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Saturday, September 7, 2024
HomeLocal News (Page 3)

Manitoba Grand Chief Cathy Merrick dies after collapsing outside courthouse

Crime Stoppers Wanted and Crime of the Week for September 6, 2024

Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime, Breach of Court Order

Robbery with a Weapon, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Assault Causing Bodily Harm

Appointment of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

Suspect arrested in theft of $10,000 of music/sound equipment from a church

Province Invests $9.7 million to Brandon’s 18th Street Reconstruction

Male suspect charged with assault, Fraud use of debit card

Brandon Police Service Media Release August 29, 2024

Warrant Executed On August 28th at 1:44PM police noticed a male rolling around in the ditch off Aberdeen Avenue. When approached the male became rude and aggressive. The 48-year-old male was identified and found to have an outstanding warrant for Failure to Comply with Release Order. He was arrested and lodged for court in the morning.   On August 28th at 3:33PM police were called to a disturbance in the 2200 block of Pacific Avenue. A 34-year-old male was found to be the cause of issues. He had an endorsed Warrant of Arrest for Assault. He was arrested and transported to BPS. He was later released on an Appearance Notice with a court date of October 28th, 2024.   On August 28th at 4:21 police located a 29-year-old male while walking through Princess Park. He was found to have an endorsed Warrant of Arrest for Sexual Assault and Failure to Attend Court. The male was sober and released on scene with an Appearance Notice for court on October 17th, 2024.   Breach of Peace On August 28th at 7:10PM a shuttle driver called as he had to pull over due to two males fighting. Police officers attended a 29-year-old male was found to be the cause of the issue. Police had dealt with this male in a different situation earlier in the day.  The male was arrested and lodged to prevent further issues.   On August 28th at 10:55PM police attended Days Inn for an intoxicated 27-year-old female fighting people outside the hotel. She was arrested and lodged until sober.   On August 28th at 11:32PM police attended Clarion Hotel as a 25-year-old male was intoxicated and being aggressive towards staff. The male was arrested and lodged until sober.   On August 29th at 12:41AM Clarion Hotel reports a disturbance with three males. A 23-year-old male was the primary cause of issue and was arrested and lodged until sober.   On August 29th at 1:08AM police were called to the ER where an 18-year-old female was highly intoxicated and being belligerent to hospital staff as well as police upon arrival. She had a cut to the hand, would not provide information to police and continued to cause problems at the hospital. She was medically tended to, then arrested and lodged until sober.   On August 29th at 1:25AM police were called to a disturbance in the 100 block of 12th Street North. A 36-year-old male was lodged to prevent further issues.   IPDA On August 28th at 11:44PM police located an intoxicated female in the 100 block of 18th Street. There was no one to turn the highly intoxicated 23-year-old woman over to so she was lodged until sober.   On August 29th at 2:12AM police received a call that a male was trying to gain access to an apartment building in the 200 block of 4th Street. The 56-year-old male was located and found to be highly intoxicated but had no one to turn himself over to. He was lodged and will be released once sober.   Failure to Comply – Release Order On August 28th at 8:48PM police conducted a curfew check on a 37-year-old male and it was determined that he was not at the residence. (8pm-6am curfew). Upon notice of his return police attended and arrested the male. Lodged for court in the morning on August 29th, 2024.

City of Brandon Introduces New Affordable Housing Incentive Program

The City of Brandon is pleased to announce the introduction of its Affordable Housing Incentive Program By-Law No. 7379, aimed at boosting the development of affordable housing in the city. This initiative provides a range of financial incentives, including capital grants, tax exemptions, and offsets on development charges, to support the construction of affordable homes. The Affordable Housing Incentive Program is funded through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a federal program managed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). HAF provides funding to local authorities like Brandon to encourage and support projects that speed up housing development. Key Features: Financial incentives are available to non-profit organizations, private companies, and Indigenous governments. Eligible projects must comply with specific criteria, including affordability requirements and a commitment to maintaining affordability for at least 20 years. The by-law enhances the City's current affordable housing program, offering increased clarity and flexibility to cater to project needs. “Brandon City Council is proud to endorse this initiative, which highlights our commitment to affordable housing,” said Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “By implementing this incentive program, we are making significant strides towards providing safer, affordable, and high-quality housing. This by-law demonstrates our dedication to collaborating with both federal and provincial authorities to tackle housing issues and build a stronger community.” “We are devoted to making Brandon a more affordable place to live,” said Amanda Dupuis, City of Brandon Community Housing and Wellness Programmer.  “We look forward to seeing innovative affordable housing ideas come forward from non-profits, Indigenous governments, and developers.” For more information and to apply, visit housingincentive.brandon.ca.

