Governor Tim Walz is asking Minnesotans to look out for each other and peacefully protest, and to document enforcement carried out by federal immigration officers.
Wednesday night’s address follows a growing operation opponents say is terrorizing neighbourhoods.
In a statewide televised speech, the governor noted that right now, 2,000 to 3,000 armed agents are deployed to the state.
He said news reports are not fully capturing the “chaos and disruption and trauma” associated with the enforcement.
But Walz disagreed with the motivation behind the surge of agents.
“Let’s be very, very clear,” he said.
“This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it’s a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government.”
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement earlier Wednesday, criticizing Walz and Minneapolis leaders for pursuing “sanctuary” policies that the agency said have led to violent criminals going free.
However, federal officials face nationwide backlash after the fatal shooting of Renee Good last week by an ICE agent.
Walz also said residents have the right to peacefully film ICE agents.
He asked people to, if they see ICE in their neighbourhood, take out their phone and record.
Community organizers say the massive ICE presence has instilled fear in Minneapolis and St. Paul, along with other communities around the state, forcing vulnerable populations to avoid work and school.
Walz made note of the mutual aid that’s unfolding to help those households.
“All across Minnesota, people are stepping up to help neighbours who are being unjustly and unlawfully targeted,” he said. “They’re distributing care packages and walking kids to school.”
The governor said thousands of residents are likely to need that support in the weeks to come.
A judge this week declined to temporarily halt the operation, but stressed it shouldn’t be seen as a “pre-judgement” with additional case activity expected over the next week.
The first of its kind in Canada, the database contains information about people who have been found guilty of a sexual offence against children and are considered a high risk to reoffend.
“Protecting children from sexual offences and exploitation is a responsibility we all share and is a priority for the RCMP,” said RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme.
Duheme said the database will provide Canadians with a tool to get informed and take appropriate precautions.
“It also helps the law enforcement community share information more seamlessly on offenders amongst themselves,” he said.
The database contains information previously released to the public by a police service or public authority. Only offenders deemed as a high risk to commit a crime of a sexual nature are included.
“The High-Risk Child Sex Offender Database will help to protect children and their communities from harm by providing law enforcement agencies with an additional tool to ensure appropriate monitoring of high-risk offenders as well as providing the public with verified information to support their personal safety,” said Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
“Children are amongst the most vulnerable members in our society, and our government is committed to keeping them safe.”
The RCMP will rely on provincial, territorial and municipal authorities to recommend the inclusion of individuals in the database.
The database isn’t affiliated with the National Sex Offender Registry. The registry is a national registration system for sex offenders convicted of designated sex offences and ordered by the courts to report to police annually. The registry is only accessible to law enforcement.
Two 18-year-old men will be in court this spring after being arrested for stealing a vehicle Wednesday evening.
According to the Saint John Police, they received a report at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday that a 2024 Subaru Outback had been stolen from Charlotte Street.
The vehicle was located by police but fled several times when officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
With assistance from the Saint John Street Crime Integrated Enforcement Unit, the vehicle was found in a parking lot on Manawagonish Road and remotely shut off by Subaru.
The driver was arrested after a short foot pursuit, and the passenger was tracked by a police service dog and found in a shrink-wrapped boat at a business on Fairville Boulevard.
The two men were released from custody and will appear in Saint John provincial court on April 9.
Two people are facing charges after Kennebecasis Regional Police responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle on Jan. 9.
Police received a report of a black GMC Terrain parked along Highway 111, the airport arterial, in Rothesay.
The report stated there appeared to be a person slumped over the steering wheel and the rear of the vehicle was damaged.
Officers located the vehicle with two people inside and determined it was stolen.
A 37-year-old man of no fixed address and a 35-year-old Halifax woman were both arrested and are facing charges of possession of stolen property and breach of an undertaking.
The male is also facing charges of breach of probation and possession of a controlled substance.
Both appeared in Saint John provincial court on Jan. 9. The male was ordered held in custody, while the female was released on conditions and ordered to appear in court at a later date.
Dog owners in Grand Bay‑Westfield now have access to a new licensing system designed to help keep pets safe.
The town has partnered with DocuPet, which it describes as North America’s leading pet registration and lost‑pet recovery service.
The town said each dog licence now includes a DocuPet tag with a unique identification code linked to an online pet profile.
The program also provides access to HomeSafe, a 24‑hour lost‑pet service that helps reunite missing animals with their owners.
The town said Lost Pet Reports can be shared instantly with Petco Love Lost, a large photo‑matching lost‑and‑found database, as well as DocuPet’s National Animal Shelter Network.
These tools help shelters identify pets using ID codes, microchip information and unique markings, which can speed up reunifications.
“Licensing is an important responsibility for dog owners, but it should also provide peace of mind,” Animal Control Officer Ann Savoy said.
She said the partnership makes the licensing process easier while giving owners added protection if their pet goes missing.
“Pets wearing licence tags are reunited with their families much faster than unlicensed pets,” DocuPet CEO Grant Goodwin said.
He added that the company is pleased to work with the town to bring the program to the community.
The town said DocuPet’s platform will also help manage licensing more efficiently, allowing staff to direct more resources toward animal care and community programs
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition is now accepting submissions for this summer’s event.
Artists who live and work in the north are eligible to submit a piece of art that is both original and was completed after the last exhibition in the summer of 2023.
Every three years, the exhibition hosts art from across the region to be judged by a panel of artists, highlighting the character of the local art scene.
