Firefighters from Carberry, CFB Shilo, Wawanesa and Glenboro are currently battling a massive grass and brush fire near the Camp Hughes community off of Highway 351.  Strong winds and very dry conditions appear to have amplified the intensity of the fire. Fire trucks from multiple fire departments were shuttling water to the scene. In a tweet by RCMP Manitoba they state, "#rcmpmb is currently evacuating homes near CFB Shilo due to a large grass/brush fire. The affected location is the area around Highway 351 & 90 Road West. If you live near this area, please prepare to evacuate, include your pets, & follow instructions from first responders." As of 7:00pm firefighters were still on scene.  Photo by Liam Pattison Photography Photo by Liam Pattison Photography Photo by Liam Pattison Photography Photo by Liam Pattison Photography

The City of Brandon’s Senior Elections Official wishes to advise eligible voters in Meadows-Waverly Ward #5 that the following 2 candidates have satisfied all nomination criteria and have been declared as registered candidates in the upcoming Meadows-Waverly municipal ward 5 by-election:  Gordon McRae Sunday Frangi  A map of the current Meadows-Waverly Ward #5 boundary can be found on the City of Brandon’s website here: brandon.ca/council-information/wards/ward-map .  An advance poll will be held on Thursday, April 29th, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the main foyer of Brandon City Hall at 410 – 9th Street. Voters must bring with them one piece of government-issued photo identification OR at least two other documents that provide proof of identity and residency in the Meadows-Waverly Ward. Eligible voters who are not on the Voter’s List can still vote, provided they produce the appropriate identification as listed above and sign an affidavit declaring that they are eligible to vote.  Application to vote by sealed envelope can also be made by contacting the City of Brandon’s Senior Elections Official by email at brandonvotes@brandon.ca  Sealed envelope ballots can be applied for between April 2, 2021 – April 29, 2021 and must be received by the Senior Elections Official no later than May 5, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.  Poll locations for the May 5th by-election are:  ·       First Baptist Church (3881 Park Avenue)  ·       Richmond Park Church (1525 26th Street)  ·       Keystone Centre (1175 18th Street - Drive-thru location only)  All COVID-19 sanitizing and distancing protocols will be in place at the voting locations. Masks are mandatory at all voting locations.  For all by-election information, residents can visit brandon.ca/2021-by-election. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 31, 2021, police responded with BFES to a report of a residential fire on Baker Bay at approximately 3:41 pm. There was nobody home at the time of the fire, and neighboring residences were evacuated as a precaution. Unfortunately two of four cats perished in the fire. The cause of the fire is not suspicious at this time.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 26, 2021, police responded to a theft of a bicycle from a secure compound in the 100 block of McTavish Ave.  Video surveillance of the compound assisted in revealing the identity of the suspect, who was located and arrested on March 30, 2021.  The 22-year-old male was released to appear in court on June 3, 2021 on charges of Break and Enter and Theft and Possession of Break and Enter instruments.

Reservations for Manitoba campgrounds, cabins and group-use areas will begin on April 5 with staggered dates offered to make it easier for outdoor enthusiasts to book sites at their favourite campgrounds, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today. “Our government thanks Manitobans for their commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic in acting on the advice our health-care experts to stay home for the benefits of themselves, their loved ones and their communities,” said Guillemard. “It is through their dedication and actions that we are able to allow Manitobans to continue to visit our provincial parks, and we are pleased to open our campgrounds for the season with additional safety measures in place. This will be welcome news for many Manitobans and their families. I encourage them to keep practising the fundamentals of good hygiene and social distancing at home and especially while enjoying quality time outside with their loved ones, whether camping, at cottages or throughout our beautiful parks.” To accommodate the expected high demand on April 5, the opening day of the parks reservation system, online and call centre services will begin at 7 a.m. at http://prs.gov.mb.ca, 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg) and 1 888-482-2267 (toll free). Customers are advised to check the website for call centre hours on other days, and those making online reservations should check to confirm their user IDs and passwords prior to April 1. For more information, visit www.manitobaparks.com. The Manitoba parks reservation system will accept bookings in three phases:• April 5 at 7 a.m. – campsite reservations open for the Birds Hill Provincial Park campground;• April 7 at 7 a.m. – campsite reservations open for the Winnipeg Beach, Betula Lake, Big Whiteshell, Brereton Lake, Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls, West Hawk Lake and White Lake campgrounds; and• April 12 at 7 a.m. – campsite reservations open for all remaining provincial park campgrounds. Park visitors will be familiar with many of the safety measures in effect, as the province continues to protect Manitobans while ensuring opportunities for outdoor activities. Campers are reminded to check for updates to the latest public health orders, such as those that limit outdoor gatherings to a maximum of 10 people, and to practise good hygiene and physical distancing. Provincial parks will once again employ enhanced cleaning procedures and sanitization of public washrooms and shower facilities. In addition, campers from southern Manitoba are reminded of a travel ban north of the 53rd parallel, with certain exceptions for essential travel. If booking sites at campgrounds anywhere north of Lake Winnipeg, campers should confirm the ban has been lifted before travelling there. Out-of-province campers and visitors, as well, must follow the public health orders for travel in Manitoba. Walk-in reservations and in-person payment arrangements can be made at 200 Saulteaux Cres. in Winnipeg, and will be available beginning April 5 Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the parks and facilities described above. Public access to the building is limited because of COVID-19 and may require lining up outside. Online or call-centre reservations are preferred. Manitobans are reminded that park vehicle passes will be available online in early April as part of the province’s e-licensing program. For more information on the e-licensing program or to purchase a park vehicle pass when the program launches this spring, visit www.manitobaelicensing.ca. Manitobans can stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following Manitoba Parks on Facebook or Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks. (Province of MB News Release)