Assiniboine Community College has named a student space in the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology at the college’s North Hill campus, “Mazergroup Main Street”, to honour a $500,000 donation and longtime support from a Westman-born agricultural staple, Bob Mazer. Mazer has been a long-time supporter of trades programming at the college, providing an entrance award each year to students in the Agriculture Equipment Technician and Heavy Duty Technician programs and regularly loaning equipment to these programs for hands-on learning opportunities. In fall 2021, the college announced that Mazergroup was expanding their support with a $500,000 donation to Assiniboine’s ongoing campaign for the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture. “This announcement is just another step in a very long, close relationship between Mazergroup and Assiniboine. All of us at Mazergroup believe very emphatically that Assiniboine helps Manitobans create better lives for themselves and their families through all kinds of training, but specifically, within the ag sector,” said Bob Mazer, President and CEO of Mazergroup. “The Prairie Innovation Centre will greatly enhance the relationship between our industry and the students that will and are creating our future trained work force. Mazergroup is very proud to be part of this next step in the evolution of such a great institution.” The new Mazergroup Main Street space is part of a common area that fosters connection for students, where they can meet, relax, and converse in their free time. Mazer is a past chair of the college’s Board of Governors and recipient of an honorary diploma. “Mazergroup and Bob himself, for years, have been champions of what we’re working to accomplish here at the college. Now, our college has a critical role to play in ensuring there are people trained and ready to step into careers in the agriculture sector, and again, Bob has stepped in to support,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine. “It is our pleasure to be able to recognize their generous contributions, and the value they bring to the future of the agriculture industry and college in an area that reflects where their support began.” The Prairie Innovation Centre, which aims to expand seats in agriculture-related programming from 300 to more than 800, will be located at Assiniboine’s North Hill campus in Brandon.

The local radio landscape had some changes over the past 6 months.  With new on air staff plus not to mention the Brandon Wheat Kings broadcasts moved back to Q Country after a one year trial at Bounce FM. Ratings this time around were calculated "old school" by actual phone calls to local people to find out the following. what station do you like? what time do you listen from and finish? how old are you? of note these ratings do not include rural Western Manitoba. STAR FM - # 1 PURE COUNTRY  - Had very strong ratings and did well overall - # 2 Q COUNTRY - No ratings changes basically stayed flat - # 3 BOUNCE FM - Has some drop off in some areas - # 4 Trent B ( Star FM ) is the most listened to morning show host in Brandon Jamie Harrison ( Star FM ) is the most listened to afternoon show in Brandon

On November 20, 2022, police received a report of a suspect backing up his vehicle through some hedges, in a yard at a residence in Hazelwood Cres.  The suspect them proceeded to unload garbage into the yard.  Investigation revealed that the 59-year-old male suspect was upset over the homeowners not employing him, so he retaliated.  He was located and arrested on November 21, 2022.  He was later released to appear in court on January 16, 2023 on a charge of Mischief Under $5000.

The Manitoba government has introduced the Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, which would raise the minimum hourly wage to $14.15 on April 1, 2023, as the second phase of a plan to further increase the minimum wage to $15 on Oct. 1, 2023, Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister Reg Helwer announced today. “Extraordinarily high inflation in recent months has made it increasingly difficult for Manitoba families to make ends meet,” said Helwer. “This phased-in approach to raising the minimum wage would help relieve some of the economic pressures on Manitoba workers while lessening the impact on small businesses’ bottom lines as much as possible.” This past summer, because of unusual economic circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Manitoba government passed amendments to the Employment Standards Code to allow minimum wage increases above the rate of inflation when inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) exceeds five per cent in the first quarter of a calendar year. The provincial hourly minimum wage was raised on Oct. 1 to $13.50 from $11.95 after government consultations with labour groups and businesses. Through this new bill, the Manitoba government plans a further increase to the minimum wage of 65 cents on April 1, 2023, to raise it to $14.15, Helwer noted. In August, the Manitoba government committed to raising the minimum wage to approximately $15 by Oct. 1, 2023. This is expected due to another regularly anticipated increase based on the CPI. “This increase to the minimum wage would assist lower-income Manitobans in dealing with the current economic realities as appropriate and necessary,” said Helwer. ”We will continue to tie the wage to economic indicators, and in this way maintain purchasing power, stability and predictability for employers.” The latest minimum wage changes follow recommendations made by the provincial Labour Management Review Committee this past summer, Helwer noted. Information on Manitoba’s minimum wage and other employment standards is available at www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/. (Province of MB News Release)

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: November 18th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Terrence Edward KIMBALL (45 years) FOR Fail to Attend Court.  Between April and June 2022, Terrence Kimball was charged for 29 criminal offences.  Some of these offences include Break & Enter, Theft, Mischief to Property, Fraud, and Failing to comply with conditions.  On November 3rd, 2022, Terrence Kimball failed to attend court to deal with the charges.  At that time, a warrant of arrest was issued for Terrence Kimball as his current whereabouts is unknown. ************************************************************** CRIME OF THE WEEK for November 18th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Theft Under $5000 Sometime between Sunday November 13th and Monday November 14th, a construction trailer in the 1500’ block of Braecrest Drive was broken into.  Stolen from within were tools including a quick cut saw.  Investigation into this incident is continuing and police are looking for suspects. If you have information about this or any other crime you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.