Brandon City Council is pleased to announce Mr. Dave Wardrop as the successful candidate for our next City Manager. Council’s Personnel Committee started with an applicant pool of 35 candidates. The finalists were interviewed by the entire Brandon City Council. Mr. Wardrop brings over 30 years of municipal leadership experience as both a professional engineer and a chartered professional accountant. He has developed extensive experience as a Chief Administrative Officer and by overseeing numerous high- profile projects, operations, and organizations. Some of his notable projects include leading field operations during Winnipeg’s Flood of the Century in 1997 and overseeing the on-time and under-budget delivery of the Southwest Transitway Project as the Director of Winnipeg Transit. During his tenure as the City of Winnipeg’s Chief Transportation and Utilities Officer, he provided leadership to a team of over 5,000 employees, managing Winnipeg’s Water and Waste, Public Works, and Transit Departments, as well as its Fleet and Parking Services agencies. Most recently, Mr. Wardrop served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the community of West St. Paul. Incoming City Manager Dave Wardrop will start by Mon, Mar. 17, 2025. Acting City Manager Terry Parlow will continue in his role until Mr. Wardrop’s arrival, at which point Chief Parlow will continue in his position as the Chief of Emergency Services. “We are very pleased to have Dave Wardrop join our team as the new City Manager,” said Mayor Fawcett. “His extensive experience and dedication to municipal leadership in Manitoba will be invaluable as we continue to grow and enhance the services we provide to the community. We are confident that his strategic focus and commitment to excellence will be a great asset to our team.” “I am excited to join the City of Brandon as the next City Manager,” said Dave Wardrop. “I look forward to working with Mayor Fawcett and Brandon City Council, along with the outstanding team at the City of Brandon. I am eager to serve the City of Brandon and partner with what is a strong and growing community.” 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 City Council, I would like to sincerely thank and commend Mr. Terry Parlow for serving in the Acting City Manager capacity for the past number of months,” said Mayor Fawcett. “We appreciate all the effort, care, and consideration for staff that he has put in over the last few months. His interim leadership greatly helped us during this transition period. We are pleased that he will continue in his role as the Chief of Emergency Services.” Mr. Wardrop has a strong sense of community and has dedicated his time to serving numerous organizations through various boards and volunteer roles. A lifelong resident of Manitoba, he enjoys downhill skiing in the winter and camping during the summer.

On January 13th at 4:46AM a 19-year-old female presented to the overnight drop-in with a significant laceration to her forehead. She refused to disclose any information and was transported to Brandon Regional Health Centre by EMS. Police investigation led to a building in the 200 block of 9th Street where there was blood on the main floor by the elevator and in the elevator. Video footage was obtained. Footage showed the victim and accused get in the elevator together and within seconds the 18-year-old female attacked the 19-year-old female. After several strikes the 18-year-old turned away and is seen holding a knife in her right hand. She then gets off the elevator while the victim rides it to the main floor where she then leaves the building. Police attended a residence in the 200 block of 9th Street and located the accused. She is bound by several Probation Orders and a Release Order resulting in breaches for having a weapon and not following curfew. She was arrested, held in detention cells and will attend court in the morning on January 14th, 2025.

The Students in the Beamline Program at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School have been awarded over one million dollars worth of beamtime to conduct groundbreaking research at the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron, located at the University of Saskatchewan. Crocus Plains is the second public school in Manitoba to receive this unique and prestigious opportunity. The research will focus on measuring microplastic levels in the Assiniboine River and their impact on local plant life. To investigate this, the students will grow cilantro—an important crop cultivated in Manitoba—using water from three different sources: distilled water, tap water from their school, and water from the Assiniboine River. The plants will be grown in a hydroponic system to ensure a controlled environment, eliminating any interference from soil and fertilizer. Using advanced synchrotron testing at the Canadian Light Source, the students will analyze the plants' roots, stems, leaves, and water samples to measure any potential fluctuations in heavy metal uptake, which may be caused by microplastics in the river water. In a further milestone, the students will also become the first group to use the facility's electron microscope, enabling them to identify traces of microplastics and heavy metals within the plants. “This research holds immense significance,” said the team’s lead teacher, Shivam Patel. “Microplastics are an ever-growing concern worldwide, and this study could have far-reaching implications for public health, particularly in how exposure to these contaminants may affect children and vulnerable populations.” If their hypothesis proves correct, the heavy metals found in the plants could present serious health risks, including potential impacts on brain development, reproductive health, and other health conditions across all age groups. The research may also spark changes in agricultural practices— particularly water usage and irrigation techniques—leading to improved food safety standards and better protection of public health. The CPRSS Beamline Program represents a significant step forward in student-led scientific research, offering invaluable hands-on experience while addressing critical environmental and health issues.

On January 10th at approximately 4:24PM a vehicle was stolen while it was warming up outside of a residence in the 700 block of 4th Street. The registered owner had placed a lunch, wallet and cellphone in the vehicle when it was started. The stolen vehicle was driven up to the Wayway gas bar where the accused used a credit card of the vehicle owner’s to purchase multiple items, including a jerry can. The jerry can was filled and the attendant put the full jerry can in the vehicle. The suspect did not pay for the fuel put in the jerry can nor for fuel for the vehicle. He fled, abandoning the stolen vehicle near Minnedosa, at which time on January 11th another vehicle was stolen by him. The 27-year-old male was apprehended and identified by surveillance videos. The male is bound by three prohibited driving orders, as well as a Release Order, from which he breached two separate conditions. The male is in custody at Brandon Correctional Centre on RCMP charges and was arrested there the evening of January 12th, 2025. He will attend court on January 13th, 2025.

Stolen Vehicles: At around 9:45 AM Friday morning, a member on patrol near the 600 block 1st Street observed a vehicle being operated in a suspicious manner.  A records query indicated the Nissan Rogue was stolen out of Winnipeg.  Two occupants abandoned the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and fled the area on foot.  One of the occupants was apprehended in the 200 block Victoria Avenue East, while the other eluded Police.  The 35 year-old male resident of Brandon has been charged with two counts of possessing property obtained by crime, and failing to comply with probation order.  He was later released from custody on appropriate police imposed conditions. Early Friday afternoon, a resident from the 300 block Lorne Ave. East reported that a male drove a truck up into the parking spot in her back yard, exited the vehicle, threw the keys on the ground, and ran away.  When members attended, it was determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day from outside of Brandon.  The vehicle was towed for forensic examination, and the matter is still under investigation. At approx. 4:25 PM Friday afternoon, a report of a vehicle having just been stolen was received.  The white 2009 Toyota Camry, was warming up outside of a business in the 700 block 4th Street when an unknown male jumped into it and drove off. Although multiple Police units were in the area very quickly, the vehicle could not be located. The theft is still under investigation.