36-year-old Brandon female has been charged with nine counts of unauthorized use of a credit card. An ongoing investigation has revealed that she used a stolen credit card at nine times at various local businesses for purchases exceeding $4000. She was released from custody to appear in court on October 1st.

BRANDON – In difficult times, as everyone’s lives are affected by COVID-19, your voice can help highlight the sweeping impact of this pandemic. Researchers at Brandon University are starting a new Manitoba-wide project to understand how students, their parents or guardians, and educators are faring during this unprecedented learning climate. “We would like to hear from you about youth learning concerns and about mental health,” said Dr. Breanna Lawrence, who is leading the project. “By doing this research during the pandemic, we will gain valuable insight into how families are responding to stressors like suspensions of face-to-face classes and how families are accessing educational resources. We want to know more about how youth are participating in activities that promote well-being.” Dr. Lawrence teaches child and adolescent development to preservice teachers and also teaches in the graduate guidance and counselling program in the Faculty of Education at Brandon University. She also has a four-year-old and a seven-year-old child at home. “I know first-hand some of the challenges that families are facing,” she said. “Now is the time for us to put our heads together, to learn from one another, and to share the strategies that we are using to manage these unprecedented challenges. That’s what this study is all about.” She says the main goal of the project is to understand how youth with learning and mental health concerns are impacted, and how families and educators are working together to support student well-being. “As a teacher educator, my focus is on helping the next generation of teachers learn about working effectively with families,” she said. “This is a strengths-based study to find out what’s working— and to pass on this information to future educators.” The research team is looking for youth aged 12 to 18 years old and their parents or guardians from across the province to discuss their experiences with learning and mental health amidst the COVID-19 health pandemic. Separate interviews will be conducted by telephone or video conference and will be audio-recorded. For each interview, participants will be thanked with a $20 gift card. Findings from this research will inform educational practices and provincial policies to better support the learning and mental health needs of youth. ABOUT THE RESEARCH: This study is part of a larger study funded through Research Manitoba, with research collaborators at University of Saskatchewan and University of Manitoba that also will include analyzing Statistics Canada survey data. The overarching project goal is to advance understandings of positive youth development. Children’s emotional and behavioral health and their learning and achievement are strongly linked. A pressing concern is the increasing rates of mental health concerns among children and youth. There is not a lot of current research that captures multiple perspectives on youth mental health in educational contexts. Ultimately, the findings from this research will be invaluable in understanding the numerous influences and strategies used as families and educators’ collaborate to support the well-being of students during the COVID-19 health pandemic. Anyone interested can contact Dr. Breanna Lawrence, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education. Brandon University at LawrenceB@BrandonU.ca, or call or text her at 204-819-4322. The research project also has a Facebook page at Prairie Youth Resilience Research Team, at facebook.com/PYRresearch.   Success is built at Brandon University. Our growing, progressive campus welcomes a diverse and inclusive community that combines proud tradition with shared ambition. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Join us at BrandonU.ca  (Brandon University News)

Shortly before 3:00 on Wednesday afternoon, Brandon Fire & Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the 2300 block of 10th St. for reports of a side-by-side on fire. Upon arrival it was realized that much more than just a side-by-side was on fire. It appeared that a side-by-side, shed, garage, industrial-type trailer, and multiple tall trees were on fire, with flames quickly spreading towards the house on the property. Firefighting efforts were hampered due to a downed live powerline and reports of propane/explosive material canisters in the fire area. Manitoba Hydro attended the scene to help shut down power, which allowed crews to move in and finish extinguishing the fire. No reports of injuries, and as of 5:45pm most of the fire units had cleared the scene.

The Society for Manitobans with Disabilities has changed its name to Manitoba Possible.The new name has been chosen to better reflect the organization’s mandate in relation to the evolving needs and aspirations of the Manitobans they serve. “This change comes at a time when we are advancing our service offerings and expanding our provincial reach. We believe that an inclusive and accessible society is possible, and we strive to achieve this by working collaboratively, embracing diversity and innovating at every level”, says Dana Erickson, Chief Executive Officer. “Our new name -Manitoba Possible -captures the values that have underpinned 70 years of leadership and support our organization has provided,for and with, Manitobans with disabilities. It also serves to renew our commitment to working together with all of our stakeholders,to eliminate barriers to full and equal participation for everyone in our society.” says Erickson. “We have a lot of possibilities in Manitoba -we just need to reach out and grab hold of them.” says Peter Zacharias, President, Board of Directors. “We’ve made a lot of strides over the years, but there are still many areas that have been left behind. Manitoba Possible believes that there is a valued place for everyone. We know that the SMD name has itself been a barrier for those who don’t identify as persons with disabilities.Our new name better reflects the aspirations of those we serve, which in turn fuels our purpose.” Manitoba Possible was originally founded in 1950 as the Society for Crippled Children. Today, the Manitoba Possible family includes a head office and two locations in Winnipeg, as well as six regional offices throughout Manitoba. We provide a diverse spectrum of programs and services emphasizing choice and self-determination for thousands of children, youth and adults with disabilities and in the Deaf community throughout the province. Our programming is supported by the Province of Manitoba, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, United Way Winnipeg, Government of Canada, and our generous donors and sponsors. (Manitoba Possible Media Release)

Brandon, MB. – Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) students from Crocus Plains High School, Elton Collegiate and Vincent Massey High School will be distributing grants totaling $10,000 to 20 local charities on Giving Tuesday May 5 th , 2020. The YIP grant presentation evening was to take place on Tuesday May 5th, hosted by the Elton Collegiate YIP students. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 situation, BACF had to cancel this year’s granting evening. All grant recipients will receive their grant money via mail. The YIP program is a BACF program designed to introduce motivated youth to philanthropy and local community development. This program gives the students a hands-on experience working as a team and with local charitable organizations to help our communities thrive. Each September, schools form their YIP committees. Each committee receives grant monies from BACF and the United Way of Brandon & District, to grant to charities in our community. The students research charities that meet the BACF granting criteria and learn more about what those charities do by visiting them and interviewing people who work there. “The students really get a sense of what non-profit organization are about and how important these grants can be to their programs,” states Laura Kempthorne, Executive Director of BACF “These students are incredible. They take their role of decision making very seriously, making sure their grant will make animpact for the organization they choose. I hope their experience with the YIP program inspires them throughout their lives.” Over the past 16 years, YIP students have awarded $157,000.00 in grants to numerous organizationsthroughout Brandon and the Westman area. For a listing of 2020 YIP grant recipients visit www.bacf.ca. (submitted)