A winter sleigh ride is a wonderful way to take in the sights and sounds of winter. It’s also a perfect way to enjoy this winter wonderland during family outings, gatherings with friends, wedding parties and holidays. Our Lil Barnyard, located just 15 miles from Brandon, offers 40 minute sleigh rides along a beautiful trail through a peaceful snow covered bush on the south side of the Brandon Hills. They also have available a fire-pit area for you to gather around with your group or family. They can accommodate either large (15-20), or small groups, and are currently accepting bookings most evenings and weekends. Daytime bookings may be available for larger groups. Pricing for a group of 10, or more people, is only $10 an adult, $5 for children under 5 and for groups of less than 10 the minimum cost is $100. The fire-pit rental is available for $20/half hour use. This is our tenth year doing sleigh rides and our family is so excited to be able share in the making of memories with people again!! We have met people from all over the world ( Brazil, England, Australia, Africa, El Salvador ) from all over Canada. To book a ride please contact them at jenn.neufeld@yahoo.ca or call 204-728-3645  

Brandon's Blair McDonald is about to embark into the world of expansion. MyoFix which has been located in Downtown Brandon for a few years will now open his second business in Regina in March 2022. Blair will be splitting time between Brandon and Regina until he can hire local staff.  He does have a few things in the works for staff but nothing set in stone yet. "This expansion is a personal goal for myself to open and build a business in a city that is not my own, a place where I know almost no one". "We are moving into a newly renovated space. I will be actively building both the brandon and Regina MyoFix team." McDonald hopes to have a location in every Province. For information on what MYOFIX is click here

Brandon's Louis Montroy recently won $5 million in the November 24 Lotto 6/49 draw. The winning ticket was purchased at the Canadian Tire Gas Bar located at 1655 18 Street in Brandon. “I scanned the ticket and thought, ‘$50,000?!’” he recalled when claiming his prize. “But there were too many zeroes. So I thought, ‘Nah, that’s $500,000!’ “All of a sudden it clicked in that it was actually five million dollars. Well, oh my God! Was I ever surprised!” Montroy said he went home with his ticket and checked the numbers on the WCLC (Western Canada Lottery Corporation) website a few more times with his wife. “When I was at the store I tried to stay as quiet as possible,” he said. “But when I was at home, I just wanted to scream out in celebration.” “I’m going to make sure my kids are taken care of,” he said in a Monday news release from the Western Canadian Lottery Corporation (WCLC) and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.

On December 1, 2021, police were made aware of a robbery with violence.  Investigation revealed that the victim met a person on a dating website, and was invited to a residence in the 400 block of 3rd street to meet up that evening.  Once inside the residence several individuals armed with bear mace and a knife assaulted the victim and stole a cell phone.  The victim was able to flee the residence to alert police. Police located and arrested the three suspects who were in the area of the residence shortly before 11:00 pm.  They were each lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today.  They include a 25-year-old male who faces charges of Robbery with Violence, Possession of Meth, Fail to Comply with Probation X3, Possession of a Weapon and Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.  A 22-year-old female who faces charges of Robbery with Violence and Fail to Comply with Release Order.  A 26-year-old female who faces charges of Robbery with Violence. The victim received minor injuries, which required medical treatment. Investigation led police to the location of the stolen cell phone, and search warrant for a residence in the 100 block of 12th street was obtained.  There police located and seized the stolen phone as well as Meth, Cocaine and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Further investigation revealed that the stolen phone was exchanged for illicit drugs. A 25-year-old female was arrested following the search.  She was later released to appear in court on January 10, 2022 on charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of the Purpose of Trafficking – Meth and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine. (Brandon Police Service Media Release)

 In response to the November 12th Public Health Act Orders released by the Province of Manitoba, the following COVID-19 vaccine requirements will be in effect at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex as of Monday, December 6th, 2021. Vaccine Requirements For 12 – 17 Years of Age (New) Persons who are at least 12 years of age but have not reached 18 years of age must produce*: Proof that they have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, as shown on a government issued immunization record, Manitoba Immunization Card or QR Code, or Proof of a negative Rapid Antigen COVID-19 test within the previous 72 hours that is confirmed by a pharmacist. Persons must also provide government issued photo identification (Driver’s License, Passport, Manitoba Identification Card etc.), or school issued ID. Vaccine Requirements For 18+ Years of Age (Continued From Previous Orders) Persons must produce proof that they are fully immunized*. This includes the following: Manitoba Immunization Card or QR Code National Defense Canada Covid-19 Vaccine Record / Card Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) Travel Vaccination Record An official document issued by a Canadian province or territory containing information of a person’s COVID-19 vaccination history Provincial Immunization Record Samples (pdf) International travelers: Immunization documentation submitted to Canadian border service officials and government-issued photo identification that confirms their citizenship. Persons must also provide government issued photo identification (Driver’s License, Passport, Manitoba Identification Card etc.). * Exemptions From Restrictions Persons under the age of 12 years of age Persons who produce proof from the government that there is a medical reason for the person not to receive a vaccine for COVID-19. A digital QR Code or a Manitoba immunization card must be presented for verification. Below is a link explaining the different types of medical exemptions: gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html#exemptions The entire Brandon Community Sportsplex Return to Play document can be found here. The City of Brandon is committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents and employees. Individuals visiting any civic facility are asked to respect the principles of social distancing, hand sanitizing, physical barriers, wearing masks and self-assessment criteria that have been put in place for the safety of all. Any member of the public that is feeling unwell or are exhibiting ANY COVID-19-related health symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat) SHOULD NOT attend any City of Brandon facility and should, instead, visit sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool or contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 for advice. (City of Brandon PSA)