An empowering event and annual tradition to end gender-based violence is returning to the city this week. “Take Back the Night” will march from Princess Park to Brandon University on Thursday evening, where refreshments, resources and more will welcome participants. “‘Take Back the Night’ has been a tradition in Brandon for nearly 20 years,” said Sandy Smith, Advocacy and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Women’s Resource Centre, which is partnering with Brandon University and the YWCA to restart the event after a hiatus during the pandemic. “The goal of this event is to build awareness in our community around gender-based violence and empower people in a collaborative way,” she said. “We stand on the shoulders of the women who have come before us and this event is about bringing all generations together.” “Take Back The Night” starts in Princess Park at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, Oct. 20. At about 6 p.m., participants will march from the park to the Brandon University campus. On campus, a small resource fair and refreshments like hot chocolate and treats will await in the Mingling Area of the Knowles–Douglas Student Union Centre. The resource fair will include organizations like the YWCA, SERC, The Women’s Resource Centre, and Westman Teams Against Sexual Exploitation. “‘Take Back The Night’ is the oldest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence in all forms, dating to the 1970s, and we’re thrilled to bring it back,” said BU professor Dr. Kelly Saunders, who is involved in organizing the event. ‘Take Back the Night’ is open to everyone. “We encourage allies to participate,” Smith said. “Come out and join us for a powerful, positive event with a great group. We’d love to see you there.” (BU News Release)

The Manitoba government is providing $400,000 to support the Brandon Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program, an initiative aimed at supporting the post-pandemic rejuvenation of the city’s downtown business community, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen announced here today. “Economies around the world continue to feel the detrimental effects of the global pandemic, so we are proud to support the Brandon Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program as part of the continuing collaborative effort of local authorities to rejuvenate the business community in downtown Brandon,” said Cullen. “Encouraging a healthy, vibrant downtown is vital to sustaining economic growth for Brandon and a stronger province for us all.” Created by the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and the City of Brandon’s economic development department, the program aims to specifically address the unique concerns affecting the resurgence of the downtown business community. This includes downtown investment, main floor business incubation and a marketing strategy, Cullen noted. “We want to continue driving downtown Brandon’s revitalization by identifying and encouraging investment and revitalization opportunities. Our city's downtown area has a critical and unique role in economic and social development,” said Emeka Egeson, executive director, Brandon Downtown Development Corporation. “It continues to create a critical mass where commercial, cultural, and civic activities are concentrated. This concentration facilitates business, learning, and cultural exchange.” “The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is so proud to recommend funding for and to be working with the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation and Brandon Chamber of Commerce in executing on this critical proposal, and to continue upholding a commitment to accelerating downtown revitalization,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “This fund will create and maintain jobs, support existing businesses and attract new businesses to support downtown growth.” Recent economic indicators from Statistics Canada show Manitoba is the national leader in economic recovery, Cullen added. The $400,000 investment is part of the province’s $50-million Pandemic Long-Term Recovery Fund, administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, which provides businesses and industries with support to invest in employees, expand and diversify operations and remain competitive in the global market. The Brandon Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program will be administered by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and will be launched as an open call for grants. For details about the grants, eligibility criteria, funding streams, application process, deadlines and more visit: https://brandondowntowndevelopment.ca/.

Leaves are falling in Brandon and that means the City of Brandon Streets & Roads Section is back out on the streets with its street sweeping equipment! Work to clear catch basins of tree leaves, seeds and other debris prior to the winter season has begun in Residential Zone G, which is the downtown core. Crews have also begun sweeping in Zone A, which includes Richmond Avenue to Victoria Avenue. Crews may move between zones from day-to-day depending on when the regular refuse, recycle and green cart collection is taking place. Residents are encouraged to check the Brandon Street Sweeping Map for regular updates. Weather-permitting, all municipally maintained streets will be swept prior to the onset of winter. Residents are not required to move their vehicles off the street when street sweeping crews are in their neighbourhood unless no parking signs are posted. Moving your vehicle off the street will assist sweeping efforts. The street sweeping program may involve posting of temporary no parking signs. Please watch for signs in your area and remove vehicles from the affected streets so the sweepers can complete a thorough job. Failure to remove vehicles when no parking signs are posted may result in a parking ticket and/or tow. Residents can also greatly assist the process by refraining from raking leaves from their yards and boulevards into the streets or on top of storm sewer catch basins. Once raked, yard debris should be properly bagged and either placed in your residential Green Cart or taken to any of the City’s yard waste drop-off depots listed here. More information related to services provided by the Streets and Roads Section can be found at brandon.ca/streets-and-roads. City of Brandon PSA

Source: BPS News Release On October 17, 2022 at approximately 9:40 pm, police received a report that a group of approximately eight female youth were fighting near the exit of a business in the 900 block of Victoria Ave. One of the youth in the group dropped a knife, which was picked up by another youth who then used it to stab a 16-year-old female five times. The business was secured and members of BPS Major Crime Section and Forensic Identification Unit attended to investigate. The 15-year-old female suspect who assaulted the victim was arrested.  She was later released to a parent and will appear in court on December 6, 2022 on a charge of Aggravated Assault. The injuries the victim received were serious.  She was transported to the hospital to receive treatment, where she remains in stable condition.

Police received multiple reports of break and enters throughout the past week involving sheds, garages, and unlocked vehicles in the south central area of Brandon.  The break and enters are believed to have occurred between October 10th and October 16th, 2022.  No suspects have been identified; however, the incidents are believed to be connected.  Items stolen include various tools and personal identification.  Police continue to investigate. Police urge the public to ensure vehicles and outside sheds and garages are locked to help prevent these types of crimes.