This week’s headlines include coverage of the Provincial and Federal budgets, Pallister’s summer bike trip to honour the Selkirk treaty, Indigenous activists confronting drug dealers downtown, and more!

Missing Persons Alert

Jeffery Benjamin Menard Jeffery Benjamin Menard
Dauphin RCMP are looking for missing 40-year-old man who they believe might be in Winnipeg. Jeffery Benjamin Menard was last seen Wednesday night around 11:30 p.m. in Dauphin, Man.

Authorities are concerned for his wellbeing. He is six-feet tall and weighs 190 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Police say he is driving a 2008 Nissan Maxima with Manitoba licence plate “HOTMAIL.”

Anyone with information can contact Dauphin RCMP at 204-622-5020 or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

 

Christine Woodchristine wood
The parents of a missing Manitoba woman renewed a plea for help Friday — which happens to be their daughter’s 22nd birthday. Sunday will mark six months since Christine Wood went missing. “We’re waiting for her every day and every second for her to call us,” said Melinda Wood, Christine’s mother.

“I wish I could hug her, tell her ‘happy birthday,’ I love her,” Melinda said on the phone from Oxford House.

The Wood family has searched tirelessly for their daughter who vanished on Aug. 19 in Winnipeg. But so far, their search hasn’t been successful. The Wood family told CBC their daughter came with them from Oxford House to Winnipeg to help a family member attend a medical appointment.

When Melinda and Christine’s father George returned home to their hotel room, Christine was gone. “I think of her all the time, wondering where she is, if she’s OK,” Melinda said.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection also put out another call for help finding Wood on social media Friday. “My heart breaks for them,” said Michelle Ham, who works in the centre’s child safety division which is behind the website missingkids.ca, where Wood is featured. Ham said staff at the centre continue their efforts to find Wood — something she hopes gives some reassurance to Wood’s parents, who are now back in their home community of Oxford House.

“The search continues even when they’re at home,” Ham said. Ham said the centre has ads with a picture of Wood’s face on billboards across Canada. “Nothing’s going to slow down,” she added. Melinda said her family plans to return to Winnipeg when the weather warms up to continue their search for Christine. She begged anyone who may have seen her daughter to call police. “We want to know if she’s OK.”

Poverty & Community Outreach

  • Yes, soup for you! Lunch with us at Stone Soup: CBC
  • Merchants Hotel closer to ‘transformative’ affordable housing, education in the North End: CBC
  • Fundraiser helps foster community for Winnipeg’s women artists: CBC
  • Dr. Joseph Du remembered as selfless advocate for community, revitalizingWinnipeg’s Chinatown: CBC
  • Meet the Bear Clan man who jumped into Winnipeg river to save woman: APTN News
  • Friends remember larger-than-life former city councillor: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Agency’s $7.5-M centre better for youth, saves money: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Province commits funding to United Way family program: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Police forum focuses on local drug network, gangs: Winnipeg Free Press
  • West Broadway youth represent Manitoba: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Campaign teaches to love the place you’re in: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Study investigates affordability of housing in city: Winnipeg Free Press

Gender & Sexuality

  • Liberals’ 1st gender-sensitive budget identifies gaps, funds possible fixes: CBC

Refugees & Race

Environment

  • Winnipeg puts off curbside organic-waste collection to 2019 at the earliest: CBC, Winnipeg Free Press
  • ‘They are irreplaceable‘: Winnipeg’s Parker Lands trees shredded for rapid transit line: CBC
  • Despite ‘good news’ of Keystone XL approval, Canada needs oil customers beyond US: Jim Carr: CBC
Flood 
  • ‘It’s coming’: Southwestern Manitoba residents watch, wait as spring melt begins: CBC
  • Manitoba flood forecast data centre getting busy: CBC
  • Southern Manitoba flood risk down slightly, but southwest remains a concern: CBC