If you are an environmentally-minded individual with a keen interest in the 4 R’s of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink, the City of Brandon is looking to you to be part of its multi-year community ambassador pilot program aimed at waste diversion!  Thanks to funding provided by Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba Inc., the City of Brandon is pleased to launch the 4R Waste Ambassador Program, a three-year public education pilot project for which it is now actively recruiting volunteer ambassadors. The program will provide training and resources to volunteer community ambassadors, who will then be encouraged to seek out community events, schools, and service group functions (following Manitoba Public Health COVID-19 protocols) to help educate and inform on municipal waste diversion programs. Together with its ambassadors, the City of Brandon is looking to better educate residents on “what goes in what bin” to improve waste, recycling, and organic diversion rates in the community and to increase efficiencies at the Eastview Landfill.  City of Brandon Environmental Initiatives Coordinator Lindsay Hargraves says the program’s success will be rooted in the dedication and enthusiasm of its volunteer ambassadors and the cooperation of the wider community.  “We really see this as an opportunity for the entire community to embrace the 4R’s and to help educate our community on the many actions they can take which will collectively help the City of Brandon increase its waste diversion rates,” Hargreaves says. “The 4R Waste Ambassador Program will empower participants to educate their neighbours, classmates, church community, service groups and peers on the benefits that the 4R’s can have locally and globally!”   Hargreaves notes that ambassadors will be required to contribute at least 30 hours of volunteer time to the program each year and will be encouraged to seek out their own opportunities for public education. She adds that volunteer ambassadors of all ages are needed; however, if an ambassador is under the age of 18, they’ll need their parent or guardian to accompany them when they are out volunteering in the community.  “We were excited when the City of Brandon approached us with this great opportunity to connect with the community on the benefits of the 4R’s,” said Karen Melnychuk, Executive Director, MMSM. “Education has always remained a priority for our organization and we hope that the program inspires residents to make a conscious effort to look at the impact they have on the environment."  More information on the 4R Waste Ambassador Program, including a list of requirements for volunteers and information on training, can be found at brandonenvironment.ca/waste-diversion/4r-waste-ambassador-program or by emailing 4rwasteambassador@brandon.ca. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 9:10 p.m. Saturday, police stopped a vehicle operated by a 29-year-old male from Calgary on the north service road area of the Trans Canada Highway. Officers observed controlled substances in plain view during the traffic stop and arrested the male. When searched incidental to arrest, the male was found to have in his possession a package containing a large amount of fentanyl. The male was held in BPS cells overnight, and will appear before a Justice today. He faces charges of trafficking in fentanyl, and possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, a male known to police whom officers wished to speak in relation to an unrelated incident a week earlier, was observed in the downtown area riding a bicycle. When police attempted to stop the male to speak to him, he dropped the bike and fled on foot. The officer remained with the bicycle, which was found to be stolen, but is registered with Brandon Police Service 529 Garage program. Approximately one and a half hours later, the male was observed on foot in the area of the 700 block of 7th Street. He again fled from officers, and was eventually located hiding in a yard in the 400 block of 4th Street. He was under the influence and held in BPS cells for release once sober. A 22 year old Brandon male faces charges of possession of stolen property, and mischief to property in relation to this investigation.  He appears in Brandon Provincial Court in June. 

Concentra Bank announced the winners for their 11 th Annual Empowering Your Community program as part of their Annual General Meeting on April 13, 2021. A Sunrise Credit Union community is the recipient of one of the 17 grants Concentra is awarding this year. The submission for the Valley Life Beginnings Inc. Child Care Centre in Minnedosa is being awarded $5,000 from Concentra for renovations to the centre to become operational for childcare. Sunrise Credit Union supported this initiative financially by providing a financial donation of $5,000 in 2020 and is also committed to future financial support. The initiative supports the community by offering quality, affordable childcare for families in Minnedosa and surrounding areas where there is a shortage. Sufficient childcare resources allow parents to stay, work and do business in the community enabling it to thrive and grow. The childcare centre will also provide essential jobs to those in the community. Congratulations to the Minnedosa branch for their successful submission and the Valley Life Beginnings Inc. Child Care Centre for being chosen as one of the recipients of a Concentra Empowering Your Community grant. This year marks Concentra’s 11th year of partnering with credit unions to build healthy, strong communities through the Empowering Your Community program. Since 2011, they have contributed $1.9 million to help Canadian credit unions support local projects. 2021 marks the seventh time a Sunrise Credit Union community has received a Concentra Empowering Your Community grant. 2020 – Cypress River Senior Centre2017 – Dr. Ajai Khandelwal Primary Care Centre (Minnedosa)2017 – Westlake Community Centre (Eddystone)2016 – Tiger Hills Medical Clinic Expansion (Treherne)2013 – Ste. Rose du Lac Splash Park2011 – Grandview Community School and Playground Project (article submitted)

The Manitoba government has announced an additional $2 million to expand the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program, administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce in partnership with the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Economic Development and Jobs Minister Ralph Eichler announced today. “Manitoba’s restaurant industry has made significant sacrifices to keep all Manitobans safe in our fight against COVID-19,” said Eichler. “This expansion of the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program will support restaurants in rural Manitoba and the catering industry, and we will continue to work with our business community and partners to identify industry needs during this challenging time and help offset expenses created by the pandemic.” The Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program was designed to provide a rebate to dine-in restaurants that shifted to a delivery model due to public health restrictions. The program helps offset costs related to delivery services, whether a restaurant provides its own delivery service or uses a third-party delivery company. “This expanded program is intended to provide extended financial relief to dine-in restaurants that have been affected financially by the province moving to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System and resulting public health orders,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce. The initial program launched in January, and to date, 513 applications have been approved. As of March 31, approximately $4 million in rebates have been allocated, primarily in Winnipeg.  Under this expanded program, restaurants in rural Manitoba and catering businesses that did not have established delivery models or that experienced significant revenue declines will be able to apply for a financial rebate based on their decline in revenue compared to pre-pandemic sales. “In a time when the food-service industry in Manitoba has experienced significant revenue losses due to the pandemic and code red restrictions, we are pleased to see our provincial government expanding this initiative to ensure funding reaches some of the rural restaurants and our catering industry who have faced significant challenges of operating during this unprecedented time,” said Shaun Jeffrey, executive director and CEO, Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association. For further information and to apply for the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program, restaurants throughout Manitoba are encouraged to visit https://mbchamber.mb.ca/dine-in-restaurant-relief-program. (Province of MB News Release)