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Vol. 129 No. 43 Friday, January 6, 2012 Minnedosa, Manitoba Canada R0J 1E0 90 cents + tax

YRESS to receive $100,870.00 in government support

DNA links man to 1988 murder of Minnedosa couple

By DARRYL HOLYK edy like this, said Colleen. Our family will be affected recent turn of events by this forever in one way has brought new light or another. At least now we to the 1988 murder of a know this fellow wont be well-known Minnedosa aff ecting the lives of any couple. On the evening of other people. Sunday, November 13th, Early in the murder 1988, Evan and Wilda investigation it was deter(Jury) Squires were brutalmined that three suspects ly gunned down by intrudhad entered the Squires ers in their winter home at unlocked mobile home at Magic Valley Trailer Park approximately 11:30 p.m. in Weslaco, Texas. For 23 while they slept. Evan, years, relatives of the couage 70 and Wilda, age 65 ple, including Wildas sons were awakened by a noise Bill and Erle Jury and their and entered the hallway families in Minnedosa as from their bedroom. When well as Wildas daughter confronted by the couple, Linda and family in Alberthe intruders opened fire, ta and Evans son Bill and killing the Squires in cold family in Saskatchewan, blood. Neighbours spotted were left with very few three suspects fleeing the answers as to who was rescene on foot. sponsible for this horrific Wilda had been wincrime. tering south to Texas for Just days after Christabout 10 years, the first few mas on December 27th, years with her husband 2011, Wildas son, Bill Jury, Lawrence Jury. After Lawreceived a phone call from rences passing in 1983, Weslaco Police DepartWilda met Evan, another Photo submitted Manitoban wintering in ment informing him that a 41-year-old man in cusWeslaco. Th e two were Evan and Wilda Squires are pictured on their tody for a recent crime in married in the summer of wedding day, June 7th, 1986. Two years later, Grand Rapids, Michigan 1986. The couple had left the Minnedosa couple were gunned down in had been linked to the Minnedosa for their winter their winter home in Weslaco, Texas. murder of his mother and home in mid October 1988 Recent DNA evidence has linked a suspect Evan 23 years ago. Its a accompanied by Wildas to this brutal double murder. call I never thought wed mother and Evans sister. get, said Bill. Th suspects e Wildas mother, Tressa DNA had been entered es the extradition, then our Cook of Portage la Prairie, I dont like the word in the national database investigators have to ob- closure because there is also had a winter home at and matched DNA that tain a Governors warrant never closure, explained Magic Valley at the time. had been recovered at the (blue warrant) to get him Wildas daughter-in-law Wilda was an active volunSquires murder scene. down here. Colleen. Hopefully, jus- teer in the community, She Our investigators have a For relatives of Wilda tice will be coming. It was was a member of Beta Sigwarrant for his arrest and and Evan, this develop- a devastating event for our ma Phi, Kinettes and Meals they are working on get- ment means they can fi- whole family and for the on Wheels. She was greatly ting him extradited down nally have some peace whole community. At the involved in the Minnedoto Texas so he can be inter- of mind that one of the time of the murders, Wil- sa United Church and a rogated and charged with people responsible for das fi ve grandsons were supporter of Minnedosa capital murder, stated the tragedy that ripped a all under the age of ten. It Minor Hockey. Weslaco Police Depart- painful hole in their fam- was difficult enough to exment spokesperson, J.P. ily circle will be brought to plain death to them at that Continued Rodriguez. If he challeng- justice. young age, let alone a tragon Page 7

Photo by Amanda Boyd

Th Honourable Peter Bjornson, e Manitoba Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade, makes the special announcement at YRESS in Minnedosa Wednesday morning.
By AMANDA BOYD momentous announcement was made at the Yellowhead Regional Employment Skills and Services Inc. (YRESS) offi ce in Minnedosa Wednesday morning, January 4th. In support of its adult and youth employment skills project, the organization has received $100,870.00 in provincial and federal grant money. In attendance to make the announcement was the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Manitoba Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade and DauphinSwan-River-Marquette Municipal Liason Coordinator, Jeff MacDonald, who was representing MP Robert Sopuck. Th government is certainly committed to helpe ing all Manitobans across the province to build successful careers, Minister Bjornson stated. Today, more than ever, awareness of employment, educational and career opportunities are critical to meeting the demands of Manitobas labour market.

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