The Manitoba government is increasing its investment in schools by $79.8 million for the 2026-27 school year, Education and Early Childhood Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today. “Our government is committed to making sure every Manitoba family can count on strong, stable public schools, year after year. We are meeting the needs of students and communities by building new schools and feeding kids with our universal school food program,” said Schmidt. “This is good news for teachers, school divisions and families while building a brighter future for Manitoba’s students.” The Manitoba government is allocating $11.4 million in public school funding to support divisions most affected by teacher salary harmonization. Salary harmonization will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year. Salary harmonization standardizes teacher pay scales across school divisions to help minimize disparities. “By working together, we are creating a more equitable system that benefits teachers and supports stability for school divisions at a time when the demands on public schools are more complex than ever before,” said Alan Campbell, president, Manitoba School Boards Association. “School boards recognize that the funding contribution for harmonization announced today is a step in the right direction and we look forward to continuing our work with government to ensure funding fully meets the needs of students, staff and communities across Manitoba.” The 3.5 per cent funding increase for public schools in the 2026-27 school year will help manage enrolment changes and ensure students have the supports they need to succeed. The formula guarantee will continue for 2026-27, ensuring every school division receives an increase to the previous year’s funding amount. The Manitoba government’s 2026-27 school funding now totals $1.995 billion and includes: $51 million increase to help public schools with operating costs, which includes the investment in salary harmonization and technical vocational education; $30 million for a universal school nutrition program and Nello’s Law, which protects the program for years to come, plus an additional $3 million from the sale of U.S. alcohol products for the Children’s Nutrition Council; $15.2 million increase in capital support, which includes principal and interest costs related to building schools; and $16.6 million increase to independent schools under the funding agreement. Manitoba is also on track to build four new schools, including Devonshire Park and Prairie Point in Winnipeg, Meadowlands in West St. Paul and another in southwest Brandon. For more information on school funding, visit https://edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/finance/schfund/index.html.

Theft Under $5000 On February 9th at approximately 1:45 p.m., police were called to the area of Fox Place regarding a report of a female stealing from the neighbourhood. Officers located the 20-year-old female in the area and arrested her. She was later released on an Appearance Notice with a court date of April 13th, 2026. Immediate Roadside Prohibition x2 In the past 24 hours, two impaired driving incidents were investigated during the early morning hours. Both incidents occurred between 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., one on Van Horne Avenue and the other on Pacific Avenue. In each case, the driver displayed signs of impairment, and an Approved Screening Device (ASD) sample registered fails. A 39-year-old male and a 36-year-old male were each issued a 90-day driver’s license suspension, and both vehicles were seized for 30 days.

Arrest Warrants In the past 24 hours three individuals were arrested on the strength of their warrants. Two remained in custody to attend court in the morning on February 6th, 2026, while one was released via Undertaking with a future court date.  IPDA (Intoxicated Persons Detention Act) / Breach of Undertaking On February 5th at approximately 1:23 p.m., police responded to a call reporting an upset female heard behind a fence on Crocus Crescent, with a male allegedly attempting to keep her quiet. Police attended the area and located a 25-year-old female, along with a 25-year-old male who was subject to a No Contact Order with the female. Due to their levels of intoxication, both individuals were transported to Brandon Police Service (BPS) detention to be held until sober. The male is to be released on an Undertaking with a court date of April 13, 2026.  Breach of the Peace On February 5th at approximately 6:10 a.m., police were requested to attend a residence in the 900 block of 9th Street to remove an intoxicated and unwelcome 25-year-old female. The female was transported to BPS and held in detention cells until sober and able to care for herself safely. Breach of the Peace On February 5th at approximately 1:28 p.m., police were called to a business in the 1500 block of Richmond Avenue regarding a 45-year-old male causing a disturbance by yelling at customers and employees. The male, who was highly intoxicated, was arrested and transported to BPS detention cells to be released once calm and sober.

Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are notifying the public of new measles exposure sites in Brandon and southern Manitoba. Anyone who attended Ag Days in Brandon, visited hotels, restaurants and shops should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13. Possible exposures may have occurred in the city on the event days, on the days leading up to it and the days following it, beyond the locations listed. Anyone at these locations on the specified dates and times is asked to monitor for symptoms until the identified dates: Manitoba Ag Days, Keystone Centre, Brandon: Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11. Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12. Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13. Great Western Roadhouse, inside the Canad Inns Destination Centre, 1125 18th St., Brandon on Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11. Manitoba Ag Days, Agriculture in the Classroom event at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Dome Building, Unit 1-A, 1200 13th St., Brandon: Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11. Jan. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12. Jan. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13. Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House, 777 Norquay Dr., Winkler, on Feb. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 23. Boundary Trails Health Centre public health office, near Winkler, on Feb. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 24. Boundary Trails Health Centre emergency department, near Winkler, on Feb. 3 from 7 p.m. to Feb. 4 at 1:10 a.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 26. Public health is also asking anyone who was at these locations during the specified times to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV). For individuals who were exposed at these locations and were born in 1970 or later, and have never received a measles vaccine and have never had a measles infection: Measles vaccine is recommended. Reduce exposures with others, especially anyone who has a weakened immune system or is unimmunized, from the fifth day after exposure to the 21st day after the latest exposure. Watch for symptoms of measles until the date that corresponds with their situation as indicated above. Certain people should not get the measles vaccine including infants less than six months of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. These individuals should contact their health-care provider or public health as they may be eligible for preventative treatment (within six days of exposure). Close contacts may be asked by public health to isolate and consider vaccination. Further information on measles, exposures and immunization is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/measles.html or individuals can contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 toll-free in Manitoba. Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat. Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body. Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation). If symptoms develop, individuals who may have been exposed are advised to isolate at home and contact their health-care provider and advise them of the potential exposure to measles. Anyone else in the household who is unimmunized should limit exposure to others until the symptomatic person has received advice from their health-care provider. It is best to call ahead so health-care staff can take steps to reduce the exposure of other people to the virus. Measles is a highly infectious communicable disease that is spread through droplets in the air formed when coughing or sneezing. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. The disease tends to be more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening. Immunization is the only means of protecting people from contracting measles. Contact an immunization provider such as a local public health office, physician or nurse practitioner to ensure everyone is up to date. In Manitoba, a two-dose measles vaccine program for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMR or MMRV) is routinely provided for children who are at least one year of age and again when aged four to six. In the case of a measles exposure, a second dose may be given earlier than four to six years of age. There is also an outbreak eligibility for some children aged six months to under 12 months. The complete eligibility criteria can be viewed at: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html#MMR. Public health officials will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updated information as necessary. The number of measles cases in Manitoba will be updated weekly on the measles webpage each Friday.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE”: Erin Anderson FOR Possession of Weapon/ Theft / Failure to Attend Court. ANDERSON is a 44-year-old female who is facing several charges and failed to attend court. Due to these incidents, a warrant has been issued for her arrest. CRIME OF THE WEEK for February 5, 2026 The man in this Feb 5th COW incident was identified, arrested, and charged **************************** If you have information about this or any other crime you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.