Residents of Brandon are invited to help shape the future of Brandon Transit and inform the development of the Brandon Transit Route Planning and Long-Term Strategy. Brandon Transit currently serves as a vital link, connecting residents to economic, social, educational, and recreational opportunities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, changing demographics, and evolving travel patterns have highlighted the need for a thoughtful re-evaluation and redesign of our transit system. The City of Brandon is embarking on a comprehensive review and strategic planning process to propose enhancements to our transit system. These enhancements must align with the community’s needs while remaining cost-effective. Thus, community participation is essential in this endeavor. Our goal is to better serve the diverse and growing needs of our community. The Route Planning and Long-Term Strategy for the City of Brandon is not just about mapping out current transportation patterns; it’s a comprehensive approach to envisioning a future where transit services are both inclusive and innovative. Our goals extend beyond a general assessment; we aim to: Evaluate our existing transit system, encompassing both standard and specialized services. Create a progressive vision for transit enhancements that resonate with the City’s Climate Action Plan and other related municipal policies and plans. Engage the community to ensure that this vision is reflective of their changing needs. Develop a detailed implementation plan that outlines how to achieve this vision.  How To Participate: Online: Voice your opinions by completing an online survey. The survey will be available until Sunday, May 26. In Person: Join us at one of our open house events to share your thoughts: DATE TIME LOCATION May 15 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Brandon Transit Information Centre May 16 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Shoppers Mall May 17 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Kirkcaldy bus stop by Corral Centre In addition, paper surveys will be available at various locations, including transit buses and the Transit Information Centre. The insights and feedback from this outreach will be pivotal in crafting service options that resonate with our community’s aspirations. These options will be shared with the public in Fall 2024, inviting further contributions and perspectives. Following this process, our team will create and finalize a draft route planning and long-term strategy with key stakeholders. Stay tuned for more details and additional opportunities to engage with us on this exciting journey toward a transformed transit system in Brandon! For further information, visit our project webpage at brandontransit.ca/transit-study.

Just after midnight, on Sunday morning, Police conducted a person’s check in the 1900 block of Richmond Ave. The 34yr old male was found to have an outstanding endorsed Warrant of Arrest for Failing to Attend Court. At the time of the arrest a knife was located in the sleeve of his clothing and the Brandon man subsequently charged with carrying a concealed weapon. He will appear in Court today.

At approx. 11:15 AM Friday, officers attended an address in Brandon, based on a tip provided, that suspect of an outstanding RCMP warrant may be located there.  Officers attended and located the 29 year old female on the strength of the warrant for manslaughter. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred in early March of 2024 on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.  The suspect was turned over to members of the RCMP D Division’s Major Crime Unit.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE”: Joshua FAWCETT FOR Fail to Comply with Release Order.  Joshua FAWCETT is currently on charge for Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. A condition of FAWCETT’s release, was to reside at a specified address. On April 28, 2024, Police attended to FAWCETT’s address on an unrelated matter, which revealed FAWCETT was not residing at the address stated on his court order. FAWCETT’s whereabouts are unknown at this time, please contact Brandon crime stoppers with any information. ************************************************* The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving: On April 25, 2024, a female was at the checkout counter of a business located in the 500 block of 1st street. While speaking with an employee, the female became aggressive and threw her coffee on the employee. The female fled the business but not before being captured on video surveillance. 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.

It’s time to decide what’s next for The Keystone Centre and the Board of Directors and management team are asking the public for their input. Celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary this year and as the centre prepares to embark on the next 50 years of community service, we recognize that our future will be defined by what our community wants us to become. As with any organization that has grown and evolved alongside the community, we know that we need to think about our business for the next 25 to 50 years while delivering the wonderful events and opportunities that occur each day at the Keystone Centre. Our planning for the future needs to be complementary to the greater plans of our City and our key stakeholders. A plan is needed for the aging buildings that leverages infrastructure investment with the needs of the community, while ensuring fiscal responsibility. “This is about celebrating our past and planning for the future as the Keystone Centre recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 and embraces a new reality in the sport, entertainment, recreation, and conference and convention landscape”, said Bruce Luebke, Chair of the Keystone Centre Board of Directors. The organization is currently engaged in a Site Master Planning process to determine the future role and sustainability of the site and facilities for the next generation, while aligning with the greater City of Brandon Planning process. This plan looks at the potential for all development and future considerations. This report will develop a comprehensive approach to long-term solutions and recommendations for the facilities and the site. The Board has engaged a consulting firm that is conducting a review of best practices in other communities, along with a broad public engagement effort to capture the voice of the community on their future needs and aspirations for the centre. “Community is at the heart of everything we do, and building a future plan for The Keystone Centre will reflect the public’s input to ensure we remain relevant and provide value to our region,” said Luebke. “Our goal is to meet the needs of our community and for the next 50 years”. Situated in the heart of Brandon, the Keystone Centre sits on 90 acres that the community enjoys year-round for recreation, sporting events, concerts, agricultural and consumer shows and many other events that contribute to residents’ quality of life and make our community a better place. The project team plans to speak to at least 1,000 people throughout the public engagement process, with every idea welcomed and reviewed. “We are in the business of creating memorable experiences for our guests, and the public has a high degree of influence in deciding what that looks like,” said Luebke. There will be different ways for the community to provide input and be part of the conversation, including an online survey or a direct email address which can both be found at keystonecentre.com/pages/keystone-50-plus and by attending one of the five (5) public open house sessions: The Keystone Centre Lower Curling Club Lounge – ENTRANCE B ▪ Thursday, May 16: 1:15 PM and 6:30 PM And ▪ Friday, May 17: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM The project team will compile all feedback to help develop a strategic plan that outlines top priorities for future development as identified by the community. Once completed, the Board will present the plan to the City of Brandon, the Province of Manitoba and the Provincial Exhibition Association to determine next steps.