Management and staff at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex wish to inform the public of planned parking restrictions during this week’s Legion Games National Youth Track and Field Championships, which will be taking place this Friday through Sunday (August 10th-12th) at the facility. Since on-site parking at the Sportsplex will be limited, off-site parking and complimentary shuttle service will be available for regular Sportsplex patrons and Legion Games spectators, originating in the Corral Centre parking lot to the west of Walmart. From Friday through Sunday, an hourly shuttle service will depart from the above Corral Centre location and arrive at the Sportsplex approximately 5 minutes later. This service will begin at approximately 7:45 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m. each day; however, patrons and spectators should note that this complimentary shuttle service will not be available between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. each day The City of Brandon and Sportsplex staff thank patrons in advance for their patience during this time of high activity in the parking lot. Management and staff at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex invite all members of the public to come out and watch these high-calibre track and field competitors in action! Additional viewing options are also available at http://www.legion.ca/communities-youth/youth-leadership-and-sports/national-youth-track-and-field-championships/live-streaming

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 11:18 p.m., Police conducted a traffic stop in the 200 Block of Princess Avenue as the Officer involved recognized the driver and knew of an existing Warrant for his arrest. The arrest led to the discovery of 11 grams of Methamphetamine having a street value of approximately $2200. The 31-year-old male from Brandon was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Proceeds of Crime and 4 counts of Breach of his Court Ordered Recognizance. He was lodged at the Brandon Correctional Centre and will appear in Court today. One of the passengers in the vehicle, a 27-year-old also from Brandon was found to have an outstanding Warrant of Arrest for Assault Police Officer, Carry a Concealed Weapon, Possess a Weapon Dangerous and Fail to Attend Court. He was lodged at the Correctional Centre to appear in Court today. 2 others in the vehicle were released without charges.

The Manitoba government has provided over $5.4 million to support over 700 community organizations, municipalities and provincial parks that are delivering Green Team projects during the summer of 2018, Premier Brian Pallister and Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced today. “We’re pleased to help young Manitobans get involved in the community to conserve and protect the many great areas of our province we enjoy and hold dear,” said Pallister.  “These investments also support youth recreation and volunteer opportunities, as well as programs aimed specifically at Indigenous youth, visible minority youth and youth with a disability.” Green Team provides grants to hire youth to work on community projects between May 1 and Aug. 31. “More than 1,200 young Manitobans are employed in Green Team programs this summer,” said Squires.  “These programs provide valuable work experience for young Manitobans through projects that improve both natural and built environments around the province.” The program is split into multiple streams:  urban (Winnipeg), hometown (all other municipalities), and conservation (provincial parks).  Eligible recipients include non-profit organizations under both streams, and rural municipalities under the hometown stream.  Priority is given to programs in designated Neighbourhoods Alive! communities and those in northern Manitoba. Green Team funding through Manitoba Sustainable Development also supports provincial parks by creating roles for youth interested in working with wildlife, in forestry, or assisting at interpretive centres. “Save Our Seine is very grateful to the province for the annual funding it receives through the Urban Green Team program,” said Michele Kading, executive director, Save Our Seine.  “The reason that Save Our Seine was formed in 1990 was to clean-up this neglected little urban river and return it to its natural beauty.  With funding from the Urban Green Team program, we are able to hire hard-working youth to keep the river clean and navigable.” From riverbank stabilization efforts to animal care at wildlife havens, the Green Team lives up to its name.  Non-profit organizations receive 100 per cent of wage costs and $250 per position for support costs.  Municipal governments receive 50 per cent of wage costs and $125 per position for support costs, on a cost-shared basis. For more information on Green Team programs visit: www.gov.mb.ca/mr/bldgcomm/recreg/greenteam.html.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release A Brandon man was found to be in Breach of his Court Ordered Weapons Prohibition after it was discovered that a fanny pack that he was carrying contained several rounds of .22 calibre ammunition, a shotgun shell and a homemade gun. Prior to this the male was observed falling off his bicycle and the officer stopped to render assistance. Police continue to investigate the homemade gun. The 23-year-old was released and is scheduled to appear in Court in October.

There was a big fire SW of Brandon Monday afternoon.  Photos below show smoke billowing into the sky at the scene of the fire. These clouds of smoke were visible from Brandon.   No further details were immediately available.  We will publish more details as they become available.