On City Beat yesterday, Mayor Colleen Smook provided an overview of the projects and activities that took place in Thompson this past year.

A couple of the most notable and costly included the water renewal and road work projects in the Juniper, Deerwood and Westwood areas.

Smook shares details here.

"We’re into year two with our roads and water projects, that was a five year project for 87 million dollars all total. We’re significantly into that.”

Other construction and infrastructure projects included the Thompson Regional Airport terminal building, the new court house, the new music room at R.D. Parker Collegiate and the Miles Hart Bridge.

Smook said 2024 will see more of the same, with plans for Keewatin Tribal Council’s  Pusiko land development; the Aquatic Centre tentatively set to break ground this spring, a splash park in the Juniper area and a teen park near the Canadian Tire Jump Start basketball courts.

A new terminal building for the Thompson Regional Airport will be the culmination of many years of work and a huge investment in the community.

According to President and CEO of the Thompson Regional Airport Authority, Curtis Ross, the idea for a new terminal was initiated over 20 years ago.

Ross says our airport is a going concern and the new terminal building will increase the activity even more.

“There’s about fifty five Regional Airports across Canada and we’re still ranking in the top five but once, we were in the top three for how busy we were. Our biggest part is moving people to the communities and moving them further north and the amount of freight that we move out of here is phenomenal. We are a very very busy hub airport and I tell you, it’s about to get much busier with some of the initiatives going on.”

Since the TRAA took over management of the airport, around 60-million dollars has been spent  between equipment and air side upgrades, which includes runways, taxi-ways, lighting systems and guiding systems at the airport.

For more on the terminal building project, catch the complete interview with Ross on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

On December 16, 2023, at approximately 3:25 am, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a residential fire at a property located on Wolf Street in Thompson.

Upon arrival, officers observed extensive damage to the property as the fire department continued to extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported.

In speaking with the 24-year-old male occupant, it was determined that he had an outstanding Warrant of Arrest out of Winnipeg. He was taken into custody without incident.

As a result of the preliminary investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be arson. 

The continuing investigation led to the re-arrest of the 24-year-old male occupant for arson. Randall Redhead, 24, was remanded into custody for a court appearance scheduled December 18, 2023, in Thompson.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

Last week, the Manitoba Fur Tables were held in Thompson.

Usually a two-day event, this year’s was only held for one day.

Mayor Colleen Smook attended the Fur Tables and provides an update on the reason for the change.

“With the weather being as it is, we are sort of concerned that not as many furs have been harvested and the winter roads aren’t open at this time of year. The people that come into Thompson from the winter roads, they don’t get a chance to sell their furs now.”

Smook added there may be a second Fur Table being held in February, but there is discussion that it might be held in The Pas in conjunction with the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival.

She said that a Fur Table in December is important for the trappers wishing to have income in time for Christmas, but that a fur table in February could also be beneficial to trappers at the end of their season.

Smook says discussions are still ongoing.

If you’re considering adding a pet to your family this Christmas, you’re being advised to wait until after the holidays.

Oswald Sawh (saw), Board Chair for the Thompson Regional Humane Society shares their policy for pet adoptions around Christmas.

“We’ve had a practice in the last 3 or 4 years where we do not have adoptions out between two weeks prior and two weeks after Christmas. We always say that the adoption of an animal is a family decision. That’s the best way to ensure that the animal has found a permanent home.”  

Sawh says their practice is to have animals taken to a potential owner’s home for a trial period to see if they are a good fit with children and other pets in the home.

He went on to say that it can be difficult for animals if they are returned after a while and that children can also be impacted if they’ve bonded with the pet.

For more on the Thompson Regional Humane Society, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society is warning parents about overdoing it with gifts of technology for Christmas this year.

According to Dr. Stephanie Dotchin, a pediatric and adult ophthalmologist, a 2022 study had some interesting information about screen time.

“We know that it’s actually concentrated near work that is of concern for progressing of myopia or near sightedness. It’s not just screen time. We are talking about anything that is closer than 30 centimeters. That can be a book, a tablet, or an iphone.”

Dotchin says that it’s the concentrated near work, which is anything closer than 30 centimetres, that can impact our kids’ vision.

It can cause anything from myopia or near-sightedness, to eye fatigue and strain.

