Three classes of Grade 7/8 students at George Fitton School accepted the challenge put forward by Nutrien to answer the question:   “What can you do to improve your watershed?”   The students worked diligently over the course of six weeks, researching and collecting information on watersheds, listening to guest speakers, speaking with custodians and principals, and making phone calls to businesses and other schools within the community of Brandon.   On Thursday, March 22nd, in celebration of the hard work observed from all three classrooms, the students were treated to a Breakfast Party followed by a gallery walk where all submitted proposals were on display.   Following the Breakfast Party, Mrs. Watier, Mrs. Seitter & Ms. Robinson thanked the students for all of their hard work and efforts to protect our watershed, and announced that out of 280 submissions, George Fitton School merited TWO placements in the 10 finalist positions! Our finalists are as follows: *Phoenix Stevens, Braden Patey, and Andres Rincon Cuadrado for their proposal titled “Watershed Fest”; and *Lyam Haslen and Carson Rice for their proposal titled “#saveourwatershed”   In addition to our two finalists, Rooney Gopaul’s project “Habitat Fragmentation” was selected for implementation as well! Although Rooney did not place, the judges admired his “enthusiasm, the way that [he] had already reached out and made connections” in the community. Rooney has partnered with the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre to reduce habitat fragmentation by building bird houses for the establishment of a Purple Martin Colony on the Assiniboine River!   What Happens Next? The two groups of students are now invited to present their proposals to a panel of judges at Oak Hammock Marsh on April 28th for the final round of the contest! CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 3:35 p.m., Police stopped a vehicle on 2nd Street and the male driver of the vehicle was found to be suspended from driving. The man exited his vehicle and became aggressive towards the Officer but eventually returned to his car. When the Officer approached the vehicle to retrieve more information, the man reached through the open window, grabbed the Officer by the arm and tried to pull the Officer into the vehicle. Other Police members attended and were able to subdue the suspect. The 83-year-old man from Brandon was arrested for Assault Police Officer and issued a ticket for Driving While Disqualified. He was released and scheduled to appear in Court in May.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 5:30 p.m., Police responded to the 700 Block of Rosser Avenue after receiving a report that a taxi driver was having problems with a fare. Investigation revealed that a man threw a beer can at the driver hitting him in the head after the driver refused to take the man and his dog in the cab. The 33-year-old male suspect was uncooperative with officers and was arrested for Assault with a Weapon. He was lodged at the Correctional Center to be released on Tuesday morning with a Court date in May.

As part of the expansion of the national public alerting system, Alert Ready, compatible wireless devices on long-term evolution (LTE) networks in Manitoba will be able to receive emergency alert messages as of April 6, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler, minister responsible for emergency measures, announced today. “The government of Manitoba has been preparing to expand the emergency public alerting system to the wireless world, enhancing the effectiveness to rapidly warn citizens of imminent or unfolding threats to life or safety,” said Schuler.  “Individuals in Manitoba with compatible wireless devices, such as cellphones and smartphones, will be able to receive emergency alerts if they are in the geographic broadcast area.” The alert will begin with a distinct sound and vibration, followed by an emergency alert banner display on the wireless device and a message outlining the nature of the alert.  Canada’s existing Alert Ready system warns the public of emergency or disaster events via radio, cable and satellite TV broadcasters and web feeds.  A public awareness test message that will go to compatible wireless devices scheduled to take place in Manitoba on May 9 at 1:55 p.m. during National Emergency Preparedness Week. Broadcasters and wireless service providers are only required to distribute ‘broadcast immediate’ threats to Canadians that have the highest level of severity, urgency and certainty.  The Alert Ready system is a partnership between federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Pelmorex Corporation (The Weather Network), the broadcast industry and now wireless service providers.  The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization and Environment and Climate Change Canada are authorized alerting authorities in Manitoba and are capable of sending emergency alerts through this national system. “In Manitoba, drivers are not allowed to use hand-held electronic communication devices such as smartphones and cellphones while driving,” said Schuler.  “If you receive an emergency alert on a wireless device while operating a vehicle, it is important to remain calm and safely pull off the roadway at your earliest opportunity to view the alert.” For more information on public alerting in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/emo or www.alertready.ca.

Brandon Police Service Media Release On Monday morning, a male victim contacted Police and reported being robbed by a female whom he recently met on an Internet dating site. The female suspect and another female attended to the victim’s residence and stole a computer. The suspect later returned with three other people, one was a male wearing a mask. The masked man punched the victim in the face and threatened to stab the victim. The suspects then stole a television, jackets, cell phone and some jewelry. The victim did not require medical attention because of the assault. Police investigation continues.