On March 18th at 7:37PM Police received a call of a male on a street in the 400 block of 21st Street wearing a ski mask, dressed all in black, with a machete in his hand. The suspect fled the area, was followed, and was taken into custody by Police at 23rd and Rosser Avenue. Upon arrest, the accused was found to be in possession of an open extendable baton, a long-handled spade modified to be a weapon (what was reported to be a machete), and a can of bear spray.  The 19-year-old male was returned to BPS, processed, and released to his mother on an Undertaking with a court date of May 27th, 2025. The male was also charged for Possessing a Weapon from a previous incident on March 15th, 2025.

The 14th annual CAA Worst Roads Campaign is live and CAA Manitoba wants citizens to voice their concerns and nominate the roads they want to see fixed. “Our research shows that 96 per cent of Manitobans are concerned about the state of our roads,” says Ewald Friesen, manager government relations at CAA Manitoba, “the CAA Worst Roads campaign gives Manitobans a voice in highlighting the roads they believe are in need of repair which provides a valuable snapshot to decision-makers.” A recent survey conducted by CAA Manitoba found that more than half of respondents have experienced vehicle damage because of poor roads. Eighty per cent paying out of pocket to repair them – up ten per cent from last year, only five per cent filing a claim with MPI - down 11 per cent from 2024. Eight per cent of Manitobans forwent repairs altogether. According to the survey, poor road conditions, especially potholes and sunken sewer grates, are causing significant vehicle damage and increasing out-of-pocket repair costs for drivers. “Many Manitobans are experiencing the effects of the rise in the cost of living, including having to delay vehicle repairs. This makes investing in our roads and infrastructure more crucial than ever,” says Friesen. “We understand that consumers are being cautious with their spending, and many choose to keep their cars longer instead of purchasing new ones and stretching an already strained family budget." The damage caused to a vehicle by hitting a pothole can cost anywhere from $300 to $6,000, depending on the make and model of the car. The survey found that almost half of respondents paid between $500 to $1,999 to repair their vehicle, with an average cost of $882. "CAA Worst Roads campaign is a platform that gives Manitobans an opportunity to speak up and helps the different levels of government understand what roads are pain points for their constituents,” says Friesen. “We know the campaign works because we see governments prioritize budgets and move up road repairs every year after appearing on the CAA Worst Roads list,” adds Friesen. “This includes last year’s winner, 18th Street in Brandon, where we saw a swift, coordinated response between the municipality and the province.” Manitobans can nominate any road for issues ranging from congestion, potholes, poor road signs and the timing of traffic lights to pedestrian and cycling safety. “Nearly 60 per cent of those who have ever participated in the campaign believe that nominating a road could result in the repair of it,” shares Friesen, “CAA Manitoba is calling on all road users to nominate the roads they believe need attention to help make our roads safer and show decision-makers what roadway improvements are important to Manitobans.” Nominations for the Worst Roads campaign can be submitted online at www.caaworstroads.com starting March 18 until April 11. Once the nominations are collected, CAA Manitoba will compile a list of the top 10 worst roads in the province, which will be announced to the public. CAA conducted an online survey with 1,014 CAA Manitoba Members between January 6 to 14, 2025. Based on the sample size and the confidence level (95 per cent), the margin of error for this study was +/-3 per cent.

Robbery With Violence On March 16th at 2:38PM Police were called to a business in the 3400 block of Victoria Avenue. A male had entered the store, put merchandise in a bag and when confronted by staff, the male kicked the staff member and left. Video footage was obtained, and Police identified the 26-year-old male. Police soon after located the male in the 3600 block of Victoria Avenue. He was arrested, held in detention cells and will attend court on March 17th, 2025. Breach of Peace On March 16th at 1:40PM 911 received multiple calls from the same anonymous female caller stating someone was trying to blow up her house and a woman was sprinkling explosive powder on her property. A search associated the address and phone # to a 46-year-old female. Police attended the address in the 200 block of 4th Street. The intoxicated by drug female was found and Police ensured the claims were unfounded. She was arrested, medically cleared and held in detention cells. She will be released once sober.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett and City Council are pleased to welcome Mr. Dave Wardrop to the City of Brandon as our next City Manager. He brings over 30 years of municipal leadership experience including overseeing numerous high-profile projects, operations, and organizations. Most recently, Wardrop served as the Chief Administrative Officer for West St. Paul, Manitoba. His first official day with the City of Brandon is today, Mar. 17, 2025. “We are excited to have Dave join our team,” said Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “He has lots of experience and a real passion for City leadership, which will be essential as we keep growing and improving our community services. We are confident that his strategic focus and commitment to excellence will be a great asset to our team.” “I am excited to work with Mayor Fawcett and City Council, and the exceptional team at the City of Brandon,” said Wardrop. “As I get settled into my new role, I look forward to building trust, collaborating effectively, and learning from my colleagues, enabling us to serve and build our city together. I am eager to serve the City of Brandon and partner with what is a strong and growing community.” “On behalf of City Council, I would like to once again thank Chief Parlow for serving in the Acting City Manager capacity for the past number of months," said Mayor Fawcett. “His effort, care, and consideration for staff has been very much appreciated. His interim leadership over these last few months greatly helped us during this transition period. We are very pleased that he will continue in his role as the Chief of Emergency Services.” The City Manager is the chief administrative officer (CAO) for the City of Brandon Corporation and reports directly to City Council. The City Manager maintains strong ties with local business, community organizations, and the community at large and seeks feedback to ensure the City of Brandon is providing relevant, efficient, and effective services.

2:23 PM: Update: The fire at the landfill has been fully extinguished, with all smoldering materials thoroughly covered. The landfill has been reopened. Thanks for your patience! The Eastview Landfill is currently closed due to a fire that occurred in an active landfill cell early this morning. Brandon Fire & Emergency Services, along with Operations staff, responded promptly to the incident. Work to put the fire out is still ongoing. Given the nature of the landfill, smoke may pose a health hazard; therefore, all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of staff and the public. It is advised to avoid the area if possible. Regular refuse and recycle collection will not be impacted. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.