Source:  Province of Manitoba Media Bulletin The Manitoba government and Bell Let’s Talk have partnered to contribute $1 million to the Strongest Families Institute (SFI) to expand mental health services for children, youth and their families throughout Manitoba, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today. “When families need help, they need it right away,” said Friesen.  “The Strongest Families Institute has a proven track record of providing mental health care to children and youth that is effective, family-centred, timely and accessible to those living in rural and remote areas.  We thank Bell Let’s Talk for raising awareness of mental health issues and for its support of this new program in Manitoba.” The Manitoba government and Bell Let’s Talk are jointly contributing $1 million over five years to SFI, an award-winning organization that provides evidence-based programs for children, youth and families dealing with mild to moderate mental illness and other health issues.  SFI uses a unique distance coaching approach to support families in the privacy of their own homes at flexible hours.  SFI is the only program of its kind in the country, offering a no-wait-list policy and services to families with children and youth aged three to 17 affected by significant challenges. “Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to partner with the Manitoba government and the Strongest Families Institute to help expand mental health services across the province,” said Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let’s Talk.  “The Strongest Families Institute is a real leader in finding new ways to offer young people and their families access to the mental health care and services they need.” SFI currently operates in seven other provinces.  Services will be available in both English and French when SFI formally launches its programs in Manitoba in the coming weeks.  Approximately 1,000 families are expected to benefit from the service over the next five years, the minister noted. “Strongest Families was designed to remove barriers to care so families receive help when and where they need it,” said Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie, president and CEO, Strongest Families Institute.  “Our skill-based approach has shown to be highly effective in reducing mental health issues early in life.  We thank the Manitoba government and Bell Let’s Talk for this generous gift so our SFI team can help children, youth and families in Manitoba lead happier healthier lives.” Bell Let’s Talk promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like Bell Let’s Talk Day on Jan. 30, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives.  On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates five cents to Canadian mental health programs for each eligible text, phone call and social media interaction on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, at no cost to participants.  To learn more about how to get involved in Bell Let’s Talk Day, visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. To learn more about the Strongest Families Institute, visit www.strongestfamilies.com.

Source:  Province of Manitoba Media Bulletin Manitoba Sustainable Development advises that recent night patrols, including aerial surveillance, have identified several suspects involved in dangerous hunting and led to a number of charges. On Dec. 10, 2018, officers patrolling near Ashern witnessed a vehicle driving down a municipal road, using a spotlight to light up areas just off the road.  Officers watched as the occupants used the spotlight for over a mile, before they moved in and stopped the vehicle.  Two males from Lake Manitoba First Nation face a number of charges including hunting at night with lights, hunting on private land without permission and carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.  A 2017 Ford F-150 pickup truck, loaded rifle and spotlight were seized as evidence. Later that evening, in the Western region, aerial surveillance observed spotlighting activity along PR 366, northeast of Inglis.  Officers on the ground tracked the vehicle to the yard of a rural residence and found two males.  One male from Alberta has been charged with hunting at night with lights and carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and one male from the RM of Riding Mountain West has been charged with hunting at night with lights.  A 2011 Chevrolet 3500 pickup truck, loaded rifle, other hunting equipment and a spotlight were seized as evidence. Anyone with information about illegal activities is asked to call their local Manitoba Sustainable Development office or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On January 13th, 2019, at 9:30 pm, a 23 year old Brandon man was stopped by police in the 1500 blk of 18th Street. The accused had no identification and provided police with a false name. When properly identified, the male was found to be at large on a couple of warrants from both Winnipeg and Swan River for numerous offences including Sexual Assault, Breach of Probation as well as Breach of Recognizance as well as a new charge of Public Mischief. The accused was lodged at BCC for Court on January 14th, 2019.

Earlier this afternoon many residents in Brandon started to receive an email directing them to fill out a survey regarding a possible relocation of the Sand Hills Casino closer to Brandon.  Among the questions asked was the frequency at which you attended Sand Hills Casino, other casinos visited, and how your visitation to Sand Hills Casino would change, if at all, if Sand Hills Casino were to relocate closer to Brandon? The survey also also inquired about the city's dining and entertainment options, hotel amenities, and facilities that would attract one to a casino. BDNMB.CA has reached out to Sand Hills Casino to confirm the validity of the survey.

The Manitoba government has launched Women’s Equality Week 2019 with a boost to women in the trades, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today. “Women in Manitoba continue to be under-represented in many areas of training including the trades,” Squires said during today’s announcement at Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT).  “We know that when people are empowered with skills and training, all kinds of doors open to good jobs, financial stability and better opportunities.  This project will help teach prospective students about non-traditional career options and create support networks to enable careers in the trades.” Squires announced a $25,000 grant to MITT for a new initiative to advance women in the trades that will increase the number of women enrolled in the school’s programs.  The Empower Project will engage part-time student recruiters to share information with other women across the province about the value of training in the trades and the rewarding career opportunities are available to graduates. “In my 26 years at MITT, I have seen the numbers of women entering skilled trades – specifically heavy or applied trades – increase,” said Grace Leduc, dean of MITT.  “However, I believe we have only just scratched the surface, and there is still a prevailing tradition, built on a myth, that professions somehow fall into gender-based categories.  I look forward to seeing the trend of women in trades become the norm and with the support of the Province of Manitoba, MITT will help make this happen.” The provincial funding will also enable MITT to develop promotional materials to build excitement and interest in the trades and other careers in which women are under-represented. “Choosing a career in trades was not about proving a point for me; it was about pursuing my dream,” said student Holly Shimaro, who is a few weeks away from completing the CAD Technician program at MITT.  “I want more young women in Manitoba to feel the freedom and support they need to pursue their dreams and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.  I’m grateful to the province for its support of MITT’s effort to recruit more women into trades training.  The more women we see in the field and in the classroom as students or teachers, the sooner the notion that trades are ‘non-traditional’ careers for women will be eliminated.” MITT specializes in providing innovative post-secondary and apprenticeship training programs in partnership with industry and communities.  In 2017, men made up 94.54 per cent of the student population in the heavy trades. In 2017, Manitoba proclaimed Women’s Equality Week as the third week of January to promote gender equality.