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Brandonite Campbell to start for Team Canada

3 minute read Preview

Brandonite Campbell to start for Team Canada

3 minute read Thursday, Apr. 10, 2025

ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE — Goaltender Kristen Campbell of Brandon will start for Canada in its women’s world hockey championship opener Thursday against Finland.

Campbell’s first start in a world championship will be the third of her career with the national team, and eighth appearance in a game for Canada.

The 27-year-old has been Canada’s third goalie in the last four world championships and the 2022 Olympic Games.

Canada’s head coach Troy Ryan said Wednesday he wants to give Ann-Renee Desbiens, Canada’s starter in those finals, more time to get game ready.

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Thursday, Apr. 10, 2025

Canada goaltender Kristen Campbell (50) can not make a stop on a goal by U.S. defenceman Savannah Harmon during the first period of a women’s Rivalry Series hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Canada goaltender Kristen Campbell (50) can not make a stop on a goal by U.S. defenceman Savannah Harmon during the first period of a women’s Rivalry Series hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Manitoba spends $3M for specialized Mounties

By Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Manitoba spends $3M for specialized Mounties

By Erik Pindera 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025

WINNIPEG — Manitoba RCMP have been given provincial cash to double the number of specialized Mounties on the force’s tactical team — but due to an officer shortage across the province, it’s uncertain when the reinforcements will be in place.

Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced Tuesday nine new Mounties would join Manitoba’s RCMP emergency response team. They will be brought on with $3.3 million in annual funding budgeted earlier this year. The team is currently made up of nine officers.

In late January, the national police force asked for Mounties in other provinces to consider working in Manitoba and Saskatchewan for two-week stints this spring to bolster the ranks during a dire staffing crunch.

The new emergency response positions will be staffed on a priority basis, RCMP spokeswoman Michelle Lissel said Tuesday. She said it was too early to say when the team will be fully expanded.

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Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025

Provincial Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced Tuesday nine new Mounties would join Manitoba’s RCMP emergency response team, doubling it in size. (Mikaela MacKenzie/Winnipeg Free Press files)
Provincial Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced Tuesday nine new Mounties would join Manitoba’s RCMP emergency response team, doubling it in size. (Mikaela MacKenzie/Winnipeg Free Press files)

Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

Weather

Jul. 1, 12 AM: 16°c Windy Jul. 1, 6 AM: 13°c Windy

Brandon MB

24°C, Windy

Full Forecast
Manitoba native Karen Rocznik, a dual Canadian/U.S. citizen who lives in Denver, has already voted in the federal election. (Submitted)

Ex-Manitobans now in U.S. eager to vote

By Carol Sanders 7 minute read Friday, Apr. 4, 2025

WINNIPEG — Manitobans living in the U.S. and keen to vote in Canada’s election say it’s one of most consequential for their former home and native land.

“With the recent political rhetoric out there with the U.S. president kind of picking a fight with Canada, you know — calling it the 51st state — it’s really got me riled up to vote, to make my voice heard, to really take a stand and say, ‘No, we are a sovereign country, we will remain a sovereign country,’” said ex-Winnipegger Karen Rocznik, who moved to the States a decade ago.

The dual Canada-U.S. citizen living in Denver said she received her mail-in ballot Monday and is making sure her vote counts.

“I’m Canadian, first and foremost,” Rocznik said. “And I want to vote for somebody that is going to fight for us and is going to push back.”

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At Circle Square Ranch, campers get back to nature

By Zoe Pierce 3 minute read Preview

At Circle Square Ranch, campers get back to nature

By Zoe Pierce 3 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

WINNIPEG — Anastasia and Walker Proden have been going to summer camp since they were seven and six years old.

Now 13 and almost 12, the siblings still make the 30-minute drive from their home to Circle Square Ranch, south of Austin, a tradition that’s become a summer highlight.

Walker likes swimming in the pool while Anastasia enjoys trail activities. The two are scheduled to head to the sleepaway camp in southern Manitoba for five days in August.

Anastasia says she makes new friends every year and is excited to do so again this year.

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2:00 AM CDT

While step-dad Myles Evans attended camp in New Brunswick, Walker and Anastasia Proden, with mom Vanessa Proden, go to Circle Square Ranch camp, south of Austin, Man. (Supplied)
While step-dad Myles Evans attended camp in New Brunswick, Walker and Anastasia Proden, with mom Vanessa Proden, go to Circle Square Ranch camp, south of Austin, Man. (Supplied)

Immigrants want change to policing in Winnipeg

By Matthew Frank 4 minute read Preview

Immigrants want change to policing in Winnipeg

By Matthew Frank 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

Winnipeg — Members of Winnipeg’s immigrant community are frustrated with the lack of action in addressing safety concerns — such as police racial profiling — and want more culturally relevant justice systems, researchers said at an event Saturday.

Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, a non-profit that helps connect newcomers and refugees with community resources, hosted a panel Saturday with three researchers who spent the last five years interviewing people from multiple newcomer communities in the city — Sudanese, Nepali, Filipino, Afghan, Chinese, Ukrainian, Colombian, Southeast Asian, African, and others — about their experiences.

