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)

The Keystone Centre, and exclusive catering company Centerplate today announced the donation of their remaining food inventory to Brandon food banks and charities. The food donation, with a value of approximately $12,500 will support Helping Hands Centre Brandon, Everyone Eats Brandon, and the Samaritan House. “Despite the unfortunate circumstances that led to this extra inventory, making this donation with our partners at Centerplate was an easy decision,” says Jeff Schumacher, CEO and general manager of the Keystone Centre. “It’s no secret that the Keystone Centre has been affected by the lack of events due to COVID-19. With that said, so have local food banks, and when presented with an opportunity to give back to the community, we want to take advantage of that opportunity whenever possible. ”Since March 14, 2020, the Keystone Centre has only been able to host a small number of socially distanced gatherings, and has been largely unable to serve food, due to the COVID-19 health guidelines. In that time, the Keystone Centre and Centerplate have made several donations to Samaritan House, Helping Hands Centre Brandon, Brandon Bear Clan, and the United Way’s Fill the Trailer Project.(Keystone Centre News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On April 14, 2021 at approximately 10:00 pm, police responded to a report of a disturbance in an apartment building on Cornell Bay.  Police were lead to the apartment where the individuals causing the disturbance were staying and observations made lead police to acquire a search warrant for the apartment.  Police located Xanax, Meth, Gabapentin and Marihuana as well as drug trafficking paraphernalia and cash. A 23-year-old female was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service as she was under the influence of drugs at the time of her arrest.  She will be released to appear in court on June 10, 2021 on charges of Possess for the Purpose of Trafficking Xanax, Meth, Gabapentin and Marihuana, and Possession of Proceeds of Crime.  Police continue to investigate.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On April 13, 2021 at approximately 9:00 pm, police responded to a report of an assault.  The 30-year-old male suspect struck the victim with a baseball bat in a residence.  The victim was able to flee to a neighbour’s home for assistance. The victim was transported by ambulance to BRHC and treated for non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service.  He will appear in court this morning on a charge of Assault with a Weapon.

The Board of Directors of the BRHC Foundation wish to extend a sincere thank you to all our donors and supporters in 2002. Through your generosity a total of $1.2 million dollars’ worth of equipment and program support was given to Brandon Regional Health Centre. “Even a global pandemic and social distancing mandates can’t stop the generosity of our donors in Westman and beyond! Words can’t describe how grateful we are to each and every donor out there that allowed us to purchase over $1.2 million dollars in much needed equipment for the Brandon Regional Health Centre this year. A special thanks as well to our hard working staff and board of directors. Thank you all for your support” says Jamie Thomas BRHC Foundation Board Chair. Donations can be made by contacting the Foundation office at info@brhcfoundation.ca or at our website www.brhcfoundation.ca(Submitted)