Westman Communications Group (WCG) would like to extend congratulations to the 2022 Manitoba High School Graduates. Special recognition to the 37 graduates who received the Westman Award of Excellence Scholarship this year. The $500 Westman Award of Excellence scholarship is awarded to students who are furthering their education in Manitoba to pursue a technology-related program and have been accepted by a post- secondary institution. Further qualifications for the Westman Award of Excellence Scholarship include academic achievements and community involvement – qualities that WCG is proud to support and recognize in Manitoba youth, the leaders of tomorrow. "Technology is constantly changing; it is becoming more present and fundamental in our everyday lives. As a cooperative that uses today's cutting-edge technology to deliver its services, Westman wants to help students enter this vast and exciting field," said Courtney Baxter, WCG Marketing Manager. Westman is always looking for ways to help its communities grow by donating, sponsoring, or volunteering at events that are important to its members. This year, the Westman Award of Excellence Scholarship saw over $18,000 given to deserving graduates and has contributed over $450,000 to students in Manitoba since its inception in 2001. 2022 Westman Communications Group Award of Excellence Scholarship Recipients   Birtle Collegiate High School Shane Anderson Boissevain School Amber Unrau Carberry Collegiate Leiland Rempel Crocus Plains Secondary School Maria Gonzalez Dauphin Regional Secondary School Sarah De Vries Ecole Regionale Notre-Dame Clairron Mesina   Ecole Saint-Lazare Angele Simard Elkhorn School Chezney McAuley Elm Creek School Amber Vandevelde Elton Collegiate Emma Hrymak Erickson Collegiate Kyla Brewster Gilbert Plains Collegiate Troy Kotsur Gilbert-Rosset Community School Matthieu Dequier Glenboro School Goose Lake High School Grandview School Will Van Schie Emma Palmeruk Hayden Mikolayenko Hamitoa Collegiate Kate-Leigh Heapy Killarney School Halle Kachur Major Pratt School Jake Noguera McCreary School Jeffry Gilmore Melita School Rylee Fletcher Minnedosa Collegiate Hailey Rempel Neelin High School Kaiella Athaide-Lepp Neepawa Area Collegiate Kendall McCracken Pilot Mound School Calli Banman Prairie Mountain High School Hunter Mangin Rivers Collegiate Jillian Burt Shoal Lake School Jesse Szwaluk Souris School Katrina Spangler St. Claude School Complex Sam de Rocquigny Ste Rose School Callum Morrison Strathclair Community School Jorja Pedersen Swan Valley Secondary School James Mault Vincent Massey High School Mikaela Devers Virden Collegiate Hayley Kirkup Wawanesa School Dylan Brown William Morton Collegiate Peyton Starr  

Source: BPS News Release Theft Under $5000 On July 4, 2022 at approximately 4:30 pm, police responded to a report of theft of merchandise from a business in the 900 block of 18th street.  The 24-year-old male attempted to flee with a bicycle, but an employee was able to retrieve it.  Police arrested the male nearby.  He was later released to appear in court on September 8, 2022 on a charge of Theft Under $5000.  Theft Under $5000 On May 25, 2022, police responded to a report of theft of merchandise from a business in the 900 block of Victoria Ave.  Security footage assisted police in identifying the 34-year-old female suspect.  On July 4, 2022, police located and arrested her.  She was later released to appear in court on August 29, 2022 on a charge of Theft Under $5000

McCain Foods will be hosting a Free Fry Day Event in Brandon to raise money for Ronald McDonald House. The drive thru event takes place on Wednesday, July 13th at the Keystone Centre parking lot. To receive your free McCain Foods (Canada) product, stop by the Keystone Centre parking lot and help families with sick children by donating to RMHC Manitoba while you're there! Brandon Keystone Centre #1 1175 18th St Wednesday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As George Costanza once said "I knew I had hit my high note so I thanked the crowd and I was gone". Being a radio announcer can be a very thankless job with high expectations and low financial returns. Dean Molberg and my pup Pepsi The pride of Roblin Dean Molberg went to broadcast school and found a gig in Brandon working for 1150 CKX AM then moved over into CKX TV Sports. This is where Mike Stackhouse and Dean started to create an on air buzz and energy.  More than anything Dean had raw talent and passion, two things you can’t buy. After 11 years at Fan 960 in Calgary covering The Flames and Stampeders and more Molberg had his final broadcast this past Thursday. Molberg told BDNMB "I said this is it at the end of NHL season I am done". Fan 960 is owned and operated by Rogers. Dean AKA Cranky Molberg Dean, a very below average beer hockey player, wanted to get into the big leagues. So his wife Trish and Deano packed up and moved to Red Deer. But here is where Dean caught the ear of Calgary radio execs at the Fan 960. Just like a young hockey player hoping to get called up to the big team that’s what happened, he was now doing sports for The Fan and started to really find his niche in the marketplace. Trish Molberg and their family For the past 11 years Deano has got up at 3 am and left his wife Trish and their kids in bed while he cruised down the Deerfoot in Calgary to work at 4am. Turn on the microphone and open up the phone lines and let’s see what people think of The Flames or Stamps or Hitmen etc. This is really a dream job for a sports fan that has an opinion. Dean announced that he would be leaving The Fan a week ago and such heavyweights like Friedman and Lebrun mentioned Dean during their broadcasts that he will be missed. Former Brandon radio alumni Darren Dreger told BDNMB.CA today “Brandon is a great sports city and because of that, it was a perfect launching pad for a number of great broadcasters. The relationships developed among co-workers or those created beyond have shaped my career in many ways.  Dean is old school and a classic. And someone who has never forgotten where he came from”. Local legend, and now Saskatoon Blades coach, Wacey Rabbit told BDNMB that “Boomer” as he was known on the radio as an icon in Calgary and he says sports radio and radio for that fact will never replace him. The future is unknown, perhaps he will open a used car dealership or a podcast or just take some time off. Lots of sports media greats have started in Brandon including the Millard brothers and Darren Dreger and you can add Molberg to that Wall of Fame. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jSmTjQtEl5M Dean Molberg - 1995 CKX TV

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: July 1st, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Skye Blue GILLIS (32 yrs) FOR Numerous Firearms Related Charges On May 14, 2022, police attempted a vehicle stop in the west end of Brandon. The vehicle fled and was later located abandoned with a stolen firearm inside. Investigation lead to the accused Skye Blue GILLIS being charged for several firearms related offences. Attempts to locate Skye GILLIS have been unsuccessful and on June 27th, 2022, a warrant for her arrest was issued by the courts. ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” 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. ****************************************************************** CRIME OF THE WEEK for July 1st, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Attempted Break & Enter / Mischief to Property On Saturday June 25th, 2022, just after 2pm, a male suspected attempted to kick in the door to a residence in the 400’ block of 12th Street. He was unsuccessful in gaining entry; however, he then caused damage to a window. The suspect is described as male, medium build, wearing a black hoodie with white bands on the arms and a large Nike logo on the back. He was also riding a red bicycle.