The City of Brandon’s Parks & Recreation Services wish to advise the public that they will begin a controlled burn of Elm tree debris impacted by Dutch Elm Disease in the area of the Crystal Pits (1825 Victoria Avenue East) on Monday, December 14, 2020.   The City of Brandon undertakes the removal of diseased, dead, or dying Elm trees in accordance with guidelines laid out by the Province of Manitoba.   Approximately 600 Elm trees will be removed as part of the 2020-2021 program, with the vast majority of them being dead or diseased trees removed from along the Assiniboine River Corridor.   The department has applied for and received the proper permitting from Brandon Fire and Emergency Services, and the fire will be monitored 24/7 by City staff. It is anticipated the burning should be completed by the afternoon on Friday, December 18, 2020. The City of Brandon asks that all members of the public stay away from the area until the controlled burning has been completed.   For more information on the process, the public may visit brandon.ca/forestry-and-horticulture/dutch-elm-disease-faq or contact the City of Brandon Parks Section at 204-729-2148.   (City of Brandon Public Notice)

Westman residents opened their hearts and lined up in record numbers to contribute to the food drive organized by Samaritan House Ministries in conjunction with the CP Holiday Train.  A socially distant drive thru event was held outside the Samaritan House at 820 Pacific Avenue from 6-8pm December 12th.  Executive Director Barb McNish was thrilled with the turnout saying the lineup stretched several city blocks and was continuous for more than an hour and a half. “We are so grateful for the huge response. It is only when the community helps us, can we help others.”  Photo: Cathie Crossin The donations collected this evening alone, weighed in at over 5800 pounds (2634kgs). This is more than triple the weight of donations collected at the 2018 event.  In addition to thousands of pounds of soup, peanut butter, cereal, pasta and canned meat the community also donated much needed baby items and toiletries.  Photo: Cathie Crossin One donor dropped off a whole box of beautiful hand-sewn face masks, an item that is much appreciated by the Safe and Warm Shelter clients.  Samaritan House staff and volunteers wish to thank everyone who participated in making this one of the organization’s most successful events.  If you missed the event but would still like to make a donation, you can stop by 820 Pacific Ave from 11am-1pm, or 3-4pm Monday to Friday. Photo: Cathie Crossin Photo: Cathie Crossin Photo: Cathie Crossin

To protect health care workers and the stability of our health care system, the Manitoba government has identified the first priority population group that will receive the COVID-19 vaccine and will start booking appointments today, Premier Brian Pallister announced.“By protecting Manitoba’s health care workers, we are helping to protect our entire health care system and the patients they care for,” said Pallister. “Based on the recommendations of our vaccine implementation task force, we have identified which health care workers should be the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and effectively begin an unprecedented immunization campaign.  We know it will take time for every Manitoban to be immunized, but we are ready to make that happen as quickly and safely as possible.”Dependent on the safe arrival of the Pfizer vaccine as scheduled, immunization clinics for the first priority group will begin next week.  Eligible health care workers received information yesterday to explain how to book an appointment by phone.As recommended by Manitoba’s vaccine implementation task force, the first priority group to receive COVID-19 immunizations will be health care workers whose work involves direct contact with patients and who meet one of these other criteria:•    work in critical care units, born on or before Dec. 31, 1970;•    work in acute care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960;•    work in long term care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960; or•    be assigned to COVID-19 immunization clinics.This priority group is larger than the 900 doses that will initially be available to Manitoba. Appointments will be booked in the order of calls received. Additional dates will be added to immunize this priority group as soon as possible, based on the next deliveries of vaccine.Beginning today, eligible health care workers can book an appointment to be immunized, at a clinic starting as early as Wednesday, Dec. 16.  When they call, health care workers will be booked an appointment for their second dose of the vaccine and will receive an automated reminder by text.More information about additional clinics will be provided as soon as possible and will be based on deliveries of vaccine to the province.  For more information about Manitoba’s vaccination campaign, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine.  The Manitoba government is taking strong action to protect Manitobans and ensure timely access to care. For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit: http://www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.(Province of Manitoba News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On December 4th 2020 the Brandon Police Service Canine Unit was patrolling in the 1500 block 26th Street when a stolen vehicle was located abandoned in a parking lot.  The vehicle was towed to the Brandon Police Service where Forensic Identification Unit members conducted an examination on the vehicle.  Fingerprints found on the vehicle has developed a suspect.  On December 11th 2020 a 34 year old male from Brandon was arrested and released on an undertaking to appear in court on February 8th 2021.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media release At 7:05 a.m. yesterday, a resident in the downtown area reported a male attempting to pry open the rear door to his home. The male left the area in a vehicle, which was stopped by police in the 900 block of Van Horne Avenue. The two occupants, a 29 year old male and 22 year old male both of Brandon, were taken into custody. Subsequent to their arrest, a search of their persons and backpack found them to be in possession of break in tools. Both men were released on conditions later in the day. The duo will appear in Brandon Provincial court in March, charged with attempt break and enter and possession of break in instruments.