On August 18, 2026, at 6:54 am., Island Lake RCMP received a report of an assault that had occurred in the community of Garden Hill Anisininew Nation.

Officers attended to the local nursing station where the seriously injured male victim had already been brought and was receiving treatment.

The 22-year-old victim was suffering from a life-threatening stab wound and was later life-flighted to Winnipeg for additional treatment.

Further investigation led police to arrest Winston Flett, 27, from Garden Hill Anisininew Nation.

He has been charged with Aggravated assault and Assault with a weapon.

Flett was remanded until his court date in Winnipeg.

Island Lake RCMP continue to investigate.

With measles continuing to be an issue in Canada and around the world, the Northern Health Region is reminding residents about the importance of immunization.

Bruce Krentz with the northern health region says misinformation surrounding vaccines can contribute to mistrust, while vaccines continue to provide protection against potentially serious diseases.

Krentz says measles in particular shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Krentz says measles cases in Canada have fallen significantly because of successful immunization programs, but cases and deaths continue to occur internationally.

The Northern Health Region is rolling out a program aimed at helping people stay connected to their communities and access supports outside of traditional healthcare.

Social prescribing allows healthcare providers to connect people with community services that can support their overall health and help them continue living independently.

Northern Health Region’s Bruce Krentz says those connections can take several different forms.

Krentz says social prescribing is currently being rolled out in the region, and residents interested in learning more can ask their healthcare provider or visit the Northern Health Region’s Facebook page.

The Manitoba government says it has added more than 47-hundred net new health-care workers since October 2023, including doctors, nurses, health-care aides and allied health professionals.

The province says the additions are helping increase capacity as hospitals and emergency departments face continued pressure.

But the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals says significant gaps remain, pointing to shortages among MRI and CT technologists, respiratory therapists and rural paramedics.

On August 17, 2026, at 9:08 am., The Pas RCMP were notified of possible human remains that had been located outside an address in Umpherville.

Officers attended the scene and discovered the remains between two residences.

An autopsy was conducted August 19.

RCMP can confirm the remains are those of a newly born infant or fetus.

If anyone has any information they feel would be helpful to the investigation, they are asked to contact The Pas RCMP detachment at 204-627-6204.

Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services, The Pas RCMP, along with the Office of the Medical Examiner continue to investigate.

The Manitoba government is investing more than 97-thousand dollars to expand a healthy food initiative across northern Manitoba.

The funding will allow the Northern Association of Community Councils to expand its Northern Healthy Foods Initiative, which currently supports 23 communities.

The expansion will involve consultations with four to seven additional communities, with work focused on food security and food sovereignty.

A first phase of pilot programming is expected to begin in January 2027.

Thompson residents will have a chance to see exactly what happens to their recycling after it leaves the blue bin.

An open house at the Thompson Recycling Centre on Friday will take residents through the process, from sorting materials by hand to preparing them for shipment to Winnipeg.

Thompson Recycling Centre Manager Cheryl Mulrooney explains what happens once those materials arrive at the facility.

A single bale weighs roughly 520 kilograms, with 36 bales making up a full trailer load.

The open house runs August 21st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 16 Severn Crescent and is open to all Thompson residents.

100 Women Who Care Thompson is looking for local charities to take part in its upcoming September meeting.

Nominations are now open, with community members encouraged to submit a charity for consideration as soon as possible.

If more than three organizations are nominated, a vote will be held to select three charities to present at the meeting.

The nomination deadline is Thursday, August 27th at 4 p.m., with the meeting scheduled for September 9th.

Indigenous entrepreneurs across northern Manitoba have less than two weeks to apply for a $25,000 business grant.

Canadian health and wellness company nomz is offering the funding to one Indigenous entrepreneur or Indigenous-owned business looking to launch or grow an existing operation.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Indigenous community members and past grant recipients.

The deadline to apply is September 1, with the recipient set to be announced September 30.

Thompson homeowners should soon be receiving their 2026 property tax bills, and Mayor Colleen Smook says some may see a slight decrease compared with last year.

Smook says the city kept its mill rate increase to 1.16 per cent this year, while the provincial Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit increased to 16-hundred dollars and a 92-dollar special service levy expired.

Canada’s annual inflation rate climbed to three per cent in July, according to new figures released Monday by Statistics Canada.

That’s up from 2.8 per cent in June, with higher gasoline prices playing a major role in the increase.

Gas prices were up 25.7 per cent compared with July of last year, while grocery price growth slowed, with food purchased from stores rising 3.1 per cent year-over-year.

