An organization focused on vision health care is reminding Canadians about the various complications associated with diabetes as the awareness month closes out.

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society says around 5.7 million Canadians are affected by diabetes today. It can lead to the development of diabetic retinopathy which can cause vision loss.

However, according to a recent survey only six per cent of respondents who are concerned about their eye health say they had their eyes checked due to diabetes over the past year.

The organization’s Doctor Phil Hooper says people living with diabetes should get regular eye exams to ensure they can catch diabetic retinopathy, as it can be treated if caught early enough.

For the full interview, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

It’s GivingTuesday, a day that inspires people to show their generosity to those who need it most.

In support of its holiday campaign, the Canadian Cancer Society is encouraging people to donate to help them provide support programs for those living with cancer as well as for cancer research.

Until midnight, the non-profit says donations will be matched up to $50, 000 with the help of an anonymous donor.

An estimated 2-in-5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, with CCS saying donations matter now as much as ever.

GivingTuesday was first established in 2012 and is held the Tuesday after American Thanksgiving.

To donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, visit cancer.ca.

A local daycare is looking to help out local families and seniors through their toy and food drive.

Until December 19^th, residents can drop off new toys and non-perishable food items in the blue bin at T2 Thompson Toddlers Daycare on 3 Broadway Street during the weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 16 Elm Street outside those hours.

The food donations will be given to the Thompson Seniors Community Resource Council.

While this is the first time the daycare is holding the drive, it’s reminiscent of the Toy Drive the Salvation Army would put on during the holiday season in partnership with local RCMP prior to it shutting down this summer.

For more information or to arrange a pickup for donations, call 204-677-4853.

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

The 12^th annual Artists, Artisans, Crafters, and Small Business Expo is returning to the TRCC this Saturday.

The event is being organized by Community Futures North Central Development and the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation to ensure it would be back following the two-year COVID-19 hiatus.

TNRC Executive Director Oswald Sawh explains why having the expo is important for the community.

“It’s more than just having booths out there to show what they have on sale, it’s also about getting people to come together. Over the last few years, we’ve had very few events where you are able to see a large gathering of people and being able to see your fellow Thompsonites or people coming in to see family in Thompson.”

The event will be this Saturday afternoon from 3 to 8.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon to learn more.

National Child Day will be commemorated locally following the Santa Parade tomorrow afternoon.

Canada declared November 20^th as National Child Day in 1993 to celebrate children and for citizens to remember that children need support, encouragement, and respect in order to grow to their full potential.

Here, Marymound’s Penny Brenton shares what this year’s celebration will entail.

"This event is free of charge and this year’s theme is the right to participate. The parade starts at 12:30 then the National Child Day celebration starts at 2:30 at the TRCC, beginning with opening ceremonies and the tree lighting”

It will also include a scavenger hunt, mini putt, Christmas crafts, and karaoke.

The event is being organized by the Hello Parents Network

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence begins tomorrow and runs until December 6^th.

The campaign was created following the Polytechnique Montreal shooting in 1989 where 14 women were killed in an anti-feminist attack.

Here, the Thompson Crisis Centre’s Mary Demare goes into the Purple Ribbon Campaign.

“We wear purple ribbons to remember the fourteen women who died in Montreal on December 6^th, 1989 and in remembrance also of all women who have died violently and continue to live with abuse. We also wear purple ribbon to raise awareness of the far reaching effects of violence against women. Fundraisers for organizations providing direct services to abused women are appreciated.”

The YWCA of Thompson will be holding a vigil on December 6^th to honour the victims of the shooting.

To learn more, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Operation Red Nose is back after the COVID-19 hiatus, and the local committee says they’re excited to get into the swing of things.

The free ride service is volunteer-run and gets you and your vehicle home safely during the holiday season.

Thompson committee president Dan Colosie explains why this initiative is vital for the community.

“Over the holiday season, we generally see more gatherings with family and friends and with that comes the increased potential for driving under the influence. Having Operation Red Nose available during the holidays allows people to make the safe choice of not driving while impared and also getting their vehicle home safe to their destination which is shown to be very effective across Canada in reducing the number of incidents revolving around impared driving”

Operation Red Nose kicks off this Friday and runs every Friday and Saturday from now until the end of December.

