The 2021 United Way Brandon & District annual campaign kicked off today, and this year’s focus brings light to key areas that desperately need attention. In the times of the current pandemic, social agencies and services are being pushed to their brinks, and it’s not uncommon for users to be placed onto a ‘waiting’ list for help. The support that Brandon brings forward over the next few months will have a direct impact on the social and mental wellbeing right here in Westman, and the group is ready and eager to get working on things. “We know that the past 19 months have been a challenge for so many – both businesses and their employees,” says United Way Brandon & District CEO, Cynamon Mychasiw. Much of this year’s concentration will be around many unignorable issues in Westman, such as seniors isolation, mental health and survival in a time that is so hard for so many people. Though the campaign will concentrate greatly on reaching a financial goal, there will be plenty of opportunities to give back to the community in ways of volunteering. “The United Way is so much more than collecting and distributing funding,” says marketing executive Bryan Podworny. “There’s lots we can do to volunteer time and skills that can take a big weight off non-profits that are struggling to get through a regular day.” At the annual kickoff held at Riverbank Discovery Centre Festival Park, attendees got to hear from this year’s campaign chair in person for the first time. “Small steps - Small donations, small amounts of time - lead to big change in our community. It’s not about what you can accomplish or solve on your own but what impact we have together. Join me in supporting this year’s campaign – acknowledge hard things exist and help build the support systems that we need to make a difference.” said Jennifer McMillan, co-owner of Rocked Community Fitness. Also happening this week will be a concentration on Westman’s community of seniors and the unignorable impacts of the last year and a half. The United Way brings the universal tool of music to personal care homes, filling the air with fun, upbeat sounds and messages from the community to lift spirits and bring smiles to those that are all too often left alone. A Bare Necessities drive takes place on Wednesday collecting socks and underwear for all ages, as well as diapers, formula, tampons, pads, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other personal hygiene items. It will all be sorted and distributed to services in Brandon the following week. In an effort to show that the United Way is more than just a fund raising agency, they will be grouping volunteers with non-profit agencies throughout Brandon to see their projects completed on Thursday September 16th. These projects include everything from clean ups to painting to organizing and even construction. Non-profit groups that needs help and volunteers that would like to participate are urged to contact the United Way. For more information and other United Way Brandon & District news, please contact their office at 204-571-8929. Emails can be sent to office@brandonuw.ca.

On Sunday evening, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to a house in the 600 block of 18th Street for a structure fire. The house, which is abandoned, has caught on fire multiple times over the past year. Brandon Fire Captain Shayne Collister says that all the utilities to the house, which include electricity and gas, were shut off months ago which means the fire was likely human caused. Fire crews arrived on scene, pulled multiple hose-lines to the house and began a fire attack. A ladder was raised to the attic area and a hole was cut to gain access to the attic space. A large-diameter supply line was laid to a nearby hydrant on McTavish Avenue but was not used. Southbound traffic on 18th Street was completely shut down for approximately an hour while fire crews worked on scene. Thankfully there were no injuries.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On September 12 at approx. 8:45 am, police attended a two vehicle collision at 1st St and Victoria Ave. A westbound vehicle ran a red light and collided with another vehicle. One vehicle ended up on its side. The 27 year old driver was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. No one else was injured. On September 12 at approx. 5:15 pm, police attended a two vehicle collision at 18th St and Brandon Ave. An eastbound vehicle was struck by a southbound vehicle. The eastbound vehicle ended up on its roof. The vehicle occupants were examined on scene. No one was injured

Brandon's Park Community Centre played host to a fundraising concert today.  Several musical acts were set to perform and entrance was by donation. The AAA u16 provincials are this weekend here in Brandon at the Ashley Neufeld Complex. Round robin play started Friday evening. Sunday: Semifinal at 12; gold medal game at 3:00 and admission is free. Semi loads of rides and attractions are starting to fill the parking lot at the Keystone Centre in anticipation of this year's Food Truck Warz event.

Source: Brandon Police Media Release In May 2021, members of the Operational Support and Crime Suppression Unit began an investigation into drug trafficking in the City Of Brandon. On September 8, 2021, a Search Warrant was executed at a residence on Centennial BLVD, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 2 ounces of Fentanyl, 23 ounces of Marihuana, $6000 cash, two canisters of bear mace, a 12 gauge double-barreled shotgun, replica handgun and other drug trafficking related paraphernalia. The street value of seized drugs is approximately $9000.00. Four individuals have been arrested following this investigation. On September 8, 2021, a 23-year-old female was arrested and lodged. She appeared in court on September 9, 2021 on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Traffic cocaine, Possession of Proceeds of Crime and Obstruction of Justice. On September 8, 2021, a 25-year-old male was arrested and lodged. He appeared in court on September 9, 2021 on charges of Possession of a Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a firearm contrary to a Prohibition Order, Possession of Ammunition Contrary to a Prohibition Order, Careless Storage of a Firearm, Possession for the Purpose of Distributing Cannabis, and Possession of Proceeds of Crime. On September 8, 2021, a 23-year-old male was arrested and lodged. He appeared in court on September 9, 2021 on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl and Fail to comply with Release Order. On September 9, 2021, a 49-year-old male was arrested and remains in Brandon Correctional Centre. He will appear in court today on charges of Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine, and Obstruction of Justice.