The three-per-cent inflation rate now sits at the upper end of the Bank of Canada’s target range.

That should land right around your 30-second Tuesday morning read. StatsCan is the primary source for the numbers. 

A new child-care centre in Winnipeg is set to create 152 licensed spaces for families.

The federal and Manitoba governments are providing a four-point-five-million-dollar capital grant toward the new Gray Family Centre at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.

The facility will offer infant, preschool, nursery and school-aged care, along with community and wellness spaces.

Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion targeted for summer 2028.

On August 13, 2026, Thompson RCMP's General Investigative Section and Crime Suppression Unit - along with the Manitoba RCMP Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services - executed several search warrants at residences located on Queens Bay and Juniper Drive in the city as part of an ongoing drug investigation.

A targeted traffic stop was also conducted on Juniper Drive in relation to this investigation.

After the subsequent search of the property and vehicle, officers located and seized approximately 100 grams of cocaine, 746 grams of a cutting agent, a large amount of Canadian currency, and other drug-related paraphernalia.

Police also seized a loaded .357 magnum revolver which had previously been reported stolen out of Winnipeg, a 12-gauge pump action shotgun, and ammunition.

Louis Saindon, 49, of Thompson, is facing eleven related firearm offences in addition to the following charges:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of property obtained by crime; and

Michael Naylor, 41, of Thompson, is facing nine related firearm offences, in addition to the following charges:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking; and
• Possession of property obtained by crime

Mohamed Aman-Shekow, 21, of Calgary, was wanted on a warrant out of Yellowknife. He is charged with the following:

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking;
• Obstruction X 2;
• Identity Fraud; and
• Failure to Comply with Release Order X 2

All three were remanded into custody.

Two Flin Flon females – ages 17 and 21 – were also arrested in relation to this investigation and released on undertakings.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

The School District of Mystery Lake says preparations are going well as families across Thompson get ready for students to return to class September 10.

Westwood School students will continue attending classes out of Juniper and Burntwood schools, while maintenance crews have spent the summer getting buildings across the district ready.

Danny Morris with the School District of Mystery Lake says crews have been busy since classes wrapped up in June.

Families can hear more from Danny about registration, Westwood School and preparations for the new school year on Thompson Today, at 12:40 and 5:10.

Preparations are underway for this year’s Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities in Thompson.

The September 30th event is being planned in partnership with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and the Keewatin Tribal Council, with growing attendance leading organizers to expand beyond the TRCC gymnasium into other spaces at the facility and the Boreal Discovery Centre.

Mayor Colleen Smook says that growth reflects the partnerships being built through reconciliation in Thompson.

Smook says a full itinerary for this year’s activities has not yet been released, but planning is underway for September 30th.

The Manitoba government and Opaskwayak Cree Nation have signed an agreement to establish a new community court in OCN.

The court will incorporate Cree legal traditions and restorative justice, including land-based healing, Elder guidance and community involvement.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says the agreement marks another step toward reconciliation.

OCN Chief Michael Constant says the initiative will give the community greater control over its justice system while helping community members heal.

On August 11, 2026, at 3 :55 pm., The Pas RCMP received a report of a missing 20-year-old female.

Rasheeda Faith-Joyce Eninew was last seen in the community on August 10, riding an electric scooter and carrying a guitar.

Despite an extensive search for Rasheeda, she has not been located and may be headed to Flin Flon.

Her family and RCMP are concerned for her wellbeing.

Rasheeda is described as 5’5” tall with a heavy build. There is no known description of the clothing she was last seen wearing.

If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Rasheeda, they are asked to contact The Pas RCMP detachment at 204-627-6204.

On August 11, 2026, at approximately 3:00 am., Norway House RCMP were dispatched to a residence on Paupanekis Point for a report of a severely injured male.

Officers, along with First Nation Safety Officers, arrived at the scene and were advised by EMS that the male was deceased as a result of a possible stabbing.

Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services took carriage of the investigation and Forensic Identification Services attended the scene to assist.

The investigation determined there was a confrontation inside the house between the 36-year-old victim and another male who had fled the scene.

The victim and the suspect were known to each other.

Officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect without incident.

The 33-year-old male, from Norway House, is now in custody and faces a charge of second-degree murder.

Manitoba RCMP MCS continues to investigate.

On August 10, 2026, at 4:09 pm, an unknown male attended the Swan River RCMP detachment to report an assault that occurred on August 5, 2026.

