Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 1:30 am, a traffic stop was done in the 1800 block of Park Ave after the 39-year-old Brandon man failed to stop for a check stop a short distance away. He was arrested and transported to BPS where he later provided two samples of his breath over the legal limit. He was released for a later court date. At 02:08, Police pulled over a vehicle in the 300 block of 1st St N. After being pulled over, the 23 year old Brandon man who was operating the vehicle, failed the roadside screening test. He later provided two samples of his breath over the legal limit. He was released for a later court date.

Livestock producers will temporarily be allowed to cut hay and allow animals to graze on Crown land not normally designated for agricultural use due to dry conditions across parts of the province, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today. “Pastures and forage crops in parts of Manitoba have been greatly affected by low levels of rain and dry soils this summer,” said Eichler. “By providing producers with additional options, such as access to Crown land, we are easing the burden on farmers who are seeing low yields on forage crops.” Under certain circumstances, Crown land can be made available for agricultural use. The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing program will administer the use of available land and provide necessary permits. Livestock must be removed when the naturally existing forage is exhausted or by Oct. 31, 2018. Baled hay must be removed by Nov. 15, 2018. “With many beef producers facing poor pasture conditions and a shortage of feed, having the ability to graze and hay these Crown lands is both necessary and welcomed,” said Tom Teichroeb, interim president, Manitoba Beef Producers. “Cattle grazing inside these wildlife management areas can deliver important conservation benefits as well as be an important strategy during times of feed shortages.” Manitoba Agriculture provides a number of additional tools and resources for producers affected by dry conditions which can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/beef/index.html#resources. The resources include the Manitoba hay listing service, information on managing pastures during dry conditions, alternative feed for beef cattle and options to stretch feed when supplies are tight. Producers with AgriInsurance contracts who intend to put their crop to alternate use are required to contact the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) office to arrange for a field appraisal prior to harvesting the crop.  Crop producers should also consider making crop residue available to livestock producers. Manitoba also provides risk management programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which help producers to manage production and price risk.  These include: Forage insurance under the AgriInsurance program, which insures hay and pasture production and establishment against potential losses. Producers can check their 2018 coverage and learn more at www.masc.mb.ca or by calling their local MASC office. The Western Livestock Price Insurance Program, which provides a range of coverage and policy options to help manage price risk and protect against volatility in the marketplace. Producers can purchase price insurance year-round for their feeder and fed cattle. More information is available at www.wlpip.ca. Producers can contact their local Manitoba Agriculture office or call the department toll-free at 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224) for more information on any of these programs and services or go to www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture under Quick Links.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 7:30 p.m., Police responded to a report from a Taxi company that a female had damaged the vehicle by breaking the door. The female suspect was located in the 900 Block of Victoria Avenue and arrested for Mischief to Property and also found to have a Warrant of Arrest for Breach of Probation and Fail to Attend Court. The 20-year-old from Sioux Valley First Nation, Manitoba was lodged at the Correctional Center to be released when sober with a Court appearance scheduled for September.

Manitoba entrepreneurs with ideas for new foods or alcoholic beverages are invited to enter the 12th annual Great Manitoba Food Fight (GMFF), Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today. “The Great Manitoba Food Fight showcases innovators in the food and beverage industry, while continuing to grow the sector in our province,” said Eichler. “In the past four years, 15 jobs have been created as a result of this event, positively impacting local economies.” The GMFF is an annual event that supports small and medium-sized agri-processors in Manitoba and helps to accelerate the rate of commercialization and growth in the food and beverage sector. In addition to pitching their product to a panel of judges, participants must submit an application form that outlines how they would commercialize their new product. Ten applicants will be selected to compete in the food portion of the competition, and three will be selected for the alcoholic beverage competition. Judges will select gold, silver and bronze winners in the food category, and a single winner in the alcoholic beverage competition. The GMFF is sponsored by the Manitoba government, in partnership with De Luca’s Specialty Foods Store and Food and Beverage Manitoba. The competition will be held on Sept. 19 at De Luca’s, 950 Portage Ave. The entry fee is $50 and a valid processing permit is required. The application deadline is Sept. 3. Applications that are not accepted for this competition will have their entry fees returned. To apply for the Great Manitoba Food Fight or for more information, visit www.gmff.ca or call 204-841-4084.

Winnipeg, Manitoba – Today the corporation previously referred to as 10552763 Canada Corporation, a partnership of Avana Canada Inc. of Ontario, Fisher River Cree Nation of Manitoba, Chippewas of the Thames of Ontario, of MediPharm Labs Inc. of Ontario, and retailer Native Roots Dispensary announced its name as “Garden Variety,” along with plans to open four stores in Manitoba. One of four organizations awarded licenses to operate retail cannabis stores in the province, the corporation has remained quiet until now about activities and development efforts while conducting intensive research and market analysis before selecting its name, design and retail strategy. “We took time to learn what Canadians and especially Manitobans were looking for in a retail cannabis experience and developed the Garden Variety with the specific aim of aligning with those needs,” said Ryan Brown, CEO of Garden Variety and Native Roots. “We know from our operational experiences with Native Roots over the past nine years in the US that we must start by asking the right questions of our customers rather than assume we know what they want. Garden Variety is the result of that investigation, and its concepts and design are inviting, comfortable and anything but ordinary.”   As the only current Canadian company with existing expertise in operating adult-use retail cannabis dispensaries, Garden Variety has developed strategic plans for store development in four locations including two in Winnipeg, one in Brandon and one in Thompson. The Manitoba Growth, Enterprise & Trade (GET) authority has reviewed the proposed locations and found them permissible.   Plans include build-out and design elements to ensure a welcoming, relaxed environment for customers seeking a variety of shopping experiences as well as an online purchase and home delivery process. “A great deal of thought and research was done prior to the development of the plans,” said Zubin Jasavala, President and CEO, Avana Canada Inc. “Garden Variety will be comfortable for our customers, break down barriers that might intimidate people from exploration and bring a bit of everyday magic to the experience of shopping for cannabis.” Fisher River Cree Nation Chief, David Crate remarked, “Each of the Garden Variety partners brings something special to the table, which makes the company stronger as a whole. We are excited to bring both our perspectives as Manitobans and as an Indigenous nation to this partnership.” Garden Variety will open two Winnipeg stores within the year, launching Brandon and Thompson locations in 2019. Capitalizing on the successful Native Roots experience in Colorado, Garden Variety is taking a conservative approach, building a strong operational foundation with a focus on Manitoba locations. The privately funded corporation, has invested resources in advance strategic development to avoid common mistakes with lessons already learned in Colorado, and get things right from the start. “We are thrilled to be part of such a talented and experienced team, building a world-class organization from the beginning,” said Pat McCutcheon, President and CEO, MediPharm Labs Inc. Mike Deleary, Executive Administrator for the Chippewas on the Thames Nation, agreed adding, “We see this as the beginning of a long-lasting relationship that will bring valuable resources to our Nation as we look ahead to the future.”