Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On January 16, 2020, police conducted an investigation into individuals at a residence in the 300 block of 15th street, who were unlawfully in possession of weapons including a firearm. Members of the Organized Crime Section obtained a warrant to search the residence. At approximately 3:10pm, officers in General Patrol blocked off the area as the Emergency Response Team (ERT) attended to the residence. Negotiators made contact with the two individuals inside, each of whom exited peacefully and were taken into custody by members of the Tactical Response Unit by 4:13 pm Once the residence was vacant, members of the Major Crimes Section searched it and located a .22 semi-auto rifle, ammunition and a can of bear mace. Police also recovered a CO2 BB Handgun after arresting and searching suspects in connection to this matter. Eight individuals were arrested in total. Some of whom were arrested prior to the attendance of ERT. A 39-year-old male was arrested and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. He will appear in court today on charges of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Unsafe Storage of Ammunition, Unauthorized possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm w/out Licence, Possess Weapon, and Fail to Comply with Recognizance. Also arrested and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre were a 42-year-old female, a 23-year-old male, a 24-year-old male, and a 25-year-old male. They will each appear in court today on similar charges. A 16-year-old male youth was arrested and released to appear in court on March 17, 2020 similar charges. A 43-year-old female was arrested and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. In her possession upon her arrest was a large homemade knife, a metal bar, and a landscaping/pruning blade. She will appear in court today on charges of Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, and Carry a Concealed Weapon. A 17-year-old female youth was arrested and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. In her possession upon her arrest was an extendable asp baton, a pocketknife, and a small amount of Meth. She will appear in court today on charges of Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Possess Crystal Meth, Carry a Concealed Weapon, and Fail to Comply with Probation.

Earlier this afternoon, the Brandon Police Tactical Response Unit conducted an investigation in the 300 block of 15th Street, utilizing the Armoured Rescue Vehicle. The 300 block of 15th was closed at the time to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Officers could be heard using the ARV’s loudspeaker, “We have you surrounded, come out with your hands up!” An update will be provided if one becomes available.

Manitoba Public Insurance reported net income of $176.6 million for the first nine months of its 2019/20 fiscal year – an increase of $89.2 million over the same time period last year. This includes net income from the Basic insurance line of business of $121.2 million in the first nine months ending November 30, 2019. “MPI remains in a solid financial position heading into the final quarter of the fiscal year,” said Mark Giesbrecht, Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance. Total earned revenues for the first nine months rose by $52.1 million from the same period last year, driven mainly by higher motor vehicle premium revenue resulting from an increase in the number of motor vehicles insured, the value of these vehicles, and an overall 1.8 per cent increase in Basic insurance rates ordered by the Public Utilities Board effective March 1, 2019. “Factoring out impacts on provisions for unpaid claims due to changing interest rates which are hedged through the Corporation’s asset-liability management process, net claims incurred decreased year over year by $3.2 million. This improvement resulted from a combination of lower accident frequency and improved claims handling,” said Giesbrecht. Recently, the Public Utilities Board approved MPI’s rate application of an overall rate decrease of 0.6 per cent along with the Corporation’s proposed Capital Management Plan and 100 per cent Minimum Capital Test Basic target capital level. “MPI’s new capital target and framework will serve to protect ratepayers from future rate hikes and aligns the interests of the Basic and Extension lines of business,” added Giesbrecht. The new rates take effect March 1, 2020. (Source: Manitoba Public Insurance News Release)

Brandon School Division buses will not be operating outside the city of Brandon for Thursday January 16th all day due to extreme cold; all Brandon School Division schools are open; buses will be running within the city of Brandon; attendance at schools is at parental discretion where travel is required. Please call your school if you are not going to be attending. All Brandon School Division Staff are to report to work. (submitted)

A new program this fall will help Indigenous students at Brandon University make a successful transition to post-secondary life, and it is thanks to a large and generous donation. Daphne Wagner and her husband David Green, along with their children Lita and Michael, have committed funding to launch the program, which will help Indigenous students entering business, science or health studies transition effectively to university life — and support them through the completion of their degrees. “David and I believe that education is a powerful tool to improve lives, and enhance self-sufficiency, not only for the individual but for family and community,” Daphne said. “We are privileged to partner with Brandon University to increase the reach and efficacy of their existing programs.” Wagner is an alumna of BU with degrees from the School of Music and the Faculty of Arts. She and Green have also previously funded a BU music bursary. “We are very thankful for this extremely generous gift, which creates new ways for us to better support Indigenous students at Brandon University,” said Carla Eisler, BU’s Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs. The new program will be called the Al and Bee Wagner Indigenous Transition Program, after Wagner’s parents. Incoming students will also participate in developing an additional Indigenous name for the program. “This is about supporting young Indigenous adults through their entire university journey, including academic and cultural resources, from their first entrance to university and on through a successful graduation,” said BU President Dr. David Docherty. “We know that, as a western, colonial institution, we do not always present a welcoming or familiar face to students with Indigenous backgrounds. I am so grateful to Daphne and David for their vision and their benevolence in helping us adapt to better serve these students.” A coordinator for the Al and Bee Wagner Indigenous Transition Program will be hired in the near future to work with Brandon University, local knowledge-keepers, and Indigenous communities to create a program that will best suit the academic, cultural and community needs of BU Indigenous students. The program is expected to launch in Fall 2020, and will start each year with a pre-orientation in August and will include academic tutoring and mentorship. Wagner and Green’s donation is one of the largest ever received by BU. The gift will be delivered over the next five years and will fully cover startup and costs for those years of the program, as well as its regular assessment. (Source: Brandon University News Release)