On Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 5:00 PM, the AGSM will host a panel discussion with professionals who work directly with people of Brandon who experience homelessness and the consequences of tenuous housing. Artist and sober living supervisor Chris Reid will be joined by Clearing the Path supervisor and counsellor Heather Bolech, Ask Auntie founder Florence Halcrow, and Sandy Trudel, the Director of Economic Development for the city of Brandon. With their decades of combined experience, the panelists will approach the idea of “home” from many angles: as residence, structure, emotional security, and freedom. This event supplements Nothing Smells in Absolute Zero, an exhibition of new artwork by Chris Reid that was inspired byher search for an answer to the question, “How do you know when you’re home?” Every work on display in the Main Gallery depicts a specific Brandon location and story, and are the culmination of years of working with individuals experiencing homelessness in the city. Persistentlyunanswered questions drove Reid to create this body of work, informed by interviews and observations. Reid and the AGSM invite you to take advantage of the experience and insight of four professionals in conversation, leading perhaps to a greater understanding of the issuesthrough personal testimonies. The panel will be held virtually on the AGSM’s Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter channels. The audience will be able to direct questions to the panelists via the comment section. The research, exhibition, and associated events are possible because of the support of the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, The City of Brandon, New Systems Store, Sutton-Harrison Realty, and Dr. Derry Dector. Nothing Smells in Absolute Zero is open for visits in the Main Gallery until May 29, 2021. For more information, visit agsm.ca.

– As we are looking forward to enjoying warmer weather in our own backyards, Brandon Fire & Emergency Services Prevention Division is reminding residents that if your activity includes sitting around a fire pit, you should ensure your fire pit is in compliance with the following regulations:   To have an open-air fire in your yard, you must first have an approved permit. Before a permit is approved, an inspection of the proposed site/appliance by Brandon Fire & Emergency Services is required. This can be requested at no cost. The permit does not have to be renewed annually. A new application is required if property ownership has changed or if the original application has changed. If you are renting the property, you need a letter of permission from the property owner. Before submitting your application, be sure your fire pit appliance is within the height and width restrictions and has enclosed sides made of approved material. A spark arrestor mesh screen, made of metal, with openings no larger than half an inch is to be used. The brick, stone, concrete, or heavy gauge metal must be separated from grass and any other vegetation by at least six (6) inches by means of clean earth, sand, gravel or non-combustible medium. At least five (5) feet of clearance must be maintained from the fire pit edge and buildings, property lines or other combustibles. Grass, rubbish, and leaves cannot be burned within City limits.  If fire pits are used without the necessary permit, offenders may be ticketed without warning. The fee for failing to comply with the policy is $400.00, as per the Open Air Fire Policy 30.  Fire permits and forms can be found at City of Brandon - Fire Permits & Forms. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On May 3, 2021, shortly after 1:00 pm, police responded to a report of an individual using a hammer on various property such as buildings and signs in the area of the 400 block of 9th street.  The suspect damaged a window on a vehicle before throwing the hammer at a victim.  Nobody was injured because of these actions.  The 30-year-old female suspect was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service overnight.  She will appear in court today on charges of Assault with a Weapon, Possess Weapon, Utter Threats, and Mischief to Property.

Mayor Rick Chrest and City Council are pleased to welcome Mr. Ron Bowles to the City of Brandon as the 10th City Manager.   Previously, Mr. Bowles served as a General Manager for the City of Campbell River, B.C. He arrived in Manitoba a few weeks ago and has completed 14 days of self-isolation as required by the Provincial Public Health Order.  “The pandemic had slowed us down for a while, but we are extremely pleased to have completed our national selection process and now welcome Mr. Ron Bowles to the role of Brandon’s City Manager,” notes Mayor Rick Chrest. “Ron’s wide experience, fresh perspectives and proven coaching attributes will be a great fit for the corporation, our staff, community partners, and stakeholders.”  “Brandon has a long and storied history of being a community of welcoming, sharing and resilient people,” notes City Manager Ron Bowles. “I will work tirelessly with City Council, community groups, neighbourhoods and businesses to do my part in ensuring this legacy continues.”   The City Manager is the chief administrative officer (CAO) for the City of Brandon Corporation and reports directly to City Council. The City Manager maintains strong ties with local business, community organizations, and the community at large and seeks feedback to ensure the City of Brandon is providing relevant, efficient, and effective services.  “On behalf of Council, we would also sincerely thank and commend Mr. Dean Hammond for serving in the Acting City Manager capacity for the past 18 months,” notes Mayor Chrest. “We wish him well in his continuing role as City Treasurer and GM of Corporate Services.”  “My initial focus will be on delivering Council’s strategic goals,” notes Bowles. “I will also work on blending my leadership style into the existing senior management team and am looking to understand how the City’s protocols ensure COVID-19 safe services are provided. Ensuring the City has the right systems and people in place to deliver economic stimulus projects on-time and on-budget is also one of my priorities.”  Born in Winnipeg, Mr. Bowles has family connections in Brandon and is familiar with the Westman area. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, snowshoeing, camping, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, and really, anything outside. He looks forward to meeting new friends, colleagues, and community leaders!  (City of Brandon PSA)

The Manitoba government is making a historic investment in support of hunter education and safety, which will enhance sustainable wildlife management and support the safe enjoyment of Manitoba’s great hunting opportunities, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today. “Manitobans are bringing new-found passion and appreciation for the world-class wildlife and fish resources this province has to offer,” said Pedersen. “This endowment will provide perpetual funding for hunter education and safety programming, and ensure that resources are available to sustain and improve this programming for generations of Manitobans to come.” The province will be committing a gift of $2 million to endow the Hunter Education and Safety Fund, to be administered by The Winnipeg Foundation. The new Hunter Education and Safety Fund will support the Manitoba Wildlife Federation in activities that educate, train and recruit hunters, and enhance safe and sustainable hunting and trapping of wildlife populations within Manitoba. The Manitoba Wildlife Federation delivers hunter education programming and provides instruction on hunter ethics and responsibilities, hunting laws and regulations, firearm safety, as well as other topics that promote safe and lawful hunting in Manitoba by all resource users. “We are thrilled to see the province making this investment into hunter education and safety,” said Carly Deacon, managing director of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. “It is critical that we work together with hunters to help understand the importance of the role they play in wildlife management and conservation, and safe and ethical hunting.” For more information on hunter education programming in Manitoba, visit:https://mwf.mb.ca/hunter-ed. (Province of MB News Release)