The Manitoba government has pledged 2.1 million dollars dedicated to establishing an integrated missing persons response.

The goal is to reduce the number of missing youth and adults across the province.

Over the last few years, Manitoba has seen an increased rate of missing persons, 64 percent of which are runaway girls.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said this is an unacceptable number for the province.

This coincides with the national inquiry into the missing and murdered indigenous woman and girls report that was done.

It supports the need for community-based first response, and more responsive, transparent, and accountable policing.

On February 5, 2023, RCMP received a report of a missing 16-year-old male, Isaac Oleksiuk of The Pas.

Isaac was last seen on February 5 in the early morning hours leaving a residence on Dufferin Street, in The Pas.

He is 6’2”, 140 lbs, with long black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a green jacket with ‘trades’ written on it and blue plaid pyjama pants.

If you have information on his whereabouts please call The Pas RCMP at 204-627-6204, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

This is Fraud Prevention Month and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says they received fraud and cybercrime reports last year totalling 530 million dollars in victim losses.  This is nearly a 40 percent increase from 2021 but the Centre estimates only five to ten percent of people report fraud.

The RCMP’s Director General of the Anti-Fraud Centre Chris Lynam reports fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to victimize Canadians.  He encourages everyone to take time to learn the signs of a scam or fraud, know how to report it and share this information with the people around you adding it could take just one conversation with a loved one to prevent them from falling victim to fraud. The top three most reported types of fraud last year were phishing, extortion and personal information scams all designed to get you to pay or give away sensitive information like your social insurance number, passwords or banking details.

Anyone who believes they have been contacted by a scammer is aware of a scam or has become a victim is strongly encouraged to report it to authorities so they can warn others which may limit it from spreading.

An investigation into a disturbance at a residence on Shamattawa Cree First Nation led to the arrest of a 23-year-old female.

On March 10^th it was reported to the RCMP that a woman had been damaging things inside the home and was in possession of an edged weapon.

When officers arrived the woman had already left, and residents were advised to lock their doors and call the police if she returns.

Later that same night it was reported that she had returned and was damaging property.

When officers entered the female attempted to assault them and pulled a knife from her pocket.

It was at this time officers implemented the use of a conducted energy weapon in an attempt to subdue the suspect.

Officers were able to remand the woman into custody who has now been charged with 2 counts of assaulting an officer, and 1 count of resisting arrest.

Investigations are ongoing.

An ongoing investigation into the death of a man at a residence on Moose lake has led to the arrest of 2 suspects.

On March 5^th, 2022 RCMP was called to the residence and found an 18-year-old male with severe injuries, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

On February 24^th, 2023 Dion Campbell age 22 of moose lake was Charged with manslaughter in connection to the homicide.

And on March 13^th, a second individual, age 17 was also charged with manslaughter.

Both were remanded into custody.

Investigations continue.

The recycling center, Building inspection, and how to support town-funded organizations were at the front of the discussion during this week’s council meeting.

Mayor Andre Murphy spoke about both the cost and challenges the town is under when it comes to maintaining local facilities.

Murphy also spoke about inflation and the province's recent addition to the town budget of 277 thousand dollars this year.

You can get full details about the council meeting here 

The next town council meeting will be held on March 27^th at 6 pm in the town office chamber.

Manitoba First Nations Police in the OCN is looking for anyone who may have information in regards to a hit and run that took place on Kiche Maskanow on March 11^th just before midnight.

It was reported that a 25-year-old man had been struck by a vehicle which then fled the scene.

The injured male was airlifted to a hospital in Winnipeg in critical condition.

The possible suspect vehicle may be a dark-coloured ford SUV with recent damage to the front licence placeholder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the MFNPS at 1-833-978-0048 or leave a tip online at Manitoba crime stoppers dot ca.

A local family is looking for answers following the disappearance of Jayden Mercredi who went missing in December.

Mercredi travelled from Winnipeg to the pas between the 2oth and 22^nd of December, and it was reported that he was involved in an altercation that occurred at the Alouette the night he arrived.

Mercredi has not been active on his phone, facebook, or bank account in several months which raises red flags.

Charlene Constant, Mercredis mother, said she was not on good terms with her son and hadn’t spoken to him since October; she was able to stay in contact through her other son until he lost contact as well a few months back.

Constant said “the worst part about it is not knowing”.

The RCMP continue to investigate, but if anyone has any information in regards to Mercredi’s whereabouts you can contact RCMP at 204-627-6200.

RCMP made further arrests in response to a continuing homicide investigation.

Police arrested two more people in connection with the double homicide earlier this year, where two men later died from injuries due to blunt force trauma in January.

On March 7, a 15-year-old from Moose Lake was arrested and on March 8, 20-year-old Keith Campbell, 20, also from Moose Lake was arrested. Both males have been charged with two counts of 2nd Degree Murder and were remanded into custody.

