Winnipeg registers first homicide of the year

A 34-year-old woman is Winnipeg’s first homicide victim of 2012. Alche Fsehaye Kidane, who recently arrived in Winnipeg from Eritrea, was found Jan. 23 with severe upper body injuries in her Assiniboine Avenue apartment. After being discovered, Kidane was rushed to hospital but did not survive. Lambros Kyriakos, president of Eritrean Community in Winnipeg Inc., has opened the group’s community centre to help mourning friends and family members cope with the tragedy. “We’re trying to support the victim and her family,” Kyriakos said.

Local artist released on bail after bizarre incident

Ed Ackerman has been released on bail after being taken into custody following his bizarre confrontation with a demolition crew. The artist and one-time mayoral candidate was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 24, after attempting to stop the demolition of one of his homes on Bannatyne Avenue. Ackerman, 54, allegedly hurled blocks of glass at the workers, one of whom was hit on his hard hat. The standoff eventually ended when a ladder truck from the fire department brought Ackerman down from the roof of the house. The city said the house was unsafe and ordered its demolition. Ackerman will return to court on Feb. 14.

Top Chief voices frustration

The head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has expressed his frustration over what he believes was a lack of progress made at a recent federal summit on aboriginal issues. Derek Nepinak believes more concrete proposals should have emerged as a result of the gathering on Tuesday, Jan. 24. “The fact is we came here hoping for some sort of announcement, not necessarily any program dollars, but an announcement that would create something substantial going forward,” Nepinak said. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced at the meeting that incremental changes to the Indian Act will be forthcoming, although it is uncertain what specific parts of the act will change.

Water main breaks raise environmental concerns

Water main breaks account for a third of all sewer disruptions which dump untreated waste water into Winnipeg’s rivers, the Winnipeg Free Press reported. Between 2004 and 2011, water main breaks caused 340,000 litres of untreated water to flow into Winnipeg waterways. University of Winnipeg biology professor Bill Watters explains that such dumping has a “far reaching” environmental impact as algae blooms and other damaging effects often emerge as a result. The city said it is recruiting consultants to draft an action plan in addition to looking at upgrading the sewer monitoring system.

City to sell Riverside Park

Three new proposals, including a plan to sell riverfront property North Perimeter Park were approved by City Council on Tuesday, Jan 24. Located in West St. Paul and covering 18 hectares, the initiative aroused opposition from some councillors. Among them, Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge) believes the city should not use one-time land sales towards covering its budget. The plan to sell the land eventually passed by a vote of 10-5 with Couns. Ross Eadie (Mynarski), Brian Mayes (St. Vital), John Orlikow (River Heights) and Harvey Smith (Daniel McIntyre) also opposed. Council also voted in favour of expanding Kenaston Road and granting the University of Manitoba $10,000 to relocate public art from the old Winnipeg airport.

Published in Volume 66, Number 18 of The Uniter (February 1, 2012)