Effective immediately, the Manitoba government has reduced ambulance fees to a maximum of $250.00 per ride. Fees have been reduced in stages over the years from an average of $500 in 2016 to $425 in 2017. The fee in 2018 was $340.00. "High ambulance fees affect many Manitobans, particularly older aduts and seniors living on low or fixed incomes." said Connie Newman, executive director, Manitoba Association of Senior Centre. "Reducing fees makes it more affordable for all Manitobans when they need emergency medical care." For additional information, please click here.

When you google the term “therapy dog” it states a therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas.  For Mark Saler (a Canadian Pacific railroad conductor) and his dog Grizzly they fully encompass that definition. BDNMB had an opportunity to speak with Mark about his amazing dog Grizzly whom is 4 years old. Mark how long have you been visiting hospitals in Brandon and Westman? We have been going to Brandon, Neepawa and Minnedosa hospitals once a month for 6 hours each time.  Grizzly and myself will visit children’s wards and and all the floors at the hospital. You two must be popular, how do you handle the requests? People request Grizzly sometimes 2 – 3 times a week and we honestly try to get to everyone but at times it just isn’t possible. On Facebook, I have noticed that Grizzly and yourself are working at Bell MTS Centre with the Winnipeg Jets and True North. How did this come about? The connection with the Jets and True North came about because of volunteering with cancer patients. In November they had a night called Hockey Fights Cancer and they were suggested to see and meet Grizzly and they loved it. I can’t say enough good things about the Winnipeg Jets as an organization. You must have so many special memories with what you both do. He is an amazing dog and can make people smile when going through tough times.  Without a doubt the children’s ward and the kids that light up when Grizzly walks in the room. Also, I had a cancer patient that passed away and this message at her funeral that always stays with me. Hailey would take Barb to her scheduled Chemo appointments. Hailey said that not once did Barb ever complain and she was always in a good mood on “chemo day”. She would say “I get to go visit with all my new friends”.  She looked forward to Cancer Care once she found Grizzly.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 10:00 am on Saturday, Brandon Police members attended an address in the east end for a disturbance.  The police investigation revealed that a 17-year-old Brandon female, who was intoxicated, had assaulted her brother with a weapon which was in her possession when she was arrested.  The victim suffered no injuries as a result of the assault.  The female was lodged at BCC for court in the morning.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 16, 2019, a male attended to the MLCC at 10th and Victoria in Brandon and stole a $40 bottle of liquor.  The theft was recorded on store video surveillance, which allowed police to identify the suspect.  On Friday March 29, the 39-year-old Brandon male was located and arrested for the theft.  He was released on a Promise to Appear in Court on May 23, 2019, charged with Theft under $5000.

Friday, March 29, 2019 Brandon, MB – It’s day five of the 2019 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and organizers expect another fun filled day with more happy fairgoers. “The entertainment and competitions have been exceptional all week long and we are really looking forward to the last couple of days,” said Ron Kristjansson, general manager, The Klondike Showmanship Cattle Show will take place on the TD AG Action stage for most of the day followed by live action exhibits and the BMO MB Farm Family honoree, Southern Manitoba Potato Company of Gnadenthal area sharing their farm story at 5:15 PM. The RBC Challenge will open the evening show with $18,000 up for grabs along with the Tim Horton’s Costume Class and Six Horse Championship Classic A. Canadian Hackney Society inductee and longtime RMWF Hackney exhibitors, Gilbert Farms will be recognized in the main arena, more information available on our website. At the same time as the main arena evening show, the RMWF Steer sale will be taking place in the Royal Farm Yard with an added element that will help children and adolescents survive their very rare cancers thanks to the generous donation and organizing of Cattle Show Chair, Dallas Johnston. Partnering with CancerCare MB, Dallas’s family will be auctioning off a steer that will benefit the Terry Fox (PROFYLE) PRecision Oncology For Young people initiative. Phone bids will also be accepted during the sale; call 204-724-5367or 204-841-3880. Show results available on the RMWF Website Saturday, March 30 is the last day of the fair. The Royal Farmyard and lower level Tradeshow are open 10 AM - 7 PM. The final show jumping event of the week, the RMWF Grand Prix offers $25,000 in prize money and the coveted KT McPherson Award will be given out to the top horse/rider combo for the week. Free gate admission after 8 PM with plenty of fun to be had before the faFair open until 2 AM. Taggle Box will play the Barn Bar, show starting at 9 PM. Follow the Provincial Exhibition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for instant updates and visit the website at www.royalmanitobawinterfair.com #RMWF Source: Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Release