The March flood outlook continues to suggest the risk of widespread major flooding remains low to moderate across most of the province, with a moderate risk of some overland flooding in low-lying areas along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today. “After the storm earlier this month, the risk of major flooding remains low on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, but there is a moderate risk of some overland or overbank flooding,” said Schuler. “Levels along the Red River and the Assiniboine River are forecasted to remain below flood protection levels.” Highlights of the outlook include: the risk of major flooding continues to be low for the Souris, Qu’Appelle and Pembina Rivers and their tributaries and within flood protection levels even with unfavourable weather conditions; the risk of major flooding in the Interlake region and for most major lakes, including Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba and Dauphin and the Whiteshell lakes is low; and the risk of major flooding is moderate on northern basins, including the Churchill and Carrot Rivers in The Pas region. “We continue to monitor for ice-jam related flooding due to the thickness of the ice on some of Manitoba’s rivers and streams,” said Schuler.  “The cold winter temperatures and less snow cover created above-normal ice conditions.” The use of flood management infrastructure will now include the Red River Floodway under normal and unfavourable weather conditions.  PTH 75 is expected to remain open throughout the spring. The Portage Diversion will likely be used for ice control along the Lower Assiniboine River and also to limit downstream Assiniboine River flows in case of unfavorable weather conditions.  The Shellmouth Dam will continue operations to reach summer levels after the spring run-off. Flows along the Assiniboine River at Portage la Prairie could reach just over 17,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) in unfavorable weather conditions, which would require the use of the Portage Diversion to limit the downstream flow to 10,000 cfs. The March outlook and other information is available online at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding.

Brandon Police Service Media Release Just past 2:00 PM yesterday afternoon a 26-year old Brandon man forced his way into a residence in the 100-Block of 14th Street and threatened the resident within the home with a handgun.  The suspect left the residence and was apprehend by police a short time later in the alleyway behind the residence.  The described handgun (later identified as a pellet gun) and a sawed off shotgun were located in the area.  The male suspect was lodged at the Brandon Correctional Center for court this morning.  The victim was not physically injured in this incident.

Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 11 2018, Police received a report that a female suspect stole a charity donation box off a counter of a business in the 1600 Block of Princess Avenue. Video surveillance was obtained and a photograph of the suspect was distributed on Social Media to assist in identifying the suspect. On Thursday afternoon, the suspect turned herself into Police and was arrested for Theft Under $5000. Further investigation revealed that the same female forged a Government cheque by altering the amount and cashed the forged document at a financial institution on March 12. The suspect was additionally arrested for Forgery and Utter Forged Document. She was released and is scheduled to appear in Court in May.

Five new members have been appointed to the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board, ensuring the work of the corporation can continue and provide stability for Manitoba ratepayers, Crown Services Minister Cliff Cullen announced today. “The five new appointees to the board come from diverse sectors and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the work of the corporation,” said Cullen.  “Our government is confident and excited that these qualified and capable individuals are willing to take up the challenges that lay ahead of Manitoba Hydro and that they will work in the best interest of the corporation and of all Manitobans.” The newly-appointed directors are Marina James (chair), Michael Moore (vice-chair), Lisa Meeches, Melanie McKague and Wade Linden. James has been the chief executive officer of WinnipegREALTORS since 2016. Prior to that, she served as president and chief executive officer of Economic Development Winnipeg, where she provided leadership, strategy and oversight to all aspects of economic development, investment attraction for business, emerging technology opportunities, community and social development and tourism development services. She holds a master of business administration from the University of Guelph as well as several real-estate related certifications. Moore recently retired from serving as the president of the Manitoba Home Builders Association and is currently a consultant for the Urban Development Institute. He previously served as regional vice president of the Nature Conservancy of Canada and has served on numerous boards provincially and federally. Meeches is the president and executive producer of Eagle Vision Inc. and Meeches Video productions, two Winnipeg-based production companies. She has received numerous awards and nominations, including the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media and Communication and the 2009 YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the area of creative communications. McKague is the senior legal counsel for Bell Canada. She previously served as the director of corporate communications and community investment for MTS. She holds a bachelor of commerce degree from Queen’s University and a law degree from the University of Manitoba. She has also served on various boards including the Bumper Crop Early Learning Centre and SEED (Supporting Employment and Economic Development). Linden was most recently the operations director at Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. He was responsible for the airport and safety management system and part of negotiations on a long-term contact with the Department of National Defense for military flight training. He continues to serve as special projects advisor for Southport and has served on numerous community boards. Cliff Graydon is the MLA for Emerson and continues to serve on the board. Prior to his election to the provincial legislature, he was a farmer in the Woodmore area and a founding member of the Manitoba Beef Producers.  He has also served on several other agriculture and conservation boards. “Our government wishes to thank the outgoing members of the Manitoba Hydro board for their service and for the work they have done on behalf of all Manitobans and recognize the significant challenges that they were met with in terms of the financial position of the corporation,” said Cullen.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 10:20 p.m., Police responded to a schoolyard in the 1200 Block of 22nd Street for a report of a group of people damaging property.  A 21-year-old man from Brandon was located in the area and found to be in possession of bolt cutters. Investigation revealed that the suspect used the bolt cutters to cut a chain link fence so he could pass through the grounds without walking around. The male was arrested for Possession of Break-In Instruments and Mischief to Property. He was released to attend Court in May.