Visibility was severely reduced Wednesday afternoon in Brandon as an intense snowfall event hit the city. Earlier in the day, Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for many regions in the Province.

Local MMA fighter, Curtis DeMarce is doing his part to give back to the community that has shown him tremendous support over the years. “I’m humbled and grateful for the support the Brandon community has shown me over the years as my MMA career has grown. Now it’s my turn to show my support and give back to this community that has been so great to me. Philanthropy is an important aspect of my life and I’m so excited to see this project come to life.” stated DeMarce. In collaboration with Pro Pretty Prints, a division of Progressive Westman, DeMarce has opened an online store selling apparel with proceeds from the store going to the Westman Women’s Shelter in Brandon, Manitoba. The charity of choice was selected by his fans on social media earlier this year. “The Westman Women’s Shelter is one of many worthy causes in Brandon and I can’t wait to see how much money we can raise for them.” said DeMarce. The apparel features a cartoon style image of himself surrounded by Wheat City notable items. Perched on a hay bale, he’s drinking locally roasted Forbidden Flavours coffee, a Canadian flag is waving in the background, and his gym bag from Peak Performance Athletics is tossed upfront. With his belt over his shoulder and his pup Kali by his side, you can’t help but smile when you look at the image. The online store featuring the fundraising apparel can be found at https://thecomebackkid.itemorder.com/sale and items will be available to order until Thursday, April 30th, 2020. Curtis grew up in Brandon, attending Vincent Massey High School, where he played competitive hockey with the AA Brandon Wheat Kings in Junior. After hockey, DeMarce found a new passion and love in the art and sport of Mixed Martial Arts. DeMarce made his Professional Debut at the young age of 18, making him the first and youngest fighter professionally out of Brandon, MB and one of the youngest in the Country. In September of 2016 DeMarce became the first and only Champion in Mixed Martial Arts to bring a professional title to the city of Brandon, MB.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 6:00 PM on Friday evening Police were called to an address in the 700 block of Rosser Ave for a female that was in the hallways “yelling and screaming about Satan”. Upon arrival, officers located the 28-year-old Brandon female still inside the building. She was believed to be under the influence of a drug, presumably Meth. She was originally arrested for breach of the peace; however, she was identified as a suspect from a theft from a retail store in the 800 block of 18th St. The theft occurred on Feb 25th and the accused was recorded on the in-store video system. Officers arrested her for the theft and then lodged her at the Brandon Correctional Centre. She will be released once sober for a future court date.

On the evening of Feb. 13, Manitoba Finance’s Taxation Special Investigations Unit, along with the Winnipeg Police Service, completed an investigation into the sale of contraband cigarettes at multiple retail locations in Winnipeg. Investigators seized 2,050,300 cigarettes not marked for Manitoba Tax purposes.  This was a potential tax loss of $615,090 for the province and is the largest single seizure in the history of the Special Investigation’s Unit.  Along with the cigarettes, the seizure included $93,230 in cash and two motor vehicles. Three Winnipeg residents including two adult males and an adult female now face a variety of charges under Manitoba’s Tobacco Tax Act and Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act (TAMTA).  For a first-time offence under the provincial tax acts, individuals face fines between $1,000 and $10,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment as well as a potential triple tax penalty.  Two of accused have prior convictions, so they face more stringent penalties under TAMTA including fines between $10,000 and $50,000 and/or up to one-year imprisonment, suspensions of their driver licenses as well as a potential quadruple tax penalty of $2,460,360.  The accused will also face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada. The province urges anyone who has information on contraband tobacco to contact their local police department, call the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137, email smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers (toll-free) at1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 0800 hrs, police were notified that a male had attended to the Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Investigation revealed that the discharge had taken place at a residence in the 300 block of 6th street approximately 1 hour prior to the male victim attending the BRHC. Several schools in the area were notified of the investigation and were asked to secure and hold the students inside until investigators had released the scene. The victim was treated and released from hospital with minor injuries. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discharge are still ongoing.