-Use caution when walking or driving today. That’s because Brandon city streets, sidewalks and highways are covered in ice. Environment Canada says overnight freezing rain and above 0 temperatures left us with roads slick covered with ice and slush. And today, there is more rain showers and flurries with gusty winds again today.
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-A proposed new development south of Brandon could see about 544 homes and new commercial and retail space. VBJ Developments wants the city to adopt a new neighbourhood plan, west of 18th street and south of Patricia Avenue. This plan is to make a walkable, mixed-use neighbourhood, as commercial land is in high demand and short supply. The development is currently in the planning stages, along with a new school and construction in Brandon’s south end.
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-The city of Brandon’s Keystone Centre is operating in the green. The Brandon sun says, this facility is reporting an operating surplus of approximately $126 thousand dollars for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. But last year, the Keystone was operating at a deficit to the tune of about $726 thousand dollar. The Keystone Centre says that a focus on financial management, new revenue streams, and cost containment measures helped to lower operating revenues.
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-Manitobans can now get their Health Card on their phone. The Manitoba Government is launching digital health cards yesterday. Your health card can be stored in the Manitoba Wallet App. The government says these digital health cards will make access easier, and deleting the need for a physical card.
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-Premier Wab Kinew is voicing solidarity with the state of Minnesota. Kinew, speaking at a Winnipeg news conference yesterday, talked openly about supporting Tim Waltz, Minnesota’s Governor and his state. This following the ICE fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good last week in Minnesota.
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-Manitoba PC’s have suspended Patrick Allard’s party membership on Monday, after he made comments on social media about the fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota. PC Leader Obby Khan said Allard’s comments were offensive, inappropriate and did not reflect the values of the party. A unanimous vote held in an emergency meeting led to the suspension of Allard’s party membership and board position.
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-The Manitoba Government is making it’s Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act, become law on March 1st. It allows someone at risk of violence from a partner, to apply for verbal disclosure about their partners’ documented history of violence. Manitoba’s Association of Women’s Shelters says access to information can help people prevent harm before it escalates.
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-Your health card can now be stored on your phone in Manitoba. The provincial government is launching digital health cards yesterday, stored on the Manitoba Wallet App. Manitoba Government says digital health cards will make for easier access and make physical cards obsolete.
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-Brandon University researcher Dr. Kathryn Chachula is awarded $44 thousand dollars over 2 years to lead research in helping Manitoba nurses with mental health, resilience and recovery. Nurses across the province will complete her “Psychological Body Armour” online course and take surveys before, immediately after, and 3-6 months after to determine its effectiveness. Chachula aims to proactively help nurses’ mental health, by building resilience, and help to reduce stress and post-traumatic work experiences.
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-Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he will not order public servants back into the office fulltime, and will continue to allow a hybrid work schedule. This from an interview last month. Kinew says “It’s a balancing act” for workers with young kids and families, as front-line staff are already required to be in person.
