A two vehicle crash in the intersection of 18th Street and Brandon Avenue temporarily shut down all southbound traffic Wednesday afternoon. The t-bone crash occurred around 3pm in the busy intersection, forcing police to shut down southbound traffic at 18th Street and Park Avenue, rerouting motorists east and west on Park. Fire crews used sand to soak up some spilt fluids on the roadway, and it appeared that airbags deployed in both vehicles. A police officer said that nobody was taken away in an ambulance. Full Tilt Towing responded to the scene with two trucks to clear the wrecked vehicles away.

Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and all parents should have the ability to build both a family and career. Yet, too many families across Canada lack access to affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care. The global COVID-19 pandemic has also made it clear that without access to child care, too many parents—especially women—cannot fully participate in the workforce. That is why the Government of Canada has laid out a plan to provide parents in Canada with, on average, $10 a day regulated child care spaces by 2025-26. This plan to build a Canada-wide, community-based early learning and child care system will make life more affordable for families, create new jobs, get parents—especially women—back into the workforce, and grow the middle class, while giving every child a real and fair chance at success. The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Rochelle Squires, Manitoba’s Minister of Families, today announced an agreement that will support an average of $10 a day for regulated child care spaces in the province in 2023, significantly reducing the price of child care for families. By the end of 2022, Manitoba families will see a 50 per cent reduction in average parent fees for children up to six years old in regulated child care. This agreement will also lead to the creation 23,000 new full-time regulated care spaces by the end of fiscal year 2025–2026 to ensure all families of children up to six years old can access child care. The province will create these new child care spaces in not-for-profit, public child care providers/operations, as well as in family-based child care. The federal funding of more than $1.2 billion over the next five years will also fund critical services for Manitoba families and children and grow a strong and skilled workforce of early childhood educators, including through the creation of a wage grid to support the attraction and retentions of early childhood educators. This agreement will also lead to the creation of 1,700 extended hour child care spaces for families requiring child care in the evening and on weekends as well as guaranteed child care spaces for children whose parents are transitioning into regular employment. The agreement will also support an early learning and child care system that is fully inclusive of children with disabilities and children needing enhanced or individual supports, and ensure all families have equitable access to high-quality, affordable programming. Manitoba will prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that families have access to integrated and culturally responsive services. Funding through the agreement will also support the strengthening of the early learning and child care workforce by modernizing certification requirements and implementing a wage floor for different positions and classifications. Since 2015, the government has been helping make life more affordable for families. This includes programs like the Canada Child Benefit, which was indexed again in July 2021 to help families keep up with the costs of living and raising their children. The time for a Canada-wide early learning and child care system is now. The Government of Canada will continue to work with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners across the country to make life easier and more affordable for families, grow the middle class, create jobs, help parents—especially mothers—return to the workforce, and give children across the country an equal chance to succeed. (Province pf MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 8, 2021, at 12:40 pm, police responded to a break and enter in progress in the 100 block of 2nd street.  The two suspects were scared off by neighbours and fled. Police located and arrested the 17-year-old male suspect, and the 29-year-old suspect in the area.  The 17-year-old suspect was in possession of a slim jim tool at the time of his arrest.  He was later released to appear in court on October 5, 2021 on charges of Break and Enter with Intent and Possess Break in Instruments. The 29-year-old suspect was in possession of a pry bar at the time of his arrest.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on the same charge

Earlier this evening, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to a garage on fire in the backlane of the 100 block of 14th Street. Upon arrival of fire crews, heavy fire was seen on the outside of the double-wide garage, with flames quickly extending into the roof area of the garage. Numerous exposure hazards were present, such as a fence and nearby houses. Prior to the arrival of fire crews, a police officer was seen using a fire extinguisher in an attempt to slow down the fire. Firefighters put multiple hand-lines in service and connected 15 Pump to a hydrant that was located at 13th Street and Princess Avenue. An aggressive attack was made on the fire which brought the bulk of the flames under control quite quickly. A ground ladder was put up to allow firefighters to use a chainsaw to gain access to the attic space of the garage. Water was sprayed through that hole to soak the attic space. Firefighters worked hard in incredible heat and humidity to bring this fire under control. According to Environment Canada the temperature was around 34°C with the humidex while this fire was happening. No word on injuries or a cause for the fire.

The BRHC Foundation Pumps for Life replacement initiative has received a huge push toward the goal line by the Winnipeg Kinsmen with their recent donation of $100,000. This remarkable gift has pushed us over the $800,000 mark of the $900,000 target. The Winnipeg Kinsmen have seen huge success with their Kinsmen Jackpot Bingo and have been giving back to the community. Tim McKay VP of service says “Throughout the pandemic, the public has been more exposed to the stresses on the health care system, the dedicated staff that work in it and the patients whose lives are impacted.  The Winnipeg Kinsmen are proud to help support the Pumps for Life program with a $100,000 donation as it will help save lives, ease workloads on staff and reduce stresses on patients.  We hope this goes a long way to helping the BRHC continue their commitment to proving high quality health care in Brandon and the Westman area” Donations can be made by contacting the Foundation office at info@brhcfoundation.ca or at our website www.brhcfoundation.ca (submitted)