The city of Brandon and its surrounding region have an even stronger voice in Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government following a refresh of the provincial cabinet. At a ceremony earlier today, Brandon West MLA Reg Helwer was sworn in as Minister of Central Services, a new portfolio that focuses on modernizing government services in Manitoba. Helwer will also serve as Minister responsible for the Civil Service Commission and joins Spruce Woods MLA Cliff Cullen, who remains as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, at the cabinet table. “I am honoured to join the provincial cabinet as Minister of Central Services,” said Helwer. “I look forward to delivering on our government’s commitment to responsible fiscal management so we can invest even more in the front-line services Manitobans depend on.” In addition to the cabinet appointments, Brandon East MLA Len Isleifson will serve as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living. “This is a great privilege and I am eager to help carry on the important work our government has started,” said Isleifson. “As someone who worked for over 20 years in the Prairie Mountain Health Region, I know how much Manitobans value a quality health-care system and the importance of delivering better care, sooner.”

Maryland Park School Brandon's newest Kindergarten to Grade 8 School is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in September 2020. Please join us on for our first Parent/Guardian Information Session on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 6:30 pm to review the registration process, answer your questions, and seek parental/guardian involvement. Date: Monday, November 4, 2019 at 6:30 pm Location: Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School Cafeteria 1930 – 1st Street, Brandon. Please enter through the west doors near the student parking lot. In order to plan for the needs of our students currently residing in the Maryland Park School Catchment Area, Brandon School Division is undertaking a two-step process. Families in this new Catchment Area are being asked to complete an online survey [Link: http://bit.ly/2PcgW7O] to confirm the enrollment numbers at the four schools that will be impacted by the shifting of this student population and the needs of within the Maryland Park School community. A paper copy of the survey will be available with each registration package. The next step will be for parents/guardians to review and complete the registration packages that will be sent home within the first two weeks of November for our students currently in Kindergarten through Grade 7. New Kindergarten registration materials for September 2020 will be made available to families in January 2020. If you require any disability accommodations or an interpreter for this event, please email our office: info@bsd.ca. Should you have any questions prior to the event, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Around 8:00 on Tuesday night, fire and police responded to the 200 block of Queens Ave East for a house explosion. The house had significant damage to all four sides of the structure. The front walls of the house were almost completely blown off. Brandon Fire & Emergency Services Captain Don Matthews says, "At this point we know that it was a natural gas explosion, but all other variables are currently under investigation. Office of the Fire Commissioner is on scene with their Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit, helping with stabilizing the structure." There has been no official word on injuries, but a person was seen being loaded into an ambulance. Brandon Fire, Brandon Police and Manitoba OFC are investigating. Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.

Source:Brandon Police Service Media Release On October 16, 2019, the Brandon Police Service received a report of a missing 17 year old female from Brandon. Kaitrianne (Katie) IRONSTAND is 5'4, 90 pounds, piercings in her ears, light brown hair, brown eyes, fair complexion and is of slim build. She was last seen wearing black pants, black and white sweater and brown boots. The last contact made with IRONSTAND was on October 20, 2019. It is believed that IRONSTAND is currently in Winnipeg, possibly in the Polo Park or Point Douglas area. Her exact whereabouts at this time is currently unknown. Police, family members and other members of the community are very concerned for the saftey of IRONSTAND and urge the public to come forward with any information they may have as to her whereabouts. Please contact the Brandon Police Service at (204)729-2345 with any information.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Saturday afternoon, police were called to the Town Center for an intoxicated male passed out in the Library. Officers attended and observed the male to be highly intoxicated. The 24 year old male was removed and lodged at the Brandon Correctional Center, to be released when sober.