Earlier this evening Brandon Fire and Emergency Services responded to a pickup truck on fire in front of the main entrance to Meadowlark Campground on Middleton Avenue. According to police, the truck was well-involved with fire upon arrival of emergency services. At the time, Brandon Fire was dealing with multiple calls, including a crash at the Trans-Canada Husky gas station and medical calls which strained resources. Brandon Fire's ladder truck arrived on scene and pulled a handline to make a fire attack, which brought the fire under control fairly quickly. Firefighters utilized foam to help suppress the fire and prevent any flare ups. Thankfully nobody was injured, but the truck appears to be a total loss.

September 12, 2021: The wife of the pedestrian updated us earlier today to let us know he is in Winnipeg recovering and doing well. A pedestrian was struck in the intersection of 9th Street and Richmond Avenue after two vehicles collided in the intersection. According to a police spokesperson on scene, a pedestrian was walking along the Richmond Avenue crosswalk when two vehicles collided in the intersection. The force of the collision caused both vehicles to vere towards the pedestrian and strike them. Brandon Police Service and Brandon Fire and Emergency Services responded and rendered aid to the pedestrian. They were transported to hospital emergent, and their condition is unknown. Eastbound traffic on Richmond Ave was completely closed, while northbound traffic on 9th St. was also closed. The intersection was shut down to allow for a collision reconstruction team to assess how the crash happened and gather evidence.

The Brandon School Division Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the following appointments made at the Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Trustees, held on Tuesday, September 7, 2021: Senior Administration and Staff of Brandon School Division would like to congratulate Trustee Linda Ross and Trustee Jason Gobeil on their respective appointments as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Brandon School Division Board of Trustees. We extend very best wishes for the 2021-2022 school year. (submitted)

The City of Brandon, in conjunction with event partners and sponsors, is excited to bring all Brandon residents the long-awaited Manitoba 150 celebrations! With something for everyone, the celebration will start on Saturday, September 18th at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. The final event will take place on Sunday, September 25th at the Keystone Centre Grounds. September 1st – 25th  The City of Brandon is thrilled to present an exciting spur-of-the-moment pop-up performance series. These performances will take place at various locations through the city, featuring local talent from Brandon and the Westman region. September 18th   The following events will take place at the Riverbank Discovery Centre (545 Conservation Dr.): Pop-up Musical Performances Made in MB Market from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Celebrate 150 Car Show from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. September 19th  Join us for a free pancake breakfast at the Keystone Centre grounds from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., while supplies last. September 19th –  25th Try your hand at a series of scavenger hunts throughout the community. You will discover some of Brandon’s and Manitoba’s past, explore new areas, all while earning points for some great Manitoba made prizes. The scavenger hunts are designed for all ages and skills. Entry is free. Watch for notifications on how to sign up on brandon.ca/mb150. First 500 registrants will receive a free Manitoba Spruce Tree Sapling. September 25th  Wrap up this week by joining us for drive-in entertainment at the Keystone Grounds. To start the final evening of celebration, Emma Peterson, the 2019 Emerging Artist of the Year – Manitoba Country Music Association, will be giving a live performance. Following the live performance, take in a drive-in movie or two! Movies Being Shown: The Journey Home, rated PG, will start at Dusk War for the Planet of the Apes, rated PG-13, will start at 9:30 p.m. Both titles have ties to Manitoba. Parking spaces will be first come, first served at the Keystone Centre grounds. For more information on these events, please visit brandon.ca/mb150. All events are subject to public health orders. Events may be adapted to adhere to current provincial public health orders.

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.