Since 2020, the Northern Health Region has been offering identification clinics in Thompson and locations in the north.

Ashley Grzebniak with the NHR shares the types of I.D. that can be applied for.

“So nothing is needed to apply for a Manitoba Birth Certificate or apply for a replacement health card if you already have one. However, if you are planning on applying for any other type of ID such as a status card, we recommend that you bring any kind of identification that you may already have such as your birth certificate, driver’s license, health card, passport, or anything else like that as it may be needed to apply.”

Grzebniak said financial information and appointment bookings will be available from Assiniboine Credit Union and JA Canada will be on hand providing information on financial literacy, work readiness and more.

The next event - their fifth - takes place October 15th from 11 am to 7 pm at the TRCC gym.

For more details, tune into Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

A woman was assaulted in a parking lot of a Thompson business last Thursday.

Her assailant attempted to steal some of her belongings but her cries for help got the attention of others who called the RCMP.

The suspect had run off before they arrived but was located in a nearby park.

After a short foot pursuit, he was arrested without further incident.

The victim, a woman from Thompson, suffered minor physical injuries.

Vincent Flett, 38, from Thompson, was remanded in custody and is facing multiple charges including robbery and resisting

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

This summer’s wildfires here in the north have communities planning and preparing in case of future fires.

Between purchases and donations, the City of Thompson now has an assortment of asset-protection equipment.

Mayor Colleen Smook explains.

“Between the Value Protection Trailer and the equipment inside that we purchased like Value Protection sprinklers. Plus we got two wildfire skids that were donated by Global Medic. Thompson Fire and Emergency Services has about $350,000 dollars of equipment to protect the city from future wildfire threats.”

Smook added that the two skids were shared to fight the fires in Snow Lake and Leaf Rapids, and would be available for use throughout the north and not just Thompson.

From March 1st to 7th, Thompson will host the Manitoba Winter Games for the third time.

The organizing committee and volunteers will house and feed around 1500 athletes, plus coaches, referees and other guests.

Thanks to a cash infusion of 100-thousand dollars from Sport Manitoba, the Games will provide some legacies in the community.

Todd Harwood, co-chair of the organizing committee has details.

“We are looking at washroom and change room upgrades at the Mystery Mountain, the curtain in Trojan Gym at RD Parker has been redone. The railing, as well, in the Trojan gym is all glass now. We are in the works to build a shed for the cross country ski group. We have some upgrades planned for curling club. The arena is going to see some upgrades, I think the sound system, we are working on the wifi and they’ve done some benches.”

He added that a marquee legacy they’re hoping for is to add lighting to one kilometre of the cross-country ski trails.

Previous plans had to be put on hold when the hydro poles designated for the project had to be used by Manitoba Hydro to replace those destroyed by the wildfires in the province.

Learn more about the upcoming games and the opportunities to participate in and support them.   Tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Telephone scams targeting senior citizens are on the rise in northern Manitoba recently,  an area with very few reports previously.

Over the past few months, four elderly Flin Flon residents have reported receiving such calls.

In two of the cases, thousands of dollars were sent to the scammer through the mail.  Another victim’s transaction was intercepted in time and returned. It is unknown at this time if all the cases are directly related.

RCMP remind Manitobans to be suspicious of telephone calls that require you to immediately take action and request bail money for a family member in distress.

Hang up the phone and contact your family member directly on the number you have in your contact list.

And be cautious of what you post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media platforms and dating sites for targeting purposes.

This is Truth and Reconciliation Week in the Northern Health Region, across the province and across the country.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the NHR, shares the significance of the week.

“We pause to remember the children who never returned home, the survivors of Residential Schools, and the families and communities that continue to live with the impact of Colonialism and systemic racism.”   

Krentz said the health care system is guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, not only to strive to build a better health system but a better community.

This coming Tuesday is September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day.

Krentz added that more resources are available at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website at nctr.ca.

After 17 years as the Member of Parliament for the Churchill-Keewatinook-Aski riding, Niki Ashton has returned to her home base in Thompson for a new opportunity.

Ashton has been appointed as the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Business and Science at the University College of the North.

She talks here about her long-time relationship with UCN.

“UCN has a special place in my heart. Before being elected as MP, I worked for UCN, I taught here in Thompson and I was involved in some curriculum development work at the time and I also worked for UCN for Fox Lake at the Gillam campus.”

Ashton was chosen as the successful candidate after a nation-wide competition for the position.

