Residents of Brandon are invited to help shape the future of Brandon Transit and inform the development of the Brandon Transit Route Planning and Long-Term Strategy. Brandon Transit currently serves as a vital link, connecting residents to economic, social, educational, and recreational opportunities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, changing demographics, and evolving travel patterns have highlighted the need for a thoughtful re-evaluation and redesign of our transit system. The City of Brandon has been undertaking a comprehensive review and strategic planning process to propose enhancements to our transit system. These enhancements must align with the community’s needs while remaining cost-effective. Thus, community participation is essential in this endeavor. Our goal is to better serve the diverse and growing needs of our community. The first round of community engagement took place in Spring 2024, where the project team learned about the mobility patterns and needs of Brandon residents. Consequently, the team developed short-, medium-, and long-term strategies that will enhance the transit system, improve the rider experience, and attract new transit users. Now, in our second round of engagement from Feb. 3 - 23, 2025, we want your feedback on proposed changes to the transit system.  The Route Planning and Long-Term Strategy is not just about mapping out current transportation patterns; it’s a comprehensive approach to envisioning a future where transit services are both inclusive and innovative. Our goals extend beyond a general assessment; we aim to: Evaluate our existing transit system, encompassing both standard and specialized services. Create a progressive vision for transit enhancements that resonate with the City’s Climate Action Plan and other related municipal policies and plans. Engage the community to ensure that this vision is reflective of their changing needs. Develop a detailed implementation plan that outlines how to achieve this vision. How To Participate:  Survey: Share your opinions via this online survey: forms.office.com/r/tfF9KVptCp. Paper surveys will be available at all open houses, on transit buses, at the Transit Information Centre (21 – 8th St.), and at Brandon City Hall (410 – 9th St.) from Feb. 3 – 23, 2025. The online survey closes Feb. 23 at 11:59 p.m. In Person: Join us at one of our open house events: Date  Time  Location  Mon, Feb. 3 6 – 8 p.m. Superstore, 920 Victoria Ave. Tue, Feb. 4 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 2 – 4 p.m. 6 – 8 p.m. Brandon University, 270 18th St. Superstore, 920 Victoria Ave. Walmart, 903 18th St. N. Wed, Feb. 5 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 2 – 4 p.m. 6 – 8 p.m. Assiniboine College, 1430 Victoria Ave. E. Walmart, 903 18th St. N. Shoppers Mall, 1570 18th St. Thu, Feb. 6 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Shoppers Mall, 1570 18th St.   Following insights gathered from the community, the project team will refine recommendations and future transit service options to create and finalize the Route Planning and Long-term Strategy with key stakeholders. Stay tuned for more details and additional opportunities to engage with us on this exciting journey toward a transformed transit system in Brandon! For further information, call 204-729-2279 or visit brandontransit.ca/transit-study.

In 2025, Parks Canada plans to permit watercraft on Clear Lake under a "one boat, one lake" aquatic invasive species prevention program. This program will be similar to the one implemented in 2023. The public will be invited to provide input on how the 2025 program will be applied. The discovery of hundreds of live juvenile zebra mussels attached to docks and infrastructure near the east end of Clear Lake in the fall of 2024 indicated that zebra mussels are not isolated to the Boat Cove area of the lake, where they had previously been found and where the containment curtain had been installed. This discovery prompted a review of management actions. With input and advice from Indigenous advisors, the Province of Manitoba, and leading scientific and international experts, Parks Canada has determined that eradicating zebra mussels from Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park is not feasible. Zebra mussels are a real and significant threat to Clear Lake and downstream waterbodies. These waterbodies flow through five First Nations, are important for agriculture, industry, and recreation, and provide drinking water for tens of thousands of people. Parks Canada is committed to managing the impacts of zebra mussels on the natural environment and to the vitality of the local tourism economy. Parks Canada representatives will be set-up near the skating rink behind the Visitor Centre on February 1 and 2 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Come contribute your input to the 2025 AIS Prevention Program during the Winter Adventure Weekend. The information collected will be used to inform the management of Clear Lake’s aquatic invasive species prevention program for 2025. There is also an opportunity to provide input through an online questionnaire available until February 28, 2025 through this link: https://parks-parcs.simplesurvey.com/f/s/Clear-Lake-Riding-Mountain-2024 For more information and updates about zebra mussels, boating and aquatic invasive species prevention in Riding Mountain National Park visit: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mb/riding/activ/moto-boat Source Riding Mountain National Park Bulletin

Voyeurism / Distribute Intimate Image without Consent On January 24th it was reported that a 17-year-old male had secretly taken intimate footage without consent of him and a 16-year-old female. He sent it to her and possibly another yet to be determined person. The male was arrested, phone was seized, and statements were obtained. The male was released via Undertaking with a court date of April 8th, 2025. Theft Under $5000 On January 27th at 5:55PM a report of a theft of merchandise from a store in the 2600 block of Victoria Avenue came in to police. A 53-year-old woman was located in the area, matching the description provided, and found to have the merchandise on her person. She was processed and released on an Undertaking with a court date of April 7th, 2025. Source: BPS News Release

It was reported that on the evening of January 25th, a 34-year-old male alongside a yet to be identified female, attended a residence at approximately 11:20PM making financial demands. The 34-year-old male pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed at a 35-year-old male and 34-year-old female demanding that they pay him $150 bi-weekly, or he would return for “further violence”. The male then pulled out his phone and made the female say on video that she would pay every two weeks. On January 26th at approximately 5:35AM the 34-year-old male attended BPS and was arrested. He was held in detention cells and had court in the morning. Charges pending included Pointing a Firearm X2, Using Firearm in the Commission of an Offence – While Committing Offense, Extortion with Firearm, Carrying Concealed Weapon, Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose, Uttering Threats Against a Person, and Disobeying Court Order.

Aggravated Assault: A 34 year-old female was arrested for aggravated assault as a result of a complaint received on January 25th, arising from a disturbance at the Keystone Motor Inn.  The female is alleged to have “bottled” a male on the head resulting in significant injury.  She was released on appropriate police imposed conditions and is to appear in court on April 7th. Shoplifter: On December 23rd, an employee from Winners reported that on November 11th, two female suspects stole approx. $1000 in merchandise from the store. From video surveillance, one of the suspects was identified and on Saturday morning, the 28 year-old suspect was located and arrested for the offence of theft under $5000.  She was released on appropriate police imposed conditions and is to appear in court on April 7th. Source: BPS News Release