Thompson will not be holding a municipal by-election following the resignation of Councillor Brian Lundmark.

At Monday’s regular council meeting, council passed a resolution confirming they will not move forward with filling the vacant seat.

Mayor Colleen Smook explains what the decision means for Thompson moving forward.

Council has now formally adopted the resolution, meaning the vacant seat will remain unfilled.

The Manitoba Winter Games are just days away from kicking off here in Thompson, and organizers say the impact goes far beyond sport.

I spoke with co-chair Todd Harwood about what it means for the community to host athletes, coaches and families from across the province.

Harwood says the Games are not only about competition, but about showcasing Thompson, building pride, and creating opportunities for young athletes.

To hear the full interview with Todd and get a complete overview of what’s coming next week, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.

The Manitoba government is launching a new Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force aimed at cracking down on meth, fentanyl, cocaine and other illicit drugs across the province.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says Manitobans have made it clear the meth crisis needs to end, and the new task force will strengthen law enforcement’s ability to target those responsible.

 The group will include senior leadership from Manitoba Justice, the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Winnipeg and Brandon police, Manitoba First Nations Police Service, and several municipal police services.

Canada’s fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau will advise the task force as it works to disrupt supply chains and coordinate a province-wide enforcement strategy focused on organized crime.

Manitoba RCMP are warning the public about a phishing scam where fraudsters are impersonating police officers.

Police say victims receive a random text or email with a link to what appears to be a video conference call.

Once connected, someone claiming to be a police officer tells the individual they could be arrested — unless they make a payment using gift cards or bitcoin.

In some cases, scammers even provide the RCMP’s general phone number to appear legitimate.

Mounties stress they will never demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, cash or credit card to avoid arrest.

A conference titled Healthy Together Now is coming up in Thompson next month.

The conference takes place March 12th from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Prevention and Education Consultant with the Northern Health Region, Stephanie Hizert explains what the conference is all about.

The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided. The deadline to register is March 2nd. To sign up, contact Yosula at 204-677-5356.

First Nations in Northern Manitoba are demanding truth and transparency from the province over moose-licensing decisions.

In a media statement on Monday, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak say they’ve been waiting more than 220 days for answers about how the province calculates moose population estimates and sets annual harvest numbers for licensed hunters.

The statement points to a January 19th court filing where Manitoba says the guidelines, methodology and calculations supporting the 2025 decision were provided to the plaintiffs.

MKO says that claim is false.

Grand Chief Garrison Settee says without access to the data, First Nations can’t validate or respond to the population estimates used to authorize licensed hunting in areas where moose are already considered vulnerable.

The Manitoba government says it’s taking another step to help seniors and other Manitobans feel less alone.

Social prescribing — which connects people to community programs instead of just medical treatment — is now available in all five regional health authorities.

That means doctors and other health-care providers can refer patients to things like walking groups, lunch programs, creative classes or peer support — depending on what they need.

More than 120 resource co-ordinators across the province help match people with local supports.

The move comes as loneliness continues to be a growing concern. Statistics Canada says more than one in 10 Canadians feel lonely often or always, and nearly one in five older adults experience loneliness.

Thompson Fire and Emergency Services responded to 177 ambulance calls in January — including 65 related to substance abuse.

During last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor Colleen Smook acknowledged the strain that level of demand puts on crews.

Thompson City Council appears ready to move forward without holding a by-election following the resignation of Councillor Brian Lundmark.

During Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, council signaled it does not plan to fill the vacant seat.

Mayor Colleen Smook explains the reasoning behind the decision.

A final vote on the resolution is expected later today.

The Port of Churchill is taking steps to explore the possibility of year-round shipping.

Arctic Gateway Group has partnered with Canadian shipping company Fednav to examine what would be required operationally to support shipping throughout the year.

The review will focus on navigating ice-covered waters in Hudson Bay, including ice conditions, seasonal patterns, and the investments needed to make year-round service possible.

The work is already underway and is expected to wrap up this summer.

Arctic Gateway Group says the study is about business planning and understanding what would be required from an operational standpoint.

