Brandon Neighbourhood Renewals Creation Nation Makerspace project is happy to provide support to essential workers during the Covid 19 pandemic. Using makerspace 3D printers, laser cutter, maker expertise and initial support from Summus Security and The Cooperators we have created lab-tested face shields. The Creation Nation Makerspace project opened up about a year ago and provides the community with access to space and equipment for developing innovative ideas. The space is made up of over 6000 sq. feet of workspace in the heart of downtown Brandon and brings together craftspeople, artists, makers and innovators to create using various equipment. The space currently has 3D printers, laser cutter, vinyl cutters, sublimation printer, heat press, sewing machines, bike repair stations, cnc router and a full woodshop among other offerings. Temporarily closed due to Covid 19 on March 22nd but seeing constant requests for personal protective equipment and having 3D printer solutions we could use to help solve the problem the space was opened up to a couple of members who experimented with some designs and equipment and came up with our current offering. Face shields are assembled by volunteers and available to front line workers usually within a day or two.  To date, we have given shields to women’s shelters across the province, dental organizations, Brandon Covid 19 isolation site and pharmacies. One local pharmacist said “I was so surprised and grateful to find the face shields on my desk when I returned to work. What a wonderful project for you all to be working on in stressful times.” You can contribute to this project by sponsoring shields, donating the use of your 3D printer or simply spreading the word. We are asking for a $10 contribution for each shield but cost should not at all be a deterrent to getting this much needed equipment. We have community sponsorships to assist us in donating shields to people and organizations in need. The shield design was created by 3D printer maker Prusa. Sourcing inputs for the design and making sure they met local health specifications was no small feat - a special thank you to Summus Security for doing the ground work for the project and being our first financial contributor. Startup and input cost support was also provided by our local Co-Operators insurance agent Drew Collins. Finally, we would like to thank Rob Shearer for his maker expertise and those who have sponsored face masks to date. (article submitted)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 2:15 A.M. Monday morning, Police observed a vehicle at 26th Street and Victoria Avenue with no licence plates. Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop and the vehicle accelerated westbound on Victoria Avenue, refusing to pull over. The vehicle passed 34th Street and reached speeds of 134 km/h. The vehicle continued northbound on Governor’s Road turning onto Centennial Blvd and continued eastbound on Centennial Blvd reaching speeds of 100 km/h before finally coming to a stop at 34th Street. The driver of the vehicle and only occupant was taken into Police custody without further incident. A search of the vehicle recovered 10 grams of methamphetamine, $880 cash and a large hunting style knife. The 25-year-old man from Rivers Manitoba was arrested for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Flight While Pursued by Police, Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Proceeds of Crime and Possession of a Weapon. The man has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Court in July.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 2:30 A.M., Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle in the area of 24th Street and McTavish Avenue. The operator of the motorcycle sped away refusing to stop. Police pursued the motorcycle to Victoria Avenue and then westbound on Victoria Avenue where it reached speeds of 130 km/h before leaving the city. Police continued to pursue the motorcycle on Highway #1A and due to poor visibility discontinued the pursuit efforts when the motorcycle turned westbound onto Highway #1. Police investigation continues.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 2:00 AM today, police attempted to conduct a vehicle stop near the intersection of Rosser Ave and McDiarmid Drive.  The driver, operating a 2006 Dodge Ram, registered to an address in Hamiota MB, failed to stop and fled westbound on Rosser to E. Fotheringham Dr., then south to Victoria Ave. and westbound to 50th St.   Officers pursued the fleeing vehicle southbound on 50th until it crossed the intersection of Patricia Ave where the driver drove into the ditch and through a barbed wire fence.  The driver then ran, but the Police Service Dog apprehended him a short distance from the vehicle.  The 33-year-old Brandon male was arrested and charged with Dangerous Driving, Resist Arrest, Flight from Police, and Drive while Disqualified.  He will appear in court on July 16th on those charges.  Two passengers located in the vehicle at the time of the stop were released without charge.  Speeds during the pursuit reached a maximum of 90 km/h in the city and 130 km/h on rural roads.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon has begun a unique retrofit of its transit bus fleet in order to be able to return to regular transit fare collection as of Friday, May 1st. All 17 regular buses in Brandon Transit’s fleet are being outfitted with a plexiglass partition in order to create a safe separation between bus operators and passengers at the front of the bus. As of Friday, May 1st, Brandon Transit users will, once again, be expected to board the bus through the front door and present fare for SMART Card or cash fare collection at that time. The Brandon Transit Information Centre located at 21-8th Street will reopen to the public as of Monday, April 27th to allow for transit users to reload SMART Cards. SMART Cards can also be reloaded at Sobeys West or, beginning May 1st, can be reloaded directly on board a transit bus. Please note that change cannot be provided for cash fare on board a transit bus; however change can be made by staff at the Information Centre. At this time, the City of Brandon would ask for the continued cooperation of all transit users in following all provincial health recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the community, including covering your mouth with a tissue or your arm to cough or sneeze, avoiding touching your nose, eyes or mouth, and placing a separation of at least six feet between you and others while riding the bus, facing out towards the window wherever possible. Personal face masks or gloves can be worn by transit riders should they wish; however, the City of Brandon would stress that such items be disposed of in the proper refuse bins ONLY and not discarded on buses or on the ground. Information on the City of Brandon’s COVID-19 pandemic response can be found at http://www.brandon.ca/covid-19-updates. General enquiries relating to municipal services can be directed to the City of Brandon Enquiry Line at 204-729-2186 during regular business hours or can be submitted online at http://www.brandon.ca/contact-us. (City of Brandon PSA)