The City of Brandon in partnership with the Manitoba Urban Forest Council is inviting all members of the public to join us in celebrating Arbor Day on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is to take place at the Keystone Centre around the treed area, south of the main 13th Street entrance. Attendees will learn more about arboriculture, trees, and Brandon’s urban forest. The following will take place: Free tree seedlings, while supplies last Free wood chips, while supplies last Draws for two trees Educational booths and arboriculture equipment displays Children's activities, including face painting Tree planting demonstrations Tree climbing demonstrations Self-directed and guided tree tours Free draws will take place at 3 p.m. If the winner(s) are not present, they will be contacted to pick up their prize the following week from the City of Brandon Parks Complex, located at 2020 McGregor Avenue. In addition to these activities, local musicians from Mecca Productions will be performing from 12 Noon to 1 p.m. Food trucks will also be at the event offering food and beverages for purchase. This family-friendly event is open to all residents and will take place rain or shine. “As we prepare to host Brandon’s second in-person Arbor Day, we are excited for the opportunity to showcase the importance of planting and caring for trees,” says Stephen Clark, City of Brandon Forestry and Horticulture Chargehand and local representative from the Manitoba Urban Forest Council. “Arbor Day highlights the benefits of the urban forest canopy in our city and promotes arboriculture best practices.” About Manitoba Urban Forest Council The Manitoba Urban Forest Council is comprised of representatives from various sectors of the urban forest industry including municipalities, the provincial government, the International Society of Arboriculture, educational institutions, and the arboriculture industry. The Manitoba Urban Forest Council aims to protect, maintain and enhance urban forests by promoting arboriculture best practices, safe work, professional development, information-sharing, and networking in Manitoba.

On May 28, 2023, shortly after 9:00 am, police responded to a report of a customer who was behaving in a threatening manner towards employees at a retail business in the 800 block of 18th street N.  The male threatened to shoot up the store.  He left the business but came back while police were there. When police attempted to arrest him he resisted and was about to leave.  Police deployed a conducted energy weapon to prevent him from resisting further and escaping.  The male was not in possession of any weapons upon his arrest. The 60-year-old male was later released to appear in court on July 27, 2023 on charges of Uttering Threats, Resist Arrest, and Cause Disturbance.

On May 9, 2023, police received a report of the theft of power tools from a retail business in the 800 block of 1st street N.  Security footage from the business assisted police in identifying the 30-year-old female, and a warrant for her arrest for Theft Under $5000 was requested. On May 25, 2023 at approximately 9:30 pm, police responded to a report of a female who failed to pay her taxi fair in the 100 block of 16th street.  Investigation revealed that the female went inside a residence and refused to pay.  The suspect provided police with a false name upon her arrest, but police soon learned who she was including the fact that she was wanted for the theft of the power tools. She was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Fraudulently Obtain Transportation, Theft Under $5000 and Public Mischief.  

A rural road that dips, swings, heaves in winter, is riddled with potholes and often floods has been voted as Manitoba’s worst road for the second year in a row. Provincial Road 307 was chosen by Manitobans in CAA Manitoba’s Worst Roads campaign, an annual campaign that runs every spring. According to survey respondents, the main reasons for choosing the road include poor road maintenance and potholes. “We know the campaign works. People vote in the annual CAA Worst Roads Campaign because it gives Manitobans a platform to continue putting pressure on various levels of government to understand what roads they believe are in urgent need of repair,” says Ewald Friesen, Manager Government and Community Relations, CAA Manitoba. For the first time, the top three Worst Roads in Manitoba were outside of Winnipeg. They include 18th Street in Brandon in second place, and Hwy. 34, which moves up the list one spot from fourth place in 2022 to third this year. “The results aren’t surprising, as we’ve seen more rural roads make the list over the past few years,” says Friesen. "Those who responded to the annual Worst Roads campaign have banded together to make sure rural roads are being prioritized.” While 18th street is in Brandon, its designation as a highway means it’s the province’s responsibility to repair. However, media reports earlier this year stated there are no plans to repair the rutted thoroughfare. “The results show that some roads are becoming significant pain points for Manitobans, perhaps more than our government leaders realize,” says Friesen. In Winnipeg, Goulet Street moved up the list from tenth to fourth place to grab the dubious distinction of being the city’s worst road this year. For the first time, Hwy. 75 in Morris makes the list, coming in at number seven. The Top 10 are: 1. Provincial Road 307 2. 18th Street, Brandon 3. Hwy 34 4. Goulet Street, Winnipeg 5. Leila Avenue, Winnipeg 6. Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg 7. Highway 75, Morris 8. Hwy 44 9. Saskatchewan Avenue, Winnipeg, 10. Empress Street, Winnipeg Empress Street makes a return, after dropping off the list in 2022. While a large section has been repaired and designed with new active transportation paths, several blocks of the northern section of the road remain in disrepair. Saskatchewan Avenue falls to ninth spot after coming in second last year. The road between Route 90 and Midland Avenue was replaced in 2022, but repairs are needed for the westernmost section of the road. “We are happy to see some roads fall down the list or fall off the list as repairs are made,” says Friesen. “At CAA Manitoba, we are here to advocate for safe transportation for all road users – whether they drive, ride, bus or walk.” Other regional “winners”: Portage la Prairie 1. Provincial Road 240 2. Lorne Avenue East 3. Tupper Street North Brandon 1. 18th Street 2. Provincial Highway 10 Thompson 1. Provincial Highway 6 2. Westwood Drive Morden 1. Provincial Road 432 2. Provincial Highway 3 3. 1 Street Selkirk 1. Eaton Avenue 2. Manitoba Avenue Steinbach 1. Provincial Highway 12 2. Home Street North

On May 21, 2023, police received a report of a 23-year-old male who had given meth to a 15-year-old female victim.  The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment by her parents. Police learned the suspect and the victim had begun conversing over Snap Chat during the previous 18-months.  The male also brought the victim to his residence on several occasions. An investigation into the suspect’s actions towards the victim during the 18-months lead police to arrest him on May 24, 2023 for Luring, Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Invitation to Sexual Touching, and Administer Noxious Thing.  He will appear in court on July 20, 2023.