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.  

On September 19, 2021 shortly before 5:00 pm, police responded to a report of a female in a business in the 000 block of Willowdale Crescent who was throwing merchandise. The female began acting this way after employees asked her if she required any assistance. She threw glass bottles on the floor and at employees prompting the employees to evacuate the other customers from the store and await police arrival. No one was injured during the incident. Police arrested the 23-year-old female. She was later released to appear in court on November 22, 2021 on charges of Mischief to Property and Assault with a Weapon.

The 2021 United Way Brandon & District annual campaign kicked off today, and this year’s focus brings light to key areas that desperately need attention. In the times of the current pandemic, social agencies and services are being pushed to their brinks, and it’s not uncommon for users to be placed onto a ‘waiting’ list for help. The support that Brandon brings forward over the next few months will have a direct impact on the social and mental wellbeing right here in Westman, and the group is ready and eager to get working on things. “We know that the past 19 months have been a challenge for so many – both businesses and their employees,” says United Way Brandon & District CEO, Cynamon Mychasiw. Much of this year’s concentration will be around many unignorable issues in Westman, such as seniors isolation, mental health and survival in a time that is so hard for so many people. Though the campaign will concentrate greatly on reaching a financial goal, there will be plenty of opportunities to give back to the community in ways of volunteering. “The United Way is so much more than collecting and distributing funding,” says marketing executive Bryan Podworny. “There’s lots we can do to volunteer time and skills that can take a big weight off non-profits that are struggling to get through a regular day.” At the annual kickoff held at Riverbank Discovery Centre Festival Park, attendees got to hear from this year’s campaign chair in person for the first time. “Small steps - Small donations, small amounts of time - lead to big change in our community. It’s not about what you can accomplish or solve on your own but what impact we have together. Join me in supporting this year’s campaign – acknowledge hard things exist and help build the support systems that we need to make a difference.” said Jennifer McMillan, co-owner of Rocked Community Fitness. Also happening this week will be a concentration on Westman’s community of seniors and the unignorable impacts of the last year and a half. The United Way brings the universal tool of music to personal care homes, filling the air with fun, upbeat sounds and messages from the community to lift spirits and bring smiles to those that are all too often left alone. A Bare Necessities drive takes place on Wednesday collecting socks and underwear for all ages, as well as diapers, formula, tampons, pads, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other personal hygiene items. It will all be sorted and distributed to services in Brandon the following week. In an effort to show that the United Way is more than just a fund raising agency, they will be grouping volunteers with non-profit agencies throughout Brandon to see their projects completed on Thursday September 16th. These projects include everything from clean ups to painting to organizing and even construction. Non-profit groups that needs help and volunteers that would like to participate are urged to contact the United Way. For more information and other United Way Brandon & District news, please contact their office at 204-571-8929. Emails can be sent to office@brandonuw.ca.