This year’s exhibition, coinciding with the gallery’s 50th anniversary, will run from July 5 to September 13.
Artists must submit their work to the exhibition by March 31.
The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, especially at home. Decluttering not only creates a cleaner, more productive environment, but it also sets the stage for achieving your goals in 2025. If selling your home is one of them, now is the time to act.
Many sellers assume the spring market doesn’t begin until March or April. However, statistics show that if you’re aiming for a spring sale, the process should start much earlier, ideally in January or February. Preparing your home now allows you to align with your ideal closing date and present your property in the best possible light when viewings begin.
We know tackling your entire home can feel overwhelming. To help, I have ranked rooms in order of importance when preparing a property for sale. Here’s their expert advice:
Entrance Hall First impressions matter. A clutter-free hallway instantly sets the tone for the rest of the home. Reduce the number of coats on display and neatly store shoes to create a sense of space and flow.
Kitchen Often considered the heart of the home, the kitchen is a major focus for buyers, especially online. Clear worktops by storing rarely used appliances and consider small updates, like replacing tired handles or knobs, for an instant refresh.
Living Room This is where buyers imagine themselves relaxing. Tidy away clutter, add a few new sofa cushions for color and freshen up the curtains. Add a few houseplants to make the space feel welcoming and well-cared-for.
Garden, Terrace, or Balcony Outdoor space is a big bonus. Clear away winter debris, and add plenty of salt or sand to remove any safety hazards and signs of winter. This allows buyers to easily visualize how they’d use the area when they move in.
Bedroom While not always a dealbreaker, a calm, hotel-like bedroom can leave a lasting impression. Iron bedding, organize clothing (especially in open wardrobes), and keep surfaces clear.
Bathroom A deep clean goes a long way. Sparkling grout, neatly folded towels, and organized products can instantly elevate the space.
A little effort now can make a big difference later, and help your home stand out when it matters most.
And remember, these tips do not need to break the bank. Simply declutter, deep clean and add a few new items to go a long way!
The Town of Rothesay is one step closer to fulfilling a long-standing ambition.
The Rothesay Intergenerational Community Complex (RICC) received a major funding boost Wednesday, a $6-million infusion from the provincial government.
Premier Susan Holt, addressing a crowd gathered at Rothesay High School, said she first heard about the RICC when Rothesay MLA Alyson Townsend came to her and said the community had a priority project the premier needed to hear about it.
“There’s a real need, we have an end-of-life facility, will you come and meet with us,” Holt said, describing the conversations she had with officials about the project.
Holt said when she met with Rothesay Mayor Nancy Grant and town staff, they presented “an exceptionally well-considered project.”
“What our government likes to do is listen to the folks on the ground,” Holt said. “It’s not up to us in Fredericton to tell you what your priorities are or what you’re going to get. We like municipalities to tell us this is our number one thing.”
Mayor Grant said it’s hard to believe the RICC is now so much closer to reality.
“But it feels so good because we’ve worked so hard and so many people have worked for this,” she said. “You know, three, four councils, two mayors, two town managers, all kinds of staff.
“It just feels like the top of the world.”
Bringing people together
Townsend described the RICC as a centrepiece for Rothesay.
“(It) will help bring our community together for decades to come,” she said. “From day one we have been working diligently to make this project a reality, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this key investment in the town of Rothesay and our region as a whole.”
The new construction will be on this site, just off Scott Avenue, next to the existing Rothesay Arena. Image: Bryan Tait/Acadia Broadcasting
The complex will include a replacement for the aging Rothesay Arena, which Grant said was 74 years old, and Holt said she’d been informed might be the coldest arena in New Brunswick.
“You may not leave there with your toes intact if you are there for more than one game,” Holt said with a laugh.
A walking track will be part of the new arena.
The old arena will be repurposed as indoor space for other sports like basketball and pickleball. Grant said activities like dance or gymnastics could also find a home.
“Everybody’s looking for space,” she said.
Grant said the new structure and the renovated structure will be connected with a third structure that will be a public café and gathering space.
“We will truly have a community hub,” she said. “Something that we’ve wanted for years.”
Grant said the idea is to create a “complete community” in Rothesay, a walkable community where residents can get to commercial areas, recreation areas, schools and whatever else they need by simply walking.
Holt said projects like the RICC are what matters to New Brunswickers.
“By investing in community infrastructure like this, we are strengthening communities and supporting a healthier, more active future for everyone,” the premier said.
No additional ice surfaces
The new arena will only have one ice surface, and the old surface will be removed.
“That’s all we’ve been raising the money for,” Grant said. “We’ve been asked about a second surface and right now it’s just too expensive.”
Grant acknowledged the Kennebecasis Valley needs ice surfaces.
“We don’t have enough,” she added.
Rothesay Mayor Nancy Grant. Image: Bryan Tait/Acadia Broadcasting
There are currently three ice surfaces in Rothesay and Quispamsis. Along with the Rothesay Arena are the QPlex and the Quispamsis Memorial Arena.
Grant said a potential benefit of the new arena could be major tournaments coming to Rothesay.
“I think it could add a lot and we’ve already had comments from the hockey organizations about the possibility of more tournaments,” she said.
Next steps
Grant said the project is in the final stage of design, with the plans hopefully approved at Rothesay town council’s March meeting.
“And we’re hoping to break ground, at least on site preparation, in late April,” she said. “And we expect … the rink will be operational in the fall of 2028.”
Grant said there is still some funding to be secured, but the project is in a place where she’s confident it will come and the real work can finally begin.
