Manitoba Sustainable Development and the Office of the Fire Commissioner advise that hot, dry and windy conditions continue, resulting in elevated wildfire danger levels in many areas of the province.  Fire crews from Northwest Territories and Minnesota, along with water bombers from Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, have been supporting Manitoba’s wildfire suppression efforts.  An additional five fire crews from Ontario will be joining suppression efforts today. To date, there have been more than 499 fires this season.  With many other fires burning across the Prairie provinces and Northwest Territories, parts of Manitoba may experience smoky conditions this week. A large wildfire near Wasagamack remains approximately one kilometre from the community and is approximately 23,000 hectares (ha) in size.  Strong north winds, high temperatures and low humidity levels pushed the wildfire towards the community of Wasagamack, requiring an evacuation of the communities of Wasagamack, St. Theresa Point and Garden Hill.  Fire crews are continuing suppression work on the fire line closest to the community, with crews also working on other spot fires located away from the main fire line.  Strong south winds continue to keep smoke away from the community.  Some rain is forecast for this area today. A wildfire burning near the Fox Lake First Nation remains approximately six km from the community and approximately 1,700 ha in size.  Fire crews are continuing suppression efforts on this fire. A 4,600-ha wildfire near Poplar River remains approximately 3.5 km from the community.  Warm temperatures and strong winds required the evacuation of residents as a safety precaution.  Fire crews are continuing their suppression efforts on the north flank of this wildfire.  Some rain is forecast for this area today. The Canadian Red Cross continues to manage evacuations as part of an agreement with the federal government to provide disaster assistance to Manitoba First Nations. No open burning is allowed without a permit between April 1 and Nov. 15.  For information on permits and restrictions, Manitobans can contact local Sustainable Development office.  Municipalities often implement their own restrictions, so individuals should also check with local municipal offices for further information. Anyone planning a backcountry trip is reminded that campfires should only be made in designated fire pits.  However, a better option is to prepare meals on a lightweight portable cook stove.  Campers heading into a remote area should tell someone else where they are going and when they expect to return. Manitobans are reminded to exercise extreme caution when undertaking any outdoor activities.  In areas where all-terrain vehicle use is authorized, stay on developed trails, stop frequently to check areas around the engine and exhaust for debris, and carefully dispose of any debris found.  Riders should carry a small shovel, axe and fire extinguisher at all times. Manitobans can report wildfires by contacting local emergency services at 911 or contacting the forest fire tip line at 1-800-782-0076 (toll-free).  More information on wildfire prevention is available at www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/.

Brandon School Division is committed to providing a safe and inclusive place for all of our students, and is proud to be partnering with the Brandon Police Service, the Canadian Red Cross, and our own Youth Revolution Team Members to launch a Divisional Student Safety Social Media Campaign. Messaging will be featured on our Divisional and School based websites and social media accounts, with a focus on: Promoting healthy relationships for our students and their families; Cyber Safety; Stranger Danger; and Sexual Exploitation. We take student safety very seriously in our Division, and this social media campaign will assist in notifying and educating the public and our students about best practices, when it comes to student safety. Let’s help prevent these incidents and talk to our children about the importance of keeping themselves safe. Dr. Marc D. Casavant, Superintendent/CEO Bringing together community agencies to assist with providing resources and external contacts, various print communications will also be made available, such as: Be Safe! Personal Safety Program from the Canadian Red Cross; Safe & Caring Schools: A Whole School Approach to Planning for Safety & Belonging from Manitoba Education & Training; Canadian Centre for Child Protection; and Many, many more.

A few days ago, a 62-year old female driving her Porsche 911 was fined $652 when she attempted to pass RCMP while travelling 156 km/h in a 110 km/h The incident happened near Portage. On Thursday, a 73 year old received a summons for $1,726.00 after being caught speeding in a designated construction zone south of Minnedosa. According to the RCMP image, posted below, he was clocked doing 124 km/h in the 60 km/h construction zone. When asked why he was travelling so fast the man told RCMP that he had dropped his wallet and was leaning over to try and pick it up.

August 29, 2017 Brandon, MB – For the seventh year in a row, the Provincial Exhibition has collaborated with six Manitoba Co-op’s and five local meat processors to provide close to 1500 lbs. of pork to several Westman food banks and soup kitchens. Provincial Exhibition director, Stan Cochrane and his family at Cochrane Stock Farms of Alexander, volunteered to care for the pigs from the 2017 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair pig scrambles with the support of feed donated by Co-op Feeds and western Manitoba Co-op retails including Heritage Co-op, Neepawa Gladstone Co-op, Valleyview Co-op, Kenton Consumers Co-op and Boundary Co-op. Renard’s Meat Services in Virden, Prairie Rose Meats in Souris, Jarvis Meats in Gladstone, and DAL Meats in Killarney donated their processing costs and arranged for delivered to food banks and soup kitchens in their own areas. City of Brandon partner, Henry Meats, provided pork to Helping Hands Soup Kitchen. “The direct connection between the meat processors and the organizations receiving the pork is a special part of this program. “ Said Ron Kristjansson, General Manager at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. “All of the processors have their own relationships with the groups in their area providing a direct connection between the feed suppliers, meat processors and the organizations where the meat is donated.” Kristjansson noted that it takes multiple partners to make this program complete. “Support from partners like the Co-ops, the Deerboine Colony which sold us the pigs at a very reasonable price and all the meat processors allow us to use the pigs during the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair for agricultural education and then give back to the entire region that supports us and our events. Groups from Portage la Prairie up through Minnedosa, Souris, Brandon, Killarney, Boissevain, Virden and right out towards Moosomin, Saskatchewan have benefitted from this program.”

Brandon Police Service Media Release As a result of an ongoing investigation from August 23rd 2017, Police have arrested a 27-year-old man from Brandon on numerous charges including Attempt Murder. Investigation into a report of a firearm being discharged inside an apartment in the 600 Block of 18th Street led Police to identifying the man as the suspect responsible. The male suspect and a female attended to the apartment and a dispute ensued between the suspect and the tenant. During the confrontation, the male suspect pulled out what is believed to be a .22 calibre sawed off rifle and fired a round at the tenant. The tenant used a chair to defend himself from the attack and attempted to force the suspect out of the apartment. The bullet struck the chair, changing its path of travel into a wall of the residence. On Monday afternoon, Police received information that the male suspect was at a house in the North End of Brandon. A short time later the suspect was observed exiting a residence on Assiniboine Avenue and was taken into Police custody. After the suspect was apprehended, investigation learned that the male suspect assaulted his girlfriend inside the residence by punching and kicking her. While being lodged at the Brandon Correctional Center a quantity of Methamphetamine was located concealed in the underwear of the suspect. The male suspect is scheduled to appear in Court on Tuesday facing charges of: Attempt Murder Pointing a Firearm Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Weapon Careless Use of A Firearm Domestic Assault Possession of Methamphetamine The female victim in the Domestic Assault did not receive any physical injuries.