She says from when she first began with UCN the programs being offered to students has grown with the demands of the labour market and industry who are looking for a northern work force.

Catch the full interview with Ashton this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Fire Prevention Week is October 5th to 11th, and this year’s theme is “Charging into Fire Safety”.

Dennis Benson, Fire Chief with Thompson Fire and Emergency Services talks more about the theme here.

“It focuses on the best possible ways to provide information on how to select, use, charge, store and recycle your lithium batteries. There are so many products that we use that contain lithium-ion batteries and a lot of people aren’t even aware that the product they may be using does contain a lithium-ion battery.”

The dangers that come with these batteries are improper charging, storage and disposal.

Batteries can overheat, spark fires and explode if not used properly.

Benson recommends only charging your devices with the charger or cord provided with it, never leaving your device while it is charging and to only charge devices on a hard, flat surface.

For more on safety practices with lithium-ion batteries catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

On City Beat Thursday, Mayor Colleen Smook addressed a number of topics.

They included the City’s purchase of a software program that enables Community Safety Officers to issue tickets and input data while out on the road, instead of having to return to City Hall.

Property tax bills have been mailed and the deadline for payment is October 31st.

To participate in the Tax Installment Payment Program, or TIPP, you can contact the tax clerk at City Hall, or go to thompson.ca/p/taxes to get the application form.

Debits are processed from your bank account on the 15th of every month.

The date for a community consultation for the City’s Sustainability Plan will be announced soon, and the last concrete pours for the new aquatic centre should take place by the end of October.

After that, the metal framework and walls for the Aquatic Centre are expected to be erected.

On City Beat yesterday, Mayor Colleen Smook provided a fire update, stating that there are 15 firefighters on duty in the north region, along with 5 helicopters, two water bombers and one other air craft.

There are no out-of-control fires in the north and no out-of-province firefighters currently in Manitoba.

Consultations on this year’s fire response will be held today.

Smook has the details.

"Churchill Keewatinook Aski MP, Rebecca Chartrand, is holding an online listen session about the wildfires on Friday afternoon starting at 1pm and this is the event to identify the gaps and ensure more complete responses in the future.”

She added the provincial government is expected to conduct an internal review once the wildfire season is declared over.

It will consider the province’s wildfire fighting effort, emergency social services and safety coordination.

The review will also include consultations with communities and regions as well as with experts in wildfire fighting, forest management and logistics.

The results will be used in helping plan for future fires, flooding and other natural disasters.

Yesterday was Patient Safety Day, with this year’s theme “Patient Safety from the Start.”

Every child has the right to safe, quality health care from the beginning, with the adults in their lives needing to advocate for that care.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the Northern Health Region, said often newborns and young children face higher risks due to their rapid development, evolving health needs and different disease patterns.

“Sometimes children also face added challenges depending on your socio-economic circumstances. Sometimes it’s harder for them to get the care they need, there are things in this world that make them more susceptible to harm if care isn’t specifically adjusted to their age, size, health condition and context.”  

Krentz added that Patient Safety is a top priority with the Northern Health Region and something they strive to achieve daily.

Some of the factors they specifically prioritize include medication errors, surgical events, health care associated infections, diagnostic errors, patient accidents and environmental events.

On September 16, 2025, at 5:00 pm, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a home invasion at an address located on Princeton Drive.

Officers immediately responded to the scene and located two victims, a 33-year-old male with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and a 29-year-old female with minor physical injuries. The 33-year-old was transported to hospital and later flown to Winnipeg for further treatment.

Officers were advised that six individuals had broken into the home and assaulted the male victim with a machete and a baseball bat. The suspects caused damage within the property and then fled the scene on foot.

Patrols made in the area led to the arrest of two males, a 22-year-old male from Winnipeg and a 23-year-old male from Thompson. The other suspects were not located.

The 22-year-old, Christopher Dumas, was charged with Breaking and entering, Aggravated assault w/ a weapon & Aggravated assault. He was remanded into custody. The 23-year-old male was later released without charge as it was determined he had no involvement.

Anyone with information regarding this home invasion or on the identity of the other suspects is asked to contact the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate as further arrests are anticipated.

Students from grade 7 and up will learn about seeking Mino-Pimatisiwin, or the Good Life, at an event held tomorrow by the Thompson Roots of Hope Network.

This session is part of World Suicide Prevention Month, with the focus to foster compassionate conversations and challenge stigma around mental health issues.

