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09/29/2025

There is an increase of HIV cases in Swan Valley in the Prairie Mountain Health region.

In 2022, there were 7 people in Prairie Mountain Health diagnosed with HIV (200 people provincewide).

As of 2024, there were 44 people (291 people provincewide).

Halfway through 2025, there are currently 75 people in PMH (189 people provincewide).

An online meeting hosted by Prairie Mountain Health, the Department of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, and the Department of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness discussed causes of the outbreak and the rise in cases.

According to a medical officer with the province, HIV has been increasing in Manitoba since 2019 (with 92 new diagnoses across Manitoba) and significant increases since 2022. Prairie Mountain Health has seen the sharpest growth.

They contribute the increase due to increased testing and contributing factors such as injection d rug use, unprotected s ex, housing instability and stigma around seeking care.

The medical officer said it is essential that issues like mental health, housing and poverty are addressed along with medical treatment to stop the increase of cases.

An addictions physician with Shared Health said evidence shows that clean needle distribution remains an essential part of preventing transmission and decreases the risks of HIV and hepatitis C.

The RM of Swan Valley West has a bylaw that prohibits the distribution of clean drug-use supplies which can further compound the problem.

09/29/2025

Doug Murray, 70, of Brandon, ranked fourth best in the world in a CrossFit competition for his age group at the 2025 Age-Group CrossFit Games in Columbus, Ohio in August 2025.

He trains at Rocked Community Fitness in Brandon.

His hard work paid off as Murray had tried unsuccessfully to qualify for the last five years.

He and nine other male athletes were tested over four days in eight different CrossFit events including a 5km run, various burpees, and weights. They were judged on specific standards, including range of motion, proper form and time.

Doug Murray was part of the Brandon Wheat Kings team at 17 in 1972 (playing until 1976) as well as the Brandon Travellers for a season. In university, he played for the Calgary Dinos in Alberta. He used to enjoy completing triathlons and is still working as the CEO of Murray Auto Group.

09/28/2025

Boissevain's old outdoor rink on Egan Street, that has not been used for years, is set to be removed this fall. It is expected that it will be completely removed by Nov. 28, 2025.

The current outdoor rink is located at Kin Park a few blocks away.

Once the old outdoor rink is removed, the plan is to use the lot for future housing, such as fourplexes and duplexes.

09/27/2025

John Ballantyne, 21, charged with break and enter and possession of proceeds obtained by crime, and three counts of failing to attend court, was granted bail.

On July 25, 2024, BPS attended to a home that had been broken into and ransacked. All the doors were left open to his house and garage. His truck, TV, sound bar, laptop computer, kitchen knives and a headphones and jewellery were stolen.

BPS found the truck a couple of hours later with a co-accused man sitting inside, who ran from police and into a residence. Ballantyne was found in the residence with some of the stolen items on him. Both accused were arrested. A search warrant for the residence found the rest of the stolen items.

Ballantyne was released on an undertaking and missed court on Dec 9, May 12 and Aug. 5. A warrant was issued each time for his arrest but he never turned himself in.

As part of his bail plan, John Ballantyne will reside with his sister in Brandon under a curfew (that is to be decided by the court), must report to police every Friday and place a $750 cash deposit or a $1,200 surety.

09/27/2025

Two new Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) offices have opened in Virden and Shoal Lake.

MASC plays a vital role in supporting the province’s agriculture sector through risk management, financing, and advisory services.

The Virden and Shoal Lake offices are now open to serve 650 to 700 farmers and agri-businesses in the surrounding regions. Each new service centre is staffed by four full-time employees and a team of insurance adjusters.

MASC has 12 service centres across the province providing access to agricultural insurance, lending and other agricultural programs and services.

Team Canada defeated the defending world champions last week. They are now in the finals for the Rugby World Cup for the...
09/27/2025

Team Canada defeated the defending world champions last week. They are now in the finals for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2014. Game is tomorrow morning!

There is one Manitoban on the team (Emily Tuttosi from Souris).

09/26/2025

Western Manitoba Women’s Centre is received $100,000 for improvements to their new location that will increase capacity and offer additional programming.

The funding assisted the centre in being able to relocate to a new facility at 1233 Rosser Ave in Brandon, MB and the ability to renovate the office area, purchase furniture, equipment and signage.

The Western Manitoba Women’s Centre's mission is to provide programs, services and counselling on issues affecting women and children including family violence. The centre provides opportunities for cultural connection and support, and helps women access services in the Westman region.

Offerings include counselling services in English and Spanish, as well as a breakfast program for women and children in downtown Brandon.

09/26/2025

An 18 year old Brandon woman plead guilty to mischief after causing $8,000 worth of damage to her former group home.

She was sentenced to a conditional discharge of one year of probation with community service and ordered to pay full restitution. If she completes her sentence without issue the charge will be removed from her criminal record.

She cannot be named because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act as she was underage at the time.

On March 4, 2025 BPS was called by staff because of a teenager in a group home yelling and smashing things. She was throwing things, pushed the tv off the wall, broke windows, and damaged the doors, drywall and furniture. She caused $7,804.49 in damage.

09/25/2025

Four families are being evicted from their homes in Boissevain due to the land being sold by the RM of Boissevain-Morton to Western Archrib so they could expand their manufacturing business.

Families in the trailer park were given notice a year ago. They are required to be off the land by the end of the week.

It is believed Western Archrib will start their expansion plans in the spring.

One family is moving away from Boissevain to Brandon. The other three families are moving to a different trailer court in town that was built as a result of the planned demolition of the other lot.

The RM of Boissevain-Morton is providing a two-day hotel stay, a small amount of cash, a complimentary moving company to assist with the relocation for residents that are moving from the east to the west trailer court and first choice at the new trailer court plots that the municipality built at the west end.

The municipality felt it was important to assist Western Archrib with their expansion plans to keep the business, with 70 full-time workers, in the community.

09/25/2025

The 16-year-old Indigenous male involved in the Neelin sword attack in June faces three counts of attempted murder.

The Crown is also requesting the male be sentenced as an adult if convicted.

He was originally charged with one count of attempted murder and two separate counts of assault with a weapon, as well as uttering threats, possession of a weapon and wearing a disguise. No charges for a hate crime have been laid against the accused, but if the Crown decided to add them, it could take months.

On June 10, 2025, a 15-year-old African-American male student was taken to Brandon hospital in serious condition after he was stabbed in the chest, forearms, hands and thighs at Neelin High School.

The male's reasons for the attack was out of hate. He had planned to attack more people but was stopped before he was able to inflict more damage.

BPS officers used a stun gun to subdue and disarm the offender. BPS say the attack was planned and the offender was targeting people based on their race colour and if they were immigrants.

No information about the other two victims have been released.

The matter is next in court on Oct 7, 2025.

09/24/2025

A 70 year old Carberry area man was found guilty of two counts of s exual interference for abusing two female children. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison for s exually abusing two sisters, aged 5 and 9, who was a grandfather figure to them.

The mother read her victim impact statement in court through sobs and said she is sick with guilt and shame though she had no reason to not trust the man.

The s exual abuse of the children only came to light because the man told the victims to keep the s exual acts a secret, and the younger child happened to tell her mom she had a secret.

The defence asked for a sentence of half what the man was sentenced to. The man has not taken any responsibility and claims his innocence. He said he is afraid of going to jail. He claimed his age and poor health as to why he should get a lower sentence.

Judge Leven called the offences horrific and sentenced the man to 11 years in prison.

09/24/2025

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