Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On November 7, 2021, police responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision at approximately 6:00 pm in the 1800 block of 18th street N.  The two vehicles involved were travelling in the same direction when the car struck the SUV from behind sending it into the ditch.  The three passengers of the SUV were treated for minor injuries.  The passenger of the car was injured and was transported to hospital with serious injuries.  The driver of the car fled the scene.  Police were unable to locate him at the time. On November 16, 2021, the 46-year-old male driver of the car turned himself into police and was arrested.  He was later released to appear in court on January 13, 2022 on a charge of Fail to Remain at the Scene of Accident Causing Bodily Harm.  He also faces numerous fines under the Highway Traffic Act.

Manitoba Hydro filed its 2021–22 Interim Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) yesterday requesting an overall average five per cent electricity rate increase, effective Jan. 1, 2022. The Corporation was directed to file an application with the PUB following cancellation of Bill 35 and the associated electricity rate increase. The higher rate ask is a direct result of the impact of the ongoing drought on the Corporation’s finances. If approved by the PUB, a five per cent increase for a residential customer who does not heat with electricity, using about 1,000 kilowatts per month, would result in an approximate $5 increase on their monthly energy bill. For a customer who heats with electricity, using about 2,000 kilowatts a month, the increase on their monthly bill would be approximately $10. Despite the proposed increase, Manitoba Hydro will continue to have some of the lowest electricity rates in North America, according to a comparison of rates prepared annually by Hydro-Québec. A Statistics Canada report on household spending, released earlier this year, shows the average Manitoba family pays more for cellular, internet and TV services annually than on their energy bill. “We know no one wants to see a higher electric bill,” said Jay Grewal, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro. “Unfortunately, we’re in a situation where the drought is having a major impact on our finances and we don’t know when precipitation levels will return to normal. Without a rate increase, our ability to continue to reinvest in our system so that we can continue to serve Manitobans with reliable, clean energy will be hampered.” Manitoba Hydro is forecasting a potential loss in its consolidated operation of between $190 million and $200 million for the current fiscal year. Manitoba Hydro had budgeted a positive net income of $190 million for the 2021–22 fiscal year in its 2020–21 Annual Report. Grewal said the lack of significant precipitation across much of Manitoba Hydro’s watershed over the past year and lower water flows — water inflows to the southern portion of the system are the lowest in 40 years — has weakened the utility’s ability to generate and sell surplus energy on spot markets in the United States and Canada. “The money we make from opportunity sales of renewable energy is vital to our financial health,” Grewal said. “That additional revenue is money we use to help keep rates for our customers here in Manitoba lower than they would be otherwise.” Grewal added any rate increase will be reviewed and approved by the PUB, following their public processes. The last electricity rate increase was 2.9 per cent which went into effect on Dec. 1, 2020. “The loss of net income because of the drought and risk to the self-sustaining nature of Manitoba Hydro’s debt obligations and financing is indisputable,” she said. “Having a financially healthy utility will help protect Manitoba energy consumers over the long term. “That’s why this increase is needed to help ensure we have the revenue we need to operate, rebuild and expand the electricity system so we continue to serve our customers with reliable renewable electricity as we have for the last 60 years.” (MB Hydro News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service News Release On November 13, 2021, police responded to a report of extensive damage caused inside Brandon Correctional Centre.  Investigation revealed that three inmates used broken pieces of furniture in an attempt to breach an exterior wall after 7:45 pm.  The inmates were unsuccessful in breaching the wall, but they were successful in causing damage believed to exceed $20,000. On November 14, 2021, police arrested a 23-year-old male, and two 37-year-old males.  They all remain in custody at BCC and will appear in court today on charges of Mischief Over $5000.

Source: Brandon Police service Media Release\ Just before 6:00 AM Friday morning a business located in the 1500 block Richmond Avenue East reported that their mechanical shop had been broken into sometime since 5:00 PM Thursday.  The suspects then made off with a 2010 grey GMC Sierra with AB license plate BTL9422, and approximately $20,000 in mechanical tools, including rolling tool cabinets.  The incident is still under investigation.

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)