Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 2:00 AM today, police attempted to conduct a vehicle stop near the intersection of Rosser Ave and McDiarmid Drive.  The driver, operating a 2006 Dodge Ram, registered to an address in Hamiota MB, failed to stop and fled westbound on Rosser to E. Fotheringham Dr., then south to Victoria Ave. and westbound to 50th St.   Officers pursued the fleeing vehicle southbound on 50th until it crossed the intersection of Patricia Ave where the driver drove into the ditch and through a barbed wire fence.  The driver then ran, but the Police Service Dog apprehended him a short distance from the vehicle.  The 33-year-old Brandon male was arrested and charged with Dangerous Driving, Resist Arrest, Flight from Police, and Drive while Disqualified.  He will appear in court on July 16th on those charges.  Two passengers located in the vehicle at the time of the stop were released without charge.  Speeds during the pursuit reached a maximum of 90 km/h in the city and 130 km/h on rural roads.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon has begun a unique retrofit of its transit bus fleet in order to be able to return to regular transit fare collection as of Friday, May 1st. All 17 regular buses in Brandon Transit’s fleet are being outfitted with a plexiglass partition in order to create a safe separation between bus operators and passengers at the front of the bus. As of Friday, May 1st, Brandon Transit users will, once again, be expected to board the bus through the front door and present fare for SMART Card or cash fare collection at that time. The Brandon Transit Information Centre located at 21-8th Street will reopen to the public as of Monday, April 27th to allow for transit users to reload SMART Cards. SMART Cards can also be reloaded at Sobeys West or, beginning May 1st, can be reloaded directly on board a transit bus. Please note that change cannot be provided for cash fare on board a transit bus; however change can be made by staff at the Information Centre. At this time, the City of Brandon would ask for the continued cooperation of all transit users in following all provincial health recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the community, including covering your mouth with a tissue or your arm to cough or sneeze, avoiding touching your nose, eyes or mouth, and placing a separation of at least six feet between you and others while riding the bus, facing out towards the window wherever possible. Personal face masks or gloves can be worn by transit riders should they wish; however, the City of Brandon would stress that such items be disposed of in the proper refuse bins ONLY and not discarded on buses or on the ground. Information on the City of Brandon’s COVID-19 pandemic response can be found at http://www.brandon.ca/covid-19-updates. General enquiries relating to municipal services can be directed to the City of Brandon Enquiry Line at 204-729-2186 during regular business hours or can be submitted online at http://www.brandon.ca/contact-us. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 8:42pm, police responded to a shooting in the 100’ block of 2nd Street. Two suspects fired two shots into a residence as they were having a disputed with the occupants who were known to them. After the shooting, the suspects fled; however, were arrested a short distance away by police and with the assistance of the canine unit. Police recovered a sawed off .22 caliber rifle with a magazine and a can of bear spray. A 17 year old male is charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Possess Loaded Prohibited Firearm, Reckless Discharge of Firearm, Possess Prohibited Weapon contrary to Prohibition Order. A 14 year old male is charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Possess Loaded Prohibited Firearm, and Fail to Comply with Probation. Both suspects were held in custody for court in the morning.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is returning up to $110 million to provide financial relief to its policyholders, Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “Many Manitobans have been financially impacted by this crisis,” said Wharton. “MPI is proactively providing relief when it is needed most by issuing rebates to its customers as an alternative to future reduced premiums.” Rebates will be based on what policyholders paid last year and expected to be around 11 per cent, or between $140 to $160, per average policyholder, the minister noted, adding policyholders can expect a rebate cheque at the end of May to early June. This surplus is the result of fewer claims during this COVID period, coupled with strong year-end financial results. As a public insurance model, MPI operates on a break-even basis and is required to maintain its reserves at a level set by legislation. Today’s rebate is possible because MPI’s reserves are exceptionally strong, allowing excess capital to be returned to ratepayers while ensuring its reserves are fully funded. “This money is expected to provide financial assistance to Manitobans during this unprecedented crisis,” said Ben Graham, president and CEO, MPI. “We have made significant improvements in our operations to deliver value to Manitobans resulting in stronger financial results. “With a healthy reserve fund, MPI is in a strong financial situation to move forward with these rebate cheques to support our customers. This rebate to our customers will not adversely impact the corporation’s financial outcomes moving forward. It feels right to give back to our customers when they need it the most.” Details of the rebates will be made in the coming weeks and further details will be available at mpi.mb.ca. In addition to rebating excess capital from the last financial year, MPI notes that as of mid-April, collision claims are down 48 per cent compared to the same month a year ago. MPI estimates that public health orders directing the public to stay at home and for non-essential businesses to cease direct interaction with the public have resulted in approximately $29 million in fewer basic claims being incurred between March 15 and April 15, 2020. Under existing legislation, MPI is able to return approximately $50 million to its ratepayers and will require the approval of the Public Utilities Board (PUB) for the additional $60 million. MPI will apply to the PUB in the coming days in respect of the incremental $60 million in order to be able to return these amounts to Manitoba ratepayers. If PUB approval is obtained in the next few weeks, the entire $110 million will be returned as part of the rebate cheques mailed to Manitobans. Based on current projections, MPI is confident that due to the extension of public health orders and the provincial state of emergency extending until May 18, related savings to the corporation will continue into the foreseeable future. (Manitoba Public Insurance News Release)  

The City of Brandon’s Engineering Department wishes to advise the public that in the coming days, contractors are set to resume roadwork on several projects halted due to seasonal restrictions in the fall of 2019. The schedule for this work will vary based on worksite, but is anticipated to start as early as Monday, April 27th. Residents and businesses impacted by this scheduled work will be contacted directly with additional information on scheduling and property access. Notices will be issued on the City of Brandon website and its Facebook and Twitter pages for any significant road closures associated with these projects. At this time, the City of Brandon would like to stress that all City of Brandon employees and all contracted personnel are taking the proper precautions to ensure safe work can continue amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, including: Daily review of Public Health Orders and other information issued by the Province of Manitoba; Review and implementation of industry-recommended COVID-19 Safety and Prevention Measures; and Implementation of organization-specific safe work procedures and coordination between organizations to ensure consistency. The City of Brandon asks that the public respect all City of Brandon and contractor efforts to maintain physical distancing during this time by avoiding these worksites at all times. Should you have any questions or concerns related to the work, please contact the City of Brandon Engineering Department at 204-729-2214. (CITY OF BRANDON PUBLIC NOTICE)