Any future decision on year-round shipping would involve consultation with Indigenous partners, governments, northern communities, and environmental stakeholders.

This Wednesday marks Pink Shirt Day.

This year’s theme is “Sprinkle Kindness.”

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotions Coordinator with the Northern Health Region explains where and why it began.
 

Everyone in the community is encouraged to wear a pink shirt on Wednesday to support anyone who may be dealing with bullying.

According to Krentz, over 110 countries currently support Pink Shirt Day and the movement is growing.

There are some new safety measures rolling out at hospitals across Manitoba — including right here in Thompson.

The Manitoba Government says it’s expanding its SAFE mobile app and adding more on-site security supports to help front-line health-care workers feel safer on the job.

The SAFE app is now available at Thompson General Hospital. It gives staff real-time safety alerts, a direct link to security and emergency notification tools — all in one place.

Across the province, 128 institutional safety officers are being added, with five of those new positions starting shifts in March at Thompson General Hospital.

Other upgrades include stronger monitored entry points, expanded surveillance and new amnesty lockers at select sites — including Thompson — aimed at reducing the risk of prohibited items entering facilities.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara says the changes are based on feedback from nurses and front-line staff who’ve been asking for stronger workplace protections.

Families in Thompson are being asked to take note of a date change for this year’s Family Literacy Day celebration.

The event, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, February 21st, has now been moved to Sunday, February 22nd.

Organizers say the event will still feature interactive, literacy-based activities designed to bring families together and highlight the importance of reading and lifelong learning.

The goal is to create a fun and welcoming space where parents and children can connect through books and hands-on learning.

Organizers apologize for any inconvenience the change may cause and look forward to seeing families out on the new date.

A new event has been added to this year’s Winterfest lineup of activities.

Oswald Sawh, Executive Director of the Thompson Neighborhood Renewal Corporation and organizer of the event has more.

The tournament is open to those in the U-9 to U-18 age groups and there is no fee to participate.

Registration deadline is this Thursday.   Email executive director AT TNRC.CA or
phone 204-677-0760.

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

The Kin Club of Thompson will celebrate their founder’s birthday during Winterfest weekend by holding a food drive for Kin Kindness Day.

Local Kin Club President, Shannon Johnston, said they are working to provide food security for people in the community.

She comments here.

Hal Rogers founded the Kinsmen Club in 1920 in Ontario and since then, over 100 Kin Clubs have sprung up around the country.

Learn more about the Kin Club, its work in our community and how you can participate in the local food drive.

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

The Accessibility for Manitobans Act was passed on December 5, 2013, to provide a clear, proactive process to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility.

Allen Mankewich, Interim Executive Director of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities shares its longtime role in promoting accessibility.
 

MLPD works with organizations throughout the province to evaluate if they are in compliance with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act.

Learn more about MLPD and the other organizations that they collaborate with to advocate for those with all types of disability.

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

The Polar Plunge made a big splash this year in Thompson.

Organizers say 55 people took the plunge, helping raise more than $20,000 for Special Olympics Nor-Man Region.

The event brought together plungers, sponsors, and spectators, with support from Vale Fire and Rescue, Thompson Fire Fighters, the RCMP, and Wade Anderson.

Organizers say the Polar Plunge was a fun and exciting event, and they’re thanking everyone who helped make it a success.

Heritage North Museum is hosting a new community storytelling event later this month.

Sarah Brown, Executive Director of Heritage North Museum, explains when the event is happening and what people can expect when they attend Coffee & Stories of the Past.

The museum says the event is meant to create a relaxed space for people to share and listen to personal stories that help preserve local history.

AI is becoming a bigger part of everyday life.
 

For some people, that includes talking with AI in ways that feel personal — like having a conversation or feeling listened to.

Dr. Neil McArthur, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba, explains why some people are forming emotional connections with AI.

To hear the full interview on AI and love with Dr. Neil MacArthur, tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and again at 5:10.

On February 5, shortly after 10 :50 a.m., RCMP responded to a report of several shots being fired by an individual near a trailer park in the RM of Kelsey.

