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)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On February 22, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a shed on a residential property in the 200 block of 12th street.  Suspects are believed to have entered the shed overnight after 10:00 pm on February 21.  Stolen was a 5-gallon Makita air compressor, a 10” Makita sliding compound saw, a 10” Dewalt table saw, and a City of Brandon dumpster.  Anyone with information regarding this break and enter and theft is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 4:40 p.m. yesterday, the driver of a local taxi company reported to BPS that a fare had spit in the driver’s face when he dropped the customer off at his residence. Police located the 25-year-old Brandon male and charged him with one count of assault. The accused will appear in Brandon Provincial Court in May.

Assiniboine Community College is proud to announce their continued partnership with Conestoga College (Ontario) to deliver another tuition-free welding program at its North Hill Campus in Brandon commencing in July 2021. "We are proud and excited to continue our partnership with Conestoga to deliver this program which will create opportunities for students to gain skills and knowledge before beginning a career in the trades," said Kevin Poirier, Associate Dean, Trades. "This program supports Assiniboine's commitment to offering quality programs responsive to Manitoba's labour market while meeting industry and community needs," he added. The program, funded through the Government of Canada Skilled Trades Awareness Readiness (STAR) program, prepares students for in-demand careers while providing a head start for those wishing to work towards a Red Seal in the apprenticeship certification process. As a part of the program, participants will complete hands-on, in-school training for 25 weeks plus an 8-week paid work placement. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the program will operate with additional safety measures in place on campus to keep students safe. Selection into the eight-month program will focus on engaging key groups including women, Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, and those currently underemployed. There is space for fifteen students. Tuition, textbooks, and personal protective equipment are all covered at no cost to those enrolled in the program. The program includes an eight-week paid work placement offering students pathways into the labour market upon graduation. Interested candidates must attend a free program information session as part of their admissions process into the program. Program details, as well as registration for an online upcoming information session, which to be considered for the program prospective students must attend one of the available information sessions, is available online at assiniboine.net/welding-tuitionfree. (ACC Collège News)

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) announced today that the annual MJHL Draft will move from a U16 Draft (formerly Bantam Draft) to a U17 Draft highlighting players who are going into their 16-year-old season. As a result, there will be no 2021 MJHL Draft with the current 2006-born draft eligible age-group carrying forward into the inaugural U17 MJHL Draft to be held in the spring of 2022. Players who will be eligible for the MJHL Draft are Manitoba players who are registered to play hockey in Manitoba according to Hockey Manitoba regulations and are in their 16th year. “Moving the draft eligible age group to a year older will give MJHL organizations the ability to watch players develop for an additional season to allow for a better understanding of that players continued development and potential to play elite junior hockey,” shared MJHL Commissioner, Kevin Saurette. The MJHL has conducted virtual MJHL Prospect Presentations over the past several months with the 2006 age-group.  These presentations have provided players and families with important information on what it takes to get to junior hockey and the significance of the MJHL being a strong pathway to the WHL, NCAA, U Sports and eventually professional hockey at the highest levels. The MJHL is also currently in the planning process of including additional development and exposure events for the draft eligible age-group each season.  These events will compliment local league play in showcasing and educating players prior to each annual MJHL Draft. Please stay tuned for further announcements in the coming weeks. (MJHL Release)