We can expect a test of the Alert Ready emergency system this afternoon. In Brandon, you’ll hear the alert tone on the radio, TV and most wireless devices at around 1:55 pm. The system warns about tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters.
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Brandon’s annual ‘Spring Downtown Community Clean-Up’ begins today at 1:00 pm at Princess Park. Everything you need to participate will be provided – and there are also prizes for the best-dressed team, most garbage collected and best photo.
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The dry conditions this spring have forced several Westman municipalities to implement fire bans. The RM’s of Whitehead, Elton, Riverdale, Pipestone and Oakview have all banned open fires including the use of fire pits, burning barrels and fireworks. Meanwhile, Some Peguis First Nation residents are being allowed to return after wildfires forced hundreds from their homes over the weekend.
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A landmark in Waskada, southwest of Brandon – Agricore’s wooden grain elevator – was destroyed by fire Tuesday morning. Around 50 firefighters from 4 fire departments responded to the blaze. The cause is still under investigation. There are currently 115 wooden grain elevators left in Manitoba – with 60 still in use.
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The latest measles exposure site in the province is at Ecole Dugald School east of Winnipeg. Public Health says those at the school on April 29th, 30th and May 2nd – and anyone who rode on two school buses those days – may have been exposed.
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Two specialized paramedics units based out of Brandon and Selkirk began doing community outreach this week. The ‘Emergency Paramedics in the Community’ program is staffed by advanced-care paramedics who travel in SUV’s. They provide health assessments, intervention and referrals to home care and other programs.
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The Manitoba Conservatives are concerned a bill to add gender expression to the province’s human rights code could infringe on free speech. They say some people fear they could face a complaint for addressing someone by
the wrong gender. The NDP says protections for preferred pronouns applies to employment, housing and accessing public services.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to brief Canada’s premiers today following yesterday’s seemingly successful first meeting with U-S President Donald Trump. Both leaders emerged appearing pleased, with Trump indicating he liked Carney. and there had been no tension during their talks. Carney said they’re now “fully engaged” – but there’s “a lot more work to do.”
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A new national study has found due to inflation, we’re buying less food per person compared to a year ago. It says we’re trying to spend less and are more likely to buy local, especially younger Canadians. Fresh food remains in high demand – a concern for food banks, so Manitoba’s egg farmers have doubled monthly donations of fresh eggs.
