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.

Brandon is set to get a little spookier this October as the annual Halloween Hop returns, offering families and thrill-seekers a chance to enjoy frightful fun while supporting local charities. Running from October 14 to 31, the Halloween Hop invites residents to visit three participating “spooky stops” — Alternative Choice Garden, Green Spot, and Livingstone Outdoor. Each location has prepared festive displays and seasonal attractions, with Livingstone Outdoor hosting its popular Haunted House at 1610 Byng Avenue. The haunted house, which has become a Halloween staple in the city, promises a mix of eerie rooms, special effects, and jump scares. For younger visitors or those preferring a gentler experience, a special “no scare” hour will run nightly from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 12 and up and $7 for children under 12, with proceeds going to support organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman and Habitat for Humanity Manitoba – Brandon Chapter. Participants can also pick up a Halloween Hop passport at any of the three locations. Collecting stamps from all stops earns an entry into the Grand Prize Draw, with gift cards from each business up for grabs. The event not only provides Halloween entertainment but also strengthens community ties by bringing people together in support of local causes. With haunted houses, family-friendly fun, and prizes on the line, the Halloween Hop is shaping up to be one of Brandon’s must-visit events of the season.

L to R: Landon White (Principal), Heather Heide (Librarian), Sandrine Conrad (Worker, Westman Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention Association), Cathy Williams (Co-Founder, Westman Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention Association), Derian Penziwol (Boissevain Branch Manager, Sunrise Credit Union) We are excited to announce that we have been awarded an Empowering Your Community Grant valued at $10,000 from Concentra & Equitable Bank to continue our School Mental Health Resource Libraries project. At Sunrise Credit Union, we are dedicated to giving back to our local communities and our youth. We believe that investing in young people today is an investment for the future as we aim to create opportunities that help them grow, thrive and succeed. This grant, in partnership with the Westman Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention Association, will go towards an initiative to bring mental health resource libraries to 14 schools across Western Manitoba. These resources will be available to students aged 5 and up, along with their educators, and will feature age-appropriate literature that is professionally reviewed, sourced, and supported. Each library will include paper and digital books, wellness activities, workbooks, and mental health content, including directories for available support through local, provincial, and national services and programs. They will be designed to spark meaningful conversations, empower youth, and work towards reducing the stigma. Establishing these libraries in schools not only provides students with access to these valuable mental health and wellness resources, but it also extends the support to our communities. By integrating these libraries into our educational spaces, we are creating safe environments for our youth and educators, and therefore their families to find support and information. The resources will be reviewed annually by mental health professionals and educators to ensure that they are up to date and relevant. This grant builds on Sunrise’s $16,000 contribution in 2024 to the Westman Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention Association, further strengthening our long-term commitment to supporting youth mental wellness in Manitoba. We can inspire hope while building brighter futures by working together. Westman Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention Association is a registered Canadian Charitable organization run by a group of dedicated volunteers. The Association provides funding and support to individuals, organizations and communities for initiatives supporting mental wellness and suicide prevention.