Story & Photo:  Royal Canadian Police in Manitoba Cst KUZ and Cst FOREMAN of Virden RCMP visited Sioux Valley on Easter Sunday with baggies of little toys, Easter eggs and cupcakes for any and all the kids they could find. They surprised a lot of people and had a really positive experience with everyone they visited and are already looking for another excuse to go back and have the same effect!

Brandon Police Service Media Release Police investigation into three separate Robberies with violence has led to the arrest of a 19-year-old Brandon man. On April 12th 2017 at 3:30 AM, a 27-year-old male was walking on the bike path near Fotheringham Drive and was approached by two males who forced the man to attend an ATM and withdraw cash. One of the suspects brandished a weapon, which was described as looking like a screwdriver. The victim was not injured in this attack. Just after midnight on April 15th, Police responded to a report of male covered in blood near 34th Street and Victoria Avenue. The 70-year male was at the recycle bins and was approached by a male who demanded cash and the victim’s vehicle. A struggle ensued which resulted in the suspect stabbing the victim numerous times in the head and face area. The victim was transported to hospital and eventually taken by STARS to Winnipeg with serious injuries as a result of this attack. The suspect fled the area with the vehicle and wallet belonging to the victim. The vehicle was later recovered on Cherry Crescent. On April 15th at 6:51 PM, Police responded to Falcon Crescent after receiving a report that a male had been cornered in his garage by three suspects. After a brief struggle, one of the suspect took cash and keys to the 81-year-old victim’s vehicle. Police k-9 tracked to the Brandon Shopper’s Mall and the suspect was arrested inside the mall. Police investigation has linked all three Robberies to the same suspect. The 19-year-old Brandon man was arrested for Robbery with Offensive Weapon X 3, Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Fraudulent use of a Credit Card X 2. Continued investigation has revealed that suspect is also responsible for a Robbery with Violence and Forcible Entry that occurred on April 14th at 12:02 AM. The suspect and two other males forced their way into a residence in the 2600 Block of McTavish Avenue. The suspect assaulted two males within the residence and stole a cell phone and cash before fleeing. The suspect has been additionally arrested for Robbery with Violence and Forcible Entry. The man was held in custody to appear in Court on Tuesday. Police investigation with respect to other Crimes and Suspects involved continues.

Members of Westman Lab – Local 351 plan to send a message today to the Pallister government, in the form of an information picket, saying that lower wages and the loss of experienced lab technologists could compromise diagnostic services in Westman. A release on their web site indicates that technologists are paid 7% less in Western Manitoba than they are paid in other areas of the Province. The report goes on to say that they are also losing experienced staff as lab technicians can go elsewhere in the province, and make more money. MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky said in the release “Last year alone, we’re looking at more than a 20% turn-over rate. It’s a situation that’s unfair to those doing the exact same job for less, and to those in the area whose diagnostic services end up taking the hit.” “This inequity is unfair and unproductive,” Gawronsky said. “With the election and all the changes, our members have been patient, but they’ve had enough. The employer cancelled our last bargaining date. With staff shortages, people are burning out from unmanageable workloads and worried about service implications for their community.” The information picket is scheduled to take place outside the Brandon Regional Health Centre today from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. People are invited to come down and show their support.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba Portage La Prairie RCMP respond to fatal motor vehicle collision on PR 242. On April 16, 2017, at approximately 5:30 pm, Portage La Prairie RCMP responded to a single-vehicle rollover on PR 242 at Municipal Road 60 North, located 10 kms south of the Trans-Canada Highway in the RM of North Norfolk. Officers attended and located a SUV in the ditch and discovered that the driver had been ejected from the vehicle. The 61-year-old male driver, from the RM of North Norfolk, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators believe the driver, who was southbound on PR 242 at the time, lost control of his vehicle, which entered the ditch and rolled. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision. A RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The CIFA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) is recalling High Liner Captain's Crew brand breaded fish strips and High Liner Captain's Crew brand breaded fish nuggets from the marketplace as they may contain milk, which is not identified on the label. There has already been a reported illness associated with this product and the CIFA say people with milk allergies face serious, or potentially life-threatening reactions if consumed. If you have either of these products in your home, you are asked to throw them out immediately, or return them to the store where they were purchased. Both products have been sold nationally. Read the full report. Recalled products Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC High Liner Captain's Crew Breaded Fish Strips 750 g 7082U, 7048U, 7006U, 6293U followed by a time stamp 0 61763 06871 3 High Liner Captain's Crew Breaded Fish Nuggets 750 g 7082U, 7048U, 7006U followed by a time stamp 0 61763 06875 1