Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On September 22, 2021, police responded to a report of a male laying down in the grass in the 1200 block of 12th street.  The male was found to be intoxicated and was lodged at Brandon Police Service as he was in no condition to care for himself. Police later learned that the 35-year-old male was also the suspect in a B&E to a business in the 1500 block of 18th street, which occurred on September 21, 2021.  He was identified through security footage from the business. He was arrested for Break and Enter with Intent and will be released to appear in court on November 22, 2021

Shortly before 9:00pm last night, Brandon Firefighter Paramedics and Brandon Police Service responded to a large apartment building in the 1400 block of Pacific Avenue for a structure fire. Upon arrival of emergency services, flames could be seen pounding out of the roof and upper floor area of the multi-story apartment building. Police officers went inside the building, banged on doors, and evacuated residents while Brandon Fire was arriving. Fire crews pulled multiple hose-lines from 15 Pump and connected it to a hydrant at Rosser Ave and 15th St. The hydrant was located on the south side of Rosser, which prompted the closure of Rosser in the 1500 block. As firefighters began fighting the fire from the ground, the fire had already run nearly the entire length of the building in the roof area. Brandon Fire’s Quint ladder truck was set up on the west side of the building and began master stream operations in an attempt to put water on the fire from above, rather than lobbing it from below. A few small explosions could be heard throughout the duration of the firefight. Office of the Fire Commissioner Ladder 1 responded to provide additional master stream support on the east side of the building. By that time another Brandon pumper had arrived and started spraying water on the east/north side of the building. Nearly every Brandon Fire vehicle was on scene of this fire. A gas line on the north side of the building appeared to have ruptured and caught fire, which brought Manitoba Hydro with specialized equipment to the scene and added an extra level of complexity to the fire. Brandon Transit brought in multiple buses to temporarily house evacuees and provide a rest area for first responders. Evacuees were transported to the Victoria Inn to be registered and set up with accommodations if needed. A Red Cross canteen vehicle was also seen arriving on scene later in the night. Thankfully there have been no injuries reported as of now, however dozens of people have lost their home and their belongings. My heart aches for the people who were affected by this fire.

Public health and education officials are announcing revised close contact identification and management protocols in schools to address the impact of remote learning and self-isolation on the safety and mental and physical health of students. The changes will be implemented today. In the school setting, public health officials will consider vaccination status and consistent medical or non-medical mask use when assessing risk and determining isolation requirements for close contacts. To align with public health measures, self-isolation requirements for close contacts are also reduced to 10 days from 14 days and testing is recommended at day seven. Where there is higher community transmission or outbreaks, the isolation requirements may change to reflect increased risk. This approach supports keeping students in school to the greatest extent possible while implementing measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission in schools. The definition of a school case is also changing to align with established incubation and communicability periods for COVID-19. Moving forward, a case in school is considered to be a staff, student or volunteer affiliated with a kindergarten to Grade 12 school in Manitoba, who was present in the school: during the 14 days prior to symptom onset, or positive test date if asymptomatic; or within 10 days after illness onset, or positive test date if asymptomatic. Officials continue to note that a school case does not mean the case was acquired or transmitted at a school. However, this classification allows public health to monitor overall cases that may be associated with a school. Public health is also modifying the definition of a school outbreak. Going forward, an outbreak will include at least three school-associated cases identified within 14 days of each other in students, teachers or staff within a specified cohort. The cases will have to be assessed as potentially acquired in school, and linked to a known case in the school setting or a school-sanctioned extracurricular activity. The new definition will allow more consistent reporting of outbreaks. Declaration of an outbreak allows further preventive measures to be put in place to reduce the risk of ongoing transmission. Officials also noted the Toolkit for Notification of Cases in Schools has been updated for the 2021-22 school year based on the above public health guidelines and recommendations. The changes to the toolkit include revisions to the step-by-step notification process, definitions of cases, close contacts and isolation requirements, and updated FAQs, forms and letter or email templates. This year, school leaders will continue to collect information about a case, preventative measures in place at the school and close contacts to support schools in intervening as quickly as possible to mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission and expedite processes once public health contacts the school. Public health officials will continue to support schools by reaching out to families to continue case investigations beyond the school, advising on notification letters and directing shifts to remote learning. To learn more about the toolkit, visit www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/. For more information: Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744. Media requests for general information, contact Communications Services Manitoba: 204-945-3765. Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-290-5374. (Province of MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On September 20, 2021 shortly before 5:00 pm, members of BPS Operational Support and Crime Suppression Unit and Organized Crime Unit executed a search warrant on a hotel room in the 1800 block of 18th street N. following an investigation into the occupants. Investigators seized approximately 14 grams of cocaine, 4 grams of meth and 2.5 grams of fentanyl, $6000 cash, bear mace and a variety of pills. Police arrested and lodged a 36-year-old male at Brandon Police Service.  He will appear in court today on charges of Possess for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine, Meth and Fentanyl, Possess Proceeds of Crime, Possess Prohibited Weapon, and Fail to Comply with Release Order. Police also arrested and lodged 35-year-old female.  She will be released later today to appear in court this fall on charges of Possess Meth.

A brand new podcast is focusing on helping people manage their money better. Talking Toonies is created and hosted by local Brandon teacher/ school counsellor Nick Onischuk. Each month Talking Toonies shares a 15 minute topic-specific episode focused on helping you, the listener, manage your money better. Episode topics range from tracking your money, budgeting, debt, the cost of raising kids, large purchases, investing, and retiring, to name a few. “Being in education as a teacher and school counsellor, I believe in educating and encouraging people to be the best they can be. The same is true with your money. We here on Talking Toonies are average people explaining average money concepts with the hopes of creating a not so average financial future for you, the listener.” Talking Toonies Podcast is sponsored by Sunrise Credit Union. “Their support shows their commitment to financial education and their focus on the local community.” Some months, creator Nick Onischuk is joined by his co host Bryce Ketcheson and other months, special financial experts join the Talking Toonies podcast. Head over to Talking Toonies on Instagram and Facebook for money content, podcast release dates, and kickoff cash giveaways. Listen to past episodes and all future episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.