Police continue to intestate. If you know more about this crime you can leave an anonymous tip by calling crime stoppers Manitoba at 1(800) 222 – 8477 or call The Pas RCMP detachment at 204 – 627 - 6200

RCMP in The Pas arrested 7 individuals when a house was searched

following the report of an alleged assault that took place on Mach 7th at approximately 2:45 am.

Officers responded to the complaint early in the morning and immediately observed numerous firearms strewn about

Some of the firearms were loaded and improperly stored.

One of the firearms was determined to be stolen during a break-and-enter that was reported last year.

a search warrant was prepared, and the firearms and explosives were seized.

allegations of the assault that occurred were unsubstantiated.

The Pas RCMP continues to investigate. If you know more about this crime, you can call The Pas RCMP detachment at

204 – 627 - 6200  or calling crime stoppers Manitoba

1(800) 222 – 8477

The Kelsey Recreation and Wellness Centre are now taking registration for anyone wanting to play soccer and baseball in the spring.

Registration is open until March 31st to guarantee jersey size but will accept late registration until April 28^th.

The cost is 35 dollars for the 2 sports; soccer games will be played every Tuesday and Thursday and will run from May 25^th to June 27^th.

Baseball games will be played every Monday and Wednesday and will run from May 24th to June 26th.

More details can be found on the Kelsey Rec Facebook page

Residents are being told to avoid the area around Selkirk Avenue in Thompson as the local fire department works to extinguish the blaze.

RCMP says they responded to the fire at a business at the strip mall on the street just before 2 a.m, and set up a perimeter around the area as Thompson Fire and EMS brought down the fire.

The fire started up again in the same location at 5 a.m.

Police say the fire doesn’t appear suspicious and the Office of the Fire Commissioner was notified.

The strip mall includes a storefront clinic operated by the Northern Health Region, a Shopper’s Drugmart, Royal Bank and Chicken Chef.

Starting today and Friday The Pas Handi-Van will be holding its annual Pledge show, for the past 4 decades The Handi-Van has provided handicapped children and adults in the region a way of transportation for medical purposes, recreation, shopping and more for small fee.

For over a decade, the pledge has been broadcasted to help fund The Handi-Van for insurance, repairs, gasoline, and the perchance of a new van if needed.

Last year the pledge show raised twenty thousand dollars, and they ask the community to either break even or set a new record.

Donating can be made at the station, or through e-transfer using the email: van.office.manager@gmail.com

Inflation has always been around but for the past few years, it’s been skyrocketing.

From the aftermath of The Corona-Virus Pandemic to The Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Canadians have been dealing with high prices for everyday services such as groceries and gasoline.

Janice Seto, (seat-o) an instructor of business and administration at UCN explains what habits people can pick up.

The Full Interview with Janice Seto can be found on The Pas Today

The Town of The Pas has been given the sled-friendly citification.

This is to help promote awareness of the trails, as well as the needs and challenges faced by snowmobilers in the north.

Jackie rechenmacher with the Pas community development corporation explains what it means to be sled friendly.

Maps, trails, warm-up facilities and more can be found in their online database.

To find details on all the communities north of the 53 that have been certified click here

With the final sitting of the Legislature before the fall provincial election beginning this week, Thompson’s MLA says the governing PCs are in -quote- “damage control mode”.

Eric Redhead says the Manitoba NDP will hold Premier Heather Stefanson to account, citing the closure of birthing services in some communities and the privatization of Lifeflight as examples of cuts made to northern health care.

A press release from the party says staffing health care facilities in the region is something they’re calling on the government to do, saying the Thompson General Hospital is seeing nurse vacancy rates are as high as 25 percent and personal care homes lack adequate staff for seniors.

This comes as the PCs are set to unveil their upcoming fiscal budget this spring.

Northern Regional Health Authority Board Chair Cal Huntley has announced the appointment of Raj Sewda as the Region’s new Chief Executive Officer replacing Helga Bryant who is retiring.  The appointment by the Board of Directors is effective April 1^st.

Huntley stated we believe Mr. Sewda has the right combination of experience, education and management skills to provide great benefit to the Region as we move forward adding our national search yielded a number of high-quality candidates and we are pleased Raj has accepted the challenge of leading the Region into the future.

A release states Sewda is a Registered Nurse with wide and diverse leadership and managerial experience in Ontario most recently employed as a Clinical Partner at Sienna Senior Living providing support to Long Term Care Communities across Ontario and British Columbia.

Huntley added on behalf of all our citizens the Board again thanks retiring CEO Helga Bryan for her years of faithful, dedicated and valued service to the people of northern Manitoba.

Youth Voices of The North is a newly created podcast by The Christ Church of The Pas to help youths have a safe place to talk and express their feelings.

3 episodes have been released and the episodes detail the challenges of growing up north as two-spirited youths, newcomers to Canada who moved to rural communities, and the challenges of  proper education and career opportunities

The goal of the podcast is to engage both indigenous and non-indigenous youths by travelling to remote communities with the next stops hopefully being Flin Flon, Pukatawagen, and Churchill.

