Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Friday morning, it was reported that graffiti had occurred between approx. 10:00 PM Thursday night and 8:00 AM Friday, in the area of Acadia to Dogwood Boulevards, and Elviss Crescent.  The graffiti, in black spray paint, was on fences, garages, and vehicles.  These incidents remain under investigation and anyone with information on this is asked to call the Brandon Police Service or CrimeStoppers.

Reservations for Manitoba campgrounds open next week and staggered dates will be offered to make it easier for outdoor enthusiasts to book a site at their favourite campground, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today. “We thank Manitobans for their commitment in acting on the advice our health-care experts to stay home for the benefits of themselves, their loved ones and their community,” said Guillemard. “It is through their dedication and actions that we are able to allow Manitobans to continue to visit our provincial parks, and we are pleased to open up our campgrounds for the season, with additional safety measures in place. I believe this is welcome news for many Manitobans and their families. “I encourage everyone to keep practicing the fundamentals of good hygiene and social distancing while at home, and especially while enjoying some quality time outside with their loved ones, whether camping, at the cottage and throughout our beautiful parks.” Manitobans are reminded to take advantage of the new opportunity to buy a park vehicle pass online as part of the province’s new e-licensing program that launched earlier this year. To accommodate the expected high demand on the opening day of the parks reservation system, online and call centre services will begin at 7 a.m. at http://prs.gov.mb.ca, 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg) or 1 888-482-2267 (toll free). Check the website for call centre hours on other days. Customers making online reservations are advised to check their user IDs and passwords prior to May 4. For more information, visit www.manitobaparks.com. The Manitoba Parks Reservation Service will accept bookings in two phases: •    May 4 at 7 a.m. campsite reservations open for Winnipeg Beach, Betula Lake, Big Whiteshell, Brereton Lake, Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls, West Hawk Lake and White Lake campgrounds; and •    May 6 at 7 a.m. campsite reservations open for all remaining provincial park campgrounds. As part of Restoring Safe Services:  Manitoba’s Pandemic and Economic Roadmap for Recovery, additional measures will be in place and enforceable under the public health order, the minister noted. Campers are reminded that current public health orders limit gatherings to 10 people or less and people must continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing protocols. Provincial parks will implement enhanced cleaning procedures and sanitization of public washrooms and shower facilities in the campgrounds. Staff will be monitoring to ensure social distancing is adhered to, especially in public areas like beaches and recreation areas. For more information visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/phase-one.html#parks. In addition, campers are reminded there is currently a travel ban north of the 53rd parallel, with certain exceptions for essential travel. While the ban is in effect, anyone from southern Manitoba should not be travelling to a campground in the north. If making a booking for a northern campground (anywhere north of Lake Winnipeg), confirm the travel ban has been lifted prior to the planned camping trip. Out of province campers and visitors must follow the public health orders related to travel including a requirement to self-isolate for 14 days when entering the province. Walk-in reservations and in-person payment arrangements can be made at 200 Saulteaux Cres. in Winnipeg and will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning May 4 for the parks and facilities described above. Be aware that public access to the building is limited due to COVID-19 protocols and may require queuing outside. Online or call centre reservations are preferred. For more information on the e-licensing program or to purchase a park vehicle pass when the program, visit www.manitobaelicensing.ca. Manitobans can also stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following Manitoba Parks on Facebook or Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks. (Province of Manitoba News Release)

The winner of the contest was basement 7, Pete Gerlinger. Thank-you to everyone who entered and everyone who voted.     BDNMB.CA wanted to look for a way to support several local businesses and giveback during this covid-19 pandemic, so we came up with a contest to reward Brandon's Coolest Basement. The winner will receive $500.00 in prizes from 5-different businesses listed below. WINNER will be selected by your votes - May 15th at 6:00pm. You can vote once per day. Good luck to you all - BDNMB.CA. $100.00 - Glen Lea Golf Course $100.00 - Golf Clubs For Less Westman $100.00 - Brandon Source for Sports $100.00 - Direct Wholesale Furniture, Appliances and Mattresses $100.00 - The Dock on Princess iPhone users please vote here.   Which basement do you think deserves the $500.00 in prizes? Basement 1 Basement 2 Basement 3 Basement 4 Basement 5 Basement 6 Basement 7 Created with QuizMaker Basement 1 Basement 2 Basement 3 Basement 4 Basement 5 Basement 6 Basement 7

