plan needs to be developed.

The Grand Chief goes on to say he anticipates the situation will last throughout the summer before the workforce is stabilized, and urges provincial and federal partners to continue working with First Nations leaders to fill service gaps.

Thompson RCMP is investigating a homicide that occurred earlier this week.

On July 12 at around 8 p.m., police received a call of a stabbing on Waterloo Avenue.

The 60-year-old victim was taken to hospital for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries.

44-year-old  Peter Lysohirka was taken into custody and charged with Second Degree Murder. While in custody, RCMP say Lysohirka assaulted a police officer in the cell area of the Thompson Detachment, and was also charged with Assaulting a Peace Officer.

The suspect was to appear in court today.

2022The emergency department in the Leaf Rapids is closing temporarily for the second time this year over ongoing, persistent staffing issues.

The Leaf Rapid Health Centre's emergency department closed yesterday at 1 p.m. and will reopen  at 1 p.m. on July 19.

The Northern Health Region made the announcement Tuesday evening.

Primary care and public health services will be provided from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday and then again Monday and Tuesday.

There will be no health services this weekend .

Residents can call 911 for emergencies, or visit the emergency department in Lynn Lake.

A member of Manitoba's Wildfire Service has died after being  critically injured on the job on Monday.

A provincial spokesperson says a workplace safety and health investigation was started after the firefighter was injured. The spokesperson confirmed the man from The Pas died of his injuries the next day.

The Thompson Professional Firefighters Association, which represents firefighters in the northern city, said the deceased firefighter suffered his injuries in an ATV accident during a training exercise.

The province says the wildfire service has reached out to man's family and co-workers to offer support and condolences.

Alex Forrest, the president of the Manitoba Professional Firefighters Association and of the Manitoba Fallen Firefighters Foundation, said the man was injured during a training exercise.

Forrest said the job is dangerous and whether you're fighting an actual fire or you're training, you're putting yourself at risk.

The City of Thompson has announced the dates for advanced polling for the upcoming municipal election.

It will take place Monday, October 17^th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, October 19^th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The location for advanced polling has yet to be determined.

The official election date is Wednesday, October 26^th.

The investigation continues for Norway House RCMP as they looking into the suspicious death of a man in the community.

An RCMP press release says they had arrested a 45-year-old man from Norway House in relation to the homicide of Johnny Stanley Muswagon, but he has since been released from custody.

Police say the victim was in medical distress July 2^nd before dying in hospital, and believe he was in a physical altercation with an unknown person the evening before.

Anyone who may have seen Muswagon, were witnesses to an altercation, or has video surveillance in the Paupanekis Point area of the community is asked to contact the Norway House detachment.

The man who was injured in an officer-involved shooting in Shamattawa First Nation has died.

The man was shot by police July 2^nd in an exchange of gunfire after officers responded to a report of a man walking around with a firearm and discharging it at a residence in the community.

He was receiving treatment at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg until his death.

The Independent Investigation Unit says as this matter now involves a fatality, a request for a civilian monitor has been made to the Manitoba Police Commission.

The IIU deployed a team of investigators to Shamattawa to look into the incident last week.

With the North Forge North Fabrication Lab unveiled to community leaders late last month, North Forge says similar venues are planned to open in the province’s northwest later this year or early 2023.

The purpose of the Fab Lab is to assist those who wish to produce prototypes and products but may not have access to the equipment.

It will also allow anyone who completes safety training to take part in workshops and training.

North Forge North was made possible in partnership with UCN, and was created through what’s now known as the Prairies Canada grant and funding from the provincial government.

Norway House RCMP says the suspicious death they’re investigating is the result of a homicide.

41-year-old Johnny Stanley Muswagon was pronounced dead in hospital this past weekend after being in medical distress.

Police believe that Muswagon attended multiple homes in the Paupanekis Point area of the community between last Friday evening and Saturday morning.

The press release elaborates that the victim got into a physical altercation with an unknown person.

Anyone with information related to the incident or as home surveillance in the area is asked to contact Norway House RCMP at 204-359-6715.

With the provincial government announcing money for a weld shop at a post-secondary school in Manitoba, its vice president spoke to Arctic Radio about what this means for the north.

Neil Cooke with the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology explains there’s a critical shortage of welders in the province, stating the 4.5 million dollars to expand the weld shop will also help increase the number of students they can take in per term.

Cooke adds the new shop will also be used for short-term training for experienced welders.

