BRANDON—The Manitoba government is providing more than $130,000 from Manitoba Justice’s Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund to the Brandon Police Service to improve safety for their officers and the community, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced here today. “These significant investments will enhance public safety in Brandon and the surrounding regions by equipping police with the tools they need to stay safe and do their jobs more effectively,” said Cullen.  “These tools will help to save lives and enhance officer safety, and the Manitoba government is pleased to provide this support to the Brandon Police Service.” The investments announced today include: more than $86,000 for a new SkyRanger drone that will be used for traffic accident and crime scene investigations, search and rescue, mass disaster scenes, high-speed pursuits and tactical surveillance during high-risk incidents; more than $20,000 for three night-vision goggles to assist drug investigators with surveillance in low-light conditions; more than $18,000 for 12 gas masks to enable the Tactical Response Unit to safely clear areas during high-risk calls after a chemical munition deployment; and $8,000 for the Youth Cadet Program to purchase sporting equipment and uniforms. “This funding allocation from the provincial government will ensure that our work towards a safer community and engagement with our youth can continue,” said Chief Wayne Balcaen, Brandon Police Service.  “Using funds taken from criminals to support police service equipment and programming sends a powerful message to the public that crime doesn’t pay.” The minister noted Brandon is also receiving $8,000 for the Crime Stoppers program, which will be used for promotional materials and rewards.  Crime Stoppers is a program that lets community members share information with police agencies safely and anonymously to help solve crimes in the community. The minister said more than $1.6 million has so far been dedicated this year through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund to police agencies across Manitoba.  Since  its  inception, just under $21 million  in assets  have  been  successfully  forfeited  to  Manitoba  through  criminal  property  forfeitures. For more information about criminal property forfeiture, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice/safe/cpf/index.html. Source: (Province of Manitoba News Release)

BRANDON—A successful program designed to help job-seekers find and prepare for employment is expanding to Brandon, ensuring people in the Westman region can access these important supports and achieve greater financial independence, Families Minister Heather Stefanson announced in the community today. “Jobs on 9th will be a single-window resource for job seekers, with supports for people who are ready to find and successfully apply for work,” said Stefanson.  “We’ve seen a lot of success with this approach in Winnipeg, which is why we are expanding to serve the Brandon and Westman regions.  We are investing in proven strategies that will make a real difference in the lives of Manitobans and their families.  The advice and support they receive at this service centre could change the rest of their lives.” Jobs on 9th will launch this fall, modelled after the Jobs on Market service centre in Winnipeg.  It will support individuals looking for employment with resume development, job search counseling, job referrals, connections to community resources and access to computers, phones and printers.  Work-related expenses for clothing, transportation and equipment, and emergency food vouchers are also available for clients. Provincial staff will work quickly with clients to fully assess and identify their needs to enter or return to the workforce.  They will also monitor client progress for up to 90 days to improve employment outcomes. The minister noted the office, located at 127-340 Ninth St. in Brandon, is currently being renovated to better meet the needs of clients.  Once it opens, the centre will have three dedicated staff to support the employment goals of Westman residents. In just over two years, Jobs on Market in Winnipeg has met with and provided services to more than 4,900 people and approximately 2,200 of them have gained financial independence without Employment and Income Assistance (EIA). For more information on Jobs on Market and EIA, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fs/jobs-on/market.html#about and www.gov.mb.ca/fs/eia/index.html. Source: (Province of MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On May 1st, 2019, at 11:42 am, Brandon Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. During the course of the investigation, police seized 80 grams of Fentanyl with a potential maximum street value of $48,000.00 as well a quantity of cash. One of the two individuals arrested was also found in possession of a conductive energy weapon which had been disguised as a flashlight. As a result of the investigation, the two occupants of the vehicle were both arrested. A 59 year old man from Starbuck, Manitoba was also charged with breaching his Court Ordered Recognizance by being found in Possession of the illegal drugs and for communicating with the other individual in the car. The second man in the car was a 35 year old man from Winnipeg who was also arrested on the strength of a Manitoba radius warrant for Assault and Mischief Under $ 5000.00.  Both men were lodged at BCC and are to appear in Brandon Court on May 2nd, 2019.

Festival Park is open and ready to take bookings. Festival Park is the first feature to be developed in “The Hub North” area at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. With a capacity of up to 3,000 people, the amphitheatre features a covered, elevated stage. The space is ideal for concerts and event rentals throughout the summer. Brandon Riverbank welcomes people to come check out the space and are reminded to remain on the pathways to protect the newly landscaped areas. A number of events have already been booked at the facility. For additional information on Festival Park and the Riverbank Discovery Centre, please click here.

Brandon University enters a new era today, as Dr. David Docherty assumes the reins as President and Vice-Chancellor. “It is a true honour to walk up the historic steps of Clark Hall to the Office of the President today, and a very real pleasure to begin my term as President surrounded by the energy and optimism that fills the BU campus,” Dr. Docherty said. “I am thankful for the warm welcome shown to me by the campus and the community, and I am eager to continue getting to know everyone here, who are all essential to BU’s success.” Dr. Docherty comes to Brandon University from Mount Royal University in Calgary, where he had served as President since 2011. Previously, he was at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. Dr. Docherty holds a PhD in political science and has a background as an accomplished academic and administrator who has led institutions through times of transformative change. During his first few days in the new role, Dr. Docherty is planning to invest time in building friendships, and getting to better know the BU campus. “I’ll be taking my laptop to Forbidden Flavours in the Mingling Area this afternoon, but I hope I’ll be too busy to look at it,” he laughed. “Please come see me to introduce yourself. And if you see me around campus anytime, I am always happy to stop and say hi.” Along with his strong belief in the importance of genuine personal relationships, Dr. Docherty has a notable record as a successful fundraiser, as a committed champion of diversity, inclusion and Indigenous reconciliation, and as an enthusiastic community-builder. As President, Dr. Docherty succeeds Dr. Gervan Fearon, who departed BU in 2017. Since that time, the role of Interim President has been filled by Dr. Steve Robinson. Dr. Docherty thanked Dr. Robinson for his work as Interim President. “I know I will lean on his judgment and expertise in the future as he returns to his role as Vice-President (Academic & Provost).” Source: (Brandon University News)