Bruce Luebke will be seeking re-election in the 2022 City of Brandon Municipal Election in Ward 6.   Luebke has been a resident of Brandon for nearly 30 years and was first elected to Brandon City Council in Ward 6 in the 2018 Municipal Election. During his first term, Luebke was a strong voice for culture and recreation, recently bringing forward an adopted motion by City Council for a $3,000,000 debenture for infrastructure upgrades at the Sportsplex at the 2022 budget deliberations. He also had adopted motions earlier this year to provide Truth and Reconciliation Training for City of Brandon staff and add additional staff on a short-term basis to Brandon Fire and Emergency Services to help address concerns with ambulance response times and staffing. Luebke has advocated for improvements in Ward 6, including a plan for the South End Community Centre site after the completion of the City of Brandon Water Reservoir Expansion Project, further enhancements and public access to the green space on the Keystone Centre grounds, and increased community safety through the installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacon pedestrian signals on 6th Street. In addition, Luebke has been a member of various Committees, including the Downtown Wellness and Safety Task Force, the Grants Review Committee, and co-chair of the Poverty Committee. He has also served as Chair of the Keystone Centre Board of Directors since November 2020. If re-elected, Luebke’s priorities for the next term will include: Advocating for additional opportunities for business, government, and the voluntary sector to work together for collective impact and comprehensive community transformation. City Plan 2050, the future vision for the City of Brandon and the path(s) necessary to meet that vision. Exploring additional partnerships between the City of Brandon and First Nations and promoting economic reconciliation. Working with community members and organizations to continue to address the multi-faceted issues in downtown Brandon including championing an Indigenous Healing Centre. Work toward a long-term funding agreement between the Province of Manitoba and the City of Brandon for the Keystone Centre, recognizing its importance as an economic driver for our community. Determining if there are ways for Brandon Transit to become more efficient and rider-friendly and how Active Transportation opportunities fit into the overall movement of people in the City of Brandon. The City of Brandon Municipal Election will occur on October 26, 2022.

At the regular Council Meeting on Monday, June 20th, City Council passed a motion to amend the Open Air Fires Regulations. As per City Council’s direction, Brandon Fire & Emergency Services is notifying all members of the public of updates to the Open Air Fires Regulation P30, effective immediately. The amendments to the Open Air Fires Regulation P30 include: Hours of an approved Outdoor Burning Appliance will be limited to between 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.* Open air fires will be prohibited when a poor air quality advisory is issued by the Province of Manitoba. Brandon Fire & Emergency Services is also reminding residents that if your activity includes sitting around a fire pit, you should ensure your fire pit is following these regulations: To have an open-air fire in your yard, you must first have an approved permit as per the Open Air Fires Regulation P30. The person to whom an Open Air Fire Permit is issued shall be responsible for any and all damages as a result of burning. Fires as permitted under the Open Air Fires Regulation shall consist only of charcoal, or cut, seasoned wood. Fires shall always be supervised. Fires shall not be set in windy conditions conducive to creating a running fire or a nuisance to another person. If smoke from a fire causes an unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of another person’s property, the fire shall be extinguished immediately. Failure to comply may result in fines according to the Open Air Fire Regulation. If Outdoor Burning Appliances are used without the necessary permit, offenders may be ticketed without warning. The fee for failing to comply with the regulation is $400, as per the Open Air Fire Regulation 30. If you have any questions or concerns with regards to the use of an Outdoor Burning Appliance, please call Brandon Fire & Emergency Services at 204-729-2400. Open Fire Pit Environmental Impacts  Open fire pits do have an environmental impact. Even small campfires burning clean, dry, seasoned wood can emit harmful chemicals and pollute the air we breathe. Pollutants include carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter, all of which contribute to air pollution. Acceptable types of wood for open fire pits: Seasoned, dry wood with a 20% moisture content Wood that has been freshly cut will have too much moisture and should not be burned. Hardwoods, such as oak, birch, maple, poplar, and ash are denser, produce less smoke, and will last longer. Softwoods, such as spruce, pine, and cedar will create more smoke and smolder. Other tips for disposing of wood: Treated wood and brush can be taken to the Eastview landfill for proper disposal Burn it where you buy it To avoid the spread of tree disease, do not travel long distances with firewood you have purchased. Fire permits and forms can be found at City of Brandon - Fire Permits & Forms. *Special fire permits can be submitted to Brandon Fire & Emergency Services. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  (City of Brandon Public Service Notice)