The 21-year-old male advised police that after going on a drive with a male that was known to him, he was assaulted, robbed, threatened with a firearm, and left stranded on a back road outside of Bowsman.

A description of the suspect and his vehicle was provided to officers.

Patrols began immediately for the suspect and a vehicle matching the description was located in Swan River. A traffic stop was initiated, and a 24-year-old male was arrested without incident.

A search warrant was executed on the suspect’s residence and officers located BB guns, along with a firearm that matched the description of the one that was used in the robbery.

The 24-year-old male was remanded into custody and faces the following charges:

• Using firearm in the commission of an offence;
• Unsafe storage of firearms;
• Robbery – with firearm;
• Assault;
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
• Robbery with restricted firearm;
• Uttering threats;
• Assault with a weapon

Swan River RCMP continue to investigate.

Concerns are being raised about road conditions on several Thompson streets outside of the city’s larger construction projects.

A resident recently wrote to council about potholes and deteriorating conditions on Elm Street, Basswood Street, Birch Avenue and other areas, saying some problems have persisted for years.

Mayor Colleen Smook says the city recognizes the concerns, but Public Works crews are balancing pothole repairs with several other seasonal responsibilities.

Dynacare laboratory employees in Manitoba have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate.

The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals says 99.7 per cent of participating members voted in favour.

The union represents nearly 350 Dynacare laboratory technicians and technologists working at 22 laboratory and health service centres in Winnipeg, Brandon and surrounding communities.

Canada Post has released a new series of stamps celebrating wolves and their importance to ecosystems across the country.

The collection features four wolves found in different parts of Canada: the grey wolf, eastern wolf, Arctic grey wolf and coastal grey wolf.

Canada Post says wolves are considered a keystone species because of the role they play in maintaining healthy and diverse ecosystems.

The animals also hold an important place in many Indigenous cultures.

The new stamps and related collectibles are available beginning today at select postal outlets and through Canada Post.

On August 12, 2026, at 1:45 p.m., Island Lake RCMP received a report of two children who had been brought to the Garden Hill Anisininew Nation nursing station.

Officers attended and were advised that two toddlers had been found in the lake by a family member and brought to the nursing station by First Nation Safety Officers.

The two boys, aged one and two, were pronounced deceased at the nursing station.

It is believed the boys were able to leave their residence and enter the nearby lake. Foul play is not suspected.

“This is devastating for the family and the entire community. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic incident,” said Sergeant Chris Hipolito of the Island Lake RCMP detachment.

Island Lake RCMP continue to investigate.

Access to veterinary care continues to be a major challenge in Thompson, with no full-time veterinarian currently serving the community.

The Thompson Regional Humane Society has expanded its role in recent years as limited access to animal healthcare affects both pet owners and the shelter itself.

Oswald Sawh with the Humane Society says some families are now facing incredibly difficult situations just to access basic care.

Sawh says the Humane Society considers regular, affordable veterinary care an essential service and has been lobbying the province for more support to address the immediate need.

Hear more from Oswald about the challenges surrounding veterinary care in Thompson on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 on 102.9 CHTM.

The Northern Health Region is highlighting a community-led program aimed at supporting suicide prevention and promoting mental well-being across the North.

Roots of Hope brings local committees together to develop initiatives based on the needs of their communities, including awareness events and activities surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.

Mental Health Promotion Specialist Sandesh says the program gives communities a direct role in deciding how that support looks.
 

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed each year on September 10, with communities able to organize their own activities ranging from awareness walks and information booths to music, barbecues and other gatherings.

Kids in Thompson will have a chance to get creative with technology later this month through a free workshop at the Thompson Public Library.

The University College of the North Tech Club is hosting the program on Friday, August 21st and again on Friday, August 28th, from 10:15 to 11:45 in the morning.

Kids will learn how to turn everyday objects into interactive inventions while getting some hands-on experience with technology.

The workshop is open to children ages eight and up, and anyone interested can sign up at the Thompson Public Library front desk.

CUPE Manitoba is calling on the provincial government to move quickly on legislation aimed at strengthening protections for renters.

The union says Bill 13 would amend the Residential Tenancies Act, including changes to landlord requirements, tenant records and penalties for failing to comply with Residential Tenancies Branch orders. 

The city-wide boil water advisory in Thompson has now been lifted.

The advisory had been in place since August 8 following a valve installation on the city’s 14-inch water line.

Most residents can now safely use tap water for drinking and cooking without boiling it first.

