The Manitoba government will allow free entry to provincial parks for a full week in mid-July instead of on the traditional Canada’s Parks Day weekend so visitors can take advantage of the parks and all they have to offer, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today. “We have been listening to how much Manitobans love their provincial parks and when the idea was raised by members of the public to expand the free access, we enthusiastically embraced it,” said Guillemard. “All Manitobans should have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and we are pleased to offer free park entry for a full week this summer.” Vehicle permits will not be required at any provincial park from July 12 to 18, but overnight camping fees will continue to apply. Manitoba’s provincial park entry fees are among the lowest in Canada, though this week-long offer is designed to ensure the cost is not a barrier to anyone. While being outdoors and active is important for physical and mental health, COVID-19 public health orders must be followed. For the most peaceful experience, Manitobans may wish to visit parks at non-peak hours such as on weekdays and during early weekend mornings. Information on COVID-19 restrictions at provincial parks is available at www.manitobaparks.com. Manitobans who want to camp are encouraged to visit the Parks Reservation Service online at www.manitobaparks.com to view the campsite vacancy report in order to find available sites and cancellations. Though some campgrounds fill up every weekend, plenty of campsites remain available on weekdays. The Parks Reservation Service can also be contacted at 1-888-482-2267. Park visitor centres and museums are currently closed under public health orders, though interpreters offer a range of guided experiences at several parks. Trail hikes, historic site tours and guided paddles are available throughout the week. Information on park events can be found at www.manitobaparks.com and under the events tab on the Manitoba Parks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks. Manitobans can stay up to date with provincial parks news, activities and events by following Manitoba Parks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks. (Province of MB News Release)

Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) is excited to announce the first-year recipients of the newly created BACF/United Way of Brandon Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship. Amna Faroog, Vincent Massey High School, Natalie Williamson, École secondaire Neelin High School and Emma Wray, Vincent Massey High School have each been awarded a $500.00 scholarship. Through their hard work and determination, these three deserving recipients have proven to be students that BACF and the United Way of Brandon want to recognize and encourage to continue their educational and philanthropy efforts. This scholarship was established to assist high school graduates who have been involved in their school’s YIP program for a minimum of three years. Recipients must have an acceptable academic standing, demonstrate positive character traits, are active in school and community activities and have been accepted into a recognized post-secondary institution. Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, École secondaire Neelin High School, Elton Collegiate and Vincent Massey High School participate in the BACF YIP program. The YIP Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 2020 by numerous contributors including the United Way of Brandon, Tri-High Alumni Fund, BACF fundholders and anonymous donors. “I’m thrilled that these three students are BACF’s first recipients of our new YIP scholarship,” states Laura Kempthorne, Executive Director of BACF. “These students are very deserving. With the career paths they have chosen for their future, they are going to help make a difference in our world. I would also like to thank all the donors that made this scholarship fund possible. The intent is to grow this scholarship fund, increase student involvement in their school’s youth in philanthropy program and award more scholarships to deserving students.” The YIP program is a BACF program designed to introduce motivated youth to philanthropy and local community development.  This program gives the students hands-on experience working as a team and with local charitable organizations to help our communities thrive. Each September, schools form their YIP committees.  Each committee receives grant monies from BACF and the United Way of Brandon & District, to grant to charities in our community.  The students research non-profit organizations that meet the BACF granting criteria and learn more about them by interviewing the people who work there. Over the past 17 years, YIP students have awarded $167,000.00 in grants to numerous non-profit organizations throughout Brandon and the Westman area.  For more information on the 2021, YIP scholarship recipients visit www.bacf.ca

he Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba is excited to announce that it has partnered with the J&G Group of Companies (via C&C Rentals & Recreation) to launch a fundraiser where the winner walks away with their very own Polaris Ranger Side by Side! The Polaris Ranger Lotto (LGCA 666-RF-35842) launches today, and tickets are available for $20.00 each. The grand prize for this fundraiser is a Polaris Ranger XP 1000 Premium in Ghost White, valued at $21,199 and the runner up prize is a Husqvarna Automower 430X, valued at $3,200. “The Jacobson & Greiner Group (of which C&C Rentals is a member) believes in the preservation of important community institutions like the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and we are proud to play a small part in ensuring its survival.” Said Jordan Trotter, Executive Vice President of the J&G Group. There will only be 3,000 tickets available for this fundraiser and the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba is hoping to raise funds that will help produce events like Manitoba Ag Ex, which is scheduled for October 27th - 30th, 2021. The draw for the two units will take place at the Keystone Centre on October 30th, the final day of Manitoba Ag Ex at 12 noon. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with C&C Rentals and the J&G Group.” Said Kathy Cleaver, Vice President of The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, “Community support from our local businesses is integral to the Provincial Exhibition’s success over the years. This is especially timely with the cancellation of our fairs over the past 16 months. We look forward to selling tickets and anticipate a very successful partnership and campaign. Thank You C&C Rentals and the J&G Group!” If you are interested in seeing the units up close, they will be on display at C&C Rentals from now until Manitoba Ag Ex starts, then they will be on display during the event at the Keystone Centre. They will also be touring Brandon and popping up at other locations and events throughout the summer! Tickets are available at C&C Rentals & Recreation located at 2210 Park Ave. Brandon MB, at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba’s office in the Dome Building at 1200 13th street, Brandon MB, and through many of the Directors of the Provincial Exhibition. For more information on purchasing your tickets please call 204-726-3590 or email info@provincialex.com! (submitted)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release A 38 year old Brandon man was arrested on Saturday on a charge of Mischief to Property.  The man was involved in a fight with another man during which he struck two vehicles with a pipe, causing dents and a broken window.  He was released to appear in court in September

