Local Roundup — Aug. 6, 2022

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This article was published 06/08/2022 (1274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Man killed in ATV collision

A 46-year-old RM of Dauphin man is dead after an all-terrain vehicle and a hay mower collided, RCMP report.

Mounties say that around 10 p.m. Thursday, their Dauphin members received a report of a collision between an ATV and a hay mower being pulled by a tractor on Road 144 North in the Rural Municipality of Dauphin, near Ochre Beach.

RCMP determined the victim was driving the ATV and collided with the back of the moving piece of farm equipment. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed is believed to have been a factor, police said.

The driver of the tractor, a 57-year-old man from the Rural Municipality of Lakeshore, was not injured. An RCMP forensic collision reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics

Prairie Mountain Health is hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics next week for ages six months old and up for first, second, third and fourth doses if eligible.

All clinics will have walk-in and booked appointments.

• Brandon Shoppers Mall near Smitty’s (1570 18th St.): Thursday from noon to 5 p.m.
• Brandon Friendship Centre (205 College Ave.): Tuesday from 1 to 5 p.m.
• Deloraine — Winchester Community Complex (119 Lake St.): Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m.
• Melita — Legion Hall (95 Main St.): Monday from 1 to 6 p.m. Appointments can be booked by phone daily between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.: 1-844-626-8222

Book online at: https://patient.petal-health.com/login?groupId=6032.

Manitoba records lowest unemployment rate

The latest economic indicators from Statistics Canada show Manitoba’s employment numbers are at the lowest percentage in more than 40 years, according to a press release from the province.

Premier Heather Stefanson announced on Friday that Manitoba’s employment numbers had increased by 2,500 jobs from June to July, with the unemployment rate dropping to 3.5 per cent. The new rate set a record as the lowest percentage the province has seen since the labour force statistics series started in 1976.

In the press release, Stefanson said the statistics reflect the provincial government’s efforts toward job growth that is crucial for both businesses and Manitobans.

“Our government is focused on creating opportunities for strong economic recovery and job growth, and we will continue to focus on targeted investment to ensure our labour force continues to be strengthened and remains competitive in the global economy,” Stefanson said.

Cliff Cullen, economic development, investment and trade minister, said in the release that Manitoba’s overall job numbers, the number of individuals working both full time and part time, increased in July to 673,200, compared to 670,700 in June.

Cullen credited hospitality sector supports — such as the Healthy Hire Manitoba, wage subsidy, and employment programs — with boosting employment.

Part-time employment was up by 3,500 jobs in Manitoba, a 2.7 per cent increase, putting the province in the top spot in Canada and well above the national average, which recorded a decrease of 0.5 per cent.

The youth unemployment rate also decreased 3.8 per cent to four per cent, compared to the national average of 9.2 per cent, giving Manitoba the lowest youth unemployment rate in the nation.

Man arrested for credit card fraud

Brandon Police Service arrested a 38-year-old man for credit card fraud early Friday morning.

On July 17, police received a report that a wallet was stolen from a vehicle parked on the 1300 block of College Avenue.

A suspect, who made several purchases with a credit card from the wallet before it was cancelled, was identified using security camera footage.

Around 1 a.m. Friday, police found and arrested the man as he walked in the 100 block of Victoria Avenue.

He was released and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 20 on charges of possession of property obtained by crime, and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Information sought after business broken into

City police are asking the public to come forward with information after a business on the first block of 11th Street was broken into overnight Thursday.

They say that, after tampering with security equipment, suspects entered the business and stole a refrigerator, stove and some tools. They also smashed windows on a company vehicle.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call BPS at 204-729-2345, or fill out the contact form through the Brandon Police Service’s website.

Police find theft suspect

A suspect in a theft from a business on the 3500 block of Victoria Avenue was arrested by Brandon police Thursday.

Police say that on July 20, around 11 a.m., they responded to reports of a theft and identified a 40-year-old suspect using security images.

A 40-year-old man matching a person in those images was located and arrested Thursday. He was released to appear in court on Sept. 13 to face a charge of theft under $5,000.

Search for missing persons continues

Manitoba RCMP and Brandon Police Service are looking for information to help find missing people in two unrelated cases.

On Friday, Manitoba RCMP announced they were looking for information on 55-year-old Keith Zajac, who was last seen in Brandon while travelling from Squamish, B.C., to Fort Francis, Ont.

Blue Hills RCMP received a report two days earlier of an abandoned vehicle on the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway near the junction with Highway 459 West in the RM of Whitehead. The vehicle, a white Pontiac Vibe with B.C. licence plate KA8 10G, was determined to belong to Zajac.

According to a media release issued Friday, the RCMP’s Search and Rescue unit and Brandon Fire and Emergency Services are currently conducting a search. A spokesperson for the Brandon Police Service also told the Sun Friday that they were in an “assisting role” for the investigation.

Police believe Zajac spent the night at the Super 8 Motel in Brandon on July 8, 2020.

Anyone with information is asked to call Blue Hills RCMP at 204-726-7522 or report a tip anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Zajac is described as five-foot-10, 170 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Also on Friday, Brandon Police Service asked the public for information regarding the whereabouts of a missing teen.

According to a police news release issued by the service Thursday, the caregivers of 17-year-old Alisha Darar haven’t seen her since July 31 when she left her home. There is concern for her health as she has Type 1 diabetes.

Darar is described as being of Métis and Somali decent who frequently wears her long, black hair in braids. She has brown eyes, is five-foot-eight, and weighs 90 kilograms.

Anyone with information on Darar is asked to call BPS at 204-729-2345.

» The Brandon Sun