The Manitoba government will once again offer free entry to provincial parks to mark the Labour Day long weekend, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today. “We want all Manitobans to enjoy the amenities and the scenery of our beautiful provincial parks, and our annual free entry weekends provide a chance to get outdoors and enjoy nature,” said Guillemard. “We can all use a little break, and as we think about the end of the summer we can embrace the fall with a free visit to a Manitoba provincial park.” Park vehicle permits are not required in provincial parks from Friday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 6. Regular camping fees still apply. When visiting parks, remember to practise physical distancing and wash or sanitize hands frequently to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Other reminders when visiting parks include: • practise ‘Leave No Trace’ – always pack out everything you packed in; • keep dogs on leash and clean up after pets; and • be ‘Wildlife Smart’ by staying alert and securing attractants such as food, toiletries and trash. Be prepared to encounter wildlife along trails and in campgrounds. For more information on staying safe, visit www.manitoba.ca/human-wildlife. Park interpreters will once again welcome schools into provincial parks this fall for free educational programs. Manitoba Parks is committed to providing safe field trips for students and has COVID-19 guidelines. Teachers are encouraged to book field trips for trail hikes, exploration activities and other curriculum-based learning experiences. Virtual programming options also remain available to connect with park interpreters in classrooms for engaging online sessions. For details on interpretive programming, visit www.manitobaparks.com or email parkinterpretation@gov.mb.ca. Several provincial park campsites, cabins and yurts remain open through the fall, allowing campers to stay as late as Thanksgiving. To make a reservation, or see the list of campgrounds open in the fall and their operating dates, call the Parks Reservation Service at 1-888-482-2267 or visit www.manitobaparks.com. Manitobans are reminded to stop the spread of invasive species to help protect provincial parks.  Firewood cannot be moved out of Winnipeg due to the presence of the emerald ash borer and the designation of Winnipeg as a federally regulated area. Anyone caught transporting firewood could face fines or charges. Firewood should always be obtained and burned locally. The spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species (AIS) is preventable. All water-users such as boaters, fishers, beach-goers and floatplane operators are reminded to do their part when entering and exiting all water bodies. Specific decontamination and bait requirements are in place within AIS control zones. The AIS open-water season checklist is a step-by-step resource that can help water-users comply with the Manitoba government’s AIS regulations. Watercraft inspection stations for AIS are operating into the middle of the fall. It is a legal requirement for all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks and jet skis, to stop at watercraft inspection stations when they are open. AIS requirements and set fines for offences are in effect year-round. For more information on invasive species, including the decontamination station schedule for AIS, visit www.manitoba.ca/StopAIS. Anyone planning a backcountry trip is reminded that campfires should be made only in designated fire pits. Campers heading into remote areas should tell someone where they are going and when they expect to return. Manitobans can stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following Manitoba Parks on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 28, 2021, police responded to a request to conduct a wellbeing check on a family with small children. Officers located two children, a 1-year-old and a 2-year-old, in the residence alone. Witnesses report seeing adults leave the residence 5-6 hours prior to police arrival. The children were placed into the care of Child and Family Services. The two adults responsible for the children were located and arrested on September 2, 2021. The 36-year-old male and 26-year-old female were later released and will appear in court on October 14, 2021 on charges of Fail to Provide Necessaries X2, Child Abandonment X2, and Criminal Negligence X2.

 In response to the September 2nd Public Health Act Orders released by the Province of Manitoba, public access to Brandon’s Community Sportsplex is restricted to the following: Persons who produce proof that they are fully immunized; Persons who produce proof from the government of Manitoba that there is a medical reason for the person not to receive a vaccine for COVID-19; or Persons under 18 years of age. Other updates at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex include the removal of capacity limits for participants in the arena and racquetball courts, and spectators in the facility. As a reminder, everyone entering the Sportsplex is still required to wear a mask. Spectators and people not actively participating in the sporting activity will be required to wear their mask. Active participants are not required to wear a mask during active play. Brandon Youth Centre Brandon Youth Centre welcomes all youth aged 8-17. Proof of vaccination is not required for any youth attending the Youth Centre. Registration forms are required to attend and be found at brandon.ca/youth-centre. Registered Recreation Programs  Parks & Recreation Services has several programs available for registration. Proof of vaccination requirements will differ for these programs. All registered individuals will be sent updates on requirements for their specific programs. For more information on programs, visit mycommunity.brandon.ca. Live Music In the Parks  Live Music In the Parks will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, September 7th at 7:00 p.m., weather dependent. This outdoor, non-ticketed event does not require proof of vaccination to attend. More details can be found online at brandon.ca/events/music-in-the-park . The City of Brandon is committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents and employees. Individuals visiting any civic facility are asked to respect the principles of social distancing, hand sanitizing, physical barriers, wearing masks and self-assessment criteria that have been put in place for the safety of all. Any member of the public that is feeling unwell or are exhibiting ANY COVID-19-related health symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat) SHOULD NOT attend to any City of Brandon facility and should, instead, visit sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool or contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 for advice.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 31, 2021, police responded to a report of an assault of a Correctional Officer at BCC by a 33-year-old male inmate.  The officer received minor injuries that did not require medical attention.  The inmate was arrested and remains in custody at BCC.  He will appear in court today on the charge.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 30, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a construction site on Plateau Drive.  Suspects entered a trailer between August 27 and August 30 by forcing the door.  Stolen were a number of power tools estimated to be worth over $10,000.  Anyone with information regarding this B&E and Theft is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact.