After two years of virtual ceremonies, Brandon University graduates will once again be able to walk across the Convocation stage and receive their degree parchment in person this year. “As the culmination of your academic journey, Convocation is a special and meaningful moment for every student — and my personal favourite university day,” said BU President David Docherty. “I am delighted that, thanks to public health successes like vaccines, we will once again be donning caps and gowns, presenting degree parchments in person, and congratulating each of our grads in person… only this year we’ll still be cautious about hugs and handshakes.” Convocation 2022 is scheduled for May 26 and 27 this year and has been expanded to four ceremonies. Grads from the Classes of 2020 and 2021, whose ceremonies were held virtually, are also invited back to share in the celebration, and must RSVP as soon as possible. “We always promised our grads that they would be included in a special way the very next time we were able to host them in person again,” said BU Registrar Andrea McDaniel, whose office helps lead Convocation planning. “Our virtual Convocation ceremonies were meaningful commemorations of unusual years, and we learned some new lessons from them that we’re going to continue to apply to future Convocations.” One example is the commissioned original artwork, originally produced for Class of 2020 grads as a reminder of the year’s interruption. A second original piece was commissioned for Class of 2021 grads due to the ongoing pandemic and it may now become an annual tradition. Convocation will be held at the BU Healthy Living Centre, following all public health orders. It is one of the best-ventilated spaces on campus and physical distancing will be followed as much as practical for all participants. Masks will be fully supported and, while capacity is not currently limited in the HLC, the university is asking graduates to limit their guest list to those who are truly closest to them. “Convocation is an important and special occasion, and it is essential that we host it as safely as possible,” McDaniel said. “We are taking precautions to avoid the dense crowds and intense mingling of previous years by encouraging everyone to take advantage of larger spaces, including outdoors on our lovely campus.” All graduating students from the Class of 2022 should now have submitted their application to graduate. More information about the ceremonies is being regularly posted online at BrandonU.ca/Convocation. Grads from the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 must RSVP online to confirm their intent to attend no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2022. Details are being sent to the email addresses that BU has on file for them, or they can go to BrandonU.ca/Convocation/Previous-Grad.

Source: BPS News Release On March 22, 2022, police conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of 20th street shortly before 4:00 am.  Police observed open alcohol in the vehicle, and the lone occupant was arrested. Investigation further revealed that the male had provided police with identification that was not his own, and he was in possession of several documents bearing the same name of another individual.  The male was also in possession of 3.5 grams Cocaine. Police were able to identify the 32-year-old male, who was lodged at Brandon Police Service.  He will appear in court today on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine, Possession of Proceeds of Crime, Public Mischief, and Identity Fraud X3.

This afternoon Brandon Firefighter Paramedics and Brandon Police Service responded to Tastee's Ice Cream & Grill on 1st Street for a structure fire. It appeared that a fire started in a shed at the back of the building. Eyewitnesses said flames were 2x higher than the roof of Tastee's upon arrival of fire crews. Fire appeared to extend from the shed area to the back of the building and up along the roofline. Firefighters used multiple hose-lines to extinguish the fire. A hydrant was tapped at 1st Street and Brock Avenue to supply 15 Pump with water. Firefighters used ladders to access the roof to check for extension into the building, and also used positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan to clear smoke out of the dining room portion of the building.

Source: BPS Police Service On March 20, 2022, police responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence in the 300 block of 11th street Brandon at approximately 6:30 pm.  The two suspects left the residence prior to police arrival. The victim, a 64-year-old male, was transported to hospital to be treated for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.  Investigation revealed that the victim knew the suspects. A 41-year-old female suspect was located and arrested by 6:50 pm.  She was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Aggravated Assault/ Assault with a Weapon.  A second female suspect was not located.  Police continue to investigate.

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: March 18th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Cody Matthew CARDINAL (40 yrs) FOR Fail to Comply with Release Order While on charge for several crimes including Breaking & Entering, the accused, Cody Cardinal, breached his release order by not abiding by a court imposed curfew. On March 14th, 2022, a warrant of arrest was issued for Cody Cardinal as his 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 March 18, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Theft of Welder On March 15th, 2022, at approximately 3:45pm, two male suspects entered a business in the 1600’ block of 18th Street. One of the males stole a red and black Lincoln Electric Wire Feed Welder by pushing it in a cart out the entry door. The suspects were captured on video surveillance, a copy of which is being circulated with this bulletin.