City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services will move forward with an overnight fogging program for nuisance mosquitoes on Saturday, July 3rd, and Sunday, July 4th, 2021. Mosquito trap counts from this past weekend exceeded the established thresholds for proceeding with adult mosquito control, which can be found on the City of Brandon website at brandon.ca/mosquito-abatement/mosquito-abatement-program. Residents will want to note that the City of Brandon uses different traps for its nuisance mosquito control program than those used by the City of Winnipeg; therefore, trap count thresholds which trigger fogging activity vary greatly between the two cities. Fogging will proceed overnight on Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 4th beginning after 10 p.m. each evening - AS LONG AS weather conditions are suitable to proceed. It is very important for the public to note that fogging will NOT be undertaken if it is raining, if the temperature dips below 15 degrees Celsius, or if the wind speed is in excess of 16 kilometres/hour. In the event fogging is postponed due to weather conditions, the public will be notified, and fogging activity will be re-scheduled to the next suitable evening. In terms of the fogging schedule, all areas south of Victoria Avenue (from Victoria Avenue to 2 miles south of Patricia Avenue and from 66th Street to 49th Street East) will be fogged on Saturday, July 3rd , beginning at approximately 10 p.m. All areas north of Victoria Avenue (from Victoria Avenue to Sandison Road at the Brandon Municipal Airport and from 66th Street to 49th Street East) will be fogged on Sunday, July 4th , beginning at approximately 10 p.m. The insecticide to be used in this fogging program is DeltaGard 20EW. This product is approved for use by Health Canada and is a lower-risk product compared to the product used in past years’ City of Brandon fogging program. The exposure to bees, birds, mammals, fish and plants is expected to be minimal, given the reduced application rate, timing of application, and the minimal deposits in soil, water and plants that are anticipated from this application. Residents can take the following actions to minimize exposure during a fogging program: Whenever possible, stay indoors during and immediately after spraying; Close all windows and doors. Turn off air conditioning units and close vents to circulate indoor air, before the spraying begins; Bring laundry, toys and pets indoors before the spraying occurs; Cover swimming pool surfaces when possible; Wash homegrown fruit and vegetables with water before cooking or eating them; Rinse play equipment with water after the spraying is finished. More information about DeltaGard 20EW can be found on the City of Brandon website at brandon.ca/images/pdf/MosquitoAbatement/Mosquito_DeltaGard_Factsheet.pdf. The provision of a 90-metre buffer zone for residents who wish to be excluded from a fogging program is regulated by the Province of Manitoba and is a condition of the City of Brandon’s annual Pesticide Use Permit. As such, the City of Brandon will be accepting applications until 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 3rd from residents who wish to have a buffer zone applied to their property. A resident’s name, address, telephone number and proof of occupancy (drivers licence, utility bill, telephone bill, etc.) are all required for a buffer zone application to be accepted. The application form can be downloaded from the City of Brandon website here, filled out and returned by email to parks@brandon.ca or by fax at 204-726-4257. Residents should be aware they need register annually if they wish to be placed on a buffer zone list for Brandon’s mosquito fogging program. This means last year’s buffer zone lists are not applicable. More information about the buffer zone registration process can be obtained by calling City of Brandon Parks Services at 204-729-2148 during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Due to the Parks Administration being closed on Canada Day and the quick turnaround to spray, city staff will not be able to answer enquiries from residents asking if they are in a buffer zone. Residents can also help reduce the impact of this year’s mosquito populations. Simple things like dumping out any containers of standing water, draining any eavestroughing, covering rainwater collection containers; filling in any low-lying areas, or treating problem areas with biological larvicide can minimize the number of mosquitoes. The annoyance of mosquitoes can also greatly be reduced by using repellants, wearing light-coloured clothing, limiting your time outside between the hours of dusk and dawn and using screened-in areas. More information about the City of Brandon’s Mosquito Surveillance and Abatement Program can be found at https://www.brandon.ca/mosquito-abatement/mosquito-abatement-program. (City of Brandon PSA)