Another session will be held from 4 to 7:30 pm that is opened to all interested community members.

Both sessions will hear from Keynote Speaker, Terrance Thomas, with the MKO Traditional Healer Program.

They take place at the TRCC and UCN.

For more details on the event contact Jennifer Whalen with the Northern Health Region at jwhalen@NRHA.ca.

On September 11, 2025, at approximately 6:00 pm, Thompson RCMP General Investigative Section (GIS) with assistance from the Manitoba RCMP North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST) were out on patrol when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Highway 6, just south of Thompson.

 

Two occupants were observed in a truck that was travelling at a high rate of speed and once officers activated their emergency lights the driver pulled over in the ditch and came to a stop.

 

Police then observed a male exit the vehicle out of the right rear passenger door who took off running. A short foot pursuit followed, and the male was arrested.

 

Officers immediately recognized the male as 35-year-old Matthew Grant Delaronde who had a warrant of arrest issued for a number of offences including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

 

He was also found to have cocaine and a stack of Canadian currency in his possession.

 

Officers also located a loaded firearm on the ground by the open door of the vehicle.

 

Delaronde has been remanded and now faces the following new charges:

 

• Resist/obstruct peace officer
• Possession of restricted firearm
• Possession of prohibited weapon when knowing possession unauthorized
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purposes
• Using firearm in the commission of an offence
• Fail to comply with release order
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000

 

The 26-yeard-old driver of the vehicle, from Thompson, was arrested and will face charges of Flight from police and released with a future court date.

 

Thompson RCMP GIS continues to investigate.

The recipient of the September quarterly donation from 100 Women Who Care Thompson is the R.D. Parker Music Program.

Kevin Lewis, the Band Director at the high school said the funding will go toward purchasing instruments for their Intro to Band program.

Lewis has more about the program.

“In particular, these instruments are going to support students who are taking part in our “Intro to Band” program, a fairly new course that provides an opportunity for students here at the high school to learn a musical instrument and read music notation while also earning a credit towards their graduation.”  

The program was launched 4 years ago to offer students who missed the opportunity to join band in Grade 6 the chance to do so now.

100 Women Who Care Thompson contributes funds to local initiatives that benefit the community.

To date, they have provided almost a quarter million dollars in support to projects and activities in the city.

On Saturday morning,  South Indian Lake RCMP responded to a report of a 19-year-old man having been assaulted with a machete.

As officers were responding to the scene, the suspect, identified as a 21-year-old man, was observed walking along the road.

Officers stopped and advised the suspect he was under arrest. The suspect was apprehended after a short foot chase.

Officers arrived at a nearby residence and located the victim who was immediately transported to the Nursing Station. The victim was then airlifted to Winnipeg for further medical treatment.

RCMP have charged Floyd Michelle, 21, with Aggravated assault and two counts of Failure to comply with an undertaking.  He was remanded into custody.

RCMP continue to investigate.

On City Beat last Thursday, Mayor Colleen Smook provided an update on fires here in the north.

She said that as of September 9th, 132 fires were still burning in Manitoba, with 114 in the north.

Smook shared the status of the fire closest to Thompson.

“Wildfire Services advise that the fire closest to Thompson is still smoking in some areas and there are hot spots that have been detected by aerial scans that are too deep for the fire crews to get in and dig them out. It’s going to take more rain and cool weather to help put out those fires completely and some may not even be completely extinguished by the time snow flies.”  

With the peat moss that is under a good portion of the boreal forest, the fires can smolder throughout the winter and reignite with warm weather and winds in the spring and summer.

Smook added these areas will continue to be monitored to watch for signs of flare ups, now and again next year.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Baby Boomer, Gen X, millennial or Gen-Z, stretching your pay cheque and saving for the future can be a challenge.

A recent survey by the National Payroll Institute breaks down workers into three categories - financially stressed, financially coping or financially comfortable.

Steven Van Alstine, the V-P of Professional Standards and Education at the institute, shares how these categories are determined.

“The classification is based on spending, savings, debt, ability to manage pay, if your pay was delayed and those kinds of things. This year’s analysis showed that fewer Canadians are feeling financially stressed, which is a good thing, and obviously if they are less stressed, they are either moving into that coping or comfortable category.”

Survey results showed that this year only 36 per cent fell into the financially stressed category, a drop of 5 per cent from last year.

Gen-Z participants, according to Van Alstine, are being financially proactive by saving more and paying down debt.