However, localized boil water advisories remain in effect for 46 to 96 Oak Street, McMunn and Yates at 44 Station Road, the Wellbriety Centre at 504 Princeton Drive, and Princeton Towers North Tower at 424 Princeton Drive.

People at those locations should continue boiling water for one minute before using it for drinking or cooking until they are notified that their advisory has been lifted.

Manitoba RCMP say a traffic stop on the Trans-Canada Highway led to the seizure of approximately 970-thousand dollars in cash.

Police say an officer spotted a vehicle travelling 129 kilometres per hour in a 100 zone on July 31.

The vehicle was stopped near Brandon, and a subsequent search reportedly uncovered multiple bags containing Canadian currency.

Two Ontario men, 22-year-old Alireza Haghhood and 44-year-old Ahmad Ahmadi, were arrested and charged with possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking over five-thousand dollars.

RCMP say Ahmadi was released on a release order, while Haghhood remained in custody in Brandon.

Manitoba RCMP Traffic Services continues to investigate.

A ribbon skirt and vest workshop coming up in Thompson is giving participants an opportunity to connect with culture, identity and tradition through their own creations.

The workshop is being hosted through Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and is open to members of its 26 First Nations living in Thompson.

Interest has been strong, with all available spaces in the workshop now filled.

MKO M-M-I-W-G-2S Plus Cultural and Land-Based Support Liaison Christine Sawatsky says creating a ribbon skirt allows participants to express themselves through the colours and designs they choose.

To hear more from Christine and MKO Traditional Healer Program Manager Shyanna Lynxleg about the meaning behind ribbon skirts and the importance of passing cultural knowledge forward, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10

Manitoba added 5,900 jobs in July, according to the latest Statistics Canada labour force survey.

The province recorded the strongest job growth among the Prairie provinces and the second-highest increase in Canada.

Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained at five per cent, the lowest in the country for the fourth consecutive month.

The province says Manitoba also posted the strongest private-sector job growth in Canada and the second-best overall employment growth.

Youth unemployment was 10.7 per cent, the second-lowest rate nationally.

Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses says the latest numbers show Manitoba’s labour market remains strong despite ongoing disruptions to global trade.

August is National Wellness Month, and the City of Thompson is encouraging residents to take advantage of the many affordable recreation opportunities available throughout the community.

From drop-in sports to family activities at the TRCC, city officials say there are plenty of ways for people of all ages to stay active without spending a lot.

Mayor Colleen Smook says keeping recreation accessible is an important part of building a healthy community.
 

The City says recreation opportunities continue throughout August, including drop-in sports and programs at the TRCC.

The Manitoba government says investments in endoscopy services are helping reduce wait times while increasing access to procedures that can detect cancer and other serious illnesses.

The province says more than 50,000 endoscopy procedures have been performed annually since 2023-24, with the wait list dropping from more than 11,400 patients in 2022 to fewer than 1,700 as of last month.

The median wait for non-urgent procedures has also fallen from 233 days to 69 days.

The government says expanded capacity at hospitals and clinics across Manitoba has helped deliver thousands of additional procedures while easing pressure on emergency departments.

Road construction continues across Thompson as crews move into the next phase of this year’s paving program.

Work has included catch basin repairs and milling, with paving beginning on several streets.

City officials say schedules may shift from time to time to keep projects moving efficiently, and residents are encouraged to watch the City’s social media pages and Thompson Connect for the latest updates.

Mayor Colleen Smook says drivers can expect some temporary road closures as paving continues, and she’s asking everyone to slow down and respect construction zones.

The City says improvements made over the past few years are already making a noticeable difference, and officials are asking residents for a little extra patience while the remaining work is completed.

The City of Thompson recently recognized the dedication of its employees during its annual Long Service Awards celebration.

Staff members marking years-of-service milestones were honoured for their commitment to the community and the work they do every day.

The event included an awards presentation, a meal provided by the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre, and a quiz game that gave employees a chance to celebrate together.

The annual gathering recognizes the experience and service of municipal staff across the organization.

Women in Opaskwayak Cree Nation will soon have access to breast cancer screening closer to home.

The Northern Health Region is reminding eligible residents that the CancerCare Manitoba BreastCheck mobile screening clinic will be at the Beatrice Wilson Health Centre from August 31st through September 2nd.

The mobile clinic provides screening mammograms for women between the ages of 45 and 74.

Appointments are required and space is limited.

Anyone eligible is encouraged to book by calling the Beatrice Wilson Health Centre at 204-627-7410.

