Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On September 16, the Brandon Police Service reported the seizure of over 3.5 million contraband cigarettes and the arrest of 4 individuals. Since that time, police have executed 3 additional search warrants at 3 properties in Brandon.  An additional 560,000 contraband cigarettes have been seized.  Also located was a large quantity of stolen power tools believed to be stolen from within the city of Brandon and surrounding area. Two of the original suspects face additional charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and numerous charges in relation to the contraband tobacco. It should also be noted as previously released on Thursday, September 17, officers conducted a traffic stop on the #1 Highway near 18 Street North.  Located in the vehicle was 11 cases of unstamped cigarettes.  Two males from Alberta were arrested and charged with numerous offences including possessing more than 25 units of unmarked tobacco under the Tax Administration Act.  Whether the origin of this seizure is related to the original tobacco seizure is still under investigation. The culmination of these investigations resulted in the seizure of over 4 million contraband cigarettes and approximately $50,000 worth of stolen property.  Police believe stolen property was being exchanged for the purchase of contraband cigarettes.  Some of the stolen property has been identified and returned to the owners.  Police continue to investigate the origin of the remaining stolen items.

On Wednesday afternoon Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the intersection of 18th Street North and Braecrest Drive for a three-vehicle crash. Two SUVs and a small hatchback car were involved. Fire crews used extrication tools to open the passenger door on the hatchback car, as it had been heavily damaged by the force of the collision. Firefighters also dispersed sand to help soak up spilled fluids. Airbags deployed in at least one of the vehicles, and one person was transported to hospital by ambulance. Traffic going north on 18th Street North was reduced to one lane for an extended period of time.

Shortly after 9:00 on Tuesday night Brandon Fire and Emergency Services along with Brandon Police Service responded to a vehicle fire. The car was located on a property off of 34th Street North, just south of Highway #1. Upon arrival of emergency crews the car was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire using a mixture of water and foam. Nobody was injured, and the car is a total loss.

Brandon emergency crews attended the scene of a rear-end collision in the 800 block of Victoria Ave on Tuesday afternoon. A small red car appeared to have crashed into the back of a half ton pickup truck. Air bags did deploy in one of the vehicles, as well as large amounts of fluids were leaking from the car. Firefighter/paramedics used sand to help soak up the liquids. Brandon Fire & Emergency Services, Brandon Police Service, and Accel Towing & Transport attended the scene, no one was injured.

A chef-inspired meal of the day that creates top-quality, nutritious dinners at an affordable price is back. The popular Everyone Eats Brandon initiative relaunches this week after a month off to tweak and improve the program following a successful pilot project over the summer. “We learned there is a need in the community for this type of program and we saw many people really relying on us,” said Nicholas Namespetra, Manager of Food Services at Brandon University, where the meals are prepared and available for curbside pickup. “Now that we’re back, there will be even more access to donated meals every day.” The program operates on a simple pay-what-you can model. Each meal is offered at a suggested cost of $10, which covers the $8 cost as well as a portion of someone else’s meal. No profit is made on the meals, and in fact the program relies on a number of sponsors to ensure at least 200 meals are available each evening. Those who can afford to pay more than $10 are encouraged to top up their total even more, further helping to cover costs for others. On the other hand, if money is tight, people are able to pay what they can for each meal — any amount, whether that’s less than $8 or even nothing. The meals are all the same, as is the pickup, meaning there is no stigma for those accessing the subsidized meals. During the pilot this summer, Everyone Eats Brandon served more than 3,800 meals. Of those, 765 were free. Even before the pandemic, food insecurity affected 14.4% of households in Manitoba and more than one in five children. Manitobans are also greatly affected by rising rates of diet-related disease, including diabetes. Everyone Eats is an initiative to help people meet their immediate nutritional needs while also providing people with the dignity of being able to contribute what they are able to pay for their meal.“Our goal is always to bring awareness of the rise of food insecurity in our region and to provide top quality, nutritionally balanced dinners to everyone,” Namespetra said. Meals are available three evenings a week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with curbside pickup at Brandon University available from 4–6 p.m. A limited amount of volunteer delivery is available for those in self-isolation or who have limited mobility. The redesigned website is smoother and easier for ordering, Namespetra said, and can be accessed at EveryoneEatsBrandon.ca. Orders can also be made by phone at 204-571-8524, and should be made by 2 p.m. for pickup that day. This week’s menu: Wednesday, September 23 – Rotini Bolognese Thursday, September 24 – Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice and Vegetables Friday, September 25 – Herb Crusted Pork Chop with Roasted Baby Potatoes (Brandon University News)