City of Brandon’s Approach To Mosquito Management

The rise in summertime temperatures is a refreshing shift from chillier temperatures. With higher humidity levels, mosquito populations also increase, affecting the enjoyment of sunny days when families and friends gather for fun outdoor activities like backyard barbecues or visits to local playgrounds. As the city manager, I often hear how nuisance insects influence our outdoor experiences. These insects are not only bothersome but can represent a threat to health as well. To address this issue, I want to highlight what the City of Brandon does to help mitigate nuisance mosquitoes.   What Does the City Do to Control the Mosquito Population?  The City’s tackles nuisance mosquitoes through its mosquito abatement program, using various methods to diminish the mosquito population in the area. The City also partners with the Province of Manitoba to monitor and control the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus. This partnership is crucial in safeguarding our residents' health as well as reducing the irritation and discomfort associated with mosquito bites. The City’s mosquito abatement program follows the Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) guidelines, which includes various methods of surveillance, larval control, and adult control of mosquitoes, as well as public education and outreach. Our Parks & Recreation staff monitor 102 square miles (264 square km), paying particular attention to various standing water locations and monitoring for mosquito larva growth. Larvicidal measures are applied whenever there are at least five larvae found in ten water samples. Throughout the summer, our team uses mosquito traps to measure the number of mosquitoes in different areas. Mosquito traps are set out Saturday and Sunday mornings and retrieved the following days. They are then transported to Winnipeg every Tuesday, where Provincial government-contracted staff count each trap, typically providing results by Thursday morning. This data allows our team to understand mosquito density and distribution, which guides our decisions regarding mosquito fogging. Weekly trap counts can be accessed at opengov.brandon.ca.   What Does the City Fog for Mosquito’s in the City?  Adhering to the AFA Guidelines is imperative when deciding the timing for adult nuisance mosquito control measures. The City will fog if one or more of the following conditions are met: Two sequential trap counts indicate that the AFA levels are elevated The daily trap count goes beyond 1,000 mosquitoes A single trap count exceeds 2,000 mosquitoes The Province of Manitoba issues the City of Brandon an order to spray for Culex tarsalis mosquitoes Upon meeting any of these criteria, the City of Brandon will commence with fogging operations within 24 hours, weather dependent. Buffer Zone Registrations  Residents may apply to have a 90-metre buffer zone applied to their property during a nuisance mosquito fogging event. By registering for a buffer zone, residents will have their property and an area of 90 metres on all sides excluded from the Nuisance Mosquito Fogging Program. Residents must renew their buffer zone registration at the beginning of every season, and a medical certificate is not required to request a nuisance mosquito buffer zone. However, should the Province of Manitoba issue the City of Brandon an order to spray for Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, no buffer zones will apply. Personal Protection   While the City takes proactive measures to control mosquito populations, it is also essential for residents to take personal precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. This includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and eliminating standing water around your property where mosquitoes can breed. Cost   Mosquito control—including testing, observing, analyzing, applying larvicide in standing water areas and fogging the city one time, costs each resident 1.05 cents per day or just $1 for the entire summer. If fogging isn’t needed, the cost drops to 0.83 cents per day. We understand the importance of enjoying our summers without the constant bother of mosquitoes. Rest assured, the City of Brandon is actively working to manage the mosquito population while ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.  From the “Inside City Hall” series by City of Brandon’s City Manager Ron Bowles.   