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

On November 19, 2022, as a result of an ongoing investigation, RCMP officers with the Thompson General Investigation Section (GIS) along with assistance from the Emergency Response Team (ERT), Police Dog Services (PDS) and Thompson Detachment located and arrested two subjects, a 33-year-old male and a 29-year-old female, outside a residence located on Ashberry Place, in relation to the possession and trafficking of drugs.

A search of the 33-year-old male led to the seizure of a loaded handgun, approximately 172 grams of cocaine, over $16,000 in cash and body armour.

Officers then executed a search warrant at the residence of the 33-year-old male, located on Ashberry Place, where two additional females (56, 49) were arrested. The search lead to the seizure of four modified shotguns, ammunition, additional body armour and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

Michael Jonathan Nicholas, 33, was remanded into custody on numerous drug and firearms-related charges for a court appearance scheduled November 21, 2022, in Thompson.

The three females (56, 49, 29) were released for a court appearance scheduled January 20, 2023, in Thompson Provincial Court where they will also face drug and firearms-related charges.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

On November 18, 2022, at 6:05 am, Thompson RCMP received a report of a firearm having been discharged at an address located on Brandon Crescent.

Officers immediately attended the area and were advised that three male suspects, all dressed in black with toques, were seen walking down the back lane of Brandon Crescent. No injuries were reported.

The surrounding area was contained and tracks were located that led officers to another residence further down the street. Two of the three suspects were apprehended a short distance away from this home.

The third suspect was later located with the use of our Police Dog Services who tracked the suspect down to a residence on Princeton Drive. All three suspects were arrested without incident.

A search of the suspects located a handgun, crack cocaine, illicit cannabis & a small amount of cash.

The three suspect from Thompson, 34-year-old Robert Cruz, 18-year-old Nolan Pronteau and a 17-year-old, were remanded into custody for a court appearance in Thompson on November 21, 2022, where they will face numerous drug & firearms-related charges.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

The annual Thompson Santa Parade is back, and will be sticking to the extended route that was established last year.

Lead coordinator Bobbi Montean [mon-tan] says the route for the last parade was extended due to COVID-19 health measures.

The Santa Parade starts at the Thompson General Hospital Saturday afternoon at 12:30 and will end at the TRCC.

Following the Parade will be the National Child Day event put on by the local Hello Parents Network and the City of Thompson.

Those interested in being a part of the Parade can book a float by visiting the TRCC front desk or calling 204-677-7969.

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

The Thompson Festival of the Arts’ annual general meeting is tonight.

In addition to electing the executive and discussing plans for the upcoming festival, they’re also encouraging people who may be interested in volunteering to attend.

The organization’s Terry-Lyn Gagnon says it needs around twelve volunteers in order for the festival to run smoothly, and they are currently looking for six people to join the committee.

Volunteers attend monthly one-hour meetings, and can help with tasks such as coordinating adjudicators, travel, hospitality, scheduling, and running the various disciplines during the festival.

The AGM will be at 7 p.m. at the School District of Mystery Lake office.

Those interested in volunteering or who may have questions can reach out through the Thompson Festival of the Arts Facebook page.

With November being Career and Workforce Development Month, the YWCA of Thompson is hosting an open house this week focusing on how to pick a satisfying career in town.

The “Building a Career You Love” open house will feature local speakers who have found a path to employment at Vale, with the RCMP, as well as in teaching and nursing.

It’s also an opportunity to ask staff about the YWCA’s Employment Links programs.

The open house is this Wednesday starting at 9:15 in the Steps to Success classroom at the YWCA.

For more information, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Nisokapawino Forestry Management Corporation is hosting a number of community engagement sessions next week to get input on a long term management plan they’re developing.

General manager Andrew Forward says the 20 Year Forest Management Plan will be more strategic in the framework it would provide for our Forest Management License Area, which would be in effect from 2025 to 2045.

The community engagement session for Thompson will also serve residents of Pikwitonei, Thicket Portage, and Wabowden.

It will be held at the Best Western Monday night at 7.

A virtual session will be held on Tuesday for those who aren’t able to attend in-person.

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

Pride North of 55 will be holding their annual general meeting this weekend.

