The Manitoba government is investing $600,000 in capital funding for the child-care expansion project at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Brandon’s Y Downtown Early Learning Centre, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced here today. “Our government is committed to ensuring Manitoba families have access to quality, affordable and inclusive child care that is conveniently located,” said Ewasko. “We are proud to invest in this significant expansion project that will double the number of spaces at the Y Downtown to increase accessibility to needed child-care services in the city of Brandon and the Westman region.” The expansion was made possible through a capital grant under the Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund, which dedicates $1.9 million annually for child-care centre development projects. This fund supports increases in community-based child-care spaces across the province through new construction or the expansion of existing centres to increase their capacity. The Y Downtown child-care centre project was awarded the maximum grant available under the fund. The minister noted the Y Downtown’s child-care capacity will double to 96 from 48 spaces once the project is complete, creating 12 new infant spaces and 36 pre-school spaces helping more families in need of child-care services. “The Y is thrilled to be increasing the number of child-care spaces in our community, particularly infant and toddler spaces,” said Lon Cullen, president and CEO, YMCA of Brandon. “This is particularly important given the dire shortage of infant spaces in our community. We are thankful to the province to be able to enhance our child-care spaces in the Dood Cristall Family YMCA located in the heart of downtown.” The expansion of the Y Downtown’s child-care facility is part of a larger project underway at the YMCA of Brandon. In addition to increasing accessibility to child-care spaces, the project features initiatives that will enhance the services offered to the community, especially for youth, seniors and families. These initiatives include increasing space for supportive programming and creating two outdoor play areas. The centre expansion is expected to open in November 2023, the minister noted. The project’s funding also builds on other recent investments in child-care projects including Dugald Daycare Inc., a new stand-alone child-care facility providing 74 child-care spaces adjacent to Dugald School. In addition to these provincially funded projects, the provincial and federal governments have made investments in child care as part of the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement launched last summer, and the extended Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement launched earlier this year. For more information about early learning and child-care development supports and child-care services in Manitoba, visit https://gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/. For more information about the Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund, visit https://gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/resources/building_fund.html. (Province of MB News Releasse)

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba  On July 24th, 2022, Minnedosa RCMP received a report of a missing 16-year-old female. Ryleigh TIMMINS was last seen on July 23rd at approximately 9:00 pm, walking on Road 72N heading east towards Highway 10. It’s possible Ryleigh left her residence to meet an unknown person. Police and family are concerned for her safety. Ryleigh was wearing a red and black long sleeve plaid shirt, blue jeans, black mask, black toque and a small pink backpack. Ryleigh is described as 5'11, 140lbs with shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. If you have any information, please call Minnedosa RCMP at204-867-2751 , Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

Source: BPS News Release On July 22, 2022, at 9:35 pm, police were dispatched to a fight within a hotel located in the 1000 block of 18th Street.  The victim reported being punched and struck with a bottle by two females within the establishment.  The female suspects, both 32 years of age, were arrested at the scene for assault with a weapon.  The females were later released on conditions with a future court dates.

Over the past 20-30 years, we have seen a number of popular businesses in Brandon close for one reason or another. Below is a list, in no particular order, of ten businesses we would like to see return to the city. Waterslides: ideal for those hot summer days, fun for the whole family Spatz: live music, some decent bar bands passed thru this venue Mort's Drive In: classic drive-in food served on a tray Lucky Star Drive Inn: pack the car to see a show or two, occasional triple feature Unwinder: mug night, nothing else needs to be added Joe's Sports Cards: many a $ spent there trying to land that Lindros rookie card The Venice House: eating pizza while sitting in a barrel, a unique dining experience Barnacles: pub food, pool & darts, a great place to socialize with the team after the game Velvet Rail: snooker tables, pinball & old arcade games, unmistakable smell of cigar as you enter. Alessio's Pasta: enormous portions, very distinct pasta sauce Honorable Mentions: Burger Ranch Wheelies The Soup Kettle Tequila Willies Golden Perogy

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: July 22nd, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Leonard Gabriel DORION (33 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 Leonard DORION being charged for several firearms related offences.  Attempts to locate Leonard DORION have been unsuccessful and on June 27th, 2022, a warrant for his 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 22nd, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Theft Under $5000 and Fraud  On July 13th, a parked vehicle was entered and items were stolen from within, including credit and debit cards.  The cards were later used by a male suspect at several businesses in Brandon.  The male suspect was wearing a black jacket and black ball cap.  He was also noted to have a tattoo on the back of his right hand.