 Regular breast cancer screening can help detect cancer early, when treatment is often more effective.

Crime prevention doesn’t always begin after a crime has happened. According to the Thompson RCMP, making a few simple changes around your home can go a long way toward reducing opportunities for thieves before they ever strike.

Special Constable Rob Cleveland with the Thompson RCMP says many of the best crime prevention measures are simple but effective.

Cleveland says keeping yards maintained, locking vehicles and doors, and working with neighbours to watch over each other’s property can all help discourage criminal activity.

He also explains how the RCMP uses Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, to identify ways properties can be made safer.

To hear more about CPTED and how homeowners can better protect their property, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.

Thompson Rural RCMP continue to investigate a possible drowning near Kelsey after a missing Alberta man was reported earlier this week.

Police say 60-year-old James Redmond was reported missing Monday after he had not been seen since early that morning.

Investigators say Redmond was known to fish from the shore of the Nelson River.

Officers later found his fishing gear about 200 metres upstream from the Kelsey Generating Station dam, where they believe he may have entered the water.

RCMP drones and a private diving company assisted with the search as the investigation continues.

The Manitoba government is funding five joint francophone projects through its bilateral co-operation agreement with New Brunswick.

The initiatives are designed to strengthen French-language organizations while encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the two provinces.

The projects will support areas including French-language education, arts and culture, and community development.

Manitoba and New Brunswick each contribute up to $20,000 annually to the program, with five projects approved for the 2026-27 fiscal year after funding requests exceeded the available budget.

The Northern Health Region is reminding Manitobans that free services are available to support healthier lifestyles, whether they’re looking for nutrition advice, help quitting nicotine, or mental health support.

Bruce Krentz says these resources can make it easier for people to get expert guidance when they need it.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the Northern Health Region, recommends starting with one of Manitoba’s free nutrition services.

Krentz also highlighted Smokers’ Helpline, Kids Help Phone, and QDoc as valuable resources that provide support for quitting smoking or vaping, accessing mental health services, and connecting with a healthcare provider virtually.

International Youth Day is coming up on August 12, and the Northern Health Region is encouraging families to help young people stay active, creative, and engaged as summer continues.

Bruce Krentz says the day recognizes the shared aspirations of youth around the world while encouraging communities to help young people build confidence and develop lifelong skills.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the Northern Health Region, says there are plenty of ways families can encourage learning and creativity this summer.

Drivers in Thompson are being asked to plan ahead today as several road construction projects get underway across the city.

Beginning this morning, crews are carrying out asphalt reclamation on Thompson Drive between Cree Road and Goldeye Crescent, Centennial Drive West from Oak Street to Elder Avenue, paving work on Dominion Bay, and road preparation and paving on a portion of Nelson Road.

Traffic restrictions and temporary road closures will be in place throughout the day.

Residents on Dominion Bay are being asked to keep vehicles off the street and should expect limited access to their driveways while paving is underway.

The KFC drive-thru is also closed during asphalt reclamation work on Thompson Drive, while motorists are encouraged to avoid construction zones where possible, follow posted detours, and obey the directions of flaggers.

Most work is expected to be completed by the end of the day, with roads reopening as construction wraps up.

A lockdown in Pimicikamak Cree Nation has been lifted following an arrest in the investigation into a fatal shooting that prompted emergency measures over the weekend.

RCMP have said they were searching for a suspect after a man died from a gunshot wound in the community.

While police have made an arrest, Chief David Monias says the Nation is still awaiting RCMP confirmation that the person in custody is responsible for the crime.

In a public statement, Monias thanked residents for their patience and cooperation throughout the lockdown, as well as frontline workers, community volunteers, and the RCMP for their efforts.

He says essential services and local businesses have resumed operations, Treaty and Indian Days events will continue, and the community is now focused on healing while the investigation continues.

The Canadian Mental Health Association for the Thompson Region says community donations are helping its homeless outreach mentors continue supporting people experiencing homelessness in Thompson.

The mentors provide hygiene products, connect people with transitional housing resources, and help residents access programs and services throughout the community.

Iris Chan, Education and Training Coordinator with the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Thompson Region, says those efforts are made possible through support from Charlie’s Thrift Store donors.

In addition to its outreach program, CMHA also operates the Connections Clubhouse, which offers weekday drop-in hours and activities designed to help residents build social connections and learn new skills.

Chan says continued community support allows the organization to provide a range of mental health programs and services throughout Thompson.