It will be at the Thompson CMHA tomorrow afternoon starting at 3.

The organization is seeking new board volunteers and would like to hear from community members about what they think the issues are and what they would like to see from Pride North moving forward.

Those attending the meeting are asked to wear a mask.

For more information or to register, email pridenorthof55@gmail.com or reach out through their Facebook page.

The growing role of community for Canadian video game players is a major factor of the hobby’s mainstream appeal.

That’s according to recent research conducted by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, which finds that 49 per cent of adult gamers and 70 per cent of youth play video games most often with other people.

This is especially true as the generations who grew up playing video games become parents themselves and pass that love of the hobby on to their kids.

Jayson Hilchie, President and CEO, adds that most time spent playing video games is in Manitoba.

He says while he doesn’t know the exact reason for this beyond the longer, colder winters, Hilchie is glad to see that video games and the connectivity associated with it can keep people company when they need it most.

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

As a way to build capacity for home care and respite services in the province, Manitoba Possible launched an online platform earlier this month to match clients with support workers.

The organization’s Provincial Services Director Lindsey Cooke says Care Possible features interactive maps, filtering criteria, communication tools, scheduling, and a secure online payment system.

She adds the aim is to grow capacity by engaging people who might not have considered support work, as many home care or respite tasks don’t require specialized skills or certification.

Cooke explains the platform verifies identity and completes background checks for workers to ensure safety and trust.

Visit carepossible.ca to learn more.

Or listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

The provincial government is investing five million dollars to build capacity in the mining industry.

Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt says the province is spending the money on improving regulatory processes, as well as enhancing the department’s capacity to meaningfully engage and consult with Indigenous communities.

Nesbitt adds the province is increasing the complement of full-time staff at the department by 50 per cent to ensure it can keep up with demand for exploration work permits.

Other initiatives include the Assessment Credit Doubling Program being extended until the end of next year and the costs linked with the Heritage Resource Impact Assessment studies will now be eligible for assessment work credits.

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation members, both on and off-reserve, are invited to take part in a series of meet-and-greets with Chief and council this week.

Future plans for the community will be discussed, and members will be encouraged to fill out a survey, participate in group discussions, and pitch recommendations.

The meet-and-greet at NCN will be held at the multiplex tomorrow afternoon at 1.

The one for Thompson will be this Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Juniper Centre and at the Holiday Inn in Winnipeg on Friday at 5.

The Endow Manitoba Giving Challenge is now underway, and the Thompson Community Foundation are hoping local residents will help them with this fundraiser.

For every five dollars donated to the challenge, The Winnipeg Foundation and provincial government will chip in a dollar each.

The money raised will go towards funding community projects.

For details call 204-281-3110 or hear the full interview on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

On November 9, 2022, at approximately 11:25 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a home invasion at a residence with several adults in the home on Hudson Bay in Thompson. When officers arrived on scene, a 29-year-old male had been severely assaulted with a weapon. He was transported to local hospital with serious injuries, where he remains.

Initial investigation has determined three males, two of them known to the residents of the home, broke into the residence and committed the assault before fleeing in a white SUV.

On November 10, 2022, Jacinto Guerra, 34, of Thompson, was arrested for Break and Enter and Commit Aggravated Assault. 

A warrant of arrest had been issued for Steven Moorehead, 24, for Break and Enter and Commit Aggravated Assault.    According to an update from the RCMP on Monday, Moorehead has now been arrested.

Police continue to investigate the identity of the third suspect. He is described as mid-20s, tall, thin build, wearing a baseball cap and “skinny” glasses.

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

As a way to support its food hamper program, the Thompson Seniors Community Resource Council is putting together a festive evening for residents.

Organizer Barb Henderson says the ad hoc committee was discussing the impact COVID-19 has had on the community, and figured a Christmas concert would be a good family-friendly event for people to look forward to while raising money for the food hamper program.

Henderson says the program has seen an increased interest from low-income seniors in the community after the Salvation Army food bank closed its doors in Thompson in June.

The event, dubbed A Community Christmas Evening, will be on December 3^rd at 7 p.m. at the Letkemann Theatre.

Call 204-677-0987 for details.

Or catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Members of the School District of Mystery Lake school board were sworn in during Tuesday night’s inaugural meeting.