She advises people to take breaks from screens and spend time outside.

It’s been found that for every one hour spent outside,  it is estimated that you have a 2 per cent risk reduction in the development of myopia.

For more on how to reduce risks to your child’s vision, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.

A common New Year’s resolution is to work on improving our health and fitness.

But many of our good intentions can fall by the wayside if we’re not mindful of how we approach our fitness goals.

Dr. Scott Leith, a behavioural psychologist with Good Life Fitness, has some advice for those who are making fitness resolutions for 2024.

“Do what you want to do. You can explore around, try things and say “You know what, this feels good, I like this but I don’t like that.” Then you build your program based off of what you enjoy, what feels right and what’s good for your own limitations. That is much more successful in the long run then thinking “I want to lose weight so I have to do these intense fat burning workouts.””

Leith says that by going too hard at the beginning of a fitness journey, we can cause injuries that derail our overall progress.

He says the “all or nothing” mentality where we feel we have to do it all perfectly or do nothing at all is one way we sabotage ourselves.

For more advice on how to approach your next workout program, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Two men were arrested in Tatasweyak Cree Nation last Saturday afternoon.

Thompson Rural RCMP received a report of two men fighting in the community, with one suspect  reportedly armed with a knife.

A 31-year-old man was taken into custody for being in possession of the knife.

A short while later,  RCMP were advised that the other man, 29, had gone to the First Nation Safety Officer’s office in an attempt to break-in and assault the man being held, both which failed and he fled.

It was then reported  that the second man had armed himself with a shotgun and was walking around the community pointing the firearm at individuals.

RCMP officers arrived in the community, located the suspect and took him into custody.

Trio Flett, 29, was remanded into custody on charges including Assault and firearms-related offences.

The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without music to help us celebrate the holidays.

Tonight, you’re invited to the Winter Band Concert that starts at 7 pm at the Letkemann Theatre.

This concert features performances by the Concert Bands from Grade 6 to 12.

On Thursday, enjoy the Winter Choral and Jazz Concert, featuring the Grade 7 to 12 Choirs and the Jazz Bands.  It’s also at 7 pm in the Letkemann Theatre.

If you can’t make it in person, both performances will be livestreamed.   That information can be found at RDPARKERMUSIC.COM or the Thompson Music Parents facebook page.

And on Saturday at 6:30, drop by the TRCC Lobby to catch some Christmas music by the Thompson Community Band.

The Manitoba Trappers Association Fur Tables return to Thompson tomorrow.

It takes place from 9 am to 5 pm at the Thompson Regional community Centre.

The fur tables are open to registered Manitoba Trappers and their families.

Fur Buyers will be available, plus there will be trap sales, displays and crafts.   There will also be kids activities and door prizes.

The Thompson Fur Table was started in the late 1970's by provincial staff to provide northern trappers with an opportunity to get better prices for their raw pelts.   It is now organized by the Manitoba Trappers Association.

Licensed fur dealers gather to inspect each trapper’s lot of fur.   Each dealer provides a quote for the lot and the trapper selects the best price.

Manitoba Possible’s Northern Employment Preparation Services, originally known as the Thompson Supported Employment Program or T-SEP, has expanded.

After more than 30 years, it was extended to include all communities north of the 53rd parallel.  It was done to recognize that people in the north and rural locations can face additional barriers to employment.

Alyssa Wiebe, (Weeb) Program Coordinator for Rural Services of Manitoba Possible outlines the goals of the employment program.

“Our primary goal is to support people experiencing various employment in finding jobs that are sustainable and fit within their interest. We want to help program participants in reaching full independence within their workplaces and becoming gainfully employed. Our secondary goal is also to support employers in becoming more inclusive and to help them with finding employees that are a good fit for their business.

Wiebe went on to say that employees in their program often do not need any special accommodations to be part of a work place.

She says they also tend to be dedicated employees who remain with employers for longer periods of time.

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

Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook has been appointed to the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council.

The announcement was made Thursday in Premier Wab Kinew’s inaugural state of the province address.

The council was created to advise the province on developing Manitoba’s economy and is composed of members that bring with them a range of experiences from different regions and sectors of the province.

Representatives come from unions, labour and business organizations, cultural groups, non-profits, education, trades and more.

