Westman Communications Group (Westman) is pleased to announce their 2021 #ConnectingWestman Funding Program is now accepting applications until August 1, 2021. Westman’s Funding Program provides financial aid and human resources needed to help create sustainable communities across Manitoba. Supporting the communities that Westman serves is an essential part of who they are. Organizations, charities, and initiatives that meet the criteria and align with Westman’s focus areas are encouraged to submit their application before the deadline. After the closing date for accepting applications, Westman will carefully review the submissions and make selections “We want to encourage enriching Manitoba communities, and the 2021 #ConnectingWestman Funding Program will allow us to make a bigger local impact in the communities we serve and provide them with support,” said Courtney Baxter, Marketing Manager at Westman. “In the past we’ve hosted events to raise funds for local initiatives, but we couldn’t do that in 2020 or 2021. We look forward to getting our team together for these #ConnectingWestman fundraising events in the future and feel this program allows us to continue to provide that local support in their absence.” Criteria for submission: • Initiated in one of the 46 communities that Westman serves and has a clear local impact. • Support either ongoing operational needs or a long-term project/initiative. • Promote staying, participating, engaging, and enriching Westman communities. • Fall into Westman’s focus areas of growing opportunities for technology, youth, women and education. • Haven’t received funding in the last 12 months from Westman Communications Group. If you would like Westman to consider supporting an organization, charity or initiative, visit https://westmancom.com/cw-fundingprogram for the full details and the easy application form. Westman will announce the winners in August 2021.(submitted)

The City of Brandon will be lowering the flags to half-mast to honour the 215 children whose lives were lost at the former residential school in Kamloops, BC, the survivors, their families, and all those who never made it home. The flags will be lowered tomorrow, Monday, May 31, 2021. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 11:05 PM Saturday, police received a call of a possible impaired driver.  The vehicle was located in the 400 block of 26th St and a vehicle stop was conducted.  The driver, a 21-year-old Brandon female, displayed obvious signs of impairment at the time of the stop and she was arrested.  She later provided two samples of her breathe which resulted in readings in excess of twice the legal limit.  She has been released from custody and will appear in court on Sept 2.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 27, 2021 at approx. 10:30 PM, police were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision on Balmoral Bay.  A vehicle had collided with a parked vehicle at that location, and the 19-year-old male driver was injured.  Upon arrival by police, the injured driver appeared to be highly intoxicated. He was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment of what turned out to be non-life threatening injures, sustained in the crash.  Due to the physical state of the driver, a blood sample was seized rather than a breath sample.  Those samples were analyzed, which resulted in blood alcohol readings nearly three times the legal limit.  On Friday, police arrested the driver, now 20 years of age and have charged him with impaired driving, and drive over .08.  He will appear in court on Sept 2, 2021.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On May 26, 2021, police responded to a report of the theft of identification and credit cards from a vehicle in the 1300 block of 26th street.  Following the theft, the suspect used a credit card at two businesses.  On May 27, 2021, police conducted a vehicle stop in the 700 block of 10th street.  The driver was found to be disqualified from operating a motor vehicle.  In his possession was the stolen ID from the previous day.  Further investigation also revealed that the 34-year-old male suspect was responsible for using the stolen credit cards at the businesses.  The male was later released to appear in court on August 19, 2021 on charges of Possess Property Obtained by Crime and Fraud Use of Credit Card.