Due to rising COVID-19 cases, increased community transmission and a growing strain on the health-care system, Manitoba is taking additional steps to help curb the spread of the virus in the fourth wave of the pandemic, Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon and Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, announced today. “Once again, we must ask Manitobans to do more to reduce the current COVID-19 case numbers and community transmission which, in turn, will help reduce the strain on the health-care system,” said Gordon. “We need everyone to work together by following the public health orders, focusing on the fundamentals and getting vaccinated. We know vaccination works, and I encourage all Manitobans to do your part and get immunized against COVID-19.” The additional restrictions include: ·       Religious gatherings are limited to 25 people unless the facility can physically divide the space into separate areas, in which case several cohorts of up to 25 can attend the same service. However, the total number of attendees at a service may not exceed 25 per cent of facility capacity, to a maximum of 250 people. Cohorts must not mingle, masks must be worn and physical distancing rules apply. -       this applies to the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region only; -       this new restriction goes into effect Saturday, Nov. 13 at 12:01 a.m.; -       services restricted to fully immunized people and those under 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine may occur without capacity limits; and -       the municipalities of Cartier, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot (Niverville-Ritchot), St. François Xavier and Taché that are geographically located in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, are exempt and considered to be part of the Winnipeg Capital Region. ·       Provincewide, proof of at least one dose of vaccination, or a recent (within 72 hours) negative test result will be required for 12 to 17 year olds for indoor recreational sports: -       there will be a grace period until Dec. 5 to allow individuals who are not yet fully immunized to comply, with the order to be in effect at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 6; and -       negative tests need to come from a participating pharmacy as provincial testing sites should only be accessed by symptomatic individuals, or those who are required to take a PCR test by public health. The orders continue to allow fully vaccinated Manitobans to enjoy as much freedom and as few restrictions as possible, while unvaccinated individuals continue to be restricted in their activities in order to reduce transmission and the most serious outcomes. “We take several pieces of information into consideration when we are making recommendations for public health orders,” said Roussin. “Current COVID-19 case numbers, test positivity rate, community spread, vaccination rates and modelling are all factors. We are seeing concerning numbers now and the projections indicate more is coming if we do not take steps to curb the situation.” “Thank you to all of those Manitobans who are following the public health orders, focusing on the fundamentals and have been vaccinated. It is frustrating to be here again but by working together, we can help bring an end to this pandemic,” said Roussin. The updated orders keep the Pandemic Response System at Restricted (Orange) with schools at Caution (Yellow). All other public health orders remain unchanged. For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19. (Province of MB News Release)

Ensuring safe travel on City of Brandon streets is a high priority for the City’s Public Works Department. Snow Route systems allow this to occur by clearing major arterial routes and bus routes more quickly and efficiently, when parked vehicles are removed. Snow Route Parking Restrictions Snow Route parking restrictions come into effect from November 15th to March 31st annually. After a significant amount of snow (in excess of 5 centimetres) and/or winds that cause drifting on snow routes, a parking restriction may be declared by the City’s Public Works Department. Vehicles that remain parked along signed seasonal snow clearing routes during an identified snow-clearing event risk being ticketed and/or towed at their own expense. The following locations are the designated Snow Routes in the City of Brandon: Rosser Avenue from 1st Street to 18th Street (24:00 to 07:00) Rosser Avenue from 18th Street to 34th Street (24:00 to 08:00) Rosser Avenue E. from 1st Street to 13th Street E. (24:00 to 08:00) Princess Avenue from 1st Street to 18th Street (24:00 to 07:00) Princess Avenue from 18th Street to Whillier Drive (24:00 to 08:00) Princess Avenue E. from 1st Street to 13th Street E. (24:00 to 08:00) Ninth Street extending from Pacific Avenue to Princess Avenue (24:00 to 07:00) Tenth Street extending from Princess Avenue to Pacific Avenue (24:00 to 07:00) Louise Avenue extending from 13th to 18th Street (24:00 