Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On February 10, 2022, at approximately 1:30 pm, BPS employees found two males fighting in the parking lot of Brandon Police Service.  Police attempted to arrest one of the males who resisted. The 31-year-old male was found to be intoxicated contrary to a release condition.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will be released once sober to appear in court on a later date on charges of Resist Arrest and Fail to Comply with Probation. It’s not clear why the two males were fighting in front of Brandon Police Service.

Assiniboine Community College’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture has received a generous contribution of $100,000 from Doug and Laurie Murray and the Murray Auto Group, both long-time supporters of the college. “Assiniboine Community College is a staple in our community. We regularly hire graduates of the college in all areas of our operations, and are pleased with what they bring to our organization,” said Doug Murray, General Manager of Murray Auto Group. “The Prairie Innovation Centre, as important as it will be for the agriculture industry, will be important for our community and the Westman area. We recognize the significance of agriculture and are happy to support a project that will help ensure its prosperity.” The Prairie Innovation Centre will create an enhanced agricultural training capacity, increasing seats in agriculture related programs from 300 to more than 800. The Centre aims to fill the growing agriculture labour gap to enable the sector to continue to be an economic driver in the Canadian and Manitoban economy. “We know that the future of agriculture belongs here at Assiniboine. A big part of why that is and why it’s possible is the outstanding community support we have from community members and businesses, some of which may not even be directly associated with agriculture,” said Derrick Turner, Director, Advancement & External Relations at Assiniboine. “This support from the Murrays and Murray Auto Group furthers instills that this is the right project, at the right time, in the right community.” Over the years, the Murray family and business have supported our Building on Demand trades expansion and have been regular contributors to our Legacy Gala Dinner, which supports student programs. This donation to the Prairie Innovation Centre builds on that strong support. This one-of-a-kind Canadian college project will bring together collaborative learning spaces, applied research labs, multipurpose spaces and amenities that will serve both industry and the college community. (ACC Release)

With key COVID-19 indicators stabilizing or improving, Manitoba is moving forward with a plan to further reduce public health restrictions next week, Premier Heather Stefanson announced today, noting Manitoba will continue to make adjustments as needed in the coming weeks based on the guidance of public health officials, including requirements for proof of vaccination. “I want to thank Manitobans who have made personal, professional and financial sacrifices over the past two years, and have done their part by getting vaccinated and following the fundamentals,” said Stefanson. “It is because of Manitobans’ collective efforts and dedication, compassion and willingness to protect one another that we are able to move forward once again to lift restrictions and allow Manitobans to get their lives back.” New public health orders will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 that will move all of Manitoba to the Yellow (Caution) level under the Pandemic Response System. Capacity limits will be eliminated in venues such as restaurants, licensed premises, entertainment venues, indoor and outdoor sporting events and casinos, as well as gatherings at private residences. Capacity limits will be removed for outdoor public gatherings but will be limited to 50 people indoors unless proof of vaccination is required. Young people ages 12 to 17 participating in indoor sports and recreation will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination or recent testing. There are no changes to retail and personal services. As of Feb. 15, close contacts of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will no longer be required to self-isolate. Public health continues to recommend self-isolation for people who live in a household with others who have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 but it will no longer be required. Additionally, public health will remove self-isolation requirements for individuals entering the province. However, anyone travelling from international destinations will continue to be required to meet requirements under the federal Quarantine Act. Public health orders restricting travel to northern Manitoba remain in place. “Based on the information and data monitored by public health, we are seeing strong signals that the Omicron wave has peaked and is now having a reduced impact here in Manitoba,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “As a result, it’s prudent to continue to reduce our public health restrictions. I want to remind Manitobans that this is an important time of transition and we still need to get vaccinated, wear a mask and do simple but important things like washing our hands and staying home when we are sick. We need to remain cautious about gathering sizes, even as we shift from public health rules to public health recommendations.” Effective Feb. 15, schools will return to Yellow (Caution) under the Pandemic Response System, which requires cohorts in kindergarten to Grade 6. Masks are required indoors for staff and students but will not be required during physical education classes. Medical masks will be recommended but no longer required for school staff. Schools will continue to send out community notification letters if public health officials have identified increased transmission or recommended remote learning for a class, cohort or entire school. The online dashboard will continue to post this information but will no longer include case numbers. Children, school staff and child-care staff will only be eligible for PCR testing if medically indicated, in line with eligibility criteria for all Manitobans. The province plans to remove proof of vaccination requirements effective March 1. In some settings, such as personal care homes, shelters, and health-care facilities, public health officials have continued to work with facilities to notify close contacts. Effective March 8, this will no longer occur. Mask requirements and other restrictions will be lifted effective March 15. For more information about COVID-19 and the pandemic response in Manitoba, visit manitoba.ca/covid19.

The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has a new Board President. Kathy Cleaver replaces Greg Crisanti who held the position since February 2020. Crisanti will remain on the Executive as Past President. “We’re looking forward to getting through this year,” says Cleaver, who had been a member of the Executive Board for the past seventeen years. “Hard work has helped get us to where we are today and I have to say that we’re proud of where we’re at and excited about the future.” Meanwhile Clint Swain was elected Vice President of the Provincial Exhibition Board during Monday night’s Directors Annual General Meeting at the Dome Building. Swain, who is entering his fourth year with the Board, is excited to be taking on a larger role with the Provincial Exhibition. “The Provincial Ex has been so important for this community and I believe that its important to have strong voices and a strategic plan as we look down the road. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead,” says Swain. In addition to the appointments of Swain and Cleaver, five directors were chosen to the Executive Board. Connie Bok, Dallas Johnston, Clarke Swain and Shirley Neudorf were reelected while Brent Miller was elected to a new two-year term. Joining them on the Executive are Mitchell Easley, Ange Pearen and Wayne Buhr. The Provincial Exhibition continues to prepare for two upcoming events – February’s President’s Dinner at the Victoria Inn and the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in March. The Fair has been cancelled the past two years due to the covid-19 pandemic while the Dinner was unable to go ahead in 2021. While ticket sales to the dinner, scheduled for Thursday, February 24, have been going well, there are a limited number of tickets available. To order or for more information, call (204) 726-3590. Proceeds from the dinner and auctions will benefit Agriculture Education. (Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Release)

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: February 11th , 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Joseph James DYCK (42 yrs) FOR Failing to Attend Court The accused, Joseph DYCK, is presently on charge for numerous offences. These offenses include theft, two counts of failing to attend court, and six counts of failing to comply with court orders. On January 7 th , 2022, Joseph DYCK once again failed to attend court to deal with the charges. His current whereabouts is unknown, and a warrant of arrest has been issued. CRIME OF THE WEEK for February 11, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Residential Break & Enter On February 3rd , 2022, shortly after 9pm, a lone suspect broke into two residential apartment buildings located in the 000’ block of 16 th Street. The suspect gained entry by prying the doors with a screwdriver. Once inside, the suspect attempted to gain entry through several other interior doors. The suspect appears to have lighter skin and hair, wearing glasses, a dark grey toque, dark navy winter coat with black on the shoulders, and tan coloured work gloves. The incident was recorded on surveillance video, a copy of which is being circulated with this release. ************** 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.