The two incumbent members, Lindsay Anderson and Michelle Tomashewski [tah-mah-shoo-ski], will serve as chair and vice-chair respectively for this school year.

They along with Abby Humby, Mike Lawson, Henk Warner-Brown, M.D. Sharker, and Bryan Young were acclaimed as the board of trustees for the district in September.

As a result, no school board trustee election took place during the municipal election.

The next school board meeting will be November 22^nd.

One-in-five Canadians reported declining employer trust since the start of the pandemic.

LifeWorks’ recent Mental Health Index found nearly half of respondents cited change in workplace culture as the top reason for the drop, followed by the handling of employee wellbeing support and communication at 43 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

However it also found that one-quarter of Canadians see relationships with co-workers most positively impacted the effort given to their work.

Spokesperson Paula Allen explains what organizations can do to increase employee trust.

“Number one is speaking about mental health and wellbeing on a regular basis. So in all your consideration in terms of changes and business decisions, they will be vocal that you are considering the wellbeing of employees. Listen to people through surveys, focus groups, through informal channels around what’s working and what’s not working because that really shows perspective and concern.”

Allen adds promoting services like employee assistance programs can also help.

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

Remembrance Day is this Friday, and will be the open to the public for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Captain Dan Colosie, organizer of the local service, has the details.

“The Remembrance Day commemorative services returning to an in-person format at the Thompson Regional Community Centre which also means we are pleased to open this service back up to the public in the way that it was before COVID-19. The service will also be recorded and broadcast for those who wish to participate from their homes and Paul from Shaw has agreed to do a live broadcast for us as well so that people can participate fully if they are not comfortable or if they are not feeling well. We ask that they stay home and participate in that way.”

The Thompson Remembrance Day service will be at the TRCC, with doors opening at 10 a.m. and the service starting at 10:15.

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

Today is Indigenous Veterans Day, and a service to commemorate Indigenous service members was held this morning.

Tomorrow, the community will be recognizing the contributions of Indigenous soldiers and veterans to Canada’s military service.

Veteran Affairs Canada states over four thousand Indigenous people served in the First World War

Then in World War II, over three thousand First Nations members, along with an unknown number of Metis, Inuit, and other Indigenous recruits volunteered and served in uniform.

Many Indigenous soldiers brought valuable skills with them when they joined the military such as stealth and marksmanship, which helped them become successful snipers and reconnaissance scouts.

Thompson will be commemorating Indigenous Veterans Day tomorrow morning at Wapanohk Community School.

The service begins at 10:30.

Applications are now open for grant funding on suicide prevention or life promotion initiatives in the community.

Jennifer Whalen with the Northern Health Region says the idea for the fund came to be after the Hope North Suicide Prevention Committee in Thompson ceased operations this past year.

Whalen explains the types of projects that would be considered for funding include suicide prevention, intervention, post-vention, and life promotion.

Proposals for projects that would take place between April of next year and March 2024 are to be submitted by March 1^st.

For more information, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Things like a phone charger, a flashlight, water bottles, and non-perishable food are the typical items found in an emergency winter vehicle kit, but CAA Manitoba has some recommendations to add to a kit that may not be top of mind.

Spokesperson Nadia Matos [mah-tohs] shares one example for long trips on the highway.

“One thing that we say too, if you have the capacity, things like kitty litter if you can believe it will help give you some traction with snow. So if you find yourself in a situation where you are not getting the kind of traction you want, you have something that can absorb some moister or some mat to things that will give you the extra little bit of traction in the winter months.”

Matos adds planning a route as much as possible is important especially on long drives, and telling someone about your route before you head out can help in case you’re stranded on the road.

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

Younger Canadians feel more confident about their financial literacy skills.

That’s according to a recent survey from PC Financial, which was conducted ahead of Financial Literacy Month.

72 per cent of respondents ages 18 to 54 reported high confidence levels in financial literacy skills, compared to 86 per cent of those 55 and older.

Despite this, 81 per cent of older Canadians are confident in their ability to stick to a budget compared to 67 per cent of younger Canadians.

Financial advisor Jackie Porter says the findings indicate that while younger people are more aware about financial literacy, the increased cost of living is making saving up more difficult.

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