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: June 24th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” John Winston MACDONALD (51 yrs) FOR Two counts of Fraud John Winston MACDONALD has been charged for passing two fraudulent cheques at a business in Brandon in January 2022.  On May 30th, 2022, a warrant of arrest was issued for John Winston MACDONALD as his current whereabouts is unknown. ***************** 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 June 24th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Robbery On June 13, 2022 at approximately 5:20 pm, two adult females were walking in the 300’ block of 5th Street when they were approached by two male suspects. One suspect shoved one of the females to the ground and stole her brown ACC backpack, which contained ID, personal paperwork and cash.  The victim did not sustain any serious injuries. The suspects are described as being male 18-20 years old. One suspect was wearing a black hat, white shirt, black pants, and was approximately 5’9” and skinny. The second suspect was wearing a red hoody, red mask, red pants, red shoes and was approximately 5’9” and very skinny.

Assiniboine Community College has announced a $1 million donation toward its Prairie Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture from Brandon-founded, national professional services firm, MNP. The donation, made in honour of the late Don Penny, who co-founded the firm in 1958, will help to create space for collaboration among farmers, industry, students and government. “Don Penny’s warmth and charisma made him the consummate people person who was known to lead with both his head and his heart. He believed in people, in discovery, in technology, and in hard work —exactly the activities that will take place in this new Prairie Innovation Centre,” said Jason Tuffs, Chairman and CEO of MNP. A vital part of the Prairie Innovation Centre vision is integrating education and connection, providing a venue where producers, industry, researchers, government and students can come together, solve problems and share ideas. “With roots in Westman, both Don Penny and MNP, have long been valuable partners to Assiniboine. Don’s passion for collaboration and innovation, willingness to share knowledge, and his inspirational leadership align closely with what we are working to achieve with the Prairie Innovation Centre,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine. In 2017, Assiniboine awarded Don Penny its first ever Courage Award for his courage to take risks and pursue a vision that saw a Westman-based firm become a major national leader in accounting, consulting, tax and technology services, all while dedicating himself to community organizations and efforts along the way. “It will be a pleasure to see his legacy live on through this Centre. Don understood that Canadian agriculture is driven by people working together, and this generous contribution in his honour will be transformational for the agricultural industry and in the lives of so many students,” said Frison. The Prairie Innovation Centre is a one-of-a-kind Canadian college project that will bring together collaborative learning spaces, applied research labs, multipurpose spaces and amenities that will serve both industry and the college community. “When this opportunity was presented, it wasn’t a long or hard decision for us. We felt the Prairie Innovation Centre represents what Don was all about—bringing visionary minds together to create successful activations that got results. The fit couldn’t be more ideal,” said Tuffs. (Source: ACC News)

Source: BPS Media Release On June 21, 2022 at approximately 7:00 pm, police responded to a report of a female who had just stolen merchandise from a business in the 800 block of 18th street. Employees watched the female proceed to a vehicle before attempting to drive away when she struck a parked vehicle.  The owner of the parked vehicle attempted to speak with the female suspect, but she assaulted him several times. When police arrived and attempted to arrest the female, she resisted and assaulted one of the officers several times before she was placed in custody. Neither the officer nor the owner of the parked vehicle required medical attention because of the assaults. Investigation revealed that the vehicle she was driving had recently been stolen from the 900 block of 1st street. The 27-year-old female was lodged at Brandon Police Service.  She will appear in court today on charges of Theft Under $5000, Assault Peace Officer, Resist Arrest, Assault, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime X2.  She will also receive several fines under the Highway Traffic Act.