Brandon’s Matt Cory was able to secure some hardware as they won best Rock Band of the Year at the 2025 Manitoba Loud Music Awards recently jeld in Winnipeg Cory was quoted on Facebook “ Huge love and gratitude to everyone who’s come to the shows, voted, streamed the songs and supported us along the way. This means more than words can say……Thank you for believing in us.”

United Way West Central Manitoba is inviting the community to help keep local children and seniors warm this winter through its annual Coats for Kids program and the newly launched Coats for Seniors initiative in Brandon. Coats for Kids: Donations are being accepted now through October 31st. Coats can be dropped off at: Brandon Shoppers Mall (until October 31st) Brandon Cleaners - 349 9th St United Way West Central Manitoba Office - 201-1011 Rosser Avenue, Scotia Towers All collected coats will be distributed to children through local schools after November 13. Coats for Seniors: New to Brandon this year, following a successful launch in Portage, this program collects coats for seniors in need. Donations will be accepted until November 14th and distributed in partnership with Seniors for Seniors at the end of November. For more information: https://www.brandonuw.ca/coatsforkids

The Manitoba government has introduced new legislation to enshrine the current registered owner model into law, ensuring it remains the model used by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), Justice Minister Matt Wiebe, minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation, announced today. “Our government is making sure vehicle insurance rates remain affordable for Manitoba families,” said Wiebe. “By keeping MPI public and protecting the registered owner model, our government is ensuring stable, affordable insurance for Manitobans, now and in the future.” “We’re putting MPI back on track and protecting Manitobans from future attempts to raise rates on families through changes to the insurance model,” said Wiebe. “These new protections are part of our government’s way of saving Manitobans money, which includes freezing hydro rates, providing permanent gas tax relief, and maintaining some of the lowest car insurance rates in Canada.” The Manitoba Public Insurance Amendment Act (2) ensures that MPI remains stable, affordable and focused on serving Manitobans, the minister noted.

Brandon residents are in for a tasty treat as McCain Foods will be hosting their drive-thru event with Heritage Co-op, Free Fry Day in Brandon on Thursday, October 9th. This is a drive-thru event, so swing by, grab your fries, and consider making a donation to RMHC Manitoba to make a real difference in a family’s life. Help support families with sick or injured children staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba. Brandon, MB: Keystone Centre (1175 18th St Unit 1) – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whether you like them plain, smothered in gravy, or topped with cheese curds, Free Fry Day in Brandon promises to be a satisfying way to kick off the weekend.

Brandon’s largest handmade shopping event is set to return this fall as the annual “Big One” Arts & Crafts Sale takes over the Keystone Centre on two weekends in October 2025. The sale will run Saturday & Sunday, October 18–19, and again October 25–26, 2025. Each weekend will feature 175 booths filled with handmade arts, crafts, food, and artisan goods—with new vendors each weekend to keep things fresh. The event will be held in the Manitoba Room & UCT Room at the Keystone Centre (1175 – 18th Street, Brandon).  The doors open daily at 10:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. Admission is $5 per person (kids 12 & under free).  Free parking will be available onsite.  The event also gives back — part of the proceeds from admission go to the BRHC Foundation to support CancerCare locally in Brandon and the Westman region. Organizer representatives say this year’s lineup will feature a wide variety of handmade items, from pottery, jewellery, woodworking, textiles, to food and décor. It’s a great chance for the public to meet the makers behind the goods and find one-of-a-kind gifts heading into the holidays. For Brandon area shoppers eager to get a head start on holiday gift shopping, this event offers one of the best opportunities to browse and buy locally made treasures.