The council will be co-chaired by Ash Modha (mode-uh), CEO of Mondetta Clothing, and Kevin Rebeck (Ree-beck), president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour.

The Secret Santa for a Senior Program is off and running.

This year’s organizers are Kim Rudolph from Sunlife Ridgestone Financial and the Thompson Seniors Community Resource Council.

Drop by the Sunlife office next to River View Restaurant and choose a name tag from their Christmas tree.

The tag will contain information about whether the senior is male or female, their interests, clothing size and types of Christmas treats they prefer.

You’re asked to keep the value of the gift around twenty-five dollars.

The deadline to return the wrapped gifts to Sunlife is December 18th to allow time for delivery.

Learn more about the Secret Santa for a Senior program on Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

The Christmas season usually translates into increased sales and traffic for Manitoba businesses.

But instead of feeling optimistic about the shopping season, many businesses are worried about upcoming tax hikes along with costs for wages, fuel and energy, and insurance.

And 49 per cent of small businesses indicate that a shortage of skilled labour is still their number one challenge.

SeoRhin Yoo, a policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, shares other factors that are impacting business optimism.

“Small businesses are worried about the cost of doing business. Nearly 20% of Manitoba small businesses are currently at risk of closure and according to our survey results, 75% are with pandemic related debt that’s averaging over $100,000 while half are still making below normal sales.”

Yoo says that small firms need help from all levels of government, who should pause tax hikes and provide more time for them to repay CEBA loans.

For more on the small business climate in Manitoba, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

The 2023 Holiday Checkstop program was launched in Manitoba last  week as a joint effort between the RCMP and Winnipeg police services.

Road safety is always a priority for police, but the rise in travellers, especially those celebrating the season, is why enforcement measures like Checkstops are necessary.

There have been 109 fatalities due to collisions on Manitoba roads in 2023.

Impaired driving is the most common cause of these collisions.    In the last five years, in RCMP jurisdiction there have been 143 impairment-related fatal collisions.

Impaired driving, speeding, a lack of seatbelts, and distracted driving are among the behaviours being addressed.

Tools like Checkstops and mandatory alcohol screening are used to enforce against this.

The Checkstop program will continue to operate throughout December.

Early Saturday morning,  Norway House RCMP received a report of a stabbing at a residence in the community of Kinosao Sipi.

Officers responded and located a 15-year-old male with injuries. He was transported to the local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

RCMP Major Crime Services and the Forensic Identification Section were deployed to the community.

On Sunday,  Cody Jeffrey Monias, 38, and a 14-year-old male, both from the community, were charged with Second Degree Murder.

They have been remanded in custody.     The investigation continues.

Cold weather testing has been a part of Thompson’s landscape since the mid-80s.

Vehicles, jet engines, snowmobiles, and snow blowers are just some of the items that have been challenged by our reliably frigid winter weather.

Now, it’s possible that air ships may join that group.

When asked on City Beat Thursday if the City of Thompson was supportive of this particular project, Ian Graham with the City had this to say.

“We always are interested in diversifying and growing that economy and we know that cold weather testing of snow mobiles, cars, and jet engines have brought jobs and investment to Thompson. I think the role for the City is trying to make the best possible investment climate so that when people do want to test their products up here, they have access to the goods and services and infrastructure that they need to support that work.”

Presently, the I-S-O Polar Airship Association, lead by President and co-founder Barry Prentice, feels Thompson has everything needed to launch the testing, with the eventual goal of providing cargo service around the north.

This is something Prentice has been pushing toward for more than two decades.

University College of the North is spearheading the delivery of a comprehensive Heavy-Duty Mechanic Apprenticeship program in Thompson.

It will be designed to help Northern and Indigenous students achieve their Red Seal and become Journeypersons by completing Levels 1 to 4.

UCN will provide significant support to the apprentices during the program, especially in the first two levels, to help ensure their success.

It will work closely with Apprenticeship Manitoba, Assiniboine Community College, Economic Development Investment and Trade Manitoba, Indigenous communities and associations, industry partners, and the Northern Manitoba Sector Council.

UCN has enlisted the help of Rob Penner, who previously served as the Associate Vice-President of UCN Community & Industry Solutions, to coordinate these partnerships.

The program is expected to start in Thompson beginning in September 2024.