Corrections Officer assaulted, teen accused of grabbing females chest

Assaulting Police Officer On August 26th police received a call from Brandon Correctional Centre as a 26-year-old male assaulted a Corrections Officer by striking the CO in the back of the head causing the CO’s head to strike a door. The male was arrested and will appear in court in the morning.   Sexual Assault On August 26th at 6:19PM police were flagged down by a female in the 2500 block of Victoria Avenue as an unknown male had just grabbed her chest. Employees at a nearby business flagged down police as well as the suspect was observed grabbing another unknown female on the street by the shoulders. Police arrested a 16-year-old male. Lodged for court in the morning on August 27th, 2024. Mother made aware.   Sexual Assault / Sexual Interference On August 26th at 8:58PM a report of a sexual assault on an 11-year-old female came after the suspect touched her chest in a hotel in the 3100 block of Victoria Avenue. The 44-year-old male was arrested and lodged for court in the morning on August 27th, 2024.   Resisting Arrest / Causing a Disturbance On August 27th at 12:41AM a hotel in the 3100 block of Victoria reported an unregistered guest threatening to fight them. The male was located by police and arrested. He provided a false name, but his identity was confirmed as a result of his tattoos. The 25-year-old male was wanted on a Warrant and resisted arrest. Lodged for court in the morning. Previous Charges: Assaulting a Peace Officer / Resisting Arrest / Failure to Attend Court New Charges: Resisting Arrest / Causing a Disturbance   Failure to Comply with Probation X2 On August 27th at 4:03AM 911 advised of a serious assault outside of the Colonial Inn. A 27-year-old male suffered a head wound that was bleeding heavily but would not cooperate with police, nor would his girlfriend. He was transported to BRHC for medical treatment. The male was wanted on an outstanding warrant and was arrested for court in the morning.   Other Incidents: One warrant executed for 34-year-old male at Brandon Correctional Centre for Failure to Comply with Release Order Nine Breach of Peace issued with eight of those persons lodged overnight to be released once sober. One of those incidents involved an intoxicated nine-month pregnant woman who was involved in an altercation. Two LGCAA / Minor Consumption Brandon Police Service Media Release July 27, 2024

Manitoba Parks Offering Free Entry This Long Weekend

The Manitoba government is offering free entry to all provincial parks Labour Day weekend from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today. “Our government is covering provincial park entry fees so all Manitobans can enjoy the outdoors this weekend,” said Schmidt. “Manitoba has over 90 provincial parks to enjoy hiking, camping or whatever outdoor adventure you choose. As we move into September, there are still a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy, and with free entry, this is a great time to get out and visit our beautiful provincial parks.” Visitors to Manitoba’s provincial parks will not require vehicle permits on Labour Day weekend this year. Nightly camping fees still apply, as do entrance fees to national parks. Individuals who wish to camp in a provincial park can make a reservation through the Parks Reservation Service at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling 1-888-482-2267. Park interpreters are offering free tours, star gazing, guided paddles and other family programs this weekend for visitors to connect to the natural features, culture and history in provincial parks. Interpretive program information is available online at www.manitobaparks.com or visitors can check with the local campground office for details on any activities happening in the park. Tips for visitors and campers at Manitoba provincial parks include: check the Manitoba Parks website at www.manitobaparks.com for advisories before travelling; all campers must check in at campground offices upon arrival to receive camping permits; be ‘Wildlife Smart’ by maintaining a clean campsite, keeping all food, trash, toiletries and cooking utensils locked in a vehicle or trailer, and pack out trash and recyclables before leaving; wear a life-jacket when participating in water-related activities, especially boaters, children and weak swimmers; keep all pets on leash; and keep all campfires in approved pits such as those found in campsites and check with the campground office for any campfire restrictions. Campers are reminded because the emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Winnipeg, no firewood can be transported outside the city. Transportation violations can result in charges and fines of up to $1,300 for individuals or $15,000 for businesses. Firewood is available for purchase from local retailers at most campgrounds. Watercraft users and beach goers are reminded to be vigilant against aquatic invasive species. Always clean, drain, dry and, if necessary, decontaminate watercraft and water-related equipment including all water toys and inflatables. Information on aquatic invasive species and decontamination station locations is available at www.manitoba.ca/stopais. Manitobans can stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following Manitoba Parks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks or on X (formerly Twitter) at www.x.com/MBGovParks.