The risk of significant spring flooding remains low for most locations across the province at this time, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today. “As Manitobans know, weather conditions in our province can change on a moment’s notice.  Our government will remain ready to act if heavy winter precipitation, a fast snowmelt or heavy spring rainfall occurs,” said Schuler.  “For now though, we have reason to be cautiously optimistic about what’s ahead for most parts of Manitoba this spring.” Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is continuing to monitor the impacts of weather conditions across the province.  The centre works in collaboration with weather services and flood forecasters in neighbouring states and provinces to monitor the winter precipitation patterns throughout Manitoba watersheds, said Schuler. The 2017 fall conditions report issued early in December indicated soil moisture levels before freeze-up were normal to drier than normal in most of Manitoba.  At this time, winter precipitation in most areas of the province remains average to below average, with some areas indicating well below average precipitation records. Along some streams, possible ice jams could affect the flood risk.  Current river ice assessments indicate above-normal thickness for this time of the year.  This is a result of below-normal temperatures this winter and the lack of sufficient snow cover to insulate the river ice from the cold air temperatures.  Above-normal thickness increases the risk of ice-jam flooding in areas that are historically susceptible to ice jams.  The province will conduct detailed ice thickness measurements in the coming months, and ice-cutting and icebreaking programs in the areas most prone to ice jamming. “The first detailed flood outlook will be released in the latter part of February,” said Schuler.  “Floods are caused by a combination of unique circumstances and there is a risk of over-estimating or under-estimating the flood potential too far in advance.” Early spring outlook information can help prepare for potential spring flooding, allowing time to acquire temporary flood mitigation equipment based on projected flood conditions.  The province also maintains an inventory of temporary flood-fighting equipment, which includes over two million regular sandbags, six sandbag-making machines, 18,000 super sandbags, 43 kilometres of cage barriers into which sand or other heavy material is placed, 50 km of water-filled barriers, and 59 mobile pumps and heavy-duty steamers to open clogged drains.

Would you be willing to shave your head for charity?  That is the question Grim Acres Scare Away Cancer is asking this year as they attempt to break the current world record for most heads shaved in one hour.  Helping to spearhead the initiative alongside Brian Sutherland (Grimm Acres Scare Away Cancer) will be Quentin Derhak, a well established barber at Esquire Barbershop.  The current record for most heads shaved in a hour they are hoping to eclipse is 75. A sign up sheet for people wishing to have their heads shaved will be released sometime in the next few weeks. Free admission, donations to the CCS accepted, and proceeds from the record attempt will go to bladder cancer research, treatments, and education. This year's world record attempt event from Grim Acres Scare Away Cancer will be held  sometime between Oct 25th to the 27th, on location at Grim Acres Scare Away Cancer. The final date will be confirmed closer to the event.   Anyone wishing to sponsor the event and have your business name featured in the official pics of the event that will be taken for Guiness World Records, is asked to contact them at grimacres@gmail.com.

BRANDON – Westman youth will get a head start on learning the valuable skill of coding, thanks to $95,000 of federal funding received by Brandon University’s Mini University through Actua. Actua, a not-for-profit organization that delivers youth programming in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is distributing more than $10 million nationally after receiving the funding through the federal government’s new CanCode program. “Coding is the next big job. Industries ranging from automotive and agri-food to the life sciences and clean technology need coders, given their increasingly digital nature. That’s why our government is equipping Canadian youth with the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. By teaching kids to code today, we’re positioning Canada for future success across all industries and sectors,” said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The funding will allow Mini University to offer new and improved programs in digital skills and coding through better equipment, more staffing and bursaries for at-risk youth. New programs include digital music composition and an all-girls tech club for Grades 3–8 participants, as well as new robotics and technology activities for students from Kindergarten through Grade 2. “Coding is a high-demand skill that is continually increasing in importance globally,” said Dr. Nancy Stanley, Mini University Director at Brandon University. “The programs that we are able to offer, with the support of CanCode and Actua, will give our youth a terrific introduction to this skill and the inspire them to make key contributions in STEM fields in the future.” The CanCode program is a historic investment by the Government of Canada of $50 million over two years that will support increased access to opportunities for coding and digital skills building for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Actua’s CanCode funding will be used to increase program delivery across Canada by its 35 network member programs, located at universities and colleges across Canada, and its Outreach Team, which delivers programming across the North. It will also support research, teacher training (providing teachers training in coding and digital skills as well as resources they can use in the classroom), and Maker Mobile Workshops. Over the two-year period, Actua will engage a total of 500,000 youth across every province and territory.   The CanCode program will invest $50 million over two years, starting in 2017-18, to support initiatives providing educational opportunities for coding and digital skills development to Canadian youth from Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12). The program aims to equip youth, including traditionally underrepresented groups, with the skills and study incentives they need to be prepared for the jobs of today and the future. Canada's success in the digital economy depends on leveraging our diverse talent and providing opportunity for all to participate—investing in digital skills development will help to achieve this.   Actua is Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network representing 35 university and college based members. Each year 250,000 young Canadians in over 500 communities nationwide are inspired through hands-on educational workshops, camps and community outreach initiatives. Actua focuses on the engagement of underrepresented youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Actua’s major funders include: Government of Canada, Google Canada, Suncor Energy Foundation, GE Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Finning, Toyota Canada Foundation and Lockheed Martin. For more information about Actua, visit actua.ca   Brandon University combines proud tradition with shared ambition at our growing, progressive campus, where we welcome a diverse and inclusive community. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Our roots date to our foundation in 1899 as Brandon College, and through 2017–18 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our charter as a university. Join us at BrandonU.ca

The United Way Brandon & District held their annual Touchdown Lunch at the Victoria Inn today where they announced the 2017 Campaign Total and the new 2018 Champaign Chair.   The 2017 campaign raised $716,682.90 last year under the guidance of Champaign Chair Scott Hlady.   This year’s Co-Campaign Chairs will be Jeffrey DeSarno of Westman Communications Group and Kevin Martin of Branstone Financial Strategies.

BRANDON, January 29, 2018 – Westman Communications Group (Westman) is ending its naming rights for the main arena at the Keystone Centre (Keystone). In 2007, Westman became the first ever naming rights sponsor for the arena. “Westman Communications Group Place is the home of the Wheat Kings and over the past 10 years has hosted many major events and concerts for the enjoyment of Westman area residents” said Dave Baxter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westman Communications Group. “The Keystone Centre plays a vital role in the Western Manitoba economy. We have been able to provide nearly a million dollars in financial support to the Keystone over the term of our agreement and are pleased that the Keystone has found a new naming rights partner” added Baxter. Westman provided financial support but also technology including high speed data and internet services for the entire Keystone Centre, plus high definition cable TV. Free Wi-Fi was recently installed to be enjoyed by all attendees of events at Westman Communications Group Place.  Westman will remain involved in the main arena as we broadcast our twenty-seventh season of Brandon Wheat Kings games on Westman owned radio station Q Country 91.5 FM / 880 AM. “Westman will continue playing a leadership role in supporting local events and organizations based in Brandon and Southwestern Manitoba.” stated Baxter. In the past year, Westman provided nearly $200,000 in community support via sponsorships, donations and other services.