Two pickup trucks pulling trailers collided Thursday afternoon in the intersection of 26th St. and Victoria Avenue, destroying a traffic signal pole in the process. It appears that the pickup pulling a long flat-deck trailer collided with the wheel area of the second pickup's enclosed trailer. It is unknown what caused the collision, or if any injuries occurred. Power to the intersection's remaining traffic lights appeared to be cut, which affected traffic in the area. Brandon Police were on scene directing traffic while work was done to remove the traffic light and debris.

On December 24, 2022 a By-Law Officer, who was assigned to Animal Control duties attended to a Brandon residential address. The officer advised the caller that there was a surrender fee for the animals. It is alleged that the officer collected the money as a surrender fee, but they did not turn over the funds to the pound agent. On December 28, 2022, another BPS employee learned of this anomaly through a separate investigation they were conducting. The employee reported their concerns to their supervisor, which lead to a police investigator being assigned to the incident on January 9, 2023 after preliminary fact finding by the employee’s supervisor and a review by BPS Executive. The investigation lead to the discovery of four similar incidents between March and August 2022. During these incidents, money was collected for the surrender of animals but was not deposited with the pound agent. These incidents occurred on March 26, May 02, June 29, and August 22, 2022. As a result of this investigation, Neil Terence JORDAN, a 57-year-old male of rural Manitoba has been charged with five counts of Fraud Under 5000 dollars and five counts of Breach of Trust by an Official. Mr. JORDAN was first charged on January 16, 2023, with one count of each offence based on the initial investigation. On February 24, 2023, Manitoba Prosecution Services authorized the eight additional charges, based on the ongoing investigation. Mr. JORDAN’s first court appearance is set for April 24, 2023, at the Brandon Court House. During the course of the investigation, Mr. JORDAN was immediately relieved of any responsibility as an Animal Control Officer and has been on unpaid leave, at his request, since 25 January 2023. A review of our processes has been conducted. Protocols were in place when these occurrences happened. The employee chose not to follow these processes. Based on the review, our By-Law supervisor will be examining animal control calls for service on an ongoing basis. Our review remains ongoing to determine best practices to implement to ensure this type of situation does not happen again.

The City of Brandon has been working on the Brandon City Plan, a 30-year vision for the City of Brandon since January 2022. Over 100 public engagement sessions have been held by the Planning & Buildings Department with over 2,000 residents participating in the project and providing feedback that formed the vision. The project is currently in the final phase of community engagement where residents are being asked to view and confirm the vision. Recently, two public engagement events were held at community centres. A small group of citizens used these events to discuss theories not related to the Brandon City Plan project and city staff were treated disrespectfully. Democracy and freedom of speech is important to the City of Brandon. However, due to such inappropriate and unsafe behaviour, all Brandon City Plan public engagement has been paused. The City will continue the pathway to establish a City Plan that represents our entire community. Updates regarding the Brandon City Plan will be provided in the future.

CancerCare Manitoba Foundation is pleased to announce a gift that will enable construction of a new Centre for Hope at the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre in Brandon. The Paul Albrechtsen Foundation has donated $3.5 million to establish the Paul Albrechtsen Centre for Hope, providing care and support closer to home for people on a journey with cancer in the Westman region. The announcement was made this morning by Chair of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Board Lee Meagher at a ground-breaking event for the facility. The Paul Albrechtsen Centre for Hope will offer expanded access to cancer services for hundreds of patients and their families living in the area. Services will include physical and emotional wellness programs, which are critical to improving patient experience and outcomes. In addition, the Centre will offer individualized education and resources for patients and families to help navigate their way through the cancer system. “It’s hard to put into words how impactful this gift is. It will change the cancer experience for Manitobans and their families for many, many years to come,” said Patti Smith, President & CEO, CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. “I would like to extend my heartful thanks to the Paul Albrechtsen Foundation for believing in this vision and understanding the importance of supporting patients through all aspects of their cancer journey.” “Our support of the Centre for Hope builds on Paul’s well recognized legacy of philanthropy in Manitoba and continues his vision of enhancing and expanding important healthcare services for everyone,” said Judy Hill, trustee of the Paul Albrechtsen Foundation. “Paul began his career and built his business in the Westman area and I know he would be very proud to give back to the community in this way.” “Research and experience tell us when patients are well supported through their cancer experiences, clinical treatments are more effective, and recovery is more complete,” said Dr. Sri Navaratnam, President & CEO, CancerCare Manitoba. “On behalf of cancer patients and their families, we are very grateful to the Paul Albrechtsen Foundation for making this possible. This gift will bring an immediate impact to Manitobans who live in the Westman region.” Construction is set to begin immediately. Design plans for the Centre include approximately 3,000 square feet of dedicated indoor space, a solarium for yoga and other wellness activities, as well as an outdoor courtyard space and healing gardens intended to provide respite from the clinical environment.

On March 27, 2023, shortly after 4:00 pm, a complainant attended Brandon Police Service to make a report that a 21-year-old male had fired a .22 cal rifle approximately 5 times while inside a residence in the 300 block of 5th street earlier in the day.  He had also assaulted the complainant, but she did not require medical attention.  Investigation also revealed that the suspect had relocated to a residence in the 200 block of Maryland, and that he had his firearms with him. The BPS ERT team was activated, members of BPS Tactical Response Unit and Crisis Negotiation Unit worked to safely have the suspect peacefully surrender from the Maryland home by 7:24 pm. Police searched the residence and seized a loaded .22 Cal Lakefield Mark ll rifle, a bag containing assorted ammunition, a Nightstalker CO2 pistol, a replica Glock CO2 pistol, 2 cans of bear mace and a set of body armour. The 21-year-old male was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Assault, Assault with a Weapon, Careless Use of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, Possess Firearm Contrary to a Firearms Prohibition Order X3, Possess Ammunition Contrary to Firearms Prohibition Order, Pointing a Firearm, Use Firearm in Commission of Indictable Offence and Possession of Body Armour.