Headlines Aug 9:
-MB Liquor Mart employees have launched a provincewide strike. MGEU president Kyle Ross said the union has no other option due to “escalating lockouts and intimidation tactics.”
-Brandon police arrest alleged suspect of Neepawa RCMP manhunt Sunday. 45yr old man faces charges of flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle & forcible confinement.
-Brandon City Council has asked the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to come to Brandon for a public hearing on proposed water & wastewater increases Wed Sept 13 at City Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.
-More than a 100 firearms seized from a home in Wawanesa in late July, RCMP say in a joint effort by the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Team & Killarney RCMP.
-15yr old killed, 16yr old charged after ‘carelessly pointed’ shotgun goes off: Wpg police.
-U.S. visits to MB bounce back, but still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, as visits in July up 29% from July 2022.
-Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service opts to provide information on incidents on its website, as more groups publish incident reports online in light of online news media disruption.
A brawl on a Montgomery, Alabama, riverfront dock Saturday has gained international attention. But it was more than a 10 second Tik-Tok of two groups fighting. There’s a big lead up story and some context to answer many of the questions that arose after the video hit social medial. Here is what really happened:
There were multiple events taking place at the riverfront that Aug. 5 evening, according to Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert. The area is a popular summertime attraction spot complete with an amphitheater, stadium, park and, of course, the riverboat. That Saturday, there were 227 passengers on the Harriott II Riverboat, which takes riders on a two-hour Alabama River tour beginning and ending at a designated docking space along the river. When it attempted to return to dock that evening, a private boat was in its space. The Harriott’s co-captain, Damien Pickett, attempted to contact the boat’s owners via the riverboat’s PA system for 40 to 45 minutes, but the boat owners only responded with “obscene gestures, curse words and taunting.” A separate boat, which operated independently in the river, then brought Pickett to the dock to ask to have the boat moved to allow the riverboat to park. That’s when multiple members of the private boat began to attack Pickett, followed by multiple members of the Harriott’s crew joining in in Pickett’s defense.
What happened after the brawl? At 7 p.m., the first call of a disturbance came from the riverboat’s captain. Authorities detained 13 individuals and brought them to police headquarters to conduct interviews, which lasted several hours. After that, all parties were let go pending further investigation, but police had said incoming charges were likely. Pickett was the only person involved who went to a local hospital for treatment.
As for suspects, police have so far identified three men for assault charges: 48-year-old Richard Roberts, with two outstanding warrants for third-degree assault; 23-year-old Allen Todd, with one warrant for third-degree assault; and 25-year-old Zachary Shipman, with one warrant for third-degree assault. At the time of the press conference Tuesday afternoon, Albert said one suspect was in custody, and the other two were expected to turn themselves in within the hour. Police are also asking for further interviews with 42-year-old Reggie Gray, a Black man who was seen wielding a folding chair in videos and has particularly starred in memes of the brawl.
With the ongoing investigation, more charges are likely, as police continue to review additional footage of the event to build upon witness statements. Was this a racial matter? Though Albert referred to repeated “obscene finger gestures” and “innuendos,” he said it wasn’t enough to deem the situation racially biased. What’s next? The investigation continues and authorities are looking into increased signage in the area to further clarify that the docking area is solely meant for the riverboat.
LET THE MEMES BEGIN! Emoji explanation for the ALABAMA Brawl.
TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETS go on sale today in Toronto. Just 6 shows in November and millions attempting to get tickets. This will be a day of elation and great disapointment for “Swifties” across Canada.
MEGA MILLIONS WINNER-Third largest Lotto in US History and alot of Canadians played. But a single ticket sold in Florida is good for a $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot, ending a stretch of lottery futility that had stretched for nearly four months. A Publix grocery store in Neptune Beach sold the winning ticket, according to the Florida Lottery. The winning numbers drawn Tuesday night were: 13, 19, 20, 32, 33 and the yellow ball 14. Before the big win, there had been 31 straight drawings since the last time someone won the game’s jackpot on April 18. That enabled the prize to steadily grow to be the third-largest in U.S. history.
Mattel Is Releasing A ’Weird Barbie” Doll, But People Complain It Isn’t Weird Enough. SNL vet Kate McKinnon played Weird Barbie in the movie. The new doll will feature the hot pink outfit McKinnon wore in the movie, markings on Barbie’s face, plus cut and colored hair. It represents a doll that Mattel says has “been played with a little too much,” and is available for preorder for $50 on Mattel’s website until Aug. 18. But some online say, it’s not “weird enough”?
https://www.boredpanda.com/mattel-releasing-weird-barbie/
Bev checked out SeaFood City in Winnipeg over the weekend! And since we’re such lovers of all things food and especially FISH, highly recommended Sun Seekers go for a visit. Seafood City is the largest supermarket chain in the US and Canada catering mainly to the Filipino/Asian market. First opened in 1989 in San Diego, California, Seafood City Supermarket now has more than 30 store locations across America and Canada and is in the Garden City Mall area of Winnipeg, with supermarket and food court. Looks like fun and thanks for sharing!
THANKS Janissa Cassells for sharing your Barbie pasta recipe with us. Fun for fans of the movie, kids that like pink, or just to freak out your in-laws.
(FB: Janissa Cassells)
More August Fun! After you’ve eaten all the Ribs you can handle at Ribfest in Brandon this weekend, make sure to check out the full event schedule for Western Days 2023 in Sandy Lake!
