Homicide record broken

The death of Harry Wellington Gegwetch on the morning of Nov. 12 marks the 35th homicide for Winnipeg, surpassing its 2004 record, reported CBC News.

Gegwetch, 42, was found in a vacant apartment building on Carleton St. when police responded to a fire at approximately 2 a.m.. He appeared to have also suffered injuries unrelated to the fire, police said.

Gegwetch was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The incident is under joint investigation the Winnipeg Police Service’s homicide unit and arson strike force.

“This investigation is complex. We have a fire, we have a deceased person. We’re looking at all possibilities here,” Const. Jason Michalyshen told reporters.

“We have an autopsy that we hope will bring further information forward so that this investigation can progress.”

Two shootings in late October brought Winnipeg’s 2011 homicide number to 34, tying it with the city’s all-time record.

Santa almost misses parade

He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, but even Santa almost didn’t make it to his own parade Nov. 12, the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

At the 102nd annual Santa Claus parade, Santa had some trouble getting his sleigh to the other side of the train bridge at William Stephenson Way. Some parade-goers reported seeing a Santa-double sporting sunglasses, while others saw Santa on a Hot 103 float.

Thousands of Winnipeggers turned up to watch over 100 floats make their way down Portage Avenue from Young Street to Main Street. The parade then swung under William Stephenson Way and ended at The Forks.

U of M prof named new NSERC chair

Annemieke Farenhorst, a soil science professor at the University of Manitoba, has been named the chair for Women in Science and Engineering by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for the prairie’s region.

The position is devoted to helping encourage girls and women to take on careers in science and engineering.

According to Statistic Canada, in 2009 only 22.3 per cent of professionals in science, mathematics and engineering were women, only a slight increase from 19.5 per cent in 1987.

“The work done through the chairs for Women in Science and Engineering program helps remove barriers and encourage women to bring their unique perspectives and talents to bear on today’s challenging problems,” Suzanne Fortier, president of NSERC, commented in a press release distributed by the U of M.

“Our selection committee was impressed with Dr. Farenhorst’s program, including her focus on the needs of aboriginal girls and women.”

Occupy Winnipeg fighting decision to deny access

Occupy Winnipeg protestors are fighting against the decision of the provincial government to deny their access to the Legislative building, according to a press release issued by Occupy Winnipeg.

Protestors met with senior provincial officials Nov. 8 to discuss issues and concerns surrounding their entrance and use of services in the building. Officials later responded that their position on the matter had not changed.

Occupy Winnipeg have sent a letter to Manitoba premier Greg Selinger, stating that they are “disappointed” with the decision of provincial staff to bar them from the building. The letter goes on to say that Occupy Winnipeg has been informed that provincial security staff will no longer respond to disturbances reported by Occupy protestors.

“Occupy, a global people’s movement, is an important indicator of the pressing need for social transformation. The current behaviour of your government does not bode well for a continuing relationship,” the statement reads.