The Manitoba government has extended public health orders from Dec. 12 until Jan. 8, 2021, as part of protecting Manitobans from COVID-19 during the holiday season, Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, announced today. “It is crucial that Manitobans continue to limit their close contacts and only gather with members of their immediate household in order to bend our COVID curve down and protect our most vulnerable friends, families and communities,” said Pallister. “We recognize this holiday season will be difficult and lonely for most, but the best thing we can do for our loved ones right now is to stay safe at home so that we can gather together, in-person next year.” The existing Critical (red) level restrictions have been extended by public health order, with several modifications based on feedback from public, stakeholders and enforcement officials. Changes to the public health orders include: • allowing thrift stores to open with some capacity limits, to allow access to second-hand clothing and other items; • ensuring acupuncture and manual osteopathy practices are allowed to open to align with other health services; • clarifying the operation of food banks and food hamper services; • allowing private residences to allow legal services, landlord access and access for home businesses; • encouraging safe outdoor physical activity for individuals and immediate households only by providing guidance to clarify that people not from the same household need to keep two metres of distance between them and that gathering sizes must not exceed five people; • adding school supplies as an essential item under the restrictions to retail services; • allowing drive-in events as a temporary measure subject to compliance with the restrictions, and cars must contain members from one household only and no one may leave the car while at the event; and • permitting the Winnipeg Jets to train in Manitoba in preparation for an eventual NHL decision on a 2021 playing season. A seasonal change to the order will also be included to allow for the sale of holiday decorations such as garlands and ornaments, and religious items like menorahs and candles. “Our modelling has shown the Critical level, or red, restrictions have helped us avoid even higher case numbers right now,” said Roussin. “But our numbers are still too high and now is not the time to let up. That is why we’re extending the public health orders with some adjustments to ensure Manitobans can access the goods and services they need, and have clear direction stay safe at home before and during the holiday season.” The updated orders and the list of items deemed essential are posted on the province’s Pandemic Response System website at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html#current. Manitoba has announced the Safe at Home Manitoba program to provide support to Manitobans staying home during this critical time. Organizations, businesses and artists can visit https://https://www.safeathomemb.ca// for more information. Manitobans can report compliance and enforcement issues by visiting www.manitoba.ca/COVID19 and completing the reporting form, or by calling 204-945-3744 or 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free) and pressing option three on the call menu. For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. (Province of MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Sunday morning, a homeowner in the 700 block of 12 Street reported that her garage was broken into sometime overnight.  It is unknown if anything was stolen.  The investigation is continuing. On Sunday morning, a homeowner in the 400 block of 12th Street reported that her garage and sunroom were broken into sometime overnight.  Numerous items were stolen including clothing and a bicycle from the garage.  The investigation is continuing. On Sunday morning, a homeowner in the 600 block of 11th Street reported that his garage was broken into sometime overnight.  Two lawnmowers were stolen.  The investigation is continuing. On Sunday morning, a homeowner in the 700 block of 13th Street reported that her garage, shed and vehicle were broken into sometime overnight.  It is unknown if anything was stolen.  The investigation is continuing. On Sunday evening, a homeowner in the 700 block of 21st Street reported going outside and finding two males had entered her garage.  The males fled the area and were not located.  Nothing was taken during the incident.  The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media release At approx. 1:35 PM Friday, police were called to the 900 block of 7th Street for a highly intoxicated male who had smashed a window of a residence there.  The incident was recorded on video, which allowed police to identify the suspect when he was located near 15th St and Park Ave.  The male was held until sober, and has been released with a court date of February 25 2021.

An intense and frightening t-bone crash happened between a garbage truck and a small SUV on Friday afternoon. Brandon Fire & Emergency Services along with Brandon Police Service responded to 17th St. East and Victoria Ave East for the two vehicle collision. A garbage truck had t-boned a small SUV which sent both vehicles crashing up onto the curb median of Victoria Ave East. A large fluid spill accumulated from both vehicles which prompted the need for a City of Brandon loader to respond to the scene with a bucket of sand. On duty BFES Fire Captain Shayne Collister said just the two drivers were involved, and that the driver of the SUV was taken to hospital by ambulance. Brandon Police's traffic division was on scene conducting an investigation. Police are on scene of a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of 17th St E and Victoria Ave E. Trafffic is being deverted and we ask that you avoid the area. #bdnmb — Brandon Police (@BrandonPolice) December 4, 2020

Community Futures Westman has administered interest free loans for 35 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) in Western Manitoba totaling $1.25 million since the RRRF program launched in May.   The Western Diversification funding program is intended to provide support to businesses who are ineligible for other government COVID-19 relief measures.  In early December, $500,000 in additional funds have been received and applications continue to be received. “With so many SMEs impacted by COVID-19 our staff went the extra mile to meet the demand for RRRF loans over the summer and are ready to meet the needs of new clients now that additional funds have been provided to us”, indicates Community Futures Westman Chairperson Gerald Cathcart. “SME’s are the backbone of the region and as such their survival and success are vital to the local economy through recovery and ongoing growth and prosperity” explained Executive Director Andrew Arksey, “Support for small business through the RRRF and other CF programs is paramount as we navigate the effects of COVID-19, the role we can play in that will be vital.” RRRF Loans of up to $40,000 have been provided to qualifying applicants at 0% (zero) interest, with no scheduled principal payments until January 2023. Principal repayments can be made at any time and 25% of the loan can be forgiven provided the recipient has paid 75% of the original loan amount prior to December 31, 2022. The Community Futures Program has been serving rural communities for over 30 years. Each office operates as an individual non-profit corporation, with its own volunteer board of directors and its own portfolio of lending products and services.  To learn more about the financing and business support services available through Community Futures Westman please contact: Community Futures Westman Email: arkseya@cfwestman.ca Website: www.cfmanitoba.ca/westman (submitted)