He goes on to state this is a boon for the industry across the province.

“Because the welding field is so diverse, you can have individuals that are working in Northern Manitoba for any of the upgraded projects when they are doing work for a shut down. Where there are iron workers and boiler makers coming into play and they need those welding skills along with welders in general whether they are CWB or interprovincial certified people. North and south, there is a definite need for welders in the province.”

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

On July 4, 2022, at approximately 2:00 pm, Thompson Rural RCMP received a report that cocaine was being taken into Lac Brochet on a flight. Officers attended the Thompson Municipal Airport and identified the three suspects headed to Lac Brochet. Multiple cartons of unstamped cigarettes were located in their belongings.

In total, approximately 10,000 illegal cigarettes were seized. No cocaine was located.

A 56-year-old male, a 45-year-old male, and a 27-year-old female, all from Lac Brochet, were arrested and are facing multiple charges under the Criminal Code and Excise Act. They have been released from custody with a court date.

The Manitoba government announced yesterday it will expand eligibility for the high-dose influenza vaccine this fall.

Manitoba Health currently offers the high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine to individuals aged 65 and older who meet specific eligibility requirements.  Those include residing in long-term care facilities or assisted living housing.   

Beginning this fall, the high-dose vaccine will be available to all people aged 65 and older, without any other eligibility requirements.

This change aligns with recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to use the high-dose influenza vaccine for adults aged 65 and older when available.

In 2017, Manitoba became the first province to offer a high-dose version of the influenza vaccine and many provinces have followed suit.

The Thompson Community Development Corporation spoke to Arctic Radio about some of the projects the organization is working on in the community.

President Les Ellsworth says winter weather testing is one of the initiatives the CDC is working on, explaining that it’s regaining momentum after not being worked on after its previous iteration, Thompson Unlimited, ceased operations in 2015.

“We have had a few new testers as the mark was not just vehicles anymore. We had drone testing and a robotic snow plow over the last winter and we’re currently working on new opportunities for the coming cold season. In addition to these two new testers, we continue to have snow mobile testing and vehicle testing.”

Ellsworth goes on to say winter weather testing continues to be a long-term project that will eventually develop into a winter weather testing campus in the Thompson area.

To learn more about what the Thompson CDC has going on, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

MKO’s Grand Chief is hoping the 22-year-old man who was shot during an incident with RCMP at a northern First Nation over the weekend will survive his injuries.

Garrison Settee’s statement comes after the Independent Investigation Unit arrived in Shamattawa First Nation to conduct their investigation.

The man, who is receiving treatment in Winnipeg, was suspected of allegedly walking around the community with a firearm and firing shots in a residence Saturday afternoon.

That led to an interaction with local RCMP, which resulted in him receiving serious injuries.

Settee says while he is aware there are extenuating circumstances that led to the incident, it’s alarming to hear that an Indigenous man was allegedly shot “11 times”.

He goes on to state he stands by Shamattawa’s leadership and hopes the IIU will investigate the incident in a way that is “transparent and unbiased”.

He goes on to call on Canada’s justice system to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, as well a review of some operational policies and practices of police agencies.

The Independent Investigation Unit is in Shamattawa to look into the shooting.

Law enforcement in Norway House Cree Nation is investigating a death of a man, which is believed to be suspicious in nature.

RCMP got a report of a man in medical distress Saturday night at a residence in the community.

The 41-year-old was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An RCMP press release says it’s believed the man was in a physical altercation with an unknown person during Friday evening.

Police are asking the public for any information regarding this incident to call the Norway House Detachment at 204-359-6715 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

The cause of a fire that occurred in the Eastwood area last week is under investigation.

Firefighters responded to the blaze early Thursday morning at a condo building in the neighbourhood.

The Thompson Professional Firefighters Association says members used multiple apparatus, including the city’s aerial ladder fire truck to bring the fire under control.

No injuries have been disclosed at this time.

Shamattawa RCMP is looking into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the community this weekend.

On Saturday afternoon at 1, police responded to a report of an armed man, who was allegedly walking on a road and carrying a firearm.

While patrolling the area, officers heard several shots being fired.

They headed towards the direction of the gunshots and found the suspect outside of a residence, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire.

The 22-year-old suspect from the community sustained serious injuries and was taken to the nursing station, while no officers were physically injured.

Manitoba’s police watchdog has been notified of the incident.