The Manitoba government is once again providing free entry to provincial parks over the Labour Day long weekend, Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “The diversity of landscapes and waterways throughout Manitoba’s provincial parks provide a broad range of recreational and relaxing activities to suit any taste,” said Wharton. “This long weekend may mark the start of the transition from summer to fall, but there’s still time to participate in your favourite warm-weather activities and with free provincial park access this weekend, there’s no reason not to.” Vehicle permits are not required to visit provincial parks from Friday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 5. However, regular fees still apply for provincial campgrounds. Individuals who want to camp can check site availability and make a reservation through the Parks Reservation Service at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling toll-free 1-888-482-2267. Several provincial park campsites, cabins and yurts remain open through the fall, allowing campers to stay as late as Thanksgiving. Park interpreters will once again welcome schools this fall for free guided programs at Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks. Teachers are encouraged to book field trips for trail hikes, exploration activities and other curriculum-based learning experiences at park interpretive centres. The ‘Parks in the Classroom’ programs are also available to connect with park interpreters remotely for engaging online sessions. For details on interpretive programming, visit www.manitobaparks.com. To help protect provincial parks for future generations, the minister reminded Manitobans to do their part in stopping the spread of invasive species. Firewood should be obtained and burned locally, and never transported out of the city of Winnipeg, to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer. To prevent the spread of zebra mussels, all water users, including boaters, fishers and beach users, must follow the specific decontamination and bait requirements in place in control zones. Anyone transporting watercraft including canoes and kayaks, must stop at watercraft inspection stations when they are open. For more information on invasive species, visit: www.manitoba.ca/StopAIS. Beach users are reminded to be water smart, which includes never swimming alone, being within arm’s reach of young children and wearing properly sized life-jackets. Visitors can borrow life-jackets in select parks and return them after their activity. Select parks offer a Life-Jacket Loan Program. For more information, visit: www.manitobaparks.com. Manitobans can stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following Manitoba Parks on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MBGovParks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 28, 2022 shortly after 10:00 pm, police responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision with wildlife in the 900 block of 1st street N. The driver of the vehicle displayed signs of impairment.  The 27-year-old female provided samples of her breath, which were more than twice the legal limit.  She was later released and will appear in court on September 1, 2022 on charges of Driving While Ability Impaired, and Driving with More Than 80 mgs of Alcohol in Blood.

The Manitoba government is investing $1.1 million from the Provincial Parks Endowment Fund to support park enhancement projects across the province, Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “Manitobans love their provincial parks and our government is excited to announce the latest round of park improvement projects,” said Wharton. “Through the Provincial Parks Endowment Fund, our government is ensuring that funds are available in perpetuity for important projects to help preserve public parks for future generations.” In all, this year’s funding will support 64 improvement projects across Manitoba, the minister noted. “Manitoba's strengths are its people and its natural wonders, and nowhere is this more evident than in our stunning provincial parks,” said Lesley Anne Fuga, board member, Friends of Birds Hill Park Inc. “We applaud investments that improve accessibility and visitor experiences while also helping ensure the long-term ecological integrity of the parks we love.” The funding will support a variety of accessibility improvements at Birds Hill Provincial Park, such as building an accessible path to the washrooms at the West Beach and paving the Bur Oak parking lot. In Whiteshell Provincial Park, accessibility projects include the addition of eight new accessible campsites along with upgrades to 17 existing accessible campsites and the installation of 10 new accessible button door openers on public buildings such as camp offices, washrooms and shower facilities. Three accessible campsites will also be added at Grand Beach Provincial Park. Other improvements include upgrades to yurts at various locations including Asessippi, Camp Morton, Stephenfield and Spruce Woods provincial parks. In Nopiming Provincial Park, improvements will be made to picnic tables and campfire pits at backcountry canoe route sites along the Bird River, Seagrim’s Chain and the Rabbit River. Improvements will also be undertaken at several boat launches in the northwest region, including Bakers Narrows, Clearwater Lake and Grass River. At Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park, projects include adding a viewing telescope and minor maintenance to the walkway through the marsh along with trail signage improvements and the addition of a new amphitheatre for interpretive programs. Renovations will also be made to the Hecla Village fish museum. Funds will also support conservation and biodiversity enhancement projects including prairie management initiatives at Spruce Woods and Beaudry provincial parks. For the complete list of 2022 Provincial Parks Endowment Fund projects, visit www.manitobaparks.com. Launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $20 million, the Provincial Parks Endowment Fund is expected to generate approximately $1 million per year to help enhance visitor experiences at Manitoba’s provincial parks. Priorities for the fund are determined through a process involving engagement of citizens and stakeholders, Wharton noted. In addition, the province released a report today summarizing a public survey on the Provincial Parks Endowment Fund. In all, 2,232 people responded to the EngageMB survey. Results showed that Manitobans love parks, with many park projects identified as priorities, including trails, habitat restoration and enhancement along with improvement to campgrounds and other recreation facilities. This feedback played an important part in the decision-making process for allocating the funds, and park users will continue to have opportunities to provide input in future years. A link to the report can be found here: https://engagemb.ca/provincial-parks-endowment-funds. The Provincial Parks Endowment Fund encourages private and philanthropic contributions and enables the province to follow the wishes of generous donors who want to leave a legacy of support for parks. With a matching formula that provides one dollar for every two dollars donated from other sources, the fund has the capability to grow and support even more projects and improvements, noted Wharton. Manitobans wishing to donate to the Provincial Parks Endowment Fund can find more information at www.manitobaparks.com. Donations are administered through The Winnipeg Foundation. Manitobans can stay up to date with provincial parks news, activities and events on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks. (Province of MB Release)

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: August 26th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Dustin James Ray ROSE (41 yrs) FOR Breach of Conditional Sentence Order On August 18th, 2022, Dustin ROSE was observed by an off duty police officer outside of his residence while bound by a 24 hour curfew.  Police attended to the address he was to reside at and he was not home at the time.  A warrant of arrest has been issued for Dustin ROSE as his current whereabouts is unknown. If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. ****************************************************************** CRIME OF THE WEEK for August 26th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Theft Under $5000.  On July 27th, 2022, police received a report of a vehicle being entered and property stolen including a purse and passport. On August 3rd, 2022, it was reported to police this property had been discarded at a business the week prior.  Video footage captured the suspects who were in possession of the stolen property. The first suspect is described as male wearing a black Adidas jacket, blue jeans, black hat, and sunglasses.  The second suspect is an older heavier set female with grey hair wearing a black shirt.  Photos of the suspects are attached to this release:

Pattison Media (PML) and Westman Communication (WCG) of Brandon, MB are pleased to announce that they have come to an agreement for PML to acquire their radio properties, Q Country 91.5 FM and 94.7 Star FM. This acquisition will increase Pattison’s reach in Manitoba from their current stations in Winnipeg, 94.3 NOW! Radio and QX 104, to be able to super serve listeners and clients not only in Brandon but western and south-western Manitoba. “When Pattison approached WCG about acquiring Q Country FM and Star FM, we were pleased by their strong history of providing local radio, supporting their communities, and maintaining a high level of local employment,” said interim President and CEO Bud Keys. “These are all important things to WCG, and Pattison’s values echo that. We feel confident that these stations will be in excellent hands.” Pattison Media President, Rod Schween states, “We are very pleased to be adding such valuable and locally supportive properties to our 48 stations. We look forward to continuing to build this great community and supporting the initiatives that make Brandon unique ‘ The sale is subject to approval by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The application has been submitted, and preliminary work indicates the agreement should be completed by the end of 2022 or early 2023.