RCMP have charged four male youths with arson following a recent school fire in The Pas.
All of the accused – a 12-year-old, two 14-year-olds and a 16-year-old – are residents of The Pas.
Police said a fifth youth under the age of 12 was also involved, but this individual cannot be charged with a criminal offence due to being underage.
The four youths have been released to their parents with a curfew of 7 pm in place. They are scheduled to appear in The Pas Provincial Court on Nov. 4.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 28, firefighters responded to a fire at Mary Duncan School. No one was injured, but the school suffered extensive damage.
Hero honoured
One of Manitoba’s highest honours has gone to a man who saved the life of a woman as she was attacked by a polar bear in Churchill last year.
Bill Ayotte received the Order of the Buffalo Hunt last week. Early in the morning of Nov. 1, 2013, Ayotte heard the screams of a young woman being attacked by a polar bear outside his house.
Armed with only a shovel, he distracted the animal so she could get away. The bear turned on him and he suffered numerous injuries before natural resource officers and other residents could scare it away.
“The people of Churchill have learned to live with and respect polar bears, but when he saw a young woman being attacked by a bear, Bill Ayotte reacted without hesitation and those actions saved her life,” said Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh, who along with Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson presented the award to Ayotte.
Virus present
A northern Manitoban is among three children in the province who has tested positive for enterovirus D68, a potentially serious respiratory virus, but all three have been successfully treated, CBC reports.
The online report did not disclose the northern child’s home community. It said the other two children are from Winnipeg.
Health officials told CBC there are likely many more cases of the virus in Manitoba, but many people don’t show symptoms.
The officials advised there is no reason to worry about the emergence of the virus, but people should take normal virus-prevention precautions such as frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve.
If a child has a high fever, difficulty breathing, is not drinking well or not urinating, parents may contact a health-care provider or the Health Links hotline at 1-888-315-9257.
Northern appointee
A northern Manitoba lawyer has been appointed as a judge to the provincial court.
Alain Huberdeau of Thompson has served in private practice in northern Manitoba since 1996.
“Judge Huberdeau’s experience as a respected community leader will serve him well in this new position as he works on behalf of all Manitobans,” said Attorney General Andrew Swan, who announced the appointment last week. “He brings a unique understanding and appreciation for Manitoba’s north, along with his commitment to the law.”
Huberdeau received his law degree from the University of Moncton. He has provided pro bono legal services to a number of community organizations, including the Thompson Humane Society, Our Home Kikinaw and the Thompson Housing Agency.
In January 2014, Huberdeau received the Community Involvement Award from the Manitoba Bar Association.