He said part of their ability to save more is that many of them aren’t homeowners trying to make mortgage payments.

Learn more about the payroll survey and the National Payroll Institute.  Tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

On September 11, 2025, as the result of an on-going investigation, Thompson RCMP General Investigative Section (GIS) unit with assistance from the Manitoba RCMP North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST) executed a search warrant at an address on Princeton Drive.

 

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered two females and two males inside the residence, and all were arrested without incident.

 

A search of the property resulted in the seizure of 43 grams of cocaine, a loaded prohibited firearm, and a large amount of Canadian currency.

 

Sylvester Pennor, 23, and Darcy Brown, 22, both from Calgary, Alberta, Dakota Beardy, 22, from Thompson, and Madeline Dorion, 29, from Thicket Portage have all been charged with the following:

 

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Production – Cocaine
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Using firearm in the commission of an offence
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• Possession of prohibited weapon when knowing prohibited
• Possession of restricted firearm

 

 

All four arrested are currently in custody.

Thompson RCMP GIS continues to investigate.

Vaccine mandates could be falling by the wayside in some jurisdictions in the United States.

While not everyone agrees with vaccine mandates, they play a role in providing protection against transmittable diseases.

Dr. Julie Lajoie, an Assistant Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Manitoba, explains that role here.

“Those type of mandates to go to school are protecting other kids who are way younger or who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons. So removing them in the idea that “it’s body and my choice”, it can be dangerous. Yes, it is your body and your choice but when it’s about public health, it’s also about who you are protecting.”

Lajoie said she and her peers are concerned that vaccination rates will drop more than they have already, resulting in the spike of diseases like measles such as was seen this year in some parts of Canada and the U.S.

She added that vaccines go through stringent testing for efficacy and safety before being launched to the public.

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

Manitoba Hydro safely restored power to hundreds of customers in northern Manitoba,  sooner than expected.

Leaf Rapids’ power was restored Tuesday and Mathias Colomb Cree Nation’s  power was restored Wednesday, with repairs continuing to one transmission line set to be completed next week.

South Indian Lake power was also restored Wednesday and Marcel Colomb First Nation and Lynn Lake were re-energized yesterday.

Power is being restored two to four weeks sooner than expected thanks to the work of hundreds of Manitoba Hydro employees, contractors, and their mutual aid partner SaskPower.

The 2025 Manitoba wildfires damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 Manitoba Hydro poles, and other related equipment, often in remote areas and difficult terrain.

The cost of the restoration effort is currently estimated to be $32 million.

On September 11, 2025, at approximately 12:00 am, Swan River RCMP initiated a traffic stop with two occupants while on patrol on Main Street. 

 

While officers were speaking with the female driver, open liquor was observed in plain view inside the vehicle and both the driver and female passenger were arrested.

 

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of Methamphetamines, other illicit drugs along with drug paraphernalia. A large sum of Canadian cash was also seized.

 

The 29-year-old driver and 28-year-old female passenger, both from Swan River, were charged with the following:

 

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking x4

 

Both were released with a pending court date along with mandatory conditions.

 

Swan River RCMP continue to investigate.

Alzheimer’s disease makes up around 70 per cent of all dementia diagnoses.

Other forms of dementia include Lewy Body, vascular, fronto-temporal, and early-onset.

Erin Crawford, the CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, says while we typically associate dementia with memory loss, there are other signs to watch for.

“Some other things that are really common with different types of dementia that people aren’t as familiar with. There are things like changes in communication, not being able to find a word, disorientation, being briefly unsure where you are at or wearing the wrong types of clothes for the season.”

Crawford encourages those newly diagnosed with dementia or their caregivers to check out the Society’s First Link Dementia Helpline on their website at alzheimer.mb.ca.

They are also holding a “Care for You” conference in Winnipeg on October 18th, that brings together a variety of experts able to share vital information and incites into dementia.

For more on these and other resources, listen to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

On September 7, 2025, at 8:00 pm, Oxford House RCMP received a report from a First Nation Safety Officer that a female passenger, from an inbound flight from Winnipeg, had been detained at the airport as she was found in the possession of a large quantity of drugs.

The suspect, a 37-year-old female from the community, was transported to the Oxford House RCMP Detachment and turned over to police.

 

This investigation led to the seizure of approximately 251 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 24 grams of cocaine and 200 illicit pills believed to be oxycodone. The estimated community street value of these drugs is approximately $140,000.

