Persistence has paid off for the United Way Brandon & District and their quest to raise their required amount of funding needed to meet their commitments to local agencies.   Issues due to the pandemic have made fund raising more difficult than ever, and with the support of the amazing Westman community, the number was just barely reached. A major issue with the group’s fundraising opportunities came from many local businesses having employees work from home, laid off, or furloughed which resulted in less revenue from employee workplace campaigns.  These campaigns result in an average 40% of the overall funds raised.  Justifiably, with the difficulties and added stress of alternative work schedules, United Way CEO Cynamon Mychasiw understands the choice to delay some fund raising efforts until things loosen up and staff can return to their workplaces.  “As much as raising the dollars necessary to provide stable and consistent funding to our partners is always a priority, this year we also realized the need to be sensitive to a very different economic climate.  So many individuals, families and businesses have been impacted by shut downs and reduced business capacity, and the last thing we wanted to do was to add pressure to an already stressful time.  However, this community always comes through for us.  Those who could give did, and did so generously.” Another major setback in the 2020 campaign is the lack of being able to have live events, which normally brings the feeling of community to the effort.  “Getting together for fun events such as the annual Bus Pull or the Lip Sync Battle energizes a group and gets them excited to be a part of the campaign.  We’ve tried to take those events and make them virtual, but just isn’t the same,” United Way Marketing Executive, Bryan Podworny, explains.  “We had to come up with fresh ideas and new ways to bring some energy.” Even with challenges, the group was still able to raise $624,149.00.  Like all United Way Brandon & District fund raising campaigns, 100% of undesignated revenues will be distributed to 29 agencies throughout Westman.  These agencies use these funds to provide front line services to individuals in need.  A new campaign will launch this coming September, and the organization announced its new Campaign Chair this morning. Jenn McMillan is the co-owner and a head coach at Rocked Community Fitness.  She and her husband Zack have put forth a business mission statement that exemplifies not only their training philosophy, but translates well into Jenn’s volunteer role with United Way - “Together we are building a community that unites and empowers people to become the strongest, healthiest, happiest versions of themselves.”  The Brandon office is optimistic about being able to return to holding events again this year, adjusting accordingly to meet any pandemic restrictions.  These will hopefully include a Goofy Golf tournament, three Summer Sports Markets, the Tools for School Program, the annual Holiday Tree auction and a revised Lip Sync Battle. For more information and other United Way Brandon & District news, please contact their office at 204-571-8929.  Emails can be sent to office@brandonuw.ca. (submitted)

Assiniboine Community College’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture has received a generous contribution of $100,000 from Wawanesa Insurance. The campaign to build this state-of-the-art facility on the college’s North Hill campus is Assiniboine’s largest philanthropic undertaking, and aims to address the growing needs of the agriculture sector. “Looking after one another is at the heart of who we are at Wawanesa Insurance. That’s why we’re proud to support the college, its students and the Prairie Innovation Centre. Together with Assiniboine, we share a commitment to making our community a better place to live and learn, and at Wawanesa, we know all of the Westman region will benefit from the new Centre,” said Kevin Bailey, Regional Vice President – Central Region, Wawanesa Insurance. This one-of-a-kind Canadian college project will bring together collaborative learning spaces, applied research labs, multipurpose spaces and amenities that will serve both industry and the college community. Creating an enhanced agricultural training capacity, the Centre will enable the agriculture sector to continue to be an economic driver in the Canadian and Manitoban economy. “The Prairie Innovation Centre will not only address the current and developing gaps in the labour market in Manitoba agriculture, it will also be a hub for agricultural innovation, encouraging engagement and collaboration with industry partners to address emerging situations and issues,” said Derrick Turner, Director of Advancement and External Relations at Assiniboine. The college looks forward to building upon the relationships we have with partners, like Wawanesa Insurance, while creating a meaningful impact on the future of agriculture. This partnership comes as Wawanesa Insurance marks its 125th anniversary while Assiniboine celebrates the 60th anniversary of the college—notable milestones for two organizations with longstanding roots in the Westman community and in agriculture. (ACC News)

Due to the spring weather, the City of Brandon Streets & Roads Section has started the Spring Pothole Patrol program. Crews are patching early-season potholes with a temporary winter asphalt and tar mixture.  Motorists are urged to drive with care and caution around crews as they conduct this work on City streets through the season. Once more consistently warm temperatures arrive, crews can begin using the City of Brandon’s in-house asphalt reclaimer and asphalt pre-mix heater to patch potholes more permanently with hot mix. Later in the spring, the Public Works Department will be able to secure a commercial supply of hot mix asphalt. Motorists are encouraged to help crews out where possible and report problem potholes by calling the City of Brandon’s 24-hour Pothole Hotline at 204-729-2200. While the phone line is monitored for issues to be addressed, calls are not returned. Residents can also alert Street & Roads staff to problem potholes by submitting an online report on the City’s website at brandon.ca/report-an-issue  . The City of Brandon reminds its residents that Victoria Avenue west of First Street, Richmond Avenue east of 18th Street, all of First Street (including the bridge), and all of 18th Street (including the bridges), are under the jurisdiction of the Province of Manitoba and, therefore, do not fall within the City of Brandon’s pothole patching program. Residents wishing to report a pothole or unsafe driving condition on a Provincial roadway can call 1-866-MANITOBA (1-866-626-4862). Residents should also note that the City of Brandon’s pothole patching program does not apply to the aprons (sloped approaches) leading into private driveways, nor does it apply to the accesses/approaches or parking lots of private businesses. The City of Brandon appreciates the public’s cooperation in reporting all potholes and doing their part in keeping our roads safer. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 6, 2021, a black case was located in the south end of Brandon and turned over to police. This case contained a large amount of cash that was in separate bundles and a quantity of product believed to be illicit drugs. If this case belongs to you please attend Brandon Police Service to claim your items. They are located at 1020 Victoria Ave.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release Around 9:45 pm, a motorist reported she was nearly struck by another vehicle exiting a business in the 800 block of Richmond Ave East. The vehicle drove east in the wrong lane and the caller lost site of the vehicle. Officers attended the area and a second caller reported a vehicle in the ditch in the 3300 block of Richmond Ave East. The driver of that vehicle displayed signs of intoxication and was arrested. He provided breath samples that exceeded the legal limit. A 33 year old Minnedosa man is charged with Care and Control of Vehicle while Impaired and Care And Control of a Vehicle over 80 mg%. He will appear in court in March. Shortly after 9:00 pm on Saturday evening, an officer patrolling in the 800 block of 10th St saw a vehicle swerving as it drove near him. The officer stopped the vehicle and as the driver pulled over, he ran into the curb. The male driver showed further signs of intoxication and was arrested for impaired driving. He provided samples over three times the legal limit. A 20 year old year old Brandon man is charged with Drive over 80 mg% and Driving while Impaired. He was released to appear in court in March.