to 08:00) Snow plowing/removal notices as detailed above are issued by the City of Brandon to its website and through its social media platforms, and notification is also provided to Brandon’s local media outlets. However, residents who wish to receive direct email notifications prior to the implementation of such parking bans can sign up for this service by visiting brandon.ca/snow-routes to subscribe. Snow Removal Procedures Snowfall amount, density of snow, humidity, rising or falling temperatures, wind velocity and direction along with the time of year, all play a part in how the City’s Public Works Department responds to any particular snow event. If a Citywide plowing program is implemented, it will be completed immediately after a snow event. The City is divided into seven zones for snow clearing, starting with a Priority 1A route. This route focuses the first 24 hours of all municipal snow-clearing activities on sections of major thoroughfares under the City’s care to establish a plowed “grid” of sorts for commuters and emergency vehicles to access all corners of the City as soon as possible. Included within this Priority 1A Route are: Sections of Braecrest Drive, Kirkcaldy Drive, Knowlton Drive, Stickney Avenue, McDonald Avenue, Hilton Avenue, Parker Boulevard, Fred Brown Way, Pacific Avenue, Rosser Avenue, Princess Avenue, Victoria Avenue East, Lorne Avenue East, Van Horne Avenue East, McTavish Avenue East, E. Fotheringham Drive, Whillier Drive, Park Avenue, Queens Avenue, Elderwood Drive, Brandon Avenue, Willowdale Crescent, Aberdeen Avenue, Richmond Avenue, Maryland Avenue, Magnolia Drive, Lyndale Drive, Sycamore Drive, and Patricia Avenue Portions of 34th Street, 26th Street, 19th Street North, 8th Street North, 13th Street, 10th Street, 9th Street, 6th Street, 1st Street, Dennis Street, 13th Street East, and 17th Street East For a comprehensive overview of the City of Brandon’s snow-clearing procedures, visit brandon.ca/snow-removal or contact the City of Brandon Streets and Roads Section at 204-729-2285. Residents are also reminded that the best way to stay up to date on all regular snow plowing activities conducted by the City of Brandon’s Streets & Roads Section is by visiting snowmap.brandon.ca. The interactive online map is updated regularly through the winter season to show when snow plowing or snow removal activity is scheduled along a snow route, within various residential zones, in a back lane, or on a designated pedestrian route. Via the map’s tracking features, users can also stay on top of snow plowing or removal activity as crews make their way through a respective route or zone. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On November 8, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a residential shed, which occurred at approximately 1:30 am in the 600 block of 11th street.  The suspect fled the property, and police searched the neighborhood. On November 8, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a residential shed in the 800 block of 6th street shortly before 3:00 am.  The suspect was still in the shed when the homeowner alerted police, but he fled prior to their arrival. Police located and arrested the suspect a short distance away.  He was in possession of break-in instruments, contrary to a court order.  Investigation revealed that he was also the same responsible individual for the break and enter reported earlier in the night, as well as one reported on November 5, 2021 in the 700 block of 11th street. The 34-year-old male was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Break and Enter with intent X2, Possess Break-In Instruments, Possess Property Obtained by Crime, and Fail to Comply with Undertaking.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At about 4:20 PM Friday afternoon we received a report of a male, armed with a knife, chasing another male in the area of the 1600 block Park Avenue.  Responding members located the 41 year-old male suspect near 15th Street and College Avenue, stilled armed with a knife.  He refused to comply with Police commands to drop the weapon, and was confrontational with them.  An impact munition was deployed and the suspect was taken into custody.  He will be released from custody later today, on appropriate Police imposed conditions, facing charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, resisting arrest, and uttering threats. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 10th.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release Just before 6:00 AM Friday morning, a report was received from a female victim reporting that a former partner was attempting to force his way into her apartment. Police responded and located the 30 year-old male suspect in a vehicle that was seen leaving the area.  The male, who resides in Winnipeg, was arrested for break, enter, and committing mischief to property in relation to a patio door being shattered.  He was later released on appropriate Police imposed conditions to appear in court on December 19th.