On February 1, 2020, Westman Communications Group will be increasing the Internet speeds in all their packages for customers across the region. This upgrade comes on the heels of a significant infrastructure upgrade made by Westman to move to DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which is designed to enable faster speeds and increased network reliability Westman’s XSTREAM Internet packages, notably titled to reflect the download speed available in each package, are available in all the communities they serve. Their base package, XSTREAM 12, will become XSTREAM15, with download speeds increasing to 15MBps. Comparable increases will also be applied to all of their other packages, including XSTREAM 40, which will become XSTREAM 50, up to their XSTREAM 150 package, which will become XSTREAM 160 with 160 MBps download speeds. Upload speeds will also see an improvement. “Westman is always looking for new ways to improve our customer experience,” said Courtney Baxter, Manager of Marketing at Westman Communications Group. “We understand that the need for more speed and increased reliability is growing across the Westman region, and our goal is to be proactively ahead of that growth. This means providing the best Internet experience for our members on the packages they already subscribe to, while also adding new packages that offer even higher speeds”. Coming soon, Westman will also be adding a new Internet package to their lineup, XSTREAM 300, with 300 MBps download and 25 MBps upload speeds, making Westman’s speed packages the fastest available to all residents in Brandon and the other communities their services are available in. “Our customers will automatically receive the speed boost during an overnight upgrade on January 31, adds Baxter. “By Saturday morning, they will be able to enjoy their new speeds. (submitted)

Jigar Patel (JP) is the owner/franchisee of Pita Pit in Brandon. Recently bdnmb.ca broke the news that JP would be opening a second Pita Pit location in Brandon at 1890-18th Street North. How long have you lived in Brandon: 8 years   Where is the most relaxing place you’ve ever been: Whistler,BC    What was the most memorable gift you’ve received: Motorcycle from Dad   If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be:  It's hard to pick just one meal because i am foodie, so Pita for sure and our authentic food "Khichadi" (its a boil rice with turmeric and other Indian spices and vegetables)   If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be: there are not such a 4 individuals, i can share my meal to any one     What's the most daring thing you've ever done: Nothing yet still waiting to do it.....   Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list: Las-Vegas   What's your favorite ice cream flavor: chocolate chip    What's the phone app you use most: Facebook and Gmail   Would you rather spend a day at the beach or poolside: Poolside   Are you usually 15 minutes late, or 15 minutes early  15 minutes early most probably    What’s one thing you still have from your childhood: Never give up attitude    What is the first website that you go on at the beginning of the day: Yahoo mail   Pick one thing that you would love to win a lifetime supply of: Money so i can spend that for my pleasure and donation  (Win lottery)   If you could participate on a game show, which show would it be: Big Brother   When was the last time you spoke with a classmate from high school: Due to technology, i speak with them (on Facebook) almost every week.   At what age did you buy your first car: when i was 27 years old.   What chore do you absolutely hate doing: To clean house on my day offs   If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be: Food truck Warz Describe living in Brandon in 3 words: City Of Dreams

After just over 4 years in business, Direct Liquidation Brandon located at 205 – 16th Street North will close their doors on February 2nd. Darcy Willey, the store owner and franchise holder, told BDNMB.CA that the building is currently for sale and that allowed him to get out of the lease. Recently other retail stores like La Senza and Northshore Outfitters also closed up shop after having a tougher time competing with Amazon and other online companies. Jeff Schwarz, owner of Direct Liquidation Canada and OLN TV Star, said today “Darcy was a good operator, he worked hard and was aggressive in getting good prices.” Some of the deals over the next week will include all Costco name brand clothing at $4 each. They will also will be offering 60% off all Costco general merchandise – what's left of the bedroom furniture will be sold at below cost. Plus, name brand laptops are also dropping in price. Everything must go.  Contact them for more info on their Facebook page or via phone: 204-717-7467.

Pizza Express & Submarine shared with bdnmb.ca that as of 4pm today (January 23, 2020) they will be adding several new and innovative menu items to their already extensive product offering. Among the new additions include seven new pizza creations, plus a handful of other menu items including boneless wings, buffalo chicken poutine & a buffalo chicken sub. Pizza Express & Submarine has been in business for over three decades serving Brandon and area high quality and great tasting pizza, pasta, Subs, Poutine, salads, appetizers, and much more. They are located at 360 10th Street. To visit their website, or to order online, please click here. Photos submitted.

At Lil Creek Photo & Video one of their principal services is sports team photography. Owner Brooke Clayton has been photographing a variety of sporting events (hockey, baseball, softball and soccer) in and around Brandon since graduating from the Prairie View School of Photography in 2015. Lil Creek Photo & Video utilizes green screen photography and Photoshop, allowing Brooke to take traditional hockey images on the ice or do something a bit more modern off the ice as shown in some of her work below. She will work quickly and efficiently, especially if she is there during a practice time. An entire team can be photographed in about 15 minutes which includes a few individual poses of each player and the team photo. With her years of experience photographing children as well as her knowledge of the sports she photographs, she can get natural poses that suits the players and the game. Currently she offers four different packages to choose from. Her most popular package this year contains a Memory Mate (a team photo & individual on an 8x10 collage) and 2-5x7 individual prints, with a savings of $5. Additional products include everything from print packages to custom products like memory mates, magazine covers, trader cards, magnets, bag tags, key-chains and then your standard team photo as well as 8x10, 5x7, 4x6 and wallet size prints. Teams have the option to order online or with a traditional order form. Lil Creek Photo & Video also accepts credit cards as well as e-transfers, cheques and cash payments. The company is based out of Brandon and is willing to travel within a 200km radius of Brandon To see more of her work and other services (wedding, family, graduation, newborn, school portraits) she offers, please go to www.lilcreek-photovideo.ca or find the company on Facebook or Instagram at Lil Creek Photo & Video.