Brandon, MB – In response to the Province of Manitoba’s Restoring Safe Services Plan announced earlier this week, the City of Brandon’s Emergency Response Control Group is preparing for the following actions to be undertaken at outdoor recreation facilities, beginning the week of Monday, May 4th. Ø  The process of re-opening City-maintained playground structures will begin on Monday, May 4th and should be completed by Friday, May 8th. Swings will be re-installed and structures inspected, after which ‘CLOSED’ signage will be removed from structures. Please note that the City of Brandon DOES NOT clean or sanitize such equipment; Ø  Nets will be installed at City-maintained tennis courts for public use; however, volleyball nets and basketball hoops on City property will NOT be re-installed at this time; Ø  ‘CLOSED’ signage and caution tape will be removed from outdoor fitness equipment stations and greenspace picnic shelters/gazebos; Ø  Fencing around the Kristopher Campbell Memorial Skateboard Plaza will be removed and the plaza re-opened for public use; Ø  The Wheat City Golf Course is operated on contract by Golf Brandon. Please visit https://www.golfbrandon.com/ for more information about a course re-opening date or to enquire about the specific health guidelines to be placed on course operations. The City of Brandon stresses that access to the above facilities are being restored with the expectation that users will responsibly adhere to all provincially-recommended guidelines for safe and responsible physical distancing, which includes people maintaining a distance of at least two metres from each other, except for brief exchanges. The re-opened status of these facilities will be monitored and re-evaluated if maintaining public safety becomes problematic. A plan for re-opening civic facilities to the public in a way that provides for safe interactions between City of Brandon staff and customers will be communicated in the coming days. A reminder to all Brandon Transit users that as of Friday, May 1st, they 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. A further reminder that in compliance with Transport Canada’s regulations, passengers at the Brandon Municipal Airport will be asked to cover their mouth and nose with a non-medical mask or face covering during the check-in, security screening and the boarding processes. If you do not have a non-medical mask or face covering, you will be denied boarding.  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 PUBLIC NOTICE)

Westman Immigrant Services (WIS) is pleased to announce that as of April 1, 2020, it is responsible for delivering settlement and English language programming to a number of communities throughout the region of southwestern Manitoba. The organization’s federal funding partner, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), outlined plans to streamline the delivery of services to newcomers through a national call for proposals issued in 2019. In response, Westman Immigrant Services worked in partnership with settlement serving agencies in Russell, Virden and Cartwright to submit a plan for the regional delivery of services to newcomers that included enhanced programming and support. A five-year contract has been negotiated with IRCC which will see WIS expand its services to newcomers living in communities throughout the southwestern corner of Manitoba. Until now, WIS has delivered programming to newcomers mainly Brandon and the immediate area. This has included settlement and employment services, English language assessments and classes, family and youth programming, and support to students in the Brandon School Division through a settlement workers in schools initiative. Under the new funding agreement, regional offices in Russell and Virden have become part of WIS, and employees now have access to settlement services, information workshops and school programming that they were not able to deliver in the past. A partnership initiative with the Roblin Cartwright Community Development Corporation sees settlement services delivered in Cartwright, Killarney and Boissevain, with additional programming and support available to newcomers in those communities. WIS has also assumed responsibility for the delivery of English assessments and classes in Cartwright, Killarney and Boissevain. As the region continues to grow and welcome newcomers from around the world, WIS is poised to support service delivery to more communities through the offices located in Russell, Virden and Cartwright. WIS Board Chair, Chris Griffin states “This is an exciting time for Westman Immigrant Services as the organization grows to deliver programming to newcomers throughout the region. We look forward to expanding our base of service and supporting the settlement experience of newcomers in many communities. We welcome new partnerships and employees to our organization and are hopeful that our board of directors will become more diversified with members from around the region”. As a non-profit, charitable organization, WIS is governed by a board of directors and supported by more than 45 employees and over 100 volunteers. The organization is currently seeking applications of individuals who are interested in serving on the board of directors. Individuals who live in all communities now receiving regional services (including Brandon) and are committed to assisting the organization in meeting our mission by providing settlement, employment and language services while helping newcomers create connections and become successful members of their community, are encouraged to apply. Interested individuals are asked to contact Westman Immigrant Services at 204-727-6031, ext. 2235 or email: loism@westmanimmigrantservices.ca for an application form. (submitted)