Budget Blinds of Southwest Manitoba is excited to bring their Customer Appreciation Showcase to Brandon Friday, October 4 – Saturday, October 5, 2019, as part of the Thank You Manitoba Tour. Owner & Consultant of Budget Blinds SW Manitoba, Sue Swarbrick explained that after eight great years in business, it is time to celebrate with the customers that make it all possible. "We want to gather our customers together in celebration of relationships made along the way while decorating their homes and businesses," said Swarbrick Brandon is one of five stops on the tour. The showcase will also set up shop in Portage la Prairie, Steinbach, Dauphin and Swan River. Like anything in the world, technology has forced some significant advancements in the industry. The staff at Budget Blinds has put together a high-end display that will showcase these advancements to the marketplace. "There is always something new in our industry like retrofit motors," added Swarbrick. "At Budget Blinds, we pride ourselves on providing style and service for every budget. We have the best warranties in the industry, and we offer products from over 25 reputable vendors.” There is never a bad time to transform your home's interior to something you've always dreamed of, and Budget Blinds is here to make those aspirations come true. For more information on Budget Blinds of Southwest Manitoba and how the transformation specialists can help change your life, make a stop in and see them at their showroom on 381 Park Avenue East, Unit B in Brandon

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon is pleased to unveil a new electronic ticketing system that will allow for easier processing of tickets issued for traffic by-law violations and will provide citizens options to immediately address a ticket they’ve been issued without delay. Developed in-house by the City of Brandon Information Technology Department, the City of Brandon’s new E-Ticketing platform includes the ability for Brandon Police Service by-law officers and the City’s various 3rd party parking authority partners to electronically document a traffic by-law violation (including photo evidence, if applicable) and print a violation notice directly in the field using a mobile application fully integrated with the ticket payment system used by the City of Brandon Finance Department. This new process will mean that immediately upon receipt of a ticket, citizens can visit a 24-7 web portal to pay the ticket via credit card, or drop by Brandon City Hall (410-9th Street) during regular business hours for other payment methods. A citizen may also begin the ticket appeal process using the same website without delay. City of Brandon Manager of Accounting Tara Pearce says this new process will save time and create an easier experience for both City personnel and for citizens. “Prior to this new system’s launch, traffic bylaw violation tickets issued by Brandon Police Service personnel and our other partner organizations had to be delivered or sent to City Hall, where they then had to be manually entered into our financial system. This could mean up to two business days before a recipient could address payment of a ticket, and there was always the possibility of human error with this transfer of information,” notes Pearce. “With this new e-ticketing platform, citizens can take the next step of either payment or appeal virtually minutes after receiving a violation notice, making the overall process much more seamless for all involved.” While Brandon Police Service members have been using the RCMP’s PAT (Police Access Tool) electronic-ticketing system to document provincial traffic offences for a number of years, Brandon Police Service Inspector Greg Hebert says this new City of Brandon e-ticketing system for municipal by-law enforcement is certainly welcome. “Brandon Police Service has been eagerly anticipating the implementation of electronic parking tickets to enhance service for the citizens of Brandon,” says Hebert. “With this rollout, our by-law officers will be able to send the electronic ticket to City Hall in real-time, providing quick and easy options for the citizens of Brandon to address it.” City of Brandon administration anticipates a full-roll out of this new traffic by-law e-ticketing process by mid-September, with examination already underway for the potential of additional bylaw violation processes to be brought online using the same technology. (Source: City of Brandon Public Notice)

A series of photos from this past weekend's incredibly successful Food Truck Warz event held at the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre. In three short years Food Truck Warz has quickly become one the year's most highly anticipated and attended events in Brandon. Plans have already begun for year 4.

A car & bike show raising funds for the BRHA Pediatrics & Neonatal intensive care unit will be taking place in Brandon this Sunday from 11am-4pm. The event (Childhood Dreams Car Show) will be held at Meadows School and is free to spectators. A number of vendors and food trucks are scheduled to be onsite. Those looking to register their vehicle, or those looking for additional information can click this link. The festivities kick off Saturday evening at Resurrection Paint Correction & Auto Detailing (245 17th Street N) with a rib night (ribs, mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, drink) prepared by Smoked & Sauced Mobile BBQ. Supper is only $20 and starts at 6pm with a cruise to follow around 8pm. Spectators wishing to view the cruising vehicles can hang out in some of the parking lots along 18th Street. More details here.

Mid-afternoon on Tuesday, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the intersection of 36th St. and Victoria Ave for a two vehicle crash, involving a school bus and a Jeep. Visual damage appeared minor, and no children appeared to be on the school bus at the time. Emergency crews were able to clear shortly after arriving. Photos by: Liam Pattison Photography.