Leons Headlines Dec 17: Blizzard Warning Orange, Freezing Rain Warning Yellow. An Alberta clipper will bring messy winter conditions to southern MB, with freezing rain to start, then 10–15 cm of snow, wind gusts up to 80k & possible blizzard conditions in rural areas starting Wednesday afternoon.
-In advance of the storm system, two Westman school divisions have completely closed. Rolling River and Park West Divisions do not have classes today.
-After the snow and wind, Environment Canada says temperatures will plunge sharply, reaching -30 C by Thursday after a rapid freeze and widespread blowing snow.
-MB Hydro is seeking PUB approval for an 11% electricity increase over 3yrs, raising average residential bills by $12–$22 per month, to cover drought losses, replace infrastructure & meet future energy demand.
-Helping Hands soup kitchen is asking Brandon City Council for increased funding, including a $15K lump sum, a higher annual grant & a property tax exemption, citing rising costs & declining donations.
-A 14yr old Brandon girl received two years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to her role in an unprovoked group robbery and assault at a downtown mall that was captured on video.
-A Winnipeg schoolchild is reporting being approached by masked men offering candy. Police say they’re investigating alleged Tuesday incident in West End.
-US President Donald Trump to deliver prime-time address tonight at 8pm. No word on subject matter or if Canada-US relations or tariffs will be part of the address.
-Jets visit St. Louis tonight to face the Blues.
-Wheat Kings edge Red Deer 2-1, visit Medicine Hat tonight.
What is a blizzard? It’s not just snow — it’s snow plus screaming wind and zero visibility that turns a quick errand into a survival story. Basically, Mother Nature flipping the table and saying “stay home.”
Not our first Blizzard Rodeo. The last truly historic blizzard that stranded drivers across Manitoba came in March 2017, and it was one for the record books. High winds, whiteout conditions, and closed highways turned everyday trips into overnight survival stories people still talk about today.
Tear-jerker Christmas commercials. Today we talked about ads that hit us in the feels. These ads don’t sell products, they sell feelings — and suddenly you’re crying over a pickup truck or a grocery store. Nothing says Christmas like emotional damage in 90 seconds. This all started with GM’s new Christmas commercial aimed at “empty nesters” but there’s more!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/12/01/best-christmas-commercials-old-new/71759761007
Ontario vs Florida: vacations, booze and hockey. It’s a sunshine-versus-snow showdown with beer, beaches, and bragging rights on the line. Somehow hockey got dragged into it, because of course it did.
Canadian province where kids wear helmets to play in the snow. Only in Canada do we look at winter and say, “Better add protective gear.” When the snowbanks hit five feet, safety becomes part of the outfit.
