As part of its comprehensive plan to improve the safety, functionality and reliability of the provincial highway network, the Manitoba government is investing $5.75 million for pavement and signal upgrades on a 2.2-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway, including both the eastbound and westbound lanes of this twinned roadway in the city of Brandon, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced today. “Our government recognizes the increasing population and growing economy in the city of Brandon and is responding with appropriate improvements to support this growth,” said Piwnuik. “Projects like this will accommodate increasing traffic and promote development in the area, as well as support free-flow conditions on the Trans-Canada Highway. These investments are critical for economic recovery and growth, which remain at the centre of our plan for a stronger, more prosperous Manitoba.” Rehabilitating the pavement improves the serviceability and safety of the roadway while upgrading the signals enhances operations at the intersections and provides a more reliable vehicle detection system for future traffic capacity. These upgrades improve efficiency on this major interprovincial and international trade route, noted the minister. As part of the project, the section of the Trans-Canada Highway between the two junctions of Provincial Trunk Highway 10, plus an additional 300 metres of roadway in either direction will be resurfaced. To maximize the lifespan of the repairs, the project will use Superpave asphalt mix, which minimizes cracks and ruts and lasts up to 20 years. The minister noted earlier project designs had planned to add a thin overlay over the existing pavement. However, given the importance of this section of the provincial highway network, the department decided to proceed with an expanded project as part of its overall strategic investments in Manitoba’s key international trade corridors. The expanded project will mill the roadway to remove deteriorated pavement and then add 10 centimetres of Superpave. The project will also upgrade the traffic detection equipment at both intersections to a more reliable system that can be easily adjusted for future traffic capacity. “The City of Brandon is thrilled to see the investment that the province is making in the important upgrades for this prominent section of the Trans-Canada Highway between First and 18th streets in Brandon,” said Mayor Jeff Fawcett, City of Brandon. “Our city and region are growing and improvements such as these will ensure safe passage for all motorists from near and far.” Zenith Paving was awarded the contract to pave the Trans-Canada Highway. The concrete work has started, with the entire project to be completed by summer 2023.

Source: BPS News Release At 4:45 pm on Saturday afternoon, the resident of a home in the 500 block of 3rd St reported a woman was trying to kick in his door and windows.  Officers located the woman at the residence with an axe she had used to damage the door. She was arrested and was in possession of a set of brass knuckles and a small amount of methamphetamine.  The accused, a 40 year old Brandon resident, will appear in court on Sunday morning on charges off Attempted Break and Enter, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Possession of Methamphetamine.

(Province of MB News Release) BRANDON—As part of the Manitoba government’s ongoing efforts to support law enforcement personnel and improve public safety, $8.9 million in project funding will be provided to support the Brandon Police Service Permanent Cell Build Project, which will construct a new, modern detention facility in the community, Premier Heather Stefanson and Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced here today. “Every day, our law enforcement partners put their health and safety at risk and their lives on the line to help protect fellow Manitobans, and for that, we are immensely grateful,” said Stefanson. “Our government is taking action to ensure law enforcement partners have the tools they need to do their jobs. This investment will help create a new, better environment to enhance the safety of front-line officers and strengthen Manitoba’s public safety and corrections system.” Today’s funding announcement caps a week of new government initiatives and millions of dollars in investment to making communities safer, the premier noted, including more money to expand shelters and provide safe sleeping spaces for people experiencing homelessness, more funding to treat Manitobans suffering from addictions, and funding for a new integrated violent offender apprehension unit which includes the Brandon Police Service, RCMP, First Nations Police Service and Winnipeg Police Service. The new permanent detention facility will allow the Brandon Police Service to transition away from temporary modular cells the Manitoba government had previously funded to address interim demand. The project, coupled with the temporary modular cells initially received $4.4 million through the Manitoba Restart Program. Additional funding was needed to offset the impact of inflation and see this project to completion, the premier said. “Our government recognizes the value of modern detention facilities to meet the needs of law enforcement processes and individuals being detained,” said Goertzen. “Despite the best efforts of the City of Brandon and Brandon Police Service, estimated project costs unexpectedly rose due to global inflation, so we have stepped up to help them realize this worthy project.” “With the commitment of an additional $4.5 million in funding, I am excited to see this major infrastructure project for the Brandon Police Service come to fruition,” said Chief Wayne Balcaen, Brandon Police Service. “Having the Manitoba government’s full financial commitment and continued support will allow the construction of a modern permanent facility that will ensure a safe and secure environment for our staff and clients.” Construction of the new detention facility began in September. Cells are scheduled to be completed by August 2023 and the attached vehicle bays will be completed by January 2024, the minister noted.

**************************************************** “CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: November 4th, 2022   The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is “WANTED BY POLICE”: Blaine Mitchell HOCALUK (41 years)  FOR Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Weapon, and Failing to Attend Court On August 22nd, 2022, Blaine Mitchell HOCALUK was stopped by police in possession of a stolen bicycle and carrying a hatchet.  On October 24th, 2022, Blaine Mitchell HOCALUK failed to attend court on those charges and a warrant for his arrest was issued. ****************************************************************** CRIME OF THE WEEK for November 4th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Break & Enter to Shed.  On the evening of October 31st, 2022, a shed in the 200’ block of 28th Street was broken into.  Stolen from inside was a Red Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike.  This incident is still under investigation and police are asking the public for any information that may lead to the solution of this crime. 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.

Source: BPS News Release On November 1, 2022, at approximately 8:40 am, police observed a stolen red Dodge Caravan in the downtown area.  The vehicle was observed travelling the wrong way on both Rosser Ave and Princess Ave.  Shortly after this, police were in a position to implement a stop stick to deflate the suspect vehicle tires when the vehicle eventually travelled east bound on Pacific Ave. Once the vehicle drove over the stop stick and the tires were deflating, officers were then in a position to follow it as it turned south on 1st street where it eventually came to a stop near the corner of 1st street and Maryland Ave as one of the tires had completely come off the rim. Four individuals were arrested from the stolen vehicle just prior to 9:00 am. The driver, a 22-year-old male was lodged at Brandon Police Service.  He will appear in court today on charges of Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon, Dangerous Driving X2, Flight From Police and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. A 45-year-old male passenger was also lodged at Brandon Police Service.  He will appear in court today on charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Fail to comply with Probation. Two female passengers were also arrested and later released.  The 24-year-old and the 36-year-old will each appear in court in December on charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.