Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On July 29, 2021, police responded to a report of a male who was brandishing both a handgun and a machete in the 600 block of Dennis Street, at approximately 9:30 pm.  There were several other individuals in the area at the time, but they had all fled prior to police arrival.  There were no reported injuries. Investigation led police to a residential address where a male matching security footage images of the suspect was located and arrested.  He provided police with a false name. Further investigation revealed his identity, and the fact that the 31-year-old male was to abide by conditions not to possess any weapon and to abstain from alcohol consumption. He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Possession of a Weapon, Public Mischief, Fail to Comply with Release Order X2, and Fail to Comply with Probation.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On July 28, 2021, at noon, police stopped a vehicle in the 300 block of 7th street that was stolen out of Thunder Bay Ontario.  The 40-year-old male driver from Westman was arrested.  He was found to be in breach of several release conditions. He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Possess Property Obtained by Crime, Fail to Comply with Release Order X2, and Fail to Comply with Probation Order.

Source: Brandon Police Service On July 27, 2021, police responded to a report of the theft of items from a vehicle, which was parked on Basswood Bay.  The property owner later saw their items posted for sale online by an individual in Brandon.  Using the online information, police were able to locate and arrest a 21-year-old female at a residence.  She was in possession of the stolen property.  She was later released and will appear in court on September 20, 2021 on a charge of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. While police were dealing with the female suspect, a 36-year-old male who was wanted on outstanding charges, arrived at the residence on a stolen bicycle.  Upon his arrest, he was found to be in possession of brass knuckles, meth, and a stolen wallet with stolen ID.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Meth, and Fail to Comply with Release Order. Also at the residence was the 20-year-old female suspect of the theft of a wallet and credit cards from a vehicle parked in a garage on Balmoral Bay.  The theft was reported on the morning of July 26, 2021.  An investigation into this matter revealed that the suspect used the stolen credit cards at several Brandon businesses and her image was captured on security footage.  She too was arrested and later released to appear in court on September 23, 2021 on a charge of Use of Credit Card.

The federal and provincial governments are collaborating with the City of Brandon to develop affordable housing for the community with a 48-unit complex at the site of the former Fleming School. The affordable housing complex will include 42 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom units. Eight of the units on the main floor will be accessible for persons with disabilities or mobility issues. Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires noted that rents at the new complex must remain affordable for 20 years. The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $1.56 million over two years for the $11-million project, with a potential for future investments as it progresses. Squires noted the $1.56-million investment is made possible through the National Housing Strategy bilateral agreement, which was signed by the governments of Canada and Manitoba in 2019 to ensure families, Indigenous communities and vulnerable Canadians can count on long-term funding for community housing in Manitoba. The City of Brandon is contributing $1.56 million from provincial grant funding to ensure the rental housing project is 100 per cent affordable. The city will also provide the proponent with a 20-year offsetting grant equal to 50 per cent of the municipal tax payable and is providing the land valued at more than $1 million. The project will be led by private developer Kirk Brugger. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022. Quotes “Our Government is helping ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Our investments, through the National Housing Strategy, will go a long way to effectively support those who need it most, both in Brandon and across the country. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation “Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. It is with great pleasure that our government, through the National Housing Strategy, is supporting initiatives like this affordable housing project in Brandon. Our government is working collaboratively with the government of Manitoba to build strong communities where Canadian families can prosper and thrive, now and for the future.” – Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development “Our government will always be there to help those in need, which is why we are investing in this important project. Under our government’s National Housing Strategy, we are working with our partners to build safe and affordable homes here in Brandon, and across the province. I want to thank everyone involved as together we are building a generation of new, permanent housing that we can all be proud of.” – Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South “Our government continues to make important investments in affordable housing, so that all families in Manitoba, including those with lower incomes, can have a safe place to call home. Affordable housing creates benefits that last a lifetime and strengthen our communities and province as a whole. We are pleased to collaborate with our partners on this important project.”– Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires “The City of Brandon has partnered with the Province of Manitoba and other participating partners on a number of recent projects that support affordable housing in our community. I am pleased to note that today’s announcement brings the total number of provincially partnered new housing units to 129 affordable units and 15 market units.” – Rick Chrest, Mayor, City of Brandon “This project is very close to my heart, and we are excited to work with the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Brandon to create affordable housing for families in Brandon. My dad was my hero and he taught me about community and philanthropy. Ten years ago this summer we lost our daughter Kayleigh and her boyfriend Paul in an accident. Kayleigh volunteered to teach English to immigrant children, and Paul came from a hard-working immigrant family that still calls Brandon home. We dedicate this project in their memory.” – Kirk Brugger, developer and project lead Quick Facts • Since 2016, the Manitoba government has supported the creation of 743 new affordable and social housing rental units. As well, the province has supported home ownership for more than 220 households through partnerships with municipalities, non-profit organizations and other agencies. The province will continue to protect and support vulnerable Manitobans through the development of affordable housing. • In addition to this investment, the Manitoba government has invested more than $5.2 million to develop 96 new rental, co-operative or single-family homes for low-income to moderate-income families in Brandon since 2018, and provided more than $4.1 million in municipal grant funding to the City of Brandon in March 2021. • The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is the Government of Canada’s 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home – this includes more than $13 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement. • The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. The province will continue to protect and support vulnerable Manitobans through the development of affordable housing. (Province of MB News Release)

Shortly before 12:00am on Tuesday Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the 600 block of Van Horne Avenue for a structure fire. Flames could be seen coming from multiple holes in the roof of the multi-story house, and a large burn mark was visible on the west side of the building which stretched from the ground all the way up to the roof. The building appeared to have been previously boarded up, which may have posed challenges for fire crews. Brandon Fire utilized their Quint ladder truck for "master stream operations" and used the water stream to get water into the attic and upper floors of the house. Fire crews were on scene past 4:00am and were still spraying water into the building. No word on cause or if there were any injuries.