Gambler First Nation will be holing a ground breaking ceremony today at 1:30pm at their new development (located at the corner of 18th Street North and Clare Avenue). The Gambler First Nation Business Park will be the first Urban Reserve in the City of Brandon, with designs on bringing significant economic benefits to both Gambler First Nation and the City of Brandon. The ceremony will celebrate two years of hard work and dedication on behalf of Gambler First Nation, the City of Brandon and Indigenous Services Canada. A gas bar, convenience store, mini mall and hotel were among the list of commercial options listed in the initial development plans.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On May 8, 2019, Brandon Police Service received a report of a missing 46-year-old male from Deloraine, Manitoba.  Jason Warren Cathcart RILEY was last seen in Brandon on May 8. Jason Warren Cathcart RILEY is 5’11”, approximately 197 lbs, brown/grey short hair and blue eyes. It is unknown where he is at this time, and police are concerned for his safety. Brandon Police Service are asking anyone with information to call (204)729-2345.

Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade has completed its selection process to determine the second phase of cannabis retailers in the province. In July 2018, the province released a request for pre-qualification (RFPQ) seeking potential retailers interested in a future opportunity to operate cannabis retail stores in Manitoba.  The RFPQ directed respondents to indicate communities where they would be prepared to open a store. The selection process consisted of a randomized draw, called the cannabis retail opportunities draw.  Each pre-qualified retailer received one ballot per community of interest.  One ballot was drawn for each identified community, as well as a second standby ballot. Through the randomized draw, the following retailers have been selected: •    Altona: – Selected retailer:  Westleaf Inc. – Standby retailer:  10022915 Manitoba •    Flin Flon: – Selected retailer:  10552763 Canada Corporation (Garden Variety) – Standby retailer:  Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. •    Lac du Bonnet: – Selected retailer:  The Viscount Gort Motor Hotel Ltd. – Standby retailer:  Matzelle Holdings Ltd. •    Niverville: – Selected retailer:  Canna Cabana Inc. – Standby retailer:  Red River Cooperative Ltd. •    Municipality of Russell-Binscarth: – Selected retailer:  2296476 Ontario Inc. (The Corktown Cannabis Company) – Standby retailer:  5403651 Manitoba Ltd. (Yale Hotel) •    Swan River: – Selected retailer:  Fire & Flower Inc. – Standby retailer:  Westcoast Sunset Holdings Corporation •    Virden: – Selected retailer:  3381102 Manitoba Ltd. (Northern Hotel) – Standby retailer:  10022915 Manitoba. Selected retailers have been asked to confirm whether or not they are interested in opening a store in community they were drawn for, and will have 10 days to confirm their interest.  If the selected retailer decides not to pursue a retail store in that community, the opportunity will be presented to the standby retailer drawn for that community. Once confirmed, retailers will enter into written agreements with the province and can then begin the process to open their stores including securing the necessary permits from the communities in which they will operate and receiving a licence from the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority. For more information on cannabis in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/cannabis/. The full list of retailers drawn is available at www.manitoba.ca/jec/cannabis/. (Source: Province of Manitoba News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On April 14, 2019, police received an initial report of a stolen cheque, deposited into a bank account.  Investigations over the following weeks revealed that a 37-year-old female used stolen identification to open up two bank accounts in the victim’s name.  The female suspect then took a stolen cheque from a second victim and deposited it into one of the fraudulently obtained bank accounts.  The victim learned of the fraudulently obtained bank accounts when a bank contacted her about depositing stolen cheques. Once being made aware that a fraud was occurring in her name, the victim was able to report to police.  Police arrested the suspect Wednesday afternoon.  She will be appearing in court today on charges of Possess Property Obtained by Crime, Identity Fraud, Fraud Under $5000 X 4, and Forgery X 24.

BRANDON, Man. (May 15, 2019) – Assiniboine Community College will be presenting Kelly McCrimmon with an honorary diploma in Business Administration at this year’s graduation ceremony in Brandon. Mr. McCrimmon is well-known and respected across Manitoba and beyond for his passion and contributions to the hockey world, including the decades he served as general manager, head coach, and owner of the Brandon Wheat Kings. Earlier this month, McCrimmon was named General Manager for the Vegas Golden Knights, having joined the hockey operations team less than three years prior. He was also recently named a 2019 inductee for the Manitoba Hockey Hall of fame. “Mr. McCrimmon has spent much of his career investing his time and talent in Brandon and the Westman region,” said Assiniboine president Mark Frison. “He’s the embodiment of hard work, perseverance, and passion rolled into one, and we are thrilled to be recognizing and celebrating him for a lifetime as a community-minded businessman.” In 1992, McCrimmon purchased one-third ownership of the Wheat Kings from partner Bob Cornell, later taking sole ownership in 2000. During his time with the Wheat Kings, the team won more than 400 games, played in four Memorial Cups, and captured ten Eastern Division pennants and six Eastern Conference Championships. Through the Wheat King’s scholarship program, hundreds of former players have received financial support for post-secondary education, offering them the tools for success following their hockey careers. The team has leveraged its profile over the years to raise thousands of dollars for local charities including the United Way, MS Society of Canada, Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation, Cancer Care Centre, Western Manitoba Cancer Care, the Brandon Humane Society, and the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation. Many credit McCrimmon for his efforts that brought the 2010 Memorial Cup to Brandon, generating millions of dollars for the local economy, resulting in significant upgrades to the Keystone Centre. In August 2016, McCrimmon was named Assistant General Manager of the Vegas Golden Knights, a team that went to the Stanley Cup Final in its first season (2017-18). That team also broke the NHL record as the fastest expansion franchise to win its first 20 games. Earlier this month, McCrimmon announced his next move forward, when he was named General Manager for the Golden Knights, effective September 1. He and his wife, Terry, have two grown children, Chelsea and Micky. Mr. McCrimmon will address Assiniboine graduates at the June 13 ceremony in Brandon, which begins at 2 p.m. at the Keystone Centre’s main arena. (Source: ACC Release)