City of Brandon Planning & Buildings Department has launched "Our City Photo Contest” as part of the Brandon City Plan Project. Local photographers have submitted up to three (3) photos of Brandon. All members of the public are encouraged to vote on their favourite photo(s) submitted on the City’s Facebook account. Photos can also be viewed at brandon.ca/cityplan. Interested participants who do not have a Facebook account can email cityplan@brandon.ca with a subject of “Our City Photo Contest – Vote" and include the photo(s) they want to vote for. Voting period will run until December 16th, 2022 at 12:00 p.m., with the grand winner announced on Monday, December 19th, 2022. Questions on the “Our City Photo Contest” can be submitted to cityplan@brandon.ca.

The Manitoba government is reintroducing a bill that would amend the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act to streamline the framework for liquor service licences to provide Manitoba’s hospitality industry with more flexibility to address consumer preference, Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today. “These amendments would reduce the number of licence categories, allowing for new business models and providing hotels, restaurants and other hospitality-based businesses more opportunities to innovate,” said Goertzen. “The current regulatory framework is overly complex and limits the type of new service models that entrepreneurs want to offer Manitobans while still ensuring the safe service of alcohol.” The bill, first introduced in the spring, would modernize the liquor licensing process and reduce red tape and regulatory burdens through regulation, helping the hospitality industry rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and current inflationary challenges. The bill would extend the ability to sell liquor with takeout and delivery food orders and make it easier for service models such as wine bars, seasonal and pop-up businesses to obtain licences, the minister noted. “We heard from the hospitality industry that the current model created barriers to entry and inequalities between industry participants. They asked for more flexibility with the regulatory framework to allow for new and evolving business and service models,” said Goertzen. “These changes would allow more seasonal or temporary businesses, while still ensuring the responsible service of liquor.” “We’re happy the provincial government is once again taking action to level the playing field to create opportunities for the foodservice industry to recover and grow,” said Scot McTaggart, owner, Fusion Grill and director, Restaurants Canada Manitoba. “Restaurants Canada applauds the government for modernizing the licensing framework focusing on the safe service of alcohol and creating a market where the entrepreneurial spirit can thrive.” In 2021, the Manitoba government passed amendments to allow for the delivery of liquor with takeout and delivery of food orders by dining rooms and lounges. These changes, supported by industry and driven by changing consumer demand, became especially significant as the COVID-19 pandemic changed how Manitoba’s hospitality industry operated. The bill would build on that legislative reform, expanding the program to give all liquor service licensees, not just dining rooms and lounges, the option to sell liquor with takeout and delivery.

Source: BPS News Release In September of 2021, the Brandon Police Service Organized Crime Section (OCS) commenced and investigation into a high level, interprovincial cocaine trafficking cell dubbed “Project Banish”.  OCS was assisted by the Crime Suppression Unit, Major Crime Unit, Police Service Dog Unit, Winnipeg Police Service, MCIC – Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Through the investigation, police learned of multiple members of a local group of drug-traffickers.  This drug network was observed to import multi-kilogram level quantities of cocaine into Brandon, and then distribute the cocaine through a sophisticated operation network of high/mid-level traffickers and local couriers.  The drug network’s primary criminal activities involved transporting cocaine into Brandon from Ontario and British Columbia. During the week of November 21, 2022 members of Brandon Police Service Crime Division, with the assistance of members from the Patrol Division and Support Services executed the following Search Warrants: -Six residential search warrants in Brandon -One residential search warrant in Campbell’s Trailer Court -a search warrant on a Brandon Business -three vehicle search warrants Ten individuals have since been arrested in connection with these investigations and they now face a variety of charges related to drug trafficking while more arrests are anticipated in the near future. The following individuals have each appeared in court on charges: Logan BICKERTON (male age 27) Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Trafficking Cocaine, Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime, Conspiracy to Traffic a Schedule I Substance and to Possess Proceeds of Crime over $5000, Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized X2, Possession of Restricted Firearm Obtained by Crime Scott BICKERTON (male age 29) Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime, and Conspiracy to Traffic a Schedule I Substance and to Possess Proceeds of Crime over $5000. Troy BICKERTON (male age 32) Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5000. Barry BICKERTON (male age 58) Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 Angela BICKERTON (female age 54) Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Conspiracy to Possess Proceeds of Crime Over $5000. James REID (male age 30) Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime, Conspiracy to Traffic a Schedule I Substance and to Possess Proceeds of Crime over $5000. Calvin VERMETTE (FLEURY Male age 52) Conspiracy to Possess Proceeds of Crime Over $5000, Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Conspiracy to Traffic a Schedule I Substance. Mitchell BROWNLEE (Male age 34) Conspiracy to Possess Proceeds of Crime Over $5000, Conspiracy to Traffic a Schedule I Substance. Tyler HENDERSON (Male age 40) Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime, Conspiracy to Traffic a Schedule I Substance and to Possess Proceeds of Crime over $5000.   Craig CROFTON (Male age 55) Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking and Conspiracy to Traffic a Schedule I Substance. Exhibits Seized: In excess of 9 kilograms of cocaine –Street value over $900,000 Over $450,000 cash 2 stolen handguns and a .30-06 rifle A ballistic vest and multiple other prohibited weapons A 2011 Lincoln MKS A 2003 Harley Davison motorcycle and a 2003 Victory motorcycle. The combined value of drugs, cash, and proceeds of crime is over $950,000 This complex investigation demonstrates the ability of Brandon Police Service Organized Crime Division to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to detect, disrupt and dismantle sophisticated drug trafficking operations. Brandon Police Service would like to thank and acknowledge the support of the Winnipeg Police Service along with Manitoba Justice and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for their assistance in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion. The impact of this investigation will ensure the reduction of acts of violence, property Crime and most importantly, the reduction of overdose deaths in the community we serve.

At 8:23 pm, Police stopped a vehicle on Acadia Blvd and the operator of the vehicle attempted to walk away from the vehicle at the stop. Upon being approached by the officer and told to stop, the accused initiated a struggle and shoved the officer and fled. The accused was also found to be breaching his court order to abstain from alcohol consumption. The 34 year old male was taken into custody a short time later and will be held for court in the morning

On behalf of the City of Brandon Mayor’s Office, the City of Brandon is excited to announce that the festive celebration, City Hall Christmas Open House, will take place on Sunday, December 11th, 2022 at City Hall in the Foyer. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., with the program to start at 1:30 p.m. City Hall is located at 410 – 9th Street. Attendees are encouraged to park in the parking lot adjacent to City Hall and use either the north or south doors to enter City Hall. “We are pleased to invite everyone to join us in celebrating the sights and sounds of the season,” notes Mayor Jeff Fawcett. "Our community is stronger than ever, and we have much to be celebrate this joyous season.” This free event offers a special Christmas concert performance by the Brandon Community Orchestra, whose members come from various communities in Westman, ranging from preteens to seniors. They will perform a variety of familiar Christmas songs and classical pieces. Students from the Suzuki Strings program at Brandon University will also join the orchestra for several numbers. Limited seating available on a first come, first served basis. Refreshments will be served.