Brandon city councillor Jeff Fawcett is announcing his candidacy for mayor in the 2022 municipal election in the city he’s proud to have called home for the past 50 years. Fawcett, who has served as the Assiniboine Ward councillor for the past 12 years, is excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for the Wheat City. “This is a special day for me and my family,” Fawcett said. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the past 12 years, from flood mitigation to sensible tax increases, and I look forward to presenting my vision on how we can continue to grow this great city together.” Fawcett has spent his entire life in Brandon raising his two sons — Max and Will — with his wife Jodi. “The timing is right for me both personally and professionally,” said Fawcett, who owns D&B Sprinklers and is a partner in Westman Solar Solutions in Brandon. “And as someone who has raised a family I know how important providing opportunities in the way of education and employment are to a modern and vibrant city.” Fawcett said staying focused on the things the city can control while looking for opportunities for growth will be a keystone of his campaign. “Providing quality and cost effective services — whether that's protective, garbage pickup, street and sidewalk repair or clean water — are vitally important to the success of any city," he said. “And when you take care of those things, and do them well, it puts you in a position to take advantage of opportunities that might come your way." With a long track record of working with both the Federal and Provincial governments, Fawcett is ready to get to work for the people of Brandon. “I hope to spend a lot of time between now and the election listening to people about what their priorities are for the city and I hope on October 26 I have gained the trust of the voters in Brandon," Fawcett said. ----- Backgrounder: Jeff and Jodi are active supporters of the YMCA, BU, ACC and Riverbank Discovery Centre. Jeff has served or volunteered with the YMCA, Brandon Chamber of Commerce, John Howard Society, Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon University Foundation and Westman Immigrant Services. During his time on council, Jeff has also served on the Audit and Finance Committee, Building Standard and By-Law Compliant Committee, Downtown and Wellness Committee, Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council and Community Wellness Coalition.

Source: BPS News Release On March 31, 2022, police responded to a report of a suspect who was attempting to steal merchandise at a business in the 3400 block of Victoria Ave at approximately 4:00 pm.  An employee of the business confronted the 27-year-old male suspect, but was assaulted when the suspect struck the employee with a “Mr. Solid” chocolate bunny.  The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the assault. The suspect fled the business, but was located and arrested nearby.  He was still in possession of stolen merchandise, which was returned to the business.  He was later released and will appear in court on June 2, 2022 on charges of Assault and Theft Under $5000. Edit:  This is NOT an April Fool’s Day joke.  While the weapon of choice in this case may have been atypical of what a suspect would normally use, it does not change the fact that retail employees face a daily challenge when dealing with theft.  Suspects who steal from businesses can often be unpredictable and violent towards employees, and in some cases they may use whatever weapon is available to them at the time.

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: April 1st, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Rafael TOICHOA-FULFORD (26 yrs) FOR Trafficking a Controlled Substance Rafael TOICHOA-FULFORD is wanted by police for numerous drug trafficking related charges. On May 25th, 2021, a warrant of arrest was issued by the courts as his whereabouts is unknown. It is believed he may have fled the country; however, police are seeking any information to lead to his arrest. ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. CRIME OF THE WEEK for April 1st, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Theft from Retailer On March 27th, 2022, at approximately 11am, a female suspect stole approximately $300 worth of jackets from a retailer in the 1500’ block of 18th Street North. She is described as 5’ 6”, 180 – 200lbs. The suspect was captured on video surveillance, a copy of which is being circulated with this bulletin. If you have information about this or any other crime you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.

Assiniboine Community College is announcing another rural rotating site for its Practical Nursing diploma, in Otterburne, Manitoba. This program, in partnership with Southern Health-Santé Sud located at Providence University College, will begin in September 2022. An additional rural rotating site will be held in Morden, starting in January 2023. Both sites will have capacity for 25 students. The addition of these rural rotating sites at Providence University College in Otterburne and in Morden follow the February announcement of Arborg, Manitoba as a rural rotating site, and the announced expansion of the college’s Portage la Prairie nursing site to welcome 35 students each year. A significant provincial investment in nursing allowed for three new rotating sites as well as the Portage La Prairie expansion. Applications to both sites are open until May 23, 2022. All qualified applications received by the deadline will be assessed for admission. Initially, only those living within the Southern Health-Santé Sud Region will be considered for admission for the Otterburne site. For the Morden site, priority will be given to applicants who live within 150km of Morden. The Otterburne rural rotating site will use existing Providence University College campus facilities. Morden’s site will make use of a currently vacant facility in the community. “This is a great opportunity to continue to expand our training to this part of the province. Rural rotating nursing sites are essential to ensuring there are enough trained nurses to keep up with demand in all regions of the province. The partnership with Providence offers a great opportunity to bring training to this region and to work with Providence College to meet the needs of the region.” - Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine (ACC Release)

Source: BPS News Release On March 29, 2022, police responded to numerous witness reports of several individuals fighting in the 700 block of Rosser Ave at approximately 3:00 pm.  Witnesses reported the suspects were in possession of weapons.  Several individuals fled the area, but two were located and arrested nearby. A 25-year-old male suspect was found to be in possession of a knife and a machete, contrary to conditions he was to abide by from a previous release order.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Possession of a Weapon X2 and Fail to Comply with Release Order. A 27-year-old female who was involved was also arrested; she was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for Fail to Attend Court.  She was later released and will appear in court on May 9, 2022. None of the individuals involved required medical attention.