The City of Brandon is partnering with the Central Assiniboine Watershed District (CAWD) to launch the second year of a three-year Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program. This year the program is seeking up to twelve (12) single family dwelling residential properties to install a rain garden in their yard this summer. A rain garden is a type of green infrastructure landscape that collects stormwater (rain and melted snow) that runs off your grass and impervious surfaces, such as rooftops and driveways. Rain gardens are designed to have a shallow depression that has deep, loose soil so that it absorbs and naturally filters stormwater. Although water is collected in rain gardens, they are not a breeding habitat for mosquitoes. Rain gardens are aesthetically pleasing with minimal maintenance requirements. A rain garden can also: reduce the amount of water that enters the local storm sewer network reduce flooding, mitigate drainage issues, and prevent stream banks from eroding restore and recharge our groundwater system replicating the natural hydrological cycle attract birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial insects, such as mosquito-consuming dragonflies reduce the number of pollutants that run from urban areas straight into our waterways “I am extremely happy with the success of the program and interest from applicants received in the inaugural year,” notes City Councillor Barry Cullen. “I look forward to the continued opportunity this partnership has created to assist Brandon residents in integrating green infrastructure into their yards.” “We are thrilled to build off of the momentum year one provided, and we are excited to launch year two of this pilot program with the City of Brandon,” notes Neil Zalluski, Manager of Central Assiniboine Watershed District. “The City is the largest urban center that is a member of a watershed district. When observing the demand for rain gardens on urban properties, CAWD has decided to expand their program to all our municipal members. We are always willing to work with our members and we hope that the program inspires residents to mitigate overland flooding on their property while adding curb appeal.” Basic eligibility requirements for the program include: you must be a resident of Brandon and the rain garden must be installed on a property you own within the city of Brandon rain garden must be in a low-lying location rain garden must be installed at least three metres away from the foundation of your house you must be able to redirect a downspout from your roof to the rain garden area proposed rain garden location must be clear of any trees or underground services Interested residents should apply online at Residential Rain Garden Pilot Program 2022. Once approved, a staff member from CAWD will contact the homeowner to assist with the design and installation of the rain garden. There is a limited amount of funding available. Eligible applicants will be assessed on a first come, first-served basis. For more information about the program and eligibility, please visit brandon.ca/rain-garden. (City of Brandon PSA)

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure advises the Pacific Avenue loop under Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 10 (18th Street) and Pacific Avenue west of 15th Street to 18th Street will be closed to all traffic starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 4 due to ongoing construction. A signed detour is in place and motorists are advised to use Rosser and Princess avenues as alternate connections to and from 18th Street. This will be a long-term closure until approximately December 2022. The project involves the construction of a new four-lane bridge with a separate pedestrian and active transportation bridge. The design will also include new on and off ramps to connect 18th Street with Pacific Avenue, new pathways, sidewalk and pavement upgrades. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and patience during construction. More information about the new Daly Overpass on PTH 10 in Brandon can be found at:  www.gov.mb.ca/mit/wms/structures/daly_overpass/index.html. Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure will update impacts to traffic through the Manitoba 511 information system at www.manitoba511.ca/en/index.html. (Province of MB Release)

Source: BPS News Release Assault/Assault Police Officer At 1:20 p.m. Saturday, officers attended a business in the 1500 block of Rosser Avenue, after a report was received that a female who was high on an unknown drug had assaulted another female at that location. The suspect left the washroom of the business, confronted a female not know to her, and struck her across the forehead with a solid eyeglass case which resulted in minor injury to the victim. On police arrival, the 35 year old female suspect who is a resident of Brandon resisted officers’ attempts to arrest her. The suspect went to ground and kicked one of the arresting officers several times in the thigh and shins. The officer was not injured. The suspect was held in BPS cells overnight and will appear before a Justice today charged with assault with a weapon, resist arrest, and assaulting a police officer. Assault Police Officer/Resist Arrest At 1:45 a.m. today, officers attended to the area of the 600 block of Franklin Street where residents reported a male not known to them was attempting to gain entry to their home. The 21 year old male from Brandon was located in the area, was intoxicated, and thought he was at his own residence. When police first approached the male, he became aggressive and began throwing punches at police. The officers were able to avoid physical contact and when they attempted to take the male into custody he continued to physically resist police. The male was lodged in BPS cells overnight and will be released from custody later today. He will appear in court in May, charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Brandon city councillor Jeff Fawcett is announcing his candidacy for mayor in the 2022 municipal election in the city he’s proud to have called home for the past 50 years. Fawcett, who has served as the Assiniboine Ward councillor for the past 12 years, is excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for the Wheat City. “This is a special day for me and my family,” Fawcett said. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the past 12 years, from flood mitigation to sensible tax increases, and I look forward to presenting my vision on how we can continue to grow this great city together.” Fawcett has spent his entire life in Brandon raising his two sons — Max and Will — with his wife Jodi. “The timing is right for me both personally and professionally,” said Fawcett, who owns D&B Sprinklers and is a partner in Westman Solar Solutions in Brandon. “And as someone who has raised a family I know how important providing opportunities in the way of education and employment are to a modern and vibrant city.” Fawcett said staying focused on the things the city can control while looking for opportunities for growth will be a keystone of his campaign. “Providing quality and cost effective services — whether that's protective, garbage pickup, street and sidewalk repair or clean water — are vitally important to the success of any city," he said. “And when you take care of those things, and do them well, it puts you in a position to take advantage of opportunities that might come your way." With a long track record of working with both the Federal and Provincial governments, Fawcett is ready to get to work for the people of Brandon. “I hope to spend a lot of time between now and the election listening to people about what their priorities are for the city and I hope on October 26 I have gained the trust of the voters in Brandon," Fawcett said. ----- Backgrounder: Jeff and Jodi are active supporters of the YMCA, BU, ACC and Riverbank Discovery Centre. Jeff has served or volunteered with the YMCA, Brandon Chamber of Commerce, John Howard Society, Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon University Foundation and Westman Immigrant Services. During his time on council, Jeff has also served on the Audit and Finance Committee, Building Standard and By-Law Compliant Committee, Downtown and Wellness Committee, Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council and Community Wellness Coalition.

Source: BPS News Release On March 31, 2022, police responded to a report of a suspect who was attempting to steal merchandise at a business in the 3400 block of Victoria Ave at approximately 4:00 pm.  An employee of the business confronted the 27-year-old male suspect, but was assaulted when the suspect struck the employee with a “Mr. Solid” chocolate bunny.  The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the assault. The suspect fled the business, but was located and arrested nearby.  He was still in possession of stolen merchandise, which was returned to the business.  He was later released and will appear in court on June 2, 2022 on charges of Assault and Theft Under $5000. Edit:  This is NOT an April Fool’s Day joke.  While the weapon of choice in this case may have been atypical of what a suspect would normally use, it does not change the fact that retail employees face a daily challenge when dealing with theft.  Suspects who steal from businesses can often be unpredictable and violent towards employees, and in some cases they may use whatever weapon is available to them at the time.