Brandon, MB – Manitoba AG EX presented by Mazergroup has wrapped up for another year. With a great showing of livestock and thousands of visitors through the Keystone Centre during the four-day event, organizers are very pleased with the results. Ron Kristjansson, general manager at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. “I would really like to give a big Salute to the efforts of Co-Chairs Dallas Johnson and Brent Blaine and the hard work of all the volunteers that contribute to the events of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba.” Manitoba AG EX Co-Chair Dallas Johnson has been involved with this event for a number of years and has been an integral part of building the show. Johnson would like to recognize the efforts of all the cattle producers who came out to show their stock and take part in Manitoba Ag Ex despite the weather and other challenges that have faced all of Manitoba and Western Canada farmers this year. “The support of our show is critical to us moving forward and developing even bigger and better shows for the livestock industry in this part of the world.” Says Johnson. For the 4th year in a row, the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association provided top-level rodeo competition with their year-end finals event. New MRCA president, Mark Fraser, congratulated all the competitors for another successful year and contributes the prosperity of this event to the partnerships. He also wanted to extend a big Special Thanks to all the fans and supporters of rodeo who came out to support the event this weekend. The competitors work hard all summer to get to this final championship and they rally through three straight nights of competition; we are very proud of all their accomplishments and thank them all for their efforts. The Manitoba Superhorse 50/50, NAERIC Barrels of Cash, and Hagan Performance and Ranch Horse Sale rounded out the equine competitions and sales and had a successful weekend to complete the event. Results for the cattle shows and rodeo events are available at www.manitobaagex.com. Next up for the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba will be the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, March 30 – April 4, 2020. Visit www.provincialexhibition.com for more details. (Article Submitted)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On October 23, 2019, we reported on an explosion that occurred at a residence in the 200 block of Queen’s Ave east on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 7:50 pm. When officers arrived at the residence, they located a 63-year-old female, deceased. The 63-year-old male, sustained injuries for which he required treatment. He was transported to Winnipeg Health Science Centre on October 22, 2019 by STARS air ambulance, where he remained. Since the incident, members of BPS Major Crimes Section have continued to investigate in cooperation with the Office of the Fire Commission. The investigation has led police to determine that the death of the female was not accidental. On Friday October 25, 2019, BPS Major Crime Section members attended to Winnipeg Health Science Centre where the 63-year-old male suspect was being released from medical care, and arrested him. On Friday evening, he was brought back to Brandon and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. He will appear before a Justice on a charge of 2nd Degree Murder, on October 26, 2019. More information regarding this incident will be released at Brandon Police Service on Monday October 28, 2019 at 11:00 am. No further information will be released until that time. Members of the media are invited to attend in person, and have the opportunity to ask further questions.

The Manitoba government has announced the first dates for upcoming agricultural Crown land lease auctions, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen said today. “The former Department of Agriculture conducted extensive consultations with stakeholders on the allocation of agricultural Crown lands,” said Pedersen.  “The auction system is a fair and transparent approach that will create opportunities for new or young farmers to have access to these public assets.” Upcoming agricultural Crown land lease auctions are being held on: •    Nov. 27 at the Brandon Manitoba Agriculture Office; •    Nov. 28 at the Minnedosa Ukrainian Hall; •    Nov. 29 at the Dauphin Provincial Building; •    Dec. 3 at the Swan River War Veterans Community Hall; •    Dec. 5 at the Ashern Manitoba Agriculture Office; and •    Dec. 6 at the Dugald Community Hall. In November 2018, the Manitoba government passed The Crown Lands Amendment Act (Improved Management of Community Pastures and Agricultural Crown Lands), which enabled amendments to the Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation (Oct. 1, 2019).  One of the updates to the regulation included implementing a system of allocating agricultural Crown land leases by way of a public auction. The Agricultural Crown Lands Program supports the sustainable expansion of the livestock herd in Manitoba, contributes to ecological goods and services, and provides mitigation and adaptation to climate change.  These leases and permits are available to farmers and ranchers, to provide an additional land base on which to conduct agricultural activities. More information on the upcoming auctions, including start times, can be found at https://resd.ca/leases_and_permits/LPproperties.aspx or contact a local Manitoba Agriculture Agricultural Crown Land office.

Santa will be making his annual visit to the Wheat City during the Brandon Santa Parade which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 16th @ 6:00pm.  A variety of floats will be on-hand along the parade route which covers several blocks around Rosser and Princess Avenues.  All float entries will be considered for several different judging categories including Best Parade Theme,  Best Decorated Vehicle and People's Choice.  Some of last year's winners include Westman Dreams for Kids for Best Parade Theme and the RCA Museum/CFB Shilo for Best Decorated Vehicle. Parade spectators are encouraged to being a non perishable food item in support of Canada Post and their food drive.

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.”