RCMP have charged 37-year-old Marilee Yellowback, from Bunibonibee Cree Nation, with Possession for the purpose of trafficking x2 and Possession of a controlled substance. She was remanded into custody.

“This is a significant drug seizure in relation to drugs destined for Bunibonibee Cree Nation and is a direct result of the efforts put forth by First Nation Safety Officers” said Cpl. Ian Lenartowich of the Oxford House RCMP. “These drugs not only fuel addiction and crime but cause harm to families and the community. This seizure underscores the important role FNSO’s play in protecting this community.”

Oxford House RCMP continue to investigate.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.

The theme this year is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”   It’s about transforming how we talk and think about suicide and removing the stigma of doing so, because remaining silent can be dangerous.

Harlie Pruder, the Chairperson for Pride North of 55, talks about other steps we can take to help.

“I also encourage people to seek out training on programs like Safe Talk and Mental Health First Aid are excellent resources that teach you how to have these conversations safely and effectively. We often take CPR or first aid to be ready in a crisis and mental health deserves the same level of care and preparedness.”

Pruder said this theme encourages us to move forward with empathy and real support, by raising awareness and creating communities where it’s okay to talk about mental health and ask for help.

Today, you’re invited to join the Thompson Roots of Hope Network for a free hot dog barbecue taking place in the Giant Tiger parking lot.

It runs from 11 am to 1:30 pm.

University College of the North has received  $5 million in funding from the Mastercard Foundation.

This funding is part of a landmark $235 million commitment by the Foundation to 30 post-secondary organizations advancing education for Indigenous youth across Canada.

The Foundation aims to support 100-thousand Indigenous youth in completing their education and transitioning to meaningful work by 2030.

Yesterday’s announcement marked the tenth anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada final report, highlighting education as a critical path toward reconciliation.

President and Vice-Chancellor of UCN, Doug Lauvstad, said they are deeply grateful for this partnership, which directly invests in the success of their learners and the future leadership of our northern communities.

On August 30, 2025, at 11:30 pm, The Pas RCMP received a report of a disturbance at a residence on Snake Island Way at Clearwater Lake.

When officers arrived on scene, Manitoba Conservation officers directed them to a seriously injured female located outside the residence. Emergency Medical Services responded and transported the victim to hospital in critical condition.

The initial investigation led to the arrest of a 35-year-old male at the scene.

The 31-year-old female victim was later flown to Winnipeg for further treatment where, on September 4, 2025, she succumbed to her injuries. Her death is now being investigated as a homicide.

35-year-old Walter Leach, from The Pas, was remanded in custody and was originally charged with Aggravated assault, his charge has now been upgraded to Manslaughter. He remains in custody

The Pas RCMP, along with RCMP Major Crime Services and Forensic Identification Services, continue to investigate.

On September 6, 2025, at 5:35 pm, Cross Lake RCMP began receiving reports that multiple suspects, travelling in a blue colored SUV, were threatening members of the community with handguns.

Officers conducted patrols throughout the community and located the suspect vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated however the suspect failed to pull over.

The vehicle, later confirmed stolen, was pursued for a short distance where it was then observed pulling in behind the high school. Four suspects were seen exiting this vehicle and running into the wooded area.

With the assistance of a drone, RCMP Police Dog Services and officers with the Emergency Response Team, two of the four suspects were tracked and arrested without incident.

RCMP continue to search for the two remaining suspects and are asking anyone who may have information on this incident or information on these two suspects to contact the Cross Lake RCMP at 204-676-2600, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Cross Lake RCMP continue to investigate.

The wildfires in our region put a number of plans on hold over the summer.

With that situation currently not as urgent, the City is planning to get back to business as usual.

Last Thursday on City Beat, Deputy Mayor Louie Fitzpatrick commented on future town hall meetings.

“We don’t have one plan as of yet, we did talk about it the other night however and it’s on our agenda to get this done as soon as we can.”  

It was decided earlier this year for the City to hold Town Hall meetings at the elementary schools on a rotating basis.

A meeting on the City’s Sustainability Plan originally scheduled for June was postponed and is also waiting to be rescheduled.

Fitzpatrick hopes that when the time comes  more Thompson residents will attend this meeting to add their thoughts on what they wish to see for the City’s future growth.

Public safety continues to be a top issue for the city of Thompson and other municipalities throughout the province.

A recent report to the Mayor and Council by Councilor Oswald Sawh in his role as Council Liaison on Public Safety called for the expansion of the Community Safety Officer program.

