City Manager Ron Bowles of Brandon will bid farewell to the City of Brandon later this summer. He has given official notice of his resignation to Mayor Jeff Fawcett and Brandon City Council that his last day in the office will be August 30, 2024. Bowles became the City of Brandon’s City Manager in April of 2021. He is leaving the City of Brandon for a career opportunity in British Columbia. Bowles said that he is very proud of Brandon’s municipal public service. “I am most proud of the leadership team at all levels of the City, as well as working closely with a progressive Mayor and Council,” Bowles said. “We have faced some very difficult challenges together and created unique opportunities for our citizens and businesses to enjoy.” “The City of Brandon staff are very committed, dedicated, and customer service oriented. Our team exemplifies our vision statement of ‘Serving and Building Community with PRIDE’,” said Bowles. “Financial sustainability has been a key focus, with the city moving forward on a solid financial path. Downtown business and social challenges have been addressed with real actions, and the outdoor sports complex has gone from a concept to construction. The city has also developed its first City Plan and Climate Action Plan. The senior leadership team has been reinvigorated with an improved mandate and greater effectiveness.” “It has been a great pleasure to lead and work with such an amazing group of people. I am very proud of our shared achievements over the last three years and feel that we have raised the bar with respect to our service to the community,” Bowles concluded. “I also want to thank Mayor Fawcett and City Council for all of their support and direction over the last few years and truly believe they will continue to move this City forward in a thoughtful and meaningful way, always keeping our ratepayers top of mind.” Mayor Jeff Fawcett expressed his sincere appreciation to Mr. Bowles for his outstanding service as the City Manager on behalf of Brandon City Council and the community of Brandon. “Ron’s leadership and dedication have been crucial in guiding our city towards a brighter and more sustainable future. His ability to work well with the Council and his team has resulted in significant improvements for our citizens and businesses. While we are sorry to see him go, we are proud of the legacy he leaves behind and wish him the very best in his new endeavors,” said Mayor Fawcett. Before Bowles leaves, the City of Brandon’s Personnel Committee, led by Mayor Fawcett, will appoint an acting City Manager. A formal search for a replacement has started.

The Manitoba government is opening applications for the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant for Manitoba businesses to receive funding to train new and current employees, Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses announced today. “Our government was extremely disappointed by the federal government’s sudden and unilateral decision to cut funding for workforce training,” said Moses. “As a result of the federal decision, this year the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant will be reduced by 70 per cent. We are continuing to advocate strongly to the federal government, for the restoration of supports for workers. The Canada-Manitoba Job Grant has very successfully supported Manitoba businesses, particularly small businesses, to train employees and build a skilled provincial workforce over the last number of years. While there is less funding to go around this year, we encourage all eligible businesses to apply.” The last two annual intakes made $10 million available to businesses through the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant, which is funded through the Labour Market Transfer Agreement with the Government of Canada. This year, $3 million is available, the minister noted. Employers are eligible to receive up to $10,000 per employee and up to $100,000 per training project. Small employers with 100 or fewer employees can receive up to 75 per cent of eligible training costs, while larger employers can receive up to 50 per cent of training costs. The 2023-24 job grant: benefitted 485 companies and organizations, 411 (85 per cent) of which were small employers; trained 9,615 employees, 763 of whom were net new hires; and supported training projects in 19 distinct economic sectors and all regions of the province. Manitoba businesses can apply to receive workforce training support under the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant at www.gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/cmjg/index.html. The intake will be open on July 24.

On July 10th between 1:19AM and 1:21AM, police received two separate reports of suspects throwing rocks at residential windows in the east end. Later a 3rd and 4th residence as well as a vehicle were also found to have damaged windows. Two suspects were located running in the area. An intoxicated 13-year-old female was lodged and will be released once sober. She has a court date of September 10th, 2024, with charges of Resisting Arrest and LGCA Consuming Underage. A 14-year-old male was held during the course of investigation and will be released in the morning. He has a court date of September 3rd, 2024, with charges of Resisting Arrest and Trespassing. Incident locations: - 1100 block of Louise Avenue East - 1200 block of Louise Avenue East - 200 block of 12th Street East - 300 block of Franklin Street.

Manitobans are invited to provide feedback on a functional design study to improve safety at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 5 near Carberry, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today. “Following the tragic collision near Carberry on June 15, 2023, the Manitoba government has been focused on supporting victims and their families as well as identifying ways to enhance safety measures at this intersection,” said Naylor. “We want to hear from those who use this stretch of highway and know it the best to weigh in on what option they would like to see used at this intersection.” A public open house to begin design work at the intersection will take place at the Carberry Community Memorial Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 16. Manitobans are invited to attend the event to comment on the project and learn about the next steps in the design process. This fall, the intersection options, including the three options identified in the in-service road safety review, will be available for public feedback at engagemb.ca. Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) anticipates a preferred intersection layout for the Trans-Canada Highway and PTH 5 will be identified in late 2024 and the functional design report will be completed in early 2025. Intersection improvements are scheduled for completion in fall of 2026, the minister noted. The province will also be holding public consultation for the intersection of PTH 12 and Provincial Road (PR) 210. An open house is scheduled at Club Jovial in Ste. Anne on July 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The open house will provide an overview of the project, present design alternatives under consideration, and advise of the next steps. Attendees will be provided an opportunity to share comments with the design team. This stage of the project will also be available for community participation and feedback on EngageMB in mid-July. Commentary and feedback will be used to guide development of intersection options. MTI anticipates a preferred intersection layout for PTH 12 and PR 210 will be identified in late 2024 and the functional design report will be completed in early 2025. These projects support Manitoba’s multi-year infrastructure investment strategy, a five-year plan for strategic investments in roads, highways, bridges, airports and flood protection in Manitoba. For more information on the strategy, visit www.gov.mb.ca/mti/myhis/index.html.

Break & Enter On July 7th at 9:40PM an off-duty police officer reported a break and enter in progress to a garage in the 500 block of 38th Street. A description was provided of the suspects which resulted in police locating and arresting a 39-year-old male as well as a 33-year-old male. The 39-year-old male had numerous tools on him including pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Damage to the garage door occurred. Both males are charged with Break and Enter with Intent and the 39-year-old is also charged with Possession of Break and Enter Tools. Court date set for September 9th, 2024.   Break & Enter On July 7th police received a report of a break and enter at 3:00AM in the 200 block of 15th Street. Video surveillance shows three females entering the building after throwing a rock at the main door of the building. At 12:20AM on July 8th the primary female was arrested at her residence and released on an undertaking. Court date set for September 10th, 2024, with charges of Break and Enter and Mischief Under $5000.