Their report, funded by the Winnipeg Foundation and Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, will be released next week.

“(Community) leaders were saying, ‘We don’t feel comfortable actually saying to the community to trust the police,’ because things just keep on escalating and things are getting worse,” said Darrien Morton, a PhD student from the University of Manitoba and one of the lead researchers.

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2:00 AM CDT

Researchers Matt Fast (from left), Darrien Morton and David Mabior Atem share their findings on newcomers’ safety concerns during a Saturday event in downtown Winnipeg. (Matthew Frank/Winnipeg Free Press)
Researchers Matt Fast (from left), Darrien Morton and David Mabior Atem share their findings on newcomers’ safety concerns during a Saturday event in downtown Winnipeg. (Matthew Frank/Winnipeg Free Press)

1 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

LUCKY NUMBERS

FRIDAY

LOTTO MAX: 8, 12, 15, 27, 31, 42, 47 BONUS: 41

WESTERN: 5, 11, 12, 24, 28, 36, 38 BONUS: 43

Hummingbird garden sees continuous growth

By Connor McDowell 3 minute read Preview

Hummingbird garden sees continuous growth

By Connor McDowell 3 minute read Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025

Jeanne Armstrong, 92, wields a stone. She raises the rock and hammers down, pounding a wooden stake into her garden until it stands firmly on its own.

Armstrong stands up, turns her palm forward and shows the rock in her hand. A circular indent catches the sun, and she explains the rock has been hammered in that spot over and over again to pound stakes.

The senior may be the perfect testament to the success of the Hummingbird Community Garden, a project launched to promote healthy activity and prevent chronic disease, partly by offering light, low-impact exercise for residents.

Screws in her back have triggered metal detectors ever since she had surgery in 1968, but Armstrong bends to the ground for hours every week to take care of her garden. She described the community garden at the corner of Maryland Avenue and 26th Street as a core part of her routine, something that keeps her busy and active.

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Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025
Hummingbird garden sees continuous growth

No further sign of zebra mussels in Assiniboine River

By Alex Lambert 3 minute read Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025

There has been no further evidence of zebra mussels in the Assiniboine River since larvae were found late last year, with additional testing returning negative results.

The province announced in December that dead zebra mussel larvae were found in the river at the Brandon Generating Station (BGS).

Signage at the Assiniboine and Little Saskatchewan rivers has since been posted advising boaters to decontaminate their equipment, the province said in an email.

“The province is still determining the scope and extent of the detection and cannot know next steps until this information is known,” the email said.

Sports Looking Back: June 28, 2025

2 minute read Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025

ON TELEVISION

SATURDAY

• MLB – Twins at Tigers, noon (TSN5); Blue Jays at Red Sox, 3 p.m. (SNW); Phillies at Braves, 6 p.m. (SNW)

• GOLF – U.S. Senior Open: Third round, 1 p.m. (NBC); Rocket Classic: Third round, 2 p.m. (CBS)

Bombers’ Oliveira to miss second straight game

By Dan Ralph 4 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Oliveira to miss second straight game

By Dan Ralph 4 minute read Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025

Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have proven to be too much for the Edmonton Elks over the years.

Winnipeg (3-0) hosts Edmonton (1-2) on Thursday, having won the last 12 head-to-head matchups between the West Division rivals. Collaros is 15-6 in his career against the Elks, including 11 straight wins — the last 10 with the Bombers.

Edmonton’s last regular-season win over Winnipeg came on Nov. 3, 2018.

Winnipeg will be minus standout running back Brady Oliveira (shoulder) again this week. Oliveira, 27, ran twice for 49 yards in the Bombers’ season-opening 34-20 win over the B.C. Lions on June 12 before leaving the contest.

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Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brady Oliveira (20) runs against the BC Lions in a game on June 12. The star running back is set to miss this week’s game against Edmonton. (The Canadian Press)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brady Oliveira (20) runs against the BC Lions in a game on June 12. The star running back is set to miss this week’s game against Edmonton. (The Canadian Press)

Sports Looking Back: June 26, 2025

2 minute read Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025

ON TELEVISION

• MLB – Blue Jays at Guardians, noon (SNW); Dodgers at Rockies, 2 p.m. (SN1); Braves at Mets, 6 p.m. (TSN2)

• CFL – Elks at Bombers, 7:30 p.m. (TSN1)

IN LOCAL HISTORY

BU’s Fisher makes U21 national team

1 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 25, 2025

Kale Fisher is back on Team Canada.

The Brandon University Bobcats setter has cracked Volleyball Canada’s under-21 squad for the second straight summer.

The team is competing in the U21 NORCECA Pan Am Cup from Aug. 5 to 10 on the Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary, as well as the U21 worlds from Aug. 19 to Sept. 1 in China.

Fisher, of Edmonton, was named the top setter at last year’s U21 continental championship as Canada finished second.

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