Yesterday, on City Beat, Deputy Mayor Louie Fitzpatrick commented.

“Four more CSOs will cost us about $300,000 a year. Revenue generated from our mill rate increase this year is ear marked for public safety initiatives. It’s certainly possible that we could find the money to fund more CSOs.”

When the CSO program was first launched in 2014 as a pilot program, the provincial government provided funding for 8 CSOs.

Once the pilot program ended, funding was reduced, as well.

Currently two CSOs work from 1 pm to 11 pm daily, switching out with the two other CSOs so they work one week on and one week off.

World Suicide Prevention Day is recognized on September 10th.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotions Coordinator with the Northern Health Region shares some alarming  statistics here.

“Suicide is a major public health challenge, it claims the lives of more than 720,000 people every year across the world and each life lost has social, emotional and economic consequences.”

The theme for the day is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, encouraging us to challenge harmful myths about suicide, reduce stigma and nurture conversation around this topic.

Next Wednesday, the Northern Health Region will host a free barbecue from 11 am to 1:30 at the Giant Tiger Parking Lot.

The Roots of Hope group, an offshoot of the Hope North Committee, will be on hand to provide information and support.

For more on Suicide Prevention Day go to the Northern Health Region facebook page.

Sheila North, a member of Bunibonibee Cree Nation and former Grand Chief of MKO, was appointed yesterday as the Winnipeg Police Service’s first external Indigenous Relations Advisor.

The newly created role is intended to provide insight, advice and guidance to the service's leadership on strategic efforts that involve Indigenous people.

About 12 per cent of the service's current workforce is Indigenous, and Winnipeg Police Chief Gene Bowers said he felt it needed expertise from someone outside of the organization.

North said she will be a critical eye to help guide the force's service to the city's Indigenous population, which is Canada’s largest urban population of Indigenous people.

Bowers said North will start immediately in the new role.

The City of Thompson is bringing in a False Alarm By-law.

To date, the City hasn’t had a by-law for this infraction, but they are a continuous problem for Thompson Fire and Emergency Services.

Last week on City Beat, Mayor Colleen Smook provided an example.

“In May of this year, Thompson Fire and Emergency Services says that out of 68 fire calls, 15 of them were false alarms.”

Smook said that made up almost 25 per cent of the calls and those false alarms put others at jeopardy if there is a real emergency somewhere else.

The fines that are charged to those who are responsible, if they are the  property owners, can see any unpaid fines added to their property tax bill.

On August 26, 2025, at 11:15 am, RCMP officers with the Manitoba North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST) and Thompson General Investigative Section (GIS), observed an individual at the airport was in possession of a handgun and that others in the group may be in possession of drugs.

Officers with the CREST & GIS units, along with assistance from Thompson City and Rural Detachment, arrested a 32-year-old male without incident. A search of this suspect led to the seizure of a package of drugs and a replica firearm from his waistband.

Five additional suspects were arrested and upon the search of their belongings, officers seized approximately 940 grams of suspected crack cocaine in various package sizes.

These six suspects were scheduled to board a flight to Bunibonibee Cree Nation.

Nicky Harper, 32, of Winnipeg, and Travis Weenusk, 30, from Bunibonibee Cree Nation, were both remanded into custody on various charges including Possession for the purpose of trafficking, Carrying a concealed weapon and Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.

Three other females, a 35-year-old and a 20-year-old, both from Thompson, and a 33-year-old from Winnipeg, were released for a later court date in Thompson where they will face charges of Possession for the purpose of Trafficking.

A 41-year-old female, from Bunibonibee Cree Nation, was released without charge.

RCMP continue to investigate.

After almost two months, Thompson’s fire Number 61 is considered under control.

On August 23rd, Manitoba Wildfire Services changed the status of the fire to being held from out of control.

Then on August 25th, it updated the status again.

Mayor Colleen Smook said the number of hot spots dropped from over 40 to just one, but that the fire is still being monitored.

“Yes, there are still crews that are monitoring it so they haven’t left it alone but it’s definitely not a danger to Thompson. Our State of Emergency, we will probably just let it run out on September 4th so we can complete some of the work that we are doing on our future fire breaks.”

In other city news, the TRCC will have a new sound system installed in the C.A. Nesbitt Arena at a cost of around 110-thousand dollars.

There’s no schedule for when work on the installation will begin, but Smook hoped the job could be completed before the city hosts the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games in March.