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.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release  On Sunday afternoon at 1:40 pm, a male youth was arrested for possession of marihuana and breaching an undertaking and probation order.  Two witnesses advised a BPS officer that the youth had offered to sell them marihuana in the parking lot of a store in the 600 block of Victoria Ave.  The youth, along with two others, were observed in the 600 block of 9th St and were followed by the officer on foot.  Other BPS units stopped the subjects at 9th St and Van Horne Ave and the suspect was found in possession of a container with over 40 grams of marihuana.  The suspect, a 17 year old from Brandon, was arrested and lodged to appear for remand.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 2:35 am Saturday morning, police received a call from a hotel staff member that a suspected impaired driver was leaving their parking lot.  The staff member was able to provide a description of the vehicle in question but the vehicle could not be located.  At 3:30 am, police observed a vehicle matching the earlier provided description driving erratically on Richmond Avenue.  The vehicle was stopped and the driver, a 24-year-old Brandon female showed signs of impairment.  She was arrested and returned to the Brandon Police Service where she provided two samples of her breath at twice the legal limit.  She was released to appear in court next week.