Full episodes will be available  here

The RCMP is inviting young people across the country to help name thirteen German Shepherd puppies that will be born at the Police Dog Service Training Center this year. 

The rules are simple. Only kids between the ages of 4 to 14 years old may enter, contestants can suggest only one name, the name must start with the letter “S”,  the name must be one or two syllables and must have no more than nine letters, contestants must live in Canada and entries must be received online by March 16^th.

Kids should always get their parent's or guardians' permission before submitting personal information such as their name and phone number to any website.

The thirteen children whose puppy names are selected will each receive a laminated 8 X 10-inch photo of the puppy they named, a plush dog called Justice and an RCMP water bottle.  For information on how to enter online go to your favourite search engine and type in Name the Puppy Contest 2023.  Although there can be only 13 winners the names not selected for the contest will be considered for other puppies born during the year.

It was over 3 years ago that the current Chase the Ace was started. The Royal Canadian Legions Chase the Ace this weekend is expected to bring in a huge crowd with only 1 card remaining in the deck, and a guaranteed prize of nearly a quarter of a million dollars up for grabs.

Last weekend Brad Sanderson won the consolation prize of over 16 thousand dollars, but the ace of Hearts eluded him and remained hidden.

Angie Nikolychuck spoke about this weekend’s event and wanted to remind everyone to safely line up ahead of the doors opening to the club room at 11 am, and the hall at noon.

Nikolychuck also wanted to remind everyone that no outside food or drink will be permitted, and the legion ladies will have the canteen open throughout the day, and full event details can be found on the legions Facebook page.

The Town of the Pas had their final town meeting for the month of February Monday evening.

Mayor Andre Murphy began the meeting by recognizing the volunteers and town staff that made this year’s trapper festival possible.

Mayor Murphy said the council meeting discussed such topics as bigger office space for The Pas/OCN Chamber of Commerce, better truth and reconciliation training, providing support on making highway six safer and providing additional community safety officers.

The full interview can be found on the pas today, the next town meeting is March 13^th.

Healthy growth for both parents and children is the goal of a father and son program that the Manitoba Métis Federation will be hosting.

The program will be running over an 8-week period through online zoom courses that will be offered for free.

It’s aimed at making responsible, conscious choices when it comes to being a positive role model for young children, and providing opportunities for dads to connect with their kids.

The program will be starting on March 7^th, and will be running Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30, and is designed for fathers with children aged 3 to 6.

Find out more by contacting the Manitoba Métis Federation.

The 44^th annual Denare Beach Winter Festival had a busy and fun weekend. 

There were no fish caught in the Family Fishing Derby so draws were made with the first going to Brandon Ireland, second Mark Rae, third to Wes Majee and fourth Kadence Eyres. 

The youngest boy was awarded to nine-month-old Lynx Dease, the youngest girl one year-old Karenda Linklater and the oldest fisherman Dave Wasylciw.  Turkey curling was won by Chicken Ranch with Mark Rae, Yvette Rae, Tyson Rae and Brady Grant, second by Ace Holes with Mike Quesnel, Josh Wiegers, Ben Chernick and Alanna Scott and third by Chicken Choker Dale Holmgren, Debbie Knutson, Mike Durette and Rian Bayless.

The Festival opened with the Mushers Supper Friday evening along with a penny parade, children’s events, a cribbage tournament and trap setting races with Saturday starting out with a pancake breakfast with more children’s events, a hockey tournament, dog sled rides and a skating party wrapping up with the Snow Drags on Sunday.

The application process for the RCMP’s family violence initiative fund is now open and running until March 10^th.

The fund started in 2004 and last year helped fund 21 initiatives.

Money is being allocated for programs that promote awareness of relationship and family violence, assist victims of family and relationship violence, support RCMP crime prevention programs, and prevent crime in indigenous communities.

Last year, over 300 thousand dollars went to support programs.

Contact your local RCMP detachment for details.

The Minister for Prairies Economic Development Canada Dan Vandal recently announced federal investments toward Manitoba tourism projects through the Tourism Relief Fund. 

Included was the funding of 99,999 dollars to Hill Valley Enterprises Limited Bakers Narrows Lodge to winterize 15 log cabins, construct an aurora pod for Northern Lights viewing, and hire new staff to support marketing and the growing number of guests during the winter season. 

Frontier North will receive similar funding to launch a zero-carbon, silent touring experience in Churchill by incorporating a new electric-powered Tundra Buggy into its fleet and Tourism Manitoba will receive just over 1.6 million dollars to focus on tourism development into key rural and northern destinations across the province. Other destinations receiving funding include Pinawa Unplugged, Elkhorn Ranch and Resort and the Manitoba Museum.

A release states Manitoba is home to world-class tourism attractions year round however once winter arrives both residents and visitors alike embrace a season rich with events and activities that cannot be held at any other time of year.