RCMP from The Pas arrived at the scene within minutes and determined a suspect had fired a long-arm firearm in the general vicinity of an individual working in the area. Police then began going from building to building in search of the suspect, with the assistance of Manitoba First Nation Police Service officers.

During this search, the suspect was located exiting a building and arrested. Officers then searched the building he had exited and recovered a firearm.

Devin McKenzie, 32, of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation has been charged with:

• Using a firearm in the commission of an offence;
• Possession a firearm when unauthorized;
• Possession of a restricted firearm;
• Uttering threats;
• Weapons possession contrary to order;
• Possession for the purpose of distributing; and
• Failure to comply with release order x2.

He was remanded into custody.

Council received information this week on new provincial rules that will affect accessible transportation services.

At Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, council was briefed on the Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation, which sets out requirements for accessible transportation across Manitoba.

The regulation is scheduled to come into effect in 2027.

Ian Graham, Communications Manager for the City of Thompson, explains whether the City has had time to review the regulation and begin planning.

The regulation sets accessibility requirements for transportation services, including vehicles, communication, and customer service.

Winter has shown up with some brutally cold temperatures here in northern Manitoba.

And, pet owners are being advised to keep an eye out for their cats and dogs during these times.

Dr. Ingrid Sproll, a veterinarian with the Winrose Animal Hospital in Winnipeg, says some dogs are actually suited to colder climates.

Sproll said short-haired animals tend not to do well in the cold and cats have a greater risk of freezing their ears and tails when temperatures drop.

For tips on keeping your pet safe during the winter, tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Over the past 24 hours, the Manitoba and Saskatchewan RCMP have deployed multiple units, including a specialized search plane, and dozens of officers from across both provinces to Pimicikamak Cree Nation to search for a male suspect and the female he abducted.

At approximately 11:15 am today, information was received that led officers to a residence in the community where Joshua Paupanekis was taken into custody without incident. Raeanne Thomas was also located safely in the residence with minor injuries and taken to the Nursing Station as a precaution.

The Manitoba RCMP would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

Manitoba RCMP continues to search for Joshua Paupanekis, a 39-year-old male from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in connection with the abduction of a 20-year-old female earlier today.

At 5:40 a.m. Thursday, Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report that Paupanekis had entered a home, struck a 24-year-old male resident with a hammer, then abducted Raeanne Thomas. The RCMP believes she is in immediate danger. Paupanekis and Thomas are known to one another and this is considered and act of intimate partner violence.

Paupanekis was subsequently the subject of a Dangerous Person Alert issued Thursday morning by the Manitoba RCMP through the Alert Ready system.

Since the alert was issued, multiple police units have continued to work in the community, with officers going door-to-door in an effort to locate both the suspect and the victim.

Additional RCMP officers from Winnipeg arrived in the community early this afternoon to further support the investigation.

While search efforts are concentrated in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, it is possible Paupanekis has fled the community.

Raeanne Thomas is 20-years-old, weighs about 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Paupanekis is 6’ tall, about 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  He is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

“Our officers are doing everything they can to safely locate Raeanne and arrest the suspect. The Manitoba RCMP’s Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to assist in coordinating all search and investigative efforts that are underway,” said Sergeant Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP. “We fear for Raeanne’s safety and urge the public to report any possible sightings immediately to the RCMP.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cross Lake RCMP Detachment at 204-676-2600.

Cross Lake RCMP and RCMP Major Crime Services continue to investigate.

Thompson’s second Polar Plunge is coming to Paint Lake on Saturday.

This fund raiser for Special Olympics Manitoba is held in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Torch run, with money raised supporting athletes in their training and travel to competitions.

Special Olympics norman needs fishing tents and propane heaters for the plunge on February 7th. To help, contact Marlene Enberg on Facebook.

Melissa Suggitt, the Director of Marketing and Operations for Special Olympics Manitoba shares the benefits of sports for those with intellectual disabilities.

To participate or volunteer in this year’s Polar Plunge go to specialolympics.mb.ca.

