A special $100 million Safe Schools fund is being created by the Manitoba government to ensure safe and healthy learning environments this fall, Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today. “This additional investment in our education system will support our Restoring Safe Schools plan to help ensure our schools remain a safe, familiar place for our students and staff,” said Goertzen. “We know that our education system needs to be ready to deal with today’s pandemic reality as students and staff return to the classroom, and our government is delivering the financial support to help school divisions meet that need.” All school divisions will be able to access the Safe Schools funding, which consists of $48 million in preparedness savings already set aside for this purpose, plus an additional $52 million. The minister specified the funding will focus on putting in place the public health measures needed to keep students and staff as safe as possible while learning. This additional funding will be distributed on a per-student basis, with a portion of it to be held in reserve to be able to quickly respond to emerging challenges. This one-time, focused funding will be used to directly support schools, teachers, and students across the province by: •    providing non-medical and medical masks and personal protective equipment for students, teachers and staff; •    enhancing cleaning and sanitization, including more supplies and custodial staffing; •    increasing bus transportation capacity, including additional bus drivers and routes; and •    ensuring substitute teachers and educational staff are available to keep schools open and children learning. Manitoba Education and public health officials are committed to ensuring a safe return to school. Already, 4.7 million masks have been delivered to school divisions from the province, with more to come throughout the school year. Funding will also be available to enhance the sanitization of schools and buses and to ensure that school divisions have access to additional supports needed to keep schools clean and safe. The province continues to work with school divisions to assess the need for this extraordinary funding support and to identify challenges as they arise. On a per-capita basis, this dedicated COVID-19 funding is the second-highest of any province in the country for the safe reopening of schools. Manitoba’s investment in elementary and secondary education has increased annually since 2016, totaling $33 million in additional funding. “We thank our teachers, students and staff for taking on the extra challenges associated with making classrooms safe under the new constraints of COVID-19,” said Goertzen. “The province will continue to work closely with public health, education stakeholders, school divisions, independent schools, parents, caregivers and students as part of its response to COVID-19 and a safe return to school.” The Practice Guidance and Protocols for Restoring Safe Schools document, released last month, will change to reflect the latest guidance on this issue and is posted at:  www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html. The EngageMB website at https://engagemb.ca/welcoming-our-students-back-restoring-safe-schools remains the best forum for parents, caregivers and students to post questions for response throughout the return to classroom learning. (Province of MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 22, 2020 at 2037 hours the Rivers Police Service advised they were in pursuit of a 2004 Hyundai Tiburon along Highway #25.  As they approached the intersection of Highway #10, Rivers Police Service members terminated the pursuit.  Brandon Police Located the vehicle at the intersection of Highway #1 and #10.  The vehicle turned west bound onto Highway #1 and then south onto 18th street N.  Police activated their emergency equipment and the vehicle accelerated rapidly.  As a result the Pursuit was terminated.  A short time later the vehicle was located on the grounds of the Assiniboine College North Hill Campus by the Canine officer who was patrolling the area.  The vehicle had come to rest in a pile of dirt.  The driver’s side door was ajar and the driver had fled the scene.  The Patrol Services dog was deployed.  The suspect was tracked to a small creek where he was apprehended.  A 27 year male from Rivers was arrested and released to appear in court on October22, 2020.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 13th 2020 police received a report of a stolen Employment Income Assistance Cheque.  The investigation revealed that the cheque had been cashed by a 23 year old female from Brandon.  The female suspect has been arrested and charged with Fraud Under $5,000.00.  She will appear in court on October 19 2020.

Out of an abundance of caution and based on the input of public health experts, educators and parents, the province is now mandating the use of masks for grades 4 to 12 when physical distancing is not possible, Premier Brian Pallister announced today. “We are committed to keeping our students safe as they return to school during this challenging and unprecedented time,” said Pallister. “We have listened to the concerns of parents, teachers, administrators, staff and students, and we believe that greater clarity and confidence is necessary for the safe return to school this fall. We are taking these additional measures to ensure the health and well-being of our children, as they are our most precious resource.” With the updated guidance, masks will be required for students in grades 4 to 12, teachers, school staff and visitors when physical distancing of two metres is not possible at school. Parents and caregivers will continue to choose whether younger students should wear a mask. Further guidance on exceptions will be available soon regarding specific mask-free time and for those not recommended to wear a mask. “Wearing a mask offers an extra layer of protection, especially for indoor public spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “We all have a role to play, and we want to be sure that we take every step we can to ensure the return to school is a safe one. This will help ensure there is consistency across the school system.” The province is developing resources to help children, along with their parents and caregivers, learn how to safely put on, wear and remove a mask. All students in Grade 4 and up and bus drivers will also be required to wear non-medical masks on school buses. Masks should be put on before loading and taken off after off-loading. Today, the premier and Roussin also launched the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, a new online tool that provides clear, timely information for Manitobans about COVID-19. It helps translate public health indicators and decision-making into a simple, colour-coded system that helps everyone understand what is expected of them, what they can expect from others and the measures that may be put in place to protect everyone. It also includes specific information for schools to help families, teachers, administrators and the school community understand the risks and provincial response to the pandemic. For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/restartMB. Manitoba Education’s Restoring Safe Schools:  Guidelines for September 2020 will be revised to reflect the latest guidance on this issue and posted at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/covid/index.html. The EngageMB website at https://engagemb.ca/welcoming-our-students-back-restoring-safe-schools remains the best forum for parents, caregivers and students to post questions for response throughout the return to classroom learning. The province will continue to work closely with Public Health, education stakeholders, school divisions, independent schools, parents, caregivers and students as part of its response to COVID-19 and the safe return to school. (Province of MB News Release)

On Tuesday night, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services responded to the city's water treatment plant at the corner of 26th Street North and McDonald Ave for a fire. Firefighter/Paramedics were seen working on the roof of the building, as well as some were seen entering the building. A fire hose, hand tools and chain saws were brought up to the roof via BFES' ladder truck that was set up on the south side of the building. Fire crews were on scene for approximately two hours. There's no word on a cause of the fire, or damage estimate. *Update, 11:15 pm*: A Facebook post from the City of Brandon about tonight's fire can be viewed here.