Last night, Brandon Firefighter/Paramedics responded to a semi trailer on fire in front of the Motel 6 on Highway 1 in Brandon. When fire crews arrived, there were large flames coming from the midsection of the trailer that was hauling frozen food. The semi driver was able to disconnect the tractor and move it away from the trailer just prior to emergency crews arriving. Crews were on scene for many hours making sure that the fire was completely out. Nobody was injured, and the trailer along with its cargo appear to be a total loss.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On July 11, 2020, at approximately 8:00 am, police responded to a report of an individual who was causing a disturbance at a residence by damaging property and being violent with family members who were trying to prevent his behavior from escalating. The 18-year-old male was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service to prevent the continuation of his behavior. He was released later in the day, only to return and continue to cause problems for his family. He was again lodged at Brandon Police Service. On July 11, 2020, police received several calls about a female who was causing a disturbance in the area of the 100 block of McTavish Ave. The 22-year-old female was under the influence of an illicit drug, and was behaving in a threatening manor towards those around her. She was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service to prevent the continuation of her behavior to be released when sober. On July 12, 2020, police received a report of a male who as causing a disturbance at a business in the 1100 block of 18th street shortly before 2:00 am. The 22-year-old male suspect was being belligerent with employees at the business and was no longer welcome. He was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service until sober. On July 11, 2020, police responded to a disturbance at a residence shortly before 9:00 pm. A 32-year-old male was damaging property at the home and he was no longer welcome by his family. He was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service until sober.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release A 28 year old Brandon man was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Oxycodone on Thursday afternoon. An officer observed the man appear to buy something from a person in a vehicle in a parking lot of a hotel. The man was stopped and was in possession of cocaine and pills. He was arrested and released to appear in court in October.

Winnipeg, MB, July 10, 2020 – McCain Foods has announced they have expanded their popular Free Fry Day fundraising event to include Brandon, Winnipeg and Steinbach, Manitoba. In partnership with Enns Brothers, the Free Fry Day event will raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba (RMHCMB) and STARS Air Ambulance’s Manitoba operations while also supporting Canadian potato farmers. On Friday, July 24, nearly 15,000 bags of McCain French fries will be given away through contactless curbside pickup. No Small Potatoes After two overwhelmingly successful Free Fry Day events held last month in Alberta and rural Manitoba, McCain Foods has partnered with Enns Brothers to expand the Free Fry Day event tour. “We wanted to do our part in ensuring families in our communities have the support and access to the essential services Ronald McDonald House Charities and STARS provide that touches lives in all our local communities," said Ray Bouchard, President and CEO, Enns Brothers. "Thanks to the generous contribution from McCain Foods, we’re excited to host this trifecta event and welcome the chance to support three things that are important to us – our communities, our families, and Manitoba potato growers,” said Bouchard. Keeping Families Close Serving over 2,000 families annually, RMHCMB has experienced a significant reduction of funding due to the cancellation, postponement or modification of fundraising events as a result of COVID-19. “Right now, it is challenging for all families to stay close. This is multiplied and even more challenging for families of seriously ill children, especially those who must travel far from home,” said Wendy Galagan, CEO, RMHCMB. “Throughout the pandemic, childhood illness and injuries continue. Now more than ever, families need the essential services and supports of RMHC Manitoba. RMHCMB is incredibly grateful for this worthwhile community event and inspired by McCain Foods and Enns Brothers’ enthusiasm to give back and support RMHCMB families.” said Galagan. Every Life is Worth Fighting For As a non-profit organization, community support fuels STARS’ life-saving efforts. Despite the pandemic, STARS continue to two missions a day in Manitoba. As the missions continue, so too does the need to fundraise to support that work. “With a number of our major fundraising events cancelled for the foreseeable future, and many traditional methods of raising money severely challenged, this has created significant challenges for our organization,” said Colleen Mayer, Director of Development, STARS Foundation, Manitoba. “We are so grateful to McCain Foods and Enns Brothers for hosting this event to help us fundraise during this difficult and unprecedented time,” said Mayer French Fries Feed Farmers “With the pandemic restaurant and hospitality closures came a huge surplus of french fry potatoes in Canada. As we all do our part to flatten the curve, we must think about those who are most impacted in our communities,” said Eric Durand, Plant Manager, McCain Foods. “Our first Free Fry Day event in Manitoba was a tremendous success and we look forward to hosting another Free Fry Day for this important initiative. Our goal is to raise $200,000 and we're challenging businesses, organizations big and small, and individuals to join in the effort. In this way, we can help Manitoba potato farmers and the community and hopefully, word will spread to eat more fries while supporting a great cause." said Durand. To participate in the July 24 Free Fry Day giveaway, guests can stop by locations in Brandon, Winnipeg and Steinbach during the designated distribution time for their community. Each vehicle will receive two 6 Lbs. bags of McCain French fries through contactless curbside pickup. In Brandon, the event will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the Keystone Centre. In Steinbach the event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A location will be announced in the near future. The Winnipeg portion of the event will go from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Assiniboia Downs parking lot. Full event details and distribution times can be found at freefryday.ca. (submitted)

The City of Brandon and management and staff at the Brandon Municipal airport wish to advise that effective July 10th, 2020, it will be MANDATORY for people to wear a face mask or face covering while in the Brandon Airport Terminal. This is part of the City of Brandon’s ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response and is necessary because the growing number of people attending to the terminal for WestJet’s summer flight schedule has made it much more difficult for people to properly physically distance while in the terminal building. In order to continue offering air service at the facility, the decision has been made to require anyone present in the terminal building to wear a face mask or face covering. Signage will be posted in all applicable areas of the airport terminal building. PLEASE NOTE that the Brandon Municipal Airport WILL NOT provide face masks or face coverings. This new requirement at the Brandon Municipal Airport is in addition to Transport Canada’s pre-existing requirement which came into effect on April 20th, 2020, for travellers to wear a facemask or face covering during the screening process as well as on the aircraft. Guidance on acceptable face masks or coverings has been provided by Transport Canada on its website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/about-non-medical-masks-face-coverings.html. Exceptions to the above requirements have been laid out as follows: •            When you could be endangered by wearing a mask, •            When security, airline staff or airport staff authorizes the removal of a face mask in cases of special needs or        unforeseen circumstances. •            When you are eating, drinking or taking oral medications. •            An infant 2 years or less, does not require to wear a face mask of face covering •            When you difficulty breathing (not related to COVID-19), •            A person who is unconscious, and a person who is unable to remove their face mask without assistance. In addition to all the above measures, a number of other procedures are in place at the Brandon Municipal Airport to minimize the spread of COVID-19, including the disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces, and the performing of Health Checks for passengers before boarding. More Information on the City of Brandon’s COVID-19 pandemic response can be found at http://www.brandon.ca/covid-19-updates. (City of Brandon PSA)