BRANDON—The Manitoba government has approved a $375,000 Keystone Centre operating grant for 2019-20 and, with its partners, finalized the new governance structure, Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires announced here today. “We remain committed to ensuring the Keystone Centre is a viable and valuable community hub and economic driver for the City of Brandon and surrounding area,” Squires said. “Our government recognizes the continued improvements and efficiencies the Keystone Centre has implemented, and encourage its efforts to attract new and bigger national and international events.” Ongoing provincial support will place the Keystone Centre on a solid footing to implement the business plan developed to address the centre’s long-term needs. “Earlier this year we invested $2.9 million to retire the Keystone Centre’s debt including its outstanding mortgage,” added Squires. “We wanted to ensure the money being spent on debt servicing would be available for operational or capital infrastructure projects.” A meeting with the Keystone leadership group today also finalized the new governance approach with a formal approval of the renewed governance model. This will clarify roles and responsibilities, and empower the board of directors to govern the Keystone Centre. The Keystone Centre is a unique multi-functional facility, which hosts a variety of local, provincial, national and international events. Located on 90 acres in Brandon, the centre offers 540,000 square feet of multi-use space and hosts more than 1,500 events annually. These activities contribute to the social, recreational, cultural and agricultural fabric of the area, and the Keystone Centre is one of Westman’s largest economic catalysts, generating over $62 million in annual economic activity for the province. (Province of MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 5:00 PM Saturday evening, officers were called to an apartment in the 1400 block of 1st St.  The female caller indicated a male known to her had forced open her door and had come in and assaulted her.  Officers attended and found the 18 year old Brandon male still in the apartment and in possession of Cocaine.  The male was arrested for break and enter, assault, possession of cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.  He was lodged at the Brandon Correctional Centre and will appear in court later today.

The Manitoba government wants to eliminate province wide restrictions on Sunday and holiday shopping, while allowing municipalities the authority to regulate retail businesses within their jurisdiction, Finance Minster Scott Fielding announced today. “Manitoba is currently the only western province that restricts retail businesses from operating on Sundays and holidays,” said Fielding.  “Many Manitobans support allowing businesses to set their own hours, and we want to give Manitobans more freedom and flexibility on when they buy groceries.” Fielding introduced The Retail Business Hours of Operation Act (Various Acts Amended or Repealed), which would no longer require retail businesses to close after 6 p.m. on Sundays and certain holidays.  This would also bring retailers more in line with certain businesses currently exempt from the act, such as pharmacies, liquor stores, casinos and restaurants. “We committed to these changes in our election platform and 100-Day Action Plan to level the playing field for our local retailers so they can better compete with businesses exempt from current rules and 24-7 online retailers,” said Fielding.  “It’s time to modernize our outdated and complicated shopping laws, and remove approximately 40 regulatory requirements to reduce red tape for businesses.” Under the proposed legislation, municipalities would have the authority to pass by-laws, should they prefer to keep some restrictions in place.  The province would work with municipalities to help develop bylaws if needed.  The province would also make changes to The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act, which would allow municipalities flexibility to regulate the hours liquor or cannabis is sold. The minister noted the current rules will remain in place until the legislation passes.  He noted the province will maintain status quo on Remembrance Day closures and retail workers’ provisions for Sundays. (Province of MB News Release)

Source:Brandon Police Service Media Release At 2 a.m. today, police took three males into custody at a licensed establishment in the 1000 block of 18th Street, after a fight took place on scene between intoxicated patrons. All three spent the night in custody at the Brandon Correctional Centre, for release later today once they are sober. A 23-year-old male from Minnedosa, and a 20-year-old male and 24 year old male from Crane River, each face a single charge of being disorderly in or about a licensed premise under the Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Control Act of Manitoba.

Brandon Transit is, once again, asking the community to show its generosity in support the Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer Registry during the 16th annual “Fill The Bus” campaign! This year, community members are encouraged to drop off donations of unwrapped toys or non-perishable food items, as well as any monetary contributions if preferred, at the Brandon Transit bus which will be set up in the parking lot at the below sponsored locations: Saturday, November 30th  – 10 a.m. at 5 p.m. at Sobeys West (Parking Lot) Saturday, December 7th – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Safeway Corral Centre (Parking Lot) Brandon Transit’s annual “Fill The Bus” Campaign is generously supported this year by Canada Safeway, Sobeys, Off The Wall Signs, and BellMedia outlets 96.1 BOB FM and Pure Country 101.