Osborne Bridge renos more than structural

Renovations to the Osborne Bridge will see both improvements to the structure and artwork by local artist-architect duo spmb. The Winnipeg Free Press reported LED lighting and text will be inscribed in the bridge, and eight lighted gateways in railings at either end of the bridge will represent four Winnipeg architectural feats. The artwork commemorates the power of people and place to honour the Broadway and Osborne Village communities. The bridge’s renovations will cost $18.8 million, and construction is underway.

Waste dumped into Red

City officials have noticed the South End Water Pollution Control Centre has been dumping 50 to 60 million litres of half-treated sewage into the Red River every day since Oct. 7, the Winnipeg Free Press reported. Officials say millions of micro-organisms that digest organic waste have mysteriously died, resulting in solid waste being sent into the Red. Anyone who comes into contact with water from the Red River should wash their hands, but fish in the river remain safe. “The risk to public health… is very small” because of the time of year, an official said. The city has asked for help from waste-water experts to solve the problem.

Appeal for rape case wanted

The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) will ask the Manitoba Court of Appeals to uphold the conviction of a man a judge infamously called a “clumsy Don Juan.” Justice Robert Dewar convicted Kenneth Rhodes of sexual assault in February with no jail time. In mid-October, the Crown realized Dewar did not properly examine some evidence, which would nullify the conviction. An appeal is scheduled for Nov. 30. LEAF claims these facts don’t affect the original verdict and it was “clear that a sexual assault had occurred.” LEAF aims with this appeal to offer “important systemic perspective” on how blaming victims and survivors of sexual assault can cause issues in the court.

Province, city to discuss rapid transit

Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz and Premier Greg Selinger are ready to talk transit. The rapid transit project’s first stage should open in April, but the second phase that would connect Confusion Corner to Bison Drive has no funding agreement behind it. In 2009, the provincial and federal governments agreed to contribute $63 million each to the second phase, but Katz turned down the offer to focus on other projects, including possibly upgrading rapid transit to light rail. The provincial NDP government has not said how much it is willing to contribute this time, but “we’re ready to work with them on it,” Selinger told the Winnipeg Free Press.

Police chief explains homicides

A “multi-pronged approached” is needed among police to control violence in the city according to police chief Keith McCaskill. Winnipeg has seen 34 homicides so far this year, matching the record set in 2004. “Crime in this city, or any other city, can’t be eliminated by policing alone. There are social issues here,” McCaskill said. The chief said six of this year’s homicides are believed to be gang-related and reminded the public homicides are rarely random. Police continue to investigate the latest homicides from last weekend that occurred in the Exchange District and on McPhillips Street.

Published in Volume 66, Number 11 of The Uniter (November 9, 2011)