Brandon, MB – November 20, 2019 The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is pleased to present Gala of Gifts, running from Saturday, November 30th (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM) to Sunday, December 1st (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM). First held in 1988, Gala of Gifts has become a premier holiday shopping experience in Westman, providing visitors with live entertainment, warm apple cider, food, a raffle, holiday café, and a free festive workshop for children. The outstanding hand-made and original work of over 29 Manitoban artists, makers, crafters, and creators will be featured. There are several new artists including Moe’s Bowls with beautifully handcrafted woodwork featuring birdhouses, bowls and earrings and Heidi Curr with her handmade confectionery delights and dessert. Several artists will be returning such as Kate Froese who creates modern ceramics, Patti Robinson with her handwoven items and Lanney Badham with her hand-bound journals. The popular Chili Bowl Sale will be returning, which will take place on Saturday, November 30th (11:30 AM – 6:30 PM) and Sunday, December 1st (11:30 AM – 4:00 PM). For only $20 guests will receive a steaming bowl of hot chili and will get to keep the one of a kind handmade bowl. So come for the gifts and stay for the chili! The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is located at 710 Rosser Avenue. It can be accessed either from the Town Centre parkade, or from the first floor of the Town Centre Mall through the elevators near the library. Parking in the Town Centre parkade is FREE for Gala of Gifts visitors all weekend.

The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would amend The Planning Act and give the City of Brandon control over local decisions such as the approval of subdivisions, Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires announced today. “We continue to make improvements, reduce red tape and allow qualified municipalities to take responsibility for decisions that are directly under their control,” Squires said. “These amendments will accomplish that, and clear the way for governments at different levels to operate more efficiently.” The current legislation allows the minister to delegate the approval of subdivisions to a local planning district, but not to a municipality. One of the key changes would allow Brandon to make its own decisions on subdivision applications within their boundaries, independent of its current membership in the Brandon and Area Planning District. The proposed legislation would also enable the minister to establish regulatory requirements under which other municipalities could be delegated this authority by the minister (Province of Manitoba News Release)

The Manitoba government has invested $10 million to purchase 65 replacement ambulances that modernize the province’s fleet, ensure paramedic safety and improve patient comfort, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today, as the first ambulance was entered into service. “We know the right equipment is needed to help paramedics respond quickly and provide quality care for Manitobans who experience a medical emergency,” said Friesen.  “These new ambulances will provide enhanced lighting and additional working space for paramedics so that we can continue to offer consistent, reliable care for patients right across the province.” The 65 new ambulances, which represent about one-third of the province’s overall fleet, were designed with enhanced patient care in mind.  New ambulances feature enhanced lighting, additional working space for paramedics to have better movement and access to patients and increased secure storage compartments for medical equipment. “Paramedics provide professional, quality care to Manitobans in pre-hospital, community, and inter-hospital settings.  For our staff, that means when caring for patients, their workplace is often on-board an ambulance, making the safety and comfort of that vehicle an important priority,” said Helen Clark, chief operating officer, emergency response services, Shared Health. Through a partnership with Heart & Stroke, all new ambulances will help raise awareness of the signs of stroke and the importance of acting quickly by displaying FAST decals on their back windows. “Stroke is a medical emergency,” says Christine Houde, director, government relations and health promotion with Heart & Stroke in Manitoba.  “Recognizing the FAST signs of stroke and acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death, or the difference between a full recovery and lasting disability.” The minister noted this investment builds upon the work underway to implement recommendations of the 2013 EMS System Review.  To build capacity throughout the system, the province has been investing in additional paramedic positions to enhance staffing levels and reduce reliance on on-call staffing to increase paramedic availability across the province. Other investments include capital projects that support the delivery of consistent, quality emergency medical services, such as new crew quarters for the Kinosota Trails station in Sandy Bay.  The new quarters were completed earlier this fall. “The 2013 EMS System Review undertook significant consultation with front-line care providers and the recommendations from this report are guiding our investments,” said Friesen.  “As part of Manitoba’s broader health system transformation, we are creating a consistent, integrated EMS and patient transport model to build capacity, equip staff and invest in skilled professionals across the province.” The minister reiterated that restructuring station locations as recommended in the review will not occur until new EMS and patient transport models are in place. For additional information on emergency response services in Manitoba, visit: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/services/emergency-response. (Province of Manitoba News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release Update: We have been able to identify the female pedestrian involved in the Motor Vehicle Collision.  We will not be releasing any more of her personal information at this time.  We would like to thank the community for all of the support and for sharing information with us. On November 18, 2019 at approximately 9:18 am, members of Brandon Police Service Traffic Section and Patrol Division responded with members of Brandon Fire and Emergency Service to an accident at the intersection of 26th Street and Park Ave involving a pedestrian. A motorist struck the pedestrian who was believed to be walking southbound on the east side of the intersection. The motorist was turning eastbound onto Park Ave after travelling southbound on 26th street. Police continue to investigate. The pedestrian suffered a significant head injury and has since been transported via ambulance to Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre. Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance, as all efforts to identify the pedestrian have been negative. She had no form of identification on her, and was only carrying a set of keys. -She is described as a mature adult Caucasian female -Possibly in her 60’s -Average build -Shorter, Grey hair -Wearing a winter coat that is predominantly red -Black pants, grey shoes and a toque Anyone with information regarding the identity of this female is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service 204-729-234

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 12:30 Saturday afternoon Police responded to a business in the Corral Centre (18th St N) for a holdup alarm.  Upon arrival it was learned that three adult females had filled several shopping carts with goods from the store and were attempting to leave without making payment.  A store employee attempted to stop the suspects from leaving, however the suspects pulled a knife out and threatened the male employee.  The suspects then fled the area in a vehicle.  Officers were able to obtain a description of the vehicle and its direction of travel from video surveillance.  A short time later, the vehicle was located and a traffic stop was coordinated among responding police units.  The vehicle was stopped in the 200 block of 8th St. and the suspects were arrested.  Officers located approximately $395 worth of stolen property inside the vehicle.  During the arrest process two f the females provided false names to the arresting officers however their investigation did lead to the discovery of their true identity. The first accused, a 33 year old from Sioux Valley was charged with robbery and public mischief (for providing a false name).  The second accused, a 41 year old from Brandon is charged with robbery and public mischief.  She was also the subject of two warrants for her arrest for charges including break and enter, assault, 2 counts of theft, 2 counts of breach of recognizance, and breach of probation.  The third accused, a 28 year old from Brandon was charged with robbery.  She is also charged as a result of a November 1st report of theft of a $225 pair of glasses from a store in the Towne Centre.   All three accused females were all lodged at the Brandon Correctional Centre and are scheduled to appear before a Justice later this morning.