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

Proposed changes to Thompson’s taxi by-law were discussed this past Monday during the City’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

City administration says the updates are meant to modernize the by-law and make it easier for both drivers and cab owners to understand and follow.

Ian Graham, Communications Manager for the City of Thompson, explains one of the key proposals.

The By-Law will likely go to council for a vote at the regular meeting on Monday.

A new research study is examining the work–life experiences of front-line workers in northern Manitoba.

The study, titled “Nature, Work and Leisure: Natural Resource Workers’ Perspectives”, is being led by Zoë St-Aubin, a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Manitoba.

It focuses on workers in industries like mining, forestry, and energy, and how job demands can affect life outside of work.

St-Aubin explains what the study is examining.

The Manitoba RCMP has issued a Dangerous Person Alert through the Alert Ready system for Pimicikamak Cree Nation and surrounding areas as officers search for 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis.

At 5:40 am, Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a residence in the community.

The subsequent investigation has determined that 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis, entered a home in Pimicikamak Cree Nation and struck a 24-year-old resident with a hammer.

The suspect, who also armed with a knife, then abducted a 20-year-old female from the residence. Joshua Paupanekis was last seen fleeing on foot with the victim.

There is a large-scale search effort with multiple police units underway in the community to locate the victim, 20-year-old Raeanne Thomas. The RCMP believes she is in immediate danger.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis, who we request the public to not approach as he is considered armed and dangerous, and/or 20-year-old Raeanne Thomas, is asked to contact the Cross Lake RCMP Detachment at 204-676-2600.

Cross Lake RCMP, along with Police Dog Services, continue to investigate.

As Manitoba prepares its 2026 budget, residents are being invited to share their thoughts on what matters most.

The province says public feedback will help shape priorities like health care, affordability, and community safety.

People can participate online or by attending a town hall meeting.

In-person sessions are set for February 10 in Winnipeg, February 13 in Brandon, February 19 in Flin Flon, and February 26 in Gimli — each running from 6 to 8 in the evening.

If you can’t attend in person, telephone town halls are also scheduled for February 11 and February 17 at 6 p.m.

Details on how to take part can be found @ EngageMB.

February is Heart Health Month, and this year the focus is on women — as heart disease can affect them differently than men.

Health officials say symptoms can be less obvious, making awareness and education especially important.

Bruce Krentz with the Northern Health Region says Heart Health Month is about encouraging people to take heart health seriously, and he also highlights Red Shirt Day taking place later this week.

Heart Health Month runs throughout February, promoting prevention, early detection, and healthier lifestyle choices.

The Manitoba government is taking the first steps toward protecting western Hudson Bay through marine conservation.

Premier Wab Kinew was in Churchill today announcing new funding to explore the creation of a national marine conservation area in the region.

Speaking with tourism operators, Kinew outlined what the province is investing in.

Thompson RCMP have made an arrest following a drug seizure at the local airport.

Police say officers with the Manitoba RCMP Support Team were conducting an investigation Thursday afternoon when they encountered an 18-year-old man from Winnipeg preparing to board a flight to Shamattawa.

A search led to the discovery of three tightly wrapped packages containing about 350 baggies of suspected cocaine, weighing roughly 143 grams.

The man was arrested and later released with a future court date in Thompson, where he is expected to face charges related to possession for the purpose of trafficking.

RCMP says the investigation is ongoing.

With extreme cold settling into Thompson, health officials are reminding residents to watch for signs of frostbite as temperatures remain dangerously low.

Dr. Eileen Burnett, Medical Officer of Health for Northern Manitoba, explains what symptoms people should look out for.

Health officials say dressing properly for the cold and limiting time outdoors can help reduce the risk during extreme weather.

A new by-law aimed at long-term planning and sustainability was passed at Monday night’s City of Thompson council meeting.

The True Stewardship and Resilience By-law was designed to guide how decisions are made by considering their social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Mayor Colleen Smook explains what the by-law is intended to do.

The by-law is meant to ensure future decisions are made with long-term community impacts in mind, rather than short-term outcomes.