Brandon City Council is announcing the conclusion of the competition for City Manager and has named Mr. Ron Bowles of Campbell River, B.C. as the successful candidate.  Council’s Personnel Committee started with an applicant pool of over 55 candidates from across Canada and beyond. The finalists were interviewed by the entire City Council.  Ron Bowles is currently a General Manager for the City of Campbell River, B.C. He has previous experience at the City of Terrace, B.C., with several BC First Nations, and in the private sector environmental engineering business.  Ron was born in Winnipeg and has family connections in Brandon and is quite familiar with this community and Manitoba.  He is expected to commence in the role of City Manager approximately April 26th, taking into account COVID-19 protocols including self-isolation after arriving in Manitoba.  Dean Hammond will continue in the role of Acting City Manager until Mr. Bowles’ arrival, at which time Dean will continue in his position of General Manager of Corporate Services and City Treasurer.  “We are very pleased to bring this process to a conclusion,” noted Mayor Rick Chrest on behalf of City Council. “After some earlier delays posed by COVID-19, it is very positive to provide some certainty and stability to our administrative team.  Council welcomes Ron Bowles to our organization, and we thank Dean Hammond for fulfilling the Acting role these past many months.”  (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On February 26, 2021 at approximately 1:30 am, members of BPS Operational Support and Crime Suppression Unit (OSCSU) assisted by members of BPS Patrol Division conducted a search warrant on a residence on Alaska Bay following an investigation into the occupants. Officers located and seized 56 grams of Meth, 76 grams of Fentanyl, and 3.5 grams of Cocaine.  Also seized was a small quantity of MDMA and $4000 in cash.  The street or point level value of the drugs is estimated to be $50,000. Four male occupants of the residence were arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service.  Their ages are 27, 40, 46, and 48.  Each male will appear in court today on charges of Possess for the Purpose of Trafficking Meth, Possess for the Purpose of Trafficking Fentanyl, Possess for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine, Possess Proceeds of Crime.  Several of the individuals also face charges for failing to comply with court orders. 

After more than four years of service to the Brandon School Division, Dr. Casavant, Superintendent and CEO is leaving the Division to pursue other opportunities. During his tenure Dr. Casavant was successful at implementing our continuous improvement program and building relationships with our various stakeholders. We wish Dr. Casavant the best of success in his future endeavours. Mr. Mathew Gustafson will continue as Acting Superintendent/CEO for the foreseeable future.(BSD Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Sunday February 21, 2021, BPS released that police responded to a report of an assault, which occurred at Brandon Correctional Centre on an inmate on February 20, 2021. Following an investigation into the incident, members of BPS Major Crime Section arrested four inmates from Brandon Correctional Centre on February 23, 2021.  They will appear in court today, each with a charge of Assault with a Weapon.  They include a 24-year-old male, a 28-year-old male, a 22-year-old male, and a 26-year-old male. The victim was treated for his injuries on February 20, 2021 and released from medical care the following day.  The injuries consisted of upper body contusions and lacerations.  Original release from Feb. 21, 2021: At 3:40 p.m. yesterday, police received a report of an assault against an inmate in custody at the Brandon Correctional Centre. The assault took place within the adult male section of the jail, resulting in the victim being transported to the Brandon Regional Health Centre by ambulance.  The victim remains in hospital at this time with non-life threatening injuries. Several other inmates physically assaulted the victim by beating him with their fists and feet, as well as with other objects at their disposal, which included jail furniture. The Major Crime Section and Forensic Identification Section were called out to conduct the investigation. This matter remains an active investigation, and more details may be released in the days to come.

The Collision Repair & Refinishing Program at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School is pleased to announce the receipt of the 2020-2021 Skill Strategy Equipment Enhancement Fund (SSEEF) Grant. The $240,986.96 grant consists of: ight Pro Spot5 SP Double Pulse Welders that are approved for use in the Collision Repair Trade to weld on modern vehicles and opens the doors to welding Aluminum and Silicone Bronze. Students from Grade 9-12 will beusing and practicing with these welders on a daily basis;• Four Downdraft Welding Tables that will improve ventilation and safely allow students to weld materials we were not able to do before; and• A portion of the funds will be allocated to upgrading the electrical system in the building and making modifications to the space to operate the new equipment efficiently and effectively. This is the second SSEEF Grant awarded to the Crocus Plains Collision Repair & Refinishing Program in the last 5 years. In 2016-2017 the school received approximately